Method and apparatus for providing group interaction via communications networks
First Claim
1. A system for facilitating interpersonal communications over a computer network, comprising:
- a plurality of computers, each computer having a memory, a processor storing and retrieving instructions from the memory, and a network interface operably connecting the processor to a communications medium;
a communications module receiving content from an originating computer and transmitting said content to at least one target computer, with each of the computers being able to function as both an originating computer and a target computer;
a graphical communication flow module integrated with the communications module and providing to each of the computers a graphical representation of a group of networked computers, said graphical communication flow module graphically depicting communication flows showing the originating and target computer users corresponding to each content transmission by the communications module, and having means to graphically depict the communication flows in a manner perceptible to users of all the computers connected to a virtual group; and
wherein the graphical communications flow module has at least one means selected from the group comprising;
a) means to graphically depict that a communications flow is intended by an originator to target all computer users connected to the group of networked computers who are participating in a virtual meeting of the virtual group;
b) means to graphically depict the intended target of each communication flow occurring between computer users participating in a group meeting;
c) means to graphically depict more than one type of communication occurring between users participating in a group meeting;
d) means to graphically depict the originators and targets of more than one communications flow occurring simultaneously between computer users participating in the group meeting;
e) means to enable the originating users to graphically distinguish between communications flows that they intend to be primary and communications flows that they intend to be secondary;
f) means to enable an originator to transmit a hidden communications flow to only one target, while indicating the originator and target of the hidden communications flow in a manner perceptible to all users participating in the group meeting; and
g) means to select at least one type of graphical display of communication flows during the group meeting.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Improvements to a system for enhancing the quality of group interaction, group activities, and group environments over computer networks. New features include the capacity for participants to form subgroups within a larger group, as well as to move about a virtual environment, interacting with other participants they come across in the environment as desired. Unique methods for creating and distributing structured group programs for use on the system, for playing computerized board games or card games on the system, and for building virtual social environments using the system are also disclosed. The system creates improved virtual environments for high-tech business meetings, on-line classrooms, conferences, group counseling sessions, internet trade shows, and private meeting places where family and friends can spend quality time together.
523 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A system for facilitating interpersonal communications over a computer network, comprising:
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a plurality of computers, each computer having a memory, a processor storing and retrieving instructions from the memory, and a network interface operably connecting the processor to a communications medium; a communications module receiving content from an originating computer and transmitting said content to at least one target computer, with each of the computers being able to function as both an originating computer and a target computer; a graphical communication flow module integrated with the communications module and providing to each of the computers a graphical representation of a group of networked computers, said graphical communication flow module graphically depicting communication flows showing the originating and target computer users corresponding to each content transmission by the communications module, and having means to graphically depict the communication flows in a manner perceptible to users of all the computers connected to a virtual group; and wherein the graphical communications flow module has at least one means selected from the group comprising; a) means to graphically depict that a communications flow is intended by an originator to target all computer users connected to the group of networked computers who are participating in a virtual meeting of the virtual group; b) means to graphically depict the intended target of each communication flow occurring between computer users participating in a group meeting; c) means to graphically depict more than one type of communication occurring between users participating in a group meeting; d) means to graphically depict the originators and targets of more than one communications flow occurring simultaneously between computer users participating in the group meeting; e) means to enable the originating users to graphically distinguish between communications flows that they intend to be primary and communications flows that they intend to be secondary; f) means to enable an originator to transmit a hidden communications flow to only one target, while indicating the originator and target of the hidden communications flow in a manner perceptible to all users participating in the group meeting; and g) means to select at least one type of graphical display of communication flows during the group meeting. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for providing a web site residing on a host computer and providing a structured communications environment for a plurality of client computers, said method comprising the steps of:
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graphically displaying a plurality of virtual meeting rooms, a given virtual meeting room being simultaneously accessible to selected ones of the client computers; displaying within each virtual meeting room a representation of the client computers accessing said corresponding virtual meeting room; receiving content from an originating computer and transmitting said content to at least one target computer, with each of the computers being able to function as both an originating computer and a target computer; providing to each of the computers a graphical representation of a group of networked computers, graphically depicting communication flows showing the originating and target computer users corresponding to each content transmission by the communications module, and having means to graphically depict the communication flows in a manner perceptible to users of all the computers connected to a virtual group; and wherein the graphical depiction of communication flows is facilitated by at least one means selected from the group comprising; a) means to graphically depict that a communications flow is intended by an originator to target all computer users connected to the group of networked computers who are participating in a virtual meeting of the virtual group; b) means to graphically depict the intended target of each communication flow occurring between computer users participating in a group meeting; c) means to graphically depict more than one type of communication occurring between users participating in a group meeting; d) means to graphically depict the originators and targets of more than one communications flow occurring simultaneously between computer users participating in the group meeting; e) means to enable the originating users to graphically distinguish between communications flows that they intend to be primary and communications flows that they intend to be secondary; f) means to enable an originator to transmit a hidden communications flow to only one target, while indicating the originator and target of the hidden communications flow in a manner perceptible to all users participating in the group meeting; and g) means to select at least one type of graphical display of communication flows during the group meeting. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A memory medium storing software for facilitating interpersonal communications over a computer network, comprising:
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a communications module receiving content from an originating computer and transmitting said content to at least one target computer, with each of the computers being able to function as both an originating computer and a target computer; a graphical communication flow module integrated with the communications module and providing to each of the computers a graphical representation of a group of networked computers, said graphical communication flow module graphically depicting communication flows showing the originating and target computer users corresponding to each content transmission by the communications module, and having means to graphically depict the communication flows in a manner perceptible to users of all the computers connected to a virtual group; and wherein the graphical communications flow module has at least one means selected from the group comprising; a) means to graphically depict that a communications flow is intended by an originator to target all computer users connected to the group of networked computers who are participating in a virtual meeting of the virtual group; b) means to graphically depict the intended target of each communication flow occurring between computer users participating in a group meeting; c) means to graphically depict more than one type of communication occurring between users participating in a group meeting; d) means to graphically depict the originators and targets of more than one communications flow occurring simultaneously between computer users participating in the group meeting; e) means to enable the originating users to graphically distinguish between communications flows that they intend to be primary and communications flows that they intend to be secondary; f) means to enable an originator to transmit a hidden communications flow to only one target, while indicating the originator and target of the hidden communications flow in a manner perceptible to all users participating in the group meeting; and g) means to select at least one type of graphical display of communication flows during the group meeting. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification