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
First Claim
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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Abstract
A novel user-friendly method of and system for integrating the use of a plurality of different communication techniques for over-the-Internet interfacing between a central server storing a plurality of different information topics and user identification information and a plurality of independent user computer stations which have selected common information topics and are widely geographically separated, for such purposes as information and dialog networking of schools and other groups with common topic interests, and enabling real-time intercommunication amongst such users and with the server, and including growing the information on the selected topics through Internet feedback to the server of user dialog and supplemental information relating thereto; the method creating a virtual common room atmosphere for all the users (such as the same virtual classroom) wherein, irrespective of the diverse geographical locations and actual distances of the varied user stations from one another and from the central server, real-time interactions are enabled amongst all simulating as if the users were all actually in the same room at the same time and participating together.
660 Citations
29 Claims
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system for 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, the system having, in combination, central file server means containing storage means 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; -
means for storing also at such central file server(s) the files and other detailed information pertaining to each informational topic indexed in the database;
means for connecting the server to the Internet, each user computer station being connected to the Internet and having 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;
means for 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 selectable 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, means is provided at the server for identifying the user'"'"'s personal identification and information in the database and means for thereupon customizing the user screen topic buttons to present thereon those topics of selected as of interest by the user and stored in said database; and
, upon the user selecting a topic button and thereupon generating said screen pattern, means for 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, means for automatically thereupon communicating such data from the server in the appropriate user-selected communication mode over the Internet to the user screens, observable by all said users. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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- 27. A method of organizing and integrating the use of a plurality of different types of Internet information and dialogue communication techniques and for each of a plurality of different informational topics with a common-interest group of separated and independent common interest users, that comprises, providing each user with a user computer station interfacing through the Internet with a central server and provided with similar software that generates a common type screen at each station containing a common "tool bar" with "buttons" for selecting different primary communication function modes, synchronous and asynchronous, enabling each user at that user'"'"'s computer station independently to select on the screen a desired communication mode and convenient time frame for communication to the central server, enabling the central server to receive and communicate each user'"'"'s communications to all other user computer stations of the group and in a manner that adapts among the different selected communication modes and time frames without limiting the ability of any user to communicate with any other user, regardless of the communicaiton mode chosen.
Specification