Collaborative, social online education and whiteboard techniques

• US 10,572,135 B1
• Filed: 09/27/2018
• Issued: 02/25/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Study Edge LLC (Accelerate Learning, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Study Social, Inc.
• Inventors: Fieldman, Ethan
• Primary Examiner(s): Saint-Vil, Eddy
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ermlick, William D
• Application Number:
  US16/144,712
• Time in Patent Office: 516 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/16 Combinations of two or more digital computers each having at least an arithmetic unit, a program unit and a register, e.g. for a simultaneous processing of several programs coordinating program control therefor G06F9/52; in regulating and control system G05B
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/76 Architectures of general purpose stored program computers with program plugboard G06F15/08; multicomputers G06F15/16
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1423 controlling a plurality of local displays, e.g. CRT and flat panel display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1454 involving copying of the display data of a local workstation or window to a remote workstation or window so that an actual copy of the data is displayed simultaneously on two or more displays, e.g. teledisplay
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/147 using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/101 Collaborative creation, e.g. joint development of products or services
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/20 Education
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/025 with electrically operated apparatus or devices
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/02 for mathematics for statics or dynamics G09B23/08
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/12 different stations being capable of presenting different information simultaneously G09B5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/00 Electrically-operated teaching apparatus or devices working with questions and answers mechanically operated G09B3/00; computing arrangements G06F
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/022 Centralised management of display operation, e.g. in a server instead of locally
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/16 Use of wireless transmission of display information
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/20 : Details of the management of multiple sources of image data
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/14 : Display of multiple viewports
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1822 : Conducting the conference, e.g. admission, detection, selection or grouping of participants, correlating users to one or more conference sessions, prioritising transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/52 : for supporting social networking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/403 : Arrangements for multi-party communication, e.g. for conferences data switching systems for conference H04L12/18; arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities H04M3/56; television conferencing systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 : specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 : in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/141 : Setup of application sessions admission control or resource allocation in data switching networks H04L47/70

Abstract

Various techniques are disclosed for facilitating distribution of content between a plurality of nodes of a computer network. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to techniques for facilitating distribution of content to a plurality of users having access to an electronic collaborative canvas whiteboard via a computer network.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for facilitating annotating content on an online discussion wall, the computer-implemented method comprising causing at least one processor on a server to execute instructions stored in non-transient memory to:

cause a first graphical user interface to be displayed to a first user via a first computing device, the first graphical user interface being configured to provide remote access to the online discussion wall and being configured to display a first visual representation of the online discussion wall on a display of the first computing device;

cause a second graphical user interface to be displayed to a second user via a second computing device, the second graphical user interface being configured to provide remote access to the online discussion wall and to an electronic collaborative canvas whiteboard and being configured to display a second visual representation of the online discussion wall on a display of the second computing device;

configure the first graphical user interface to enable the first user to post content to the online discussion wall;

cause the content to be displayed at the online discussion wall in a first post;

configure the second graphical user interface to enable the second user to annotate a copy of said content using said electronic collaborative canvas whiteboard and to post said annotated copy of said content to the online discussion wall; and

cause said annotated copy of said content to be displayed at the online discussion wall in a second post, wherein said content remains displayed at said online discussion wall in said first post, and wherein said electronic collaborative canvas whiteboard includes a selection to allow said second user to enable or to disable visual indicators identifying which of said first user or said second user has added said content or annotations to said annotated copy of said content displayed on said online discussion wall.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising causing the at least one processor to execute instructions stored in the non-transient memory to:

configure the first graphical user interface to include image processing functionality for enabling the first user to post image content to the online discussion wall; and

wherein the content includes image content representing an image or picture.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising causing the at least one processor to execute instructions stored in the non-transient memory to:

configure the first graphical user interface to include video processing functionality for enabling the first user to post video content to the online discussion wall; and

wherein the content includes video content corresponding to a video.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising causing the at least one processor to execute instructions stored in the non-transient memory to:

