Commercial product routing system with video vending capability

• US 8,207,998 B1
• Filed: 02/17/2000
• Issued: 06/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Telebuyer LLC
• Original Assignee: Telebuyer LLC
• Inventors: Katz, Ronald A.
• Primary Examiner(s): WOO, STELLA L
• Application Number:
  US09/505,914
• Time in Patent Office: 4,513 Days
• Field of Search: 379/93.12, 379/91.01, 379/93.09, 379/93.17, 379/93.21, 379/93.22, 379/93.25, 379/93.24, 348/14.01, 348/14.08, 348/14.1, 348/14.12, 348/14.14, 348/14.15, 705/27, 705/28
• US Class Current: 348/14.01
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/208 Input by product or record sensing, e.g. weighing or scanner processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0613 Third-party assisted
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19645 Multiple cameras, each having view on one of a plurality of scenes, e.g. multiple cameras for multi-room surveillance or for tracking an object by view hand-over
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19658 Telephone systems used to communicate with a camera, e.g. PSTN, GSM, POTS
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19689 Remote control of cameras, e.g. remote orientation or image zooming control for a PTZ camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2281 Call monitoring, e.g. for law enforcement purposes; Call tracing; Detection or prevention of malicious calls
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42 Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers specially adapted for wireless communication networks H04W4/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/432 Arrangements for calling a subscriber at a specific time, e.g. morning call service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/51 Centralised call answering arrangements requiring operator intervention , e.g. call or contact centers for telemarketing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5125 with remote located operators
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5158 in combination with automated outdialling systems devices for signalling identity of wanted subscriber H04M1/26
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/564 whereby the feature is a sub-conference
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/565 relating to time schedule aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/567 Multimedia conference systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2187 Live feed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 : Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 : Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 : Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/142 : Constructional details of the terminal equipment, e.g. arrangements of the camera and the display
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/147 : Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals selecting H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/152 : Multipoint control units therefor

Abstract

A traffic control system selectively interfaces members of plural groups, as buyer groups and vendor groups, for video communication through a dial-up telephone system, for analyzing and compiling data, scheduling appointments, implementing conferences, consummating sales and the like. The traffic-control system comprises a telephonic interface apparatus for interfacing remote telephonic terminals of the dial-up telephone system identified with the members of plural groups, a video recording unit for recording and playing video transcriptions, a storage memory for storing data on the members, including telephonic terminal numbers and area-of-interest codes and a control computer to selectively interconnect the video recording unit with the remote telephone terminals through the telephonic interface apparatus to record and receive video communication.

Claims

1. A communication and control system for selectively enabling face-to-face video communications for conferences through a communication system between members of plural groups, as buyer groups, each including at least one buyer, and as vendor groups, each including at least one vendor, wherein the vendors offer different products or services via the communication and control system, or between at least one requesting party and at least one responding party for accomplishing video communication between the at least one buyer and the at least one vendor or the at least one requesting or responding parties, comprising:

a control system for implementing a schedule of appointments for face-to-face video communications between the at least one buyer and vendor or the at least one requesting and responding parties, and for transmitting an email to at least one of the buyer, vendor, requesting or responding parties;

interface system for accomplishing video communications between the buyers and vendors or responding and requesting parties via multiple video codec capabilities, the video communications established based upon a schedule arranged via the control system;

multiple video display systems, at least one video display system for at least each of said one buyer or vendor or each of the requesting or responding parties, for viewing of select still image video data presented by one select buyer or vendor or the requesting or responding parties, the video display system communicating video displays to video display terminals for use by said one buyer or vendor or each of the requesting or responding parties, the video display terminals including an input, at least one of said video display systems being capable of operating to provide the select still image video data at the video display terminal of said one buyer or said vendor or each of the requesting or responding parties, at least one of said buyer or vendor or requesting or responding party having a capability to manipulate the still image video data via their video display terminals,

a dynamic, full motion video system for providing real-time video of said buyers or vendors between them or of said requesting or responding parties between them, said full motion video system providing the real-time video at the video display terminal for each of said buyer and vendor or each of said requesting and responding parties, the real-time video including audio;

an interconnect system adapted to selectively electronically couple the video display terminals for said at least one buyer or vendor or the requesting or responding parties on the basis of processing stored information including the schedule, and to permit the provision of the real-time video between the buyer and vendor or the requesting and responding parties, and

a video processor adapted to selectively couple at least one buyer or vendor or one of the requesting and responding parties to enable, provision of real-time video via the multiple video codec capabilities to effect video communication between the buyers and vendors or the requesting and responding parties, said video processor being coupled to the interconnect system.

