Method of aggregating and distributing informal and formal knowledge using software agents

• US 6,999,961 B2
• Filed: 08/24/2001
• Issued: 02/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Byteweavr, LLC (Ascend Innovation Management, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Mark Hall
• Inventors: Hall, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Robinson, Greta
• Assistant Examiner(s): Le, Debbie M.
• Application Number:
  US09/938,971
• Publication Number:
  US 20020049743A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,635 Days
• Field of Search: 707 1- 10, 434/322, 705/40, 705/400
• US Class Current: 707/722
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/06 with both visual and audible presentation of the material to be studied
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/959 Network
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of knowledge management by aggregating and distributing educational content, informal knowledge, and related supplies or services to various clients. Based on an exchange based architecture, software agents are either remotely installed on the networks of content and learning resource providers or operate autonomously. At the command of the aggregator, the agents poll and collect requested content from the content and learning resource providers. After receiving the requested content, the aggregator distributes the collected content to a client website or browser application applying the rules and standards unique to each client end user.

Claims

1. A method of aggregating information content comprising:

accessing a content aggregator;

transmitting a search query to the content aggregator;

transmitting the query from the content aggregator to a plurality of remote agents, wherein each of said agents is located on one of a plurality of distinct networks;

searching each of said plurality of networks for content responsive to the query via its respective remote agent;

transmitting a search result from each of said respective remote agents to the content aggregator;

processing the plurality of search results into a processed information content via the aggregator, wherein said processing includes applying a rules and standard designated by a client, and

transmitting said processed information content from said aggregator to said client.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of distinct networks include learning resource provider and content provider computer networks.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the content aggregator processes the plurality of search results by statistically weighting at least one variable based on an academic institution, content price, content credit, content subject, or content location.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the content aggregator monitors academic credit acquired by the client.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the content aggregator provides incentives to the client for purchasing content from at least one learning resource provider.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the content aggregator receives a discount from a learning resource provider based on the amount of content received by the client.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the content aggregator receives a discount from a content provider based on the amount of content received by the client.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the client receives a discount from the aggregator based on the amount of content received by the client.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein said search query comprises a customized form.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein said remote agents gather the content responsive to the query in accordance with rules and standards generated by a controller software.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said remote agents are autonomous.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein said remote agents are remotely accessible by said aggregator.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said remote agents are installed on said distinct networks.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein said processing further comprises the aggregator analyzing said results and culling information not relevant to the search query posed.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein said processing further comprises the aggregator categorizing said search results in a format specified by said client.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein said aggregator transmits the processed information to the client in a customized response form.

9. A system for aggregating information content comprising:

means for accessing a content aggregator;

means for transmitting a search query from a client to a content aggregator;

means for transmitting the query from the content aggregator to a plurality of remote agents, wherein each of said agents is located on one of a plurality of distinct networks;

means for searching each of said plurality of networks for content responsive to the query via its respective remote agent;

means for each of said respective remote agents transmitting a search result to the content aggregator;

means for processing the plurality of search results into a processed information content via the aggregator, wherein said processing means for applying a rules and standard selected by said client,

means for transmitting said processed information content to said client.

10. The system of claim 9 further comprising means for processing the content by statistically weighting at least one variable based on an academic institution, content price, content credit, content subject, or content location.

21. The method of claim 9, wherein said plurality of networks comprise learning resource provider and content provider computer networks.

22. The method of claim 9, wherein said search results comprise formal and informal knowledge.

23. The method of claim 9, wherein said remote agents gather the content responsive to the query in accordance with rules and standards generated by a controller software.

24. The method of claim 9, wherein each of said remote agents include an autonomous controller software program.

25. The method of claim 9, wherein each of said remote agents are remotely accessible by a controller software program installed on said aggregator.

11. A computer program product for aggregating information content comprising:

first instructions for allowing a client to access a content aggregator;

second instructions for transmitting a search query from said client to the content aggregator;

third instructions for transmitting the query from the content aggregator to a plurality of remote agents, wherein each of said agents is located on one of a plurality of distinct networks;

fourth instructions for searching a said plurality of networks for content responsive to the query via its respective remote agent;

fifth instructions for transmitting a search result from each of said respective remote agents to the content aggregator;

sixth instructions for processing the plurality of search results into a processed information content via the aggregator, wherein said processing includes applying a rules and standard unique to said client; and

,

seventh instructions for transmitting said processed information content to said client.

12. The computer program product of claim 11 wherein the instructions for processing the content by the aggregator include statistically weighting at least one variable based on an academic institution, content price, content credit, content subject, or content location.