configure the first graphical user interface to include annotation processing functionality for enabling the first user to post annotation content to the online discussion wall; and

wherein the content includes annotation content corresponding to an annotation generated by the first user.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising causing the at least one processor to execute instructions stored in the non-transient memory to:

configure the first graphical user interface to include graph processing functionality for enabling the first user to post graph content to the online discussion wall; and

wherein the content corresponds to a graph.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising causing the at least one processor to execute instructions stored in the non-transient memory to:

configure the first graphical user interface to include mathematical equation processing functionality for enabling the first user to post mathematical equation content to the online discussion wall; and

wherein the content corresponds to a mathematical equation.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the content corresponds to a chemical formula or equation.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein said online discussion wall corresponds to a peer-to-peer on-line tutoring session configured to support real-time, two-way audio and video communications between the first user and the second user via the first and second graphical user interfaces.

9. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said electronic collaborative canvas whiteboard is built into said second graphical user interface and is accessible by a selection by said second user.

10. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein both said first post and said second post appear separately in said second visual representation of said online discussion wall.

11. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said step of configure the second graphical user interface to enable the second user further includes:

to open said electronic collaborative canvas whiteboard on said second computing device in response to an input from said second user on said second graphical user interface;

to annotate said copy of said content within said electronic collaborative canvas whiteboard; and

to post said annotated copy via an input from said second user on said electronic collaborative canvas whiteboard.

12. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said electronic collaborative canvas whiteboard is in a window separate from said second graphical user interface.

13. A computer-implemented system for facilitating annotating content on an online discussion wall, the computer-implemented system comprising:

at least one processor;

non-transient memory;

the at least one processor being operable to execute a plurality of instructions stored in the non-transient memory to;

cause a first graphical user interface to be displayed to a first user via a first computing device, the first graphical user interface being configured to provide remote access to the online discussion wall and being configured to display a first visual representation of the online discussion wall on a display of the first computing device;

cause a second graphical user interface to be displayed to a second user via a second computing device, the second graphical user interface being configured to provide remote access to the online discussion wall and to an electronic collaborative canvas whiteboard and being configured to display a second visual representation of the online discussion wall on a display of the second computing device;

configure the first graphical user interface to enable the first user to post content to the online discussion wall;

cause the content to be displayed at the online discussion wall in a first post;

configure the second graphical user interface to enable the second user to annotate a copy of said content using said electronic collaborative canvas whiteboard and to post said annotated copy of said content to the online discussion wall; and

cause said annotated copy of said content to be displayed at the online discussion wall in a second post, wherein said content remains displayed at said online discussion wall in said first post, and wherein said electronic collaborative canvas whiteboard includes a selection to allow said second user to enable or to disable visual indicators identifying which of said first user or said second user has added said content or annotations to said annotated copy of said content displayed on said online discussion wall.

14. The computer-implemented system of claim 13 being further operable to cause the at least one processor to execute instructions stored in the non-transient memory to:

configure the first graphical user interface to include image processing functionality for enabling the first user to post image content to the online discussion wall; and

wherein the content includes image content representing an image or picture.

15. The computer-implemented system of claim 13 being further operable to cause the at least one processor to execute instructions stored in the non-transient memory to:

configure the first graphical user interface to include video processing functionality for enabling the first user to post video content to the online discussion wall; and

wherein the content includes video content corresponding to a video.

16. The computer-implemented system of claim 13 being further operable to cause the at least one processor to execute instructions stored in the non-transient memory to:

configure the first graphical user interface to include annotation processing functionality for enabling the first user to post annotation content to the online discussion wall; and

wherein the content includes annotation content corresponding to an annotation generated by the first user.

17. The computer-implemented system of claim 13 being further operable to cause the at least one processor to execute instructions stored in the non-transient memory to:

configure the first graphical user interface to include graph processing functionality for enabling the first user to post graph content to the online discussion wall; and

wherein the content corresponds to a graph.

