Communication method for business

• US 20040260770A1
• Filed: 06/07/2004
• Published: 12/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bruce Medlin, Sheldon Livington
• Original Assignee: Bruce Medlin, Sheldon Livington
• Inventors: Medlin, Bruce, Livington, Sheldon
• Application Number:
  US10/862,644
• Publication Number:
  US 20040260770A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/204
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1813 for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms instant messaging H04L51/04; protocols for multimedia communication H04L65/1101; arrangements for multi-party communication H04L65/403; telephonic conference arrangements H04M3/56; television conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/224 providing notification on incoming messages, e.g. pushed notifications of received messages

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for businesses to conduct business communications over a private network or the Internet. The method allows businesses to notify business personnel via email that when they are available there is updated business communications or questions to be answered. Business partners are permitted to log directly into the at least one virtual chat room where they are provided a user interface in the form of a split screen. The split screen interface includes a first portion that allows business partners to access stored business information or the Internet. The split screen interface also includes a second portion that allows group members to conduct business communications and/or answer questions in a business structured virtual environment, while permitting communications to be stored in a business format that is retrieveable for future use.

Claims

1. An Internet enabled communication method for business comprising the steps of:

creating at least one virtual chat room;

designating group members that will have access to the at least one virtual chat room;

providing an interface to the designated group members in the form of a split screen, a first portion of the split screen provides the designated group members Internet access, a second portion of the split screen provides for display and access to business communications being conducted in the at least one virtual chat room;

providing the designated group members access to stored business information that can be viewed in the first portion of the split screen while simultaneously conducting business communications in the second portion of the split screen; and

automatically notifying via email all or a portion of the designated group members that business communications are being conducted in the at least one virtual chat room.

2. The communication method of claim 1 wherein the step of creating at least one virtual room further includes providing access to a service provider'"'"'s website.

3. The communication method of claim 2 further comprising the step of designating an administrator for the at least one virtual room.

4. The communication method of claim 1 further comprising the step of allowing messages to be posted in the at least one virtual chat room which are only accessible by a predetermined portion of the designated group members.

5. The communication method of claim 1 further comprising the step of allowing the designated group members to make and store notes while in the at least one virtual chat room.

6. The communication method of claim 1 wherein the step of automatically notifying further comprises providing an electronic link in the email that accesses the at least one virtual chat room when clicked.

7. The communication method of claim 1 further including the step of allowing designated group members to access at least one other virtual chat room from a first virtual chat room.