2. The communication and control system of claim 1 wherein the video processor is coupled to a video codec of said buyer, or said requesting or said responding party.

3. The communication and control of claim 1 wherein the form of communication is analog.

4. The communication and control system of claim 1 wherein the form of communication is digital.

5. The communication and control system of claim 4 wherein the digital communication includes digital video.

6. The communication and control system of claim 1 further including an input system for actuation by buyers or vendors or requesting or responding parties for interaction with said system, at least certain of said buyers or requesting or responding parties adapted for utilizing an on-line service as a portion of said system.

7. The communication and control system of claim 1 further including a storage memory for storing data on said members of said plural groups, including identification data relating to both buyer groups and vendor groups, and commercial transaction data relating to at least certain members.

8. The communication and control system of claim 1 further including a control system to selectively interconnect said members of said plural groups, including at least certain of said buyers and sellers, or to selectively interconnect at least certain said requesting and responding parties, the control system selectively providing transmission of dynamic, full motion video.

9. The communication and control system of claim 1 wherein the audio is provided by an audio system to one or more of said buyers, or to one or more of said requesting or responding parties, in combination with a high resolution still image.

10. The communication and control system of claim 9 wherein the audio system provides voice.

11. The communication and control system of claim 10 wherein the audio system provides real-time voice communication.

12. The communication and control system of claim 1 wherein the dynamic video system includes a camera capability associated with at least one said vendor or said requesting or said responding party.

13. The communication and control system of claim 12 wherein the camera capability is adapted to image said vendor or said requesting or said responding party.

14. The communication and control system of claim 1 wherein the dynamic video system includes a video storage system.

15. The communication and control system of claim 1 wherein the system further includes a printer.

16. The communication and control system of claim 1 wherein the dynamic video system includes a freeze frame capability.

17. The communication and control system of claim 1 wherein the dynamic video system includes a high resolution video capability.

18. The communication and control system of claim 1 wherein the dynamic video system includes real-time video.

19. The communication and control system of claim 18 wherein the dynamic video system includes two-way video.

20. The communication and control system of claim 19 wherein the two-way video is live person-to-person video communication.

21. The communication and control system of claim 1 further comprising:

a text system for provision of text data including commercial transaction data.

22. The communication and control system of claim 21 wherein the commercial transaction data includes product identification data.

23. The communication and control system of claim 21 wherein the commercial transaction data includes order data.

24. The communication and control system of claim 21 wherein the commercial transaction data includes purchase order data.

25. The communication and control system of claim 21 wherein text data includes alphanumeric data.

26. The communication and control system of claim 7 wherein the identification data is obtained for at least certain of said members via an on-line service.

27. The communication and control system of claim 1 wherein the plural groups includes at least one potential buyer and a plurality of vendors.

28. The communication and control system of claim 1 wherein the plural groups includes at least one vendor and a plurality of potential buyers.

29. The communication and control system of claim 1 wherein the plural groups includes a plurality of potential buyers and a plurality of vendors.

30. The communication and control system of claim 1 further including an image storage system for storing images for provision to said buyer or buyers or to said requesting or responding party or parties.

31. The communication and control system of claim 30 wherein the image storage includes still images.

32. The communication and control system of claim 1 further including an inventory control system.

33. The communication and control system of claim 32 further including a notification prevention system when said inventory control system indicates that a product or service is unavailable.

34. A communication and control system as defined in claim 1, wherein the electronic coupling is based at least in part upon input by one of the buyer, vendor, requesting party, or responding party.

35. A communication and control system as defined in claim 1, wherein the face-to-face video communications for conferences is initiated as a result of a communication from one of the buyer, vendor, requesting party, or responding party.

36. A communication and control system as defined in claim 35, wherein the communication is via e-mail.

37. A communication and control system as defined in claim 1, having a capability by which video images are manipulated from any of the multiple video display systems to allow the images to be viewed concurrently by a buyer and a vendor or a requesting party and a responding party.