18. The computer-implemented system of claim 13 being further operable to cause the at least one processor to execute instructions stored in the non-transient memory to:

configure the first graphical user interface to include mathematical equation processing functionality for enabling the first user to post mathematical equation content to the online discussion wall; and

wherein the content corresponds to a mathematical equation.

19. The computer-implemented system of claim 13 wherein the content corresponds to a chemical formula or equation.

20. The computer-implemented system of claim 13 wherein said online discussion wall corresponds to a peer-to-peer on-line tutoring session configured to support real-time, two-way audio and video communications between the first user and the second user via the first and second graphical user interfaces.

21. The system as recited in claim 13 wherein said electronic collaborative canvas whiteboard is built into said second graphical user interface and is accessible by a selection by said second user.

22. The system as recited in claim 13 wherein both said first post and said second post appear separately in said second visual representation of said online discussion wall.

23. The system as recited in claim 13 wherein said element of configure the second graphical user interface to enable the second user further includes:

to open said electronic collaborative canvas whiteboard on said second computing device in response to an input from said second user on said second graphical user interface;

to annotate said copy of said content within said electronic collaborative canvas whiteboard; and

to post said annotated copy via an input from said second user on said electronic collaborative canvas whiteboard.

24. The system as recited in claim 13 wherein said electronic collaborative canvas whiteboard is in a window separate from said second graphical user interface.

25. A computer-implemented method for facilitating annotating content on an online discussion wall, the computer-implemented method comprising causing at least one processor on a server to execute instructions stored in non-transient memory to:

cause a first graphical user interface to be displayed to a first user via a first computing device, the first graphical user interface being configured to provide remote access to the online discussion wall and to an electronic collaborative canvas whiteboard and being configured to display a first visual representation of the online discussion wall on a display of the first computing device;

cause a second graphical user interface to be displayed to a second user via a second computing device, the second graphical user interface being configured to provide remote access to the online discussion wall and to said electronic collaborative canvas whiteboard and being configured to display a second visual representation of the online discussion wall on a display of the second computing device;

configure the first graphical user interface to enable the first user to post content to the online discussion wall;

cause the content to be displayed at the online discussion wall in a first post;

configure the second graphical user interface to enable the second user to annotate a copy of said content using said electronic collaborative canvas whiteboard and to post said annotated copy of said content to the online discussion wall;

cause said annotated copy of said content to be displayed at the online discussion wall in a second post, wherein said content remains displayed at said online discussion wall in said first post; and

configure said electronic canvas whiteboard to enable only said first user who has posted said content to enable or to disable visual indicators identifying which of said first user or said second user has added said content or annotations to said annotated copy of said content displayed on said online discussion wall.

26. A computer-implemented system for facilitating annotating content on an online discussion wall, the computer-implemented system comprising:

at least one processor;

non-transient memory;

the at least one processor being operable to execute a plurality of instructions stored in the non-transient memory to;

cause a first graphical user interface to be displayed to a first user via a first computing device, the first graphical user interface being configured to provide remote access to the online discussion wall and to an electronic collaborative canvas whiteboard and being configured to display a first visual representation of the online discussion wall on a display of the first computing device;

cause a second graphical user interface to be displayed to a second user via a second computing device, the second graphical user interface being configured to provide remote access to the online discussion wall and to said electronic collaborative canvas whiteboard and being configured to display a second visual representation of the online discussion wall on a display of the second computing device;

configure the first graphical user interface to enable the first user to post content to the online discussion wall;

cause the content to be displayed at the online discussion wall in a first post;

configure the second graphical user interface to enable the second user to annotate a copy of said content using said electronic collaborative canvas whiteboard and to post said annotated copy of said content to the online discussion wall;

cause said annotated copy of said content to be displayed at the online discussion wall in a second post, wherein said content remains displayed at said online discussion wall in said first post; and

configure said electronic canvas whiteboard to enable only said first user who has posted said content to enable or to disable visual indicators identifying which of said first user or said second user has added said content or annotations to said annotated copy of said content displayed on said online discussion wall.