Network-based intercom system and method for simulating a hardware based dedicated intercom system
First Claim
1. A network-based intercom system for use in a network with a plurality of stations interconnected through the network, wherein each station comprises:
- intercom means for simulating an intercom panel which is selectively displayed to communicate messages among the stations interconnected through the network;
banner means for selectively displaying all of the messages received at each station;
notification means for selectively generating a visual display and an audible signal which is unique to an intended recipient of the message, which audible signal is generated by at least one of the plurality of stations interconnected through the network, wherein the notification means is for selectively notifying the addressee when a message for the addressee is displayed by the at least one station after the message has been generated on another one of the plurality of stations interconnected through the network; and
response means for directly responding to the message by an addressee interface with the visual display.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A network-based intercom system and method comprises software and the necessary portions of a computer network on which it is implemented. The software includes a dispatcher module to be installed on any of the computers of the network, and an intercom module to be installed on each of the participating computers in the system. The system has the advantage that it can be installed on non-dedicated computers, thus avoiding costly and inconvenient wiring and hardware installation. The system provides automatic message receipt without unnecessarily interrupting a recipient. This is achieved by signaling that a message has been sent by an assigned audible tone that is unique to the addressee. Thus, the recipient becomes aware that he or she has automatically received a message. The message is displayed in a banner on the addressee'"'"'s computer monitor for selective viewing based on an order of priority. A recipient can respond directly to a message by interfacing with a visual display associated with the message.
51 Citations
64 Claims
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1. A network-based intercom system for use in a network with a plurality of stations interconnected through the network, wherein each station comprises:
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intercom means for simulating an intercom panel which is selectively displayed to communicate messages among the stations interconnected through the network;
banner means for selectively displaying all of the messages received at each station;
notification means for selectively generating a visual display and an audible signal which is unique to an intended recipient of the message, which audible signal is generated by at least one of the plurality of stations interconnected through the network, wherein the notification means is for selectively notifying the addressee when a message for the addressee is displayed by the at least one station after the message has been generated on another one of the plurality of stations interconnected through the network; and
response means for directly responding to the message by an addressee interface with the visual display. - 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 method for providing efficient, non-interruptive, distance communication by way of a network-based intercom system, said system integrated on a plurality of non-dedicated computers providing respective stations of a network, said system comprising software, said software comprising a dispatcher module in any one of said computers, said software further comprising an intercom module in each of said computers, the method comprising the steps of:
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placing a network-based intercom panel display and a message banner on a screen of each of said stations facilitated by said software control;
maintaining a dispatcher list of all current stations in said network in said one of said computers;
coordinating all current messages by computer readable instructions in said software in said dispatcher by;
designating at least one station number to which each of said messages is sent, assigning at least one audible tone per message, and routing all of said messages automatically when a final one of a predetermined number of options has been selected;
automatically sounding said at least one audible tone at a respective one of said computers when one of said messages is sent to said one of said computers; and
providing response means;
wherein said messages are automatically received on respective ones of said banners without addressee input, such that each of said messages is received in a non-interruptive manner and a notification of the arrival of a message is also received in the form of said audible tone, so that an addressee may selectively view the screen without stopping other activities. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of using a network-based intercom system for efficient, non-interruptive, distance communication, said system being configured for implementation on a network comprising a plurality of computers providing respective stations of said network, said system comprising software including a dispatcher module for any one of said computers, said software further including an intercom module in each of said computers, the method of using comprising the sender initiated steps of:
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selectively displaying a message banner on a monitor of one of said computers in which banner all messages received are displayed;
generating an audible signal which is unique to an intended recipient of a message;
initiating a message send by;
bringing up a simulated intercom panel via user interface means, selecting components of a message from lists on said intercom panel;
completing a message send via user interface means; and
the method of using further comprising the addressee initiated step of;
interfacing directly with a visual display associated with the message on a message banner on the monitor of the addressee in order to respond to the message. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A network based computer intercom user interface implemented on a plurality of stations of a network, each station having a corresponding display screen, comprising:
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a software-based simulated intercom panel and means for selectively displaying said simulated intercom panel on the screen of each of said plurality of stations, the means for selectively displaying the panel displaying all of the messages received at each station;
a software-based banner display and means for selectively displaying messages received on said banner display at each of said plurality of stations;
a software controlled, audible signal and means for generating said audible signal wherein said audible signal is generated by at least one of the plurality of stations for selectively notifying the user when a message for the user is received by the at least one station, the audible signal being unique to an intended recipient; and
wherein the banner display further comprises a means for responding directly to a specific one of said messages. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64)
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Specification