38. A communication and control system as defined in claim 37, wherein data is shared by one of either the buyer or vendor or one of either the requesting party or responding party with the other.

39. A communication and control system as defined in claim 1, wherein the email transmitted relates to appointments made by at least one of the buyer, vendor, requesting party or responding party.

40. A communication and control system as defined in claim 1, wherein the email transmitted relates to appointments verified for at least one of the buyer, vendor, requesting party or responding party.

41. A communication and control system as defined in claim 1, wherein the communication and control system comprises a clock to control the face-to-face video communications.

42. A communication and control system as defined in claim 41, wherein the communication and control system controls the face-to-face video communications to at least certain specified times.

43. A communication and control system as defined in claim 1, wherein the communication and control system maintains data for the face-to-face video communications, including at least three of 1) a name for any one of buyer, vendor, requesting party, or responding party, 2) a duration of the face-to-face video communication, 3) date, or 4) time of the face-to-face video communication.

44. A communication and control system as defined in claim 42, wherein the communication and control system maintains data for all the participants in the face-to-face video communication.

45. A communication and control system as defined in claim 1, wherein the communication and control system maintains a record of the charges related to the face-to-face video communication.

46. A communication and control system as defined in claim 1, wherein the communication and control system is one of many multiple-coordinated computer systems.

47. A communication and control system as defined in claim 1, wherein the communication and control system comprises more than one multiple-coordinated computer systems.

48. A communication and control system as defined in claim 47, wherein the more than one multiple-coordinated computer systems are located at a single site.

49. A communication and control system as defined in claim 47, wherein the more than one multiple-coordinated computer systems are located at multiple sites.

50. A communication and control system as defined in claim 1, wherein the face-to-face video communications are transmitted at least in part over a private communications network.

51. A communication and control system as defined in claim 1, wherein the video display system has a control panel that is used at least in part to alter the image or display.

52. A communication and control system as defined in claim 51, wherein via the control panel, any one of the buyer, vendor, requesting party, or responding party may perform a pan or zoom operation.

53. A communication and control system as defined in claim 51, wherein the control panel selectively routes the face-to-face video communications traffic.

54. A communication and control system as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of the buyer, vendor, requesting party, or responding party can initiate the face-to-face communication by communicating with the communication and control system.

55. A communication and control system as defined in claim 54, wherein at least one of the buyer, vendor, requesting party, or responding party can initiate the face-to-face communication by operating a control panel.

56. A communication and control system as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of the buyer, vendor, requesting party, or responding party can initiate the face-to-face communication by transmitting an email.

57. A communication and control system as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of the buyer, vendor, requesting party, or responding party can communicate with the control system via email to update information.

58. A communication and control system as defined in claim 1, wherein the control system supplies graphic data to the video display terminal of the buyer and vendor or requesting and responding parties during a face-to-face communication.

59. A communication and control system as defined in claim 1, wherein the control system allows interactive data sharing between the buyer or vendor or the requesting party and the responding party.

60. A communication and control system as defined in claim 1, wherein the buyer and vendor or the requesting party and responding party can share images from remote locations.

61. A communication and control system as defined in claim 60, wherein the buyer and vendor or the requesting party and the responding party can share images concurrently.

62. A communication and control system as defined in claim 60, wherein the buyer and vendor or the requesting party and the responding party can share graphical data including images including any one or more of maps, graphs, or pictures.

63. A communication and control system as defined in claim 60, wherein the buyer and vendor or the requesting party and the responding party can share images that are high resolution.

64. A communication and control system as defined in claim 60, wherein the buyer and vendor or the requesting party and the responding party can share the images concurrently.

65. A communication and control system as defined in claim 60, wherein the buyer and vendor or the requesting party and the responding party can share images that are high resolution and can be manipulated by either the buyer or the vendor or the requesting party or the responding party.

66. A communication and control system as defined in claim 60, wherein the buyer or vendor or the requesting party or the responding party can highlight a still image with a cursor.

67. A communication and control system as defined in claim 60, wherein the control system is configured to prioritize select conferences.

68. A communication and control system of claim 67 wherein a communication by either of the buyer or the vendor or the requesting party or the responding party to the other is via an autodialer.

