System and method for delivering expert information by computer
First Claim
1. A method of providing information by computer to a plurality of users, from at least one expert respondent, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) submitting a question, in machine-readable form, to a computer, the question being submitted by any one of a plurality of users, the computer having a memory capable of storing the question, and storing the question in said memory, wherein the question is made accessible to all of said users,b) transmitting the question to an expert respondent who will answer the question,c) receiving an oral response, from the expert respondent, through a telephone line connected to said computer,d) converting the oral response to a machine-readable sound file, and storing said file in said memory, ande) playing said sound file to any of said users upon receipt of an electronic request from any of said users.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computer-based system facilitates exchange of information between users and expert respondents. The users post questions on a topic to a computer bulletin board or forum, using a telephone and modem connection to a remote server. The respondents contact the server by telephone, and receive a list of questions that have been posted. The respondents then dictate answers orally, by telephone, and the answers are recorded and stored by the server as sound files. The stored answers can later be played back by users who connect to the server through their personal computers. The answers can also be transcribed into text files for viewing by the users. Thus, a user can both hear the recorded voice of the respondent and see the stored text of the respondent'"'"'s answer. The system makes it easy for respondents to answer questions, or provide comments, especially in cases where a respondent is not familiar with computer technology, or where a respondent is not conveniently located near a computer.
-
Citations
13 Claims
-
1. A method of providing information by computer to a plurality of users, from at least one expert respondent, the method comprising the steps of:
-
a) submitting a question, in machine-readable form, to a computer, the question being submitted by any one of a plurality of users, the computer having a memory capable of storing the question, and storing the question in said memory, wherein the question is made accessible to all of said users, b) transmitting the question to an expert respondent who will answer the question, c) receiving an oral response, from the expert respondent, through a telephone line connected to said computer, d) converting the oral response to a machine-readable sound file, and storing said file in said memory, and e) playing said sound file to any of said users upon receipt of an electronic request from any of said users. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A system for providing information by computer, comprising:
-
a) means for submitting a question, in computer-readable form, from any one of a plurality of users, to a server, the server including means for storing the question and for making the question accessible to all of said plurality of users, b) means for transmitting the question to an expert respondent who will answer the question, c) means for receiving an oral response, from the expert respondent, through a telephone line connected to the server, and d) means for converting the oral response to a machine-readable sound file, and for storing said file in said memory, and for making said sound file available for playback at a request of any of said plurality of users. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
Specification