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Internet based distance learning system for communicating between server and clients wherein clients communicate with each other or with teacher using different communication techniques via common user interface

  • US 5,974,446 A
  • Filed: 10/24/1996
  • Issued: 10/26/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/24/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of organizing and integrating the use of a plurality of different types of Internet information and dialog communication techniques and for each of a plurality of different informational topics stored in central file server(s) interfacing through the Internet with a plurality of widely geographically separated and independent user computer stations, that comprises, storing at such central file server(s) a database containing(1) an index of a plurality of different informational topics, and(2) a personal information and identification directory on all the users of the plurality of user computer stations including their specific selected informational topics of interest;

  • storing also at such central file server(s) the files and other detailed information pertaining to each informational topic indexed in the database, providing each user computer station with similar software that generates a common type screen at each station containing selectable buttons for personal user identification and for each different information topic selected as of interest to the user;

    enabling said software, upon a user selecting a topic button, for thereupon generating a screen pattern of common format for each topic containing four primary selections;

    (1) a "tool" bar section of "buttons" representing different primary communications function modes including a plurality selected from the group consisting of e-mail, multi-media presentations, web-access, instantaneous messaging, real-time communication, personal information gathering, and custom software,(2) a message reader section displaying all e-mail messages sent by other users interested in the same informational topic,(3) a real-time text base communication-chatting or dialog section, and(4) a list of all the users who have selected the same information topic as of interest and who are currently on-line, cross-referenceable and configurable to specific of such users already known to or desired by the user;

    the software further providing on said screen pattern a web-browsing window tuned to a topic-specific web page; and

    wherein, as the user logs in, the user'"'"'s personal identification and information is identified in the central server file database and the server customizes the user screen topic buttons to those user-selected topics of interest stored in said database; and

    , upon the user selecting a topic button and thereupon generating said screen pattern, the server searches for all stored data on that topic; and

    , upon the user selecting a topic button and thereupon generating said screen pattern, causing a search for all stored data on that topic; and

    upon the user selecting the desired communication function mode from the "tool" box section, communicating such stored data from the server in the appropriate user-selected communication mode over the Internet to the user screens, observable by all said users.

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