69. A communication and control system for selectively enabling interactive data sharing including video data through a communication system between at least one requesting party and at least one responding party comprising:

a control system for implementing interface appointments according to a schedule between the requesting and responding parties and the control system for transmitting an email to either schedule or update or verify an appointment to the requesting and responding parties before an interactive data sharing including video occurs;

interface system for accomplishing video communications between the responding and requesting parties via multiple video codec capabilities, the video communications established based upon the schedule arranged via the control system;

multiple video display systems, at least one video display system for at least each of the requesting or responding parties for viewing of select still image video data presented by the requesting or responding parties, the video display system communicating video displays to video display terminals for use by each of the requesting or responding parties, the video display terminals including an input, at least one of said video display systems being capable of operating to provide the select still image video data at the video display terminal of each of the requesting or responding parties, and each of the requesting or responding party having a capability to manipulate the still image video data via their video display terminals and to view the still image video data concurrently; and

a video processor coupled to the interface system and adapted to selectively couple at least one of the requesting and responding parties to enable video communication via the multiple codec capabilities to effect video communication between the requesting and responding parties.

70. The communication and control system of claim 69 wherein the video processor is coupled to a video codec of one or more of said requesting or responding parties.

71. The communication and control system of claim 69 wherein the form of communication is analog.

72. The communication and control system of claim 69 wherein the form of communication is digital.

73. The communication and control system of claim 72 wherein the digital communication includes digital video.

74. The communication and control system of claim 69 further including an input system for actuation by requesting or responding parties for interaction with said system, at least certain of said requesting or responding parties adapted for utilizing an on-line service as a portion of said system.

75. The communication and control system of claim 69 further including a storage memory for storing data on said at least one requesting party and said at least one responding party, including identification data relating to both said at least one requesting party and said at least one responding party and commercial transaction data relating to at least one of said at least one requesting party and said at least one responding party.

76. The communication and control system of claim 69 further including a control system to selectively interconnect the at least one requesting party and the at least one responding party, wherein the at least one requesting party and the at least one responding party include buyers and sellers, said control system selectively providing transmission of dynamic, full motion video.

77. The communication and control system of claim 69 further including an audio system for provision of audio to the at least one requesting party or the at least one responding party in combination with a high resolution still image.

78. The communication and control system of claim 77 wherein the audio system provides voice.

79. The communication and control system of claim 78 wherein the audio system provides real-time voice communication.

80. The communication and control system of claim 69 wherein the multiple video display systems includes a camera capability associated at least with the responding party.

81. The communication and control system of claim 80 wherein the camera capability is adapted to image the responding party.

82. The communication and control system of claim 69 wherein the multiple video display systems includes a video storage system.

83. The communication and control system of claim 69 wherein the multiple video display systems are coupled to a printer.

84. The communication and control system of claim 69 wherein the multiple video display systems include a dynamic video system that includes a freeze frame capability.

85. The communication and control system of claim 84 wherein the dynamic video system includes a high resolution video capability.

86. The communication and control system of claim 84 wherein the dynamic video system includes real-time video.

87. The communication and control system of claim 86 wherein the dynamic video system includes two-way video.

88. The communication and control system of claim 87 wherein the real-time video is live person-to-person video communication.

89. The communication and control system of claim 69 further comprising:

a text system for provision of text data including commercial transaction data.

90. The communication and control system of claim 89 wherein the commercial transaction data includes product identification data.

91. The communication and control system of claim 89 wherein the commercial transaction data includes order data.

92. The communication and control system of claim 89 wherein the commercial transaction data includes purchase order data.

93. The communication and control system of claim 89 wherein the text data includes alphanumeric data.

94. The communication and control system of claim 89 wherein the identification data is obtained for at least certain of said requesting or responding parties from an on-line service.

95. The communication and control system of claim 69 wherein the at least one requesting party and the at least one responding party include at least one potential buyer and a plurality of vendors.

96. The communication and control system of claim 69 wherein the at least one requesting party and the at least one responding party belong to plural groups that include at least one vendor and a plurality of potential buyers.

97. The communication and control system of claim 69 wherein the at least one requesting party and the at least one responding party belong to plural groups that include a plurality of potential buyers and a plurality of vendors.

98. The communication and control system of claim 69 further including an image storage system for storing images for provision to said buyer.

99. The communication and control system of claim 98 wherein the image storage includes still images.

100. The communication and control system of claim 69 further including an inventory control system for products or services.

101. The communication and control system of claim 100 further including a notification prevention system when said inventory control system indicates that a product or service is unavailable.

102. A communication and control system as defined in claim 69, wherein the selective coupling is based at least in part upon input initiated by one of the requesting party or responding party.

103. A communication and control system as defined in claim 69, wherein a face-to-face video communication for a conference is initiated as a result of a communication from one of the requesting party or the responding party.

104. A communication and control system as defined in claim 69, having a capability by which video images that are shared by the requesting party and the responding party are manipulated from any of the multiple video display systems to allow the images to be viewed concurrently by the requesting party and the responding party.

105. A communication and control system as defined in claim 69, wherein the email transmitted relates to appointments made by at least one of the requesting party or the responding party.

106. A communication and control system as defined in claim 69, wherein the email transmitted relates to appointments verified for at least one of the requesting party and the responding party.

107. A communication and control system as defined in claim 69, wherein the control system comprises a clock to control a face-to-face video communication.

108. A communication and control system as defined in claim 107, wherein the control system controls the face-to-face video communications to at least certain specified times.

109. A communication and control system as defined in claim 69, wherein the control system maintains data for a face-to-face video communication including at least three of 1) a name for any one of the requesting party, or responding party, 2) a duration of the face-to-face video communication, 3) date, or 4) time of the face-to-face video communication.

110. A communication and control system as defined in claim 109, wherein the control system maintains data for all the participants in a face-to-face video communication.

111. A communication and control system as defined in claim 69, wherein the control system maintains a record of the charges related to a face-to-face video communication.

112. A communication and control system as defined in claim 69, wherein the communication and control system is one of many multiple-coordinated computer systems.

113. A communication and control system as defined in claim 69, further comprising more than one multiple-coordinated computer system.

114. A communication and control system as defined in claim 113, wherein the more than one multiple-coordinated computer systems are located at a single site.

115. A communication and control system as defined in claim 113, wherein the more than one multiple-coordinated computer systems are located at multiple sites.

116. A communication and control system as defined in claim 69, wherein a face-to-face video communication is transmitted at least in part over a private communications network.

117. A communication and control system as defined in claim 69, wherein the video display terminal has a control panel that is used at least in part to alter an image or display.

118. A communication and control system as defined in claim 117, wherein via the control panel, any one of the requesting party, or responding party may perform a pan or zoom operation.

119. A communication and control system as defined in claim 117, wherein the control panel enables selectively routing the face to face video communications traffic.

120. A communication and control system as defined in claim 69, wherein at least one of the requesting party, or responding party can initiate a face-to-face communication by communicating with the communication and control system.

121. A communication and control system as defined in claim 120, wherein at least one of the requesting party, or responding party can initiate the face-to-face communication by pressing a button.

122. A communication and control system as defined in claim 69, wherein at least one of the requesting party, or responding party can initiate a face-to-face communication by transmitting an email.

123. A communication and control system as defined in claim 69, wherein at least one of the requesting party, or responding party can communicate with the control system via email to update information.

124. A communication and control system as defined in claim 69, wherein the control system supplies graphic data to a video display system during a face-to-face communication.

125. A communication and control system as defined in claim 69, wherein the control system allows interactive data sharing between the requesting party and the responding party.

126. A communication system as defined in claim 69, wherein the requesting party and responding party can share images from remote locations.

127. A communication and control system as defined in claim 126, wherein the requesting party and the responding party can share images concurrently.

128. A communication and control system as defined in claim 126, wherein the requesting party and the responding party can share images including any one or more of maps, graphs, or pictures.

129. A communication and control system as defined in claim 126, wherein the requesting party and the responding party can share images that are high resolution.

130. A communication and control system as defined in claim 126, wherein the requesting party and the responding party can share images that are high resolution images.

131. A communication and control system as defined in claim 126, wherein the requesting party and the responding party can share images that are high resolution and can be manipulated by either the requesting party or the responding party.

132. A communication and control system as defined in claim 126, wherein the requesting party or the responding party or both have a capability to highlight still images with a cursor.

133. A communication and control system as defined in claim 126, wherein the control system is configured to prioritize select conferences.