Methods for providing information over networks responsive to digital device user requests
First Claim
1. A method for providing information over a communications network, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) receiving a help request in a subject area from a networked digital device user over the network, wherein the digital device is selected from the group consisting of personal computers, hand held computers, personal digital assistants, hard wired computer terminals, wireless computer terminals, cellular telephones, hard wired telephones, wireless telephones, embedded devices, interactive TV and combinations thereof, (b) selecting a student to provide help to the user, wherein the student has knowledge in the subject area, the student is available to provide the help in the subject area, and the student is in a supervised class setting in an educational institution at the time of the help request; and
(c) establishing a communication link between the user and the student over the network to allow the selected student to provide help to the user over the network while in the supervised class setting.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods for facilitating answering requests for help or information between requesters of that help or information using digital devices and remote helpers selected to answer those requests. In one method, a computer user clicks on a help display object, resulting in a help response message being sent from a remote helper, including a network or Internet address for the helper. Accepting the help response can result in a human helper appearing in a video screen object and providing information or help through video, audio, screen sharing, and remote computer control methodologies. In some methods, a help facilitator organization uses data communication links into educational institutions, classroom located servers and digital devices coupled to those data communication links. The facilitator organization may receive help requests over the Internet from retail end user requesters or from groupings of corporate employee requesters. The help requests may be routed through the facilitator organization, with students selected to answer the help requests based at least in part on the availability of the students, and on the subject matter mastery of the students. Once selected, a more direct communication link between the requester and the student can be established.
61 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A method for providing information over a communications network, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) receiving a help request in a subject area from a networked digital device user over the network, wherein the digital device is selected from the group consisting of personal computers, hand held computers, personal digital assistants, hard wired computer terminals, wireless computer terminals, cellular telephones, hard wired telephones, wireless telephones, embedded devices, interactive TV and combinations thereof, (b) selecting a student to provide help to the user, wherein the student has knowledge in the subject area, the student is available to provide the help in the subject area, and the student is in a supervised class setting in an educational institution at the time of the help request; and
(c) establishing a communication link between the user and the student over the network to allow the selected student to provide help to the user over the network while in the supervised class setting. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for providing support experience for a plurality of students in a supervised setting in an educational institution, wherein the students are reachable or addressable through communication while in the supervised setting, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) receiving a support request from a remote requester in a subject area, wherein the requester is remote from the student;
(b) selecting a student to provide assistance to the requester while the student is in the supervised setting; and
(c) establishing a communication link between the requester and the student to allow two-way communication between the requester and the student while the student is in the supervised setting. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for providing support to a computer user from a computer display, wherein the computer is connectable to a computer network, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a help request object displayable and selectable from the computer display;
(b) upon selection of the help request object, sending a help request over the network requesting real time human assistance, wherein the help request comprises a requester identifier, and apayor identifier or an authorization ID;
(c) receiving a helper network ID;
(d) establishing a communication link to the human helper over the network using the helper network ID;
(e) sending a specific help request to the helper over the network; and
(f) receiving help information from the human helper in response to the sent specific help request. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method for handling help requests from digital device users, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) receiving a help request from a networked digital device user; and
(b) sending the help request over a network to a student in their educational institution in a supervised classroom setting. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34)
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35. A method for managing a student populated help support center at an educational institution, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a data communication link to the help support center;
(b) providing a human interface device at the help support center affiliated with the educational institution, wherein the human interface device is coupled to the data communication link and allows communication between the data communication link and a human being at the human interface device;
(c) providing a supervising instructor at the help support center;
(d) providing a plurality of help requests from help requesters located remotely to the help support center;
(e) selecting a student to answer the help request over the data communication link and using the human interface device; and
(f) directing the help request to the selected student. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification