WO2002065674A2

WO2002065674A2 - A mechanism for enabling rapid multiple-user navigation and communication online

Info

Publication number: WO2002065674A2
Application number: PCT/IL2002/000105
Authority: WO
Inventors: Itay Maslansky
Original assignee: Gold Coast Production, Inc.
Priority date: 2001-02-13
Filing date: 2002-02-12
Publication date: 2002-08-22

Abstract

A system and method for enabling intuitive, multi-lingual and multiple user navigation and communication online. A screen-interface, according to the present invention, includes a graphic user interface (GUI) introduced and served by a friendly, non-threatening virtual figure. This GUI is capable of operation by audio, voice recognition, mouse, number pad and/or keyboard. The system provides a client-server model that enables consumer group management in real time, with rapid search result generation, targeted navigation, secure navigation, multi-language navigation and personalized graphic promotions.

Description

A MECHANISM FOR ENABLING RAPID MULTIPLE-USER NAVIGATION AND COMMUNICATION ONLINE

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a system for online consumer group management, and more specifically, to a system and method for providing intuitive and effective navigational, searching and messaging services to consumers, thereby enabling effective management of consumer groups.

2. Description of the Related Art

While technological advances are rapidly increasing broadband and fast Internet access in many parts of the world, intensive research identifies ergonomic factors as inhibiting growth and increased use of the Internet. Many Internet users continue to feel intimidated by the usage of PCs, GUI's and dominant browser interfaces. There is much ignorance of PC operation by non-expert PC users, and consequently there are widespread difficulties with effective usage of typical search engines, the entering of URL addresses, and English language dominated navigation. There is, furthermore, a lack of successful technologies that enable effective navigation and communication using small-screen, portable wireless communication devices. In addition, there is a further component that limits effective Internet usage that is based on user fear of contracting viruses from both downloading content and communicating with other users.

There is thus a widely recognized need for, and it would be highly advantageous to have, a system that can enable safe, intuitive and more effective Internet navigation and communications, such that users can navigate and communicate in any language of choice, using primarily a mouse, and be guaranteed of virus free content.

Furthermore, there is a need for a marketing tool that enables an entity to establish a means of communicating effectively and securely with a group of consumers, such that the group manager can send personalized multimedia messages to consumers. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a system and method for enabling intuitive, multi-lingual and multiple user navigation and communication online. The present invention functions as an ASP (application service provider) of a proprietary software system for accessing Internet infrastructure services. This system enables end- users to rapidly and effectively tap into the Internet's most widely used applications without time and money-consuming self-maintenance.

The core technology of the present invention is a server-centric application maintaining a dynamic database of service, user and site ratings. With this database, the present invention offers end-users access to web sites, search engines, email servers, messaging servers and more, while relieving end users from associated technical tasks such as bookmark maintenance, address book maintenance, URL referencing and the need to reference lengthy and cumbersome directories such as portals.

Accordingly, end-users merely utilize an intuitive front-end application, combining predictive algorithms, ergonomic graphic design and speech recognition, in order to perform the necessary steps for effective Web browsing and navigation. These services, in addition, are highly suited for use in technically challenging environments, such as by end-users who access the Internet through cellular or other wireless devices, low-computer-literate end-users, and others. The system components, according to the present invention, include: a client application, a server system with a plurality of server applications, a database server, and a group management mechanism.

Advantages of the present invention:

Cuts out fruitless searches, and obviates need to type URL addresses. i- Cuts out lengthy searches via existing search-engines. ii- Facilitates customized Corporate workforce site-databases, eliminating worktime connection to undesirable content categories (vacations, porno, etc.). iv- Facilitates customized School pupil site-databases, eliminating worktime connection to undesirable content categories (porno, etc.). v- Brings new users and their purchasing power to the Web by presenting them with

Web-content only in the languages they are comfortable with. vi- Can provide an accurate ergonomic model and airtime-saving technology for application of the Web to wireless, portable devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an illustration of the basic application architecture, according to the present invention.

FIGURE 2 illustrates an example of a multimedia user interface, according to the present invention.

FIGURE 3 illustrates an example of a group management scenario, according to the group management application of the present invention.

FIGURE 4 illustrates an example of a group management scenario, according to the group management application of the present invention. FIGURE 5 illustrates an example of an individual message management scenario, according to the group management application of the present invention.

FIGURE 6 illustrates an example of additional elements of user message management, according to the group management application of the present invention. FIGURE 7 illustrates an example of the management of banners by the group manager application of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The present invention relates to a system and method for enabling intuitive, multilingual and multiple user navigation and communication online.

The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention as provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment will be apparent to those with skill in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments. Therefore, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments shown and described, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features herein disclosed. Specifically, the present invention can be used to enable end-users to rapidly and effectively tap into the Internet's most widely used applications without time and money- consuming self-maintenance. The screen-interface, according to the present invention, includes a multimedia user interface (MUI) introduced and served by a friendly, non- threatening virtual figure. This MUI is capable of operation by audio, voice recognition, mouse, number pad and/or keyboard.

The virtual figure, which may be personalized (according to appearance and/or voice), asks the user to select the spoken language and geographical region in which he/she communicates, and presents the user with a pre-selected listing of topics, subtopics and Websites in limited size groups, identified to the user by the actual site names, and not the IP addresses (URL's).

After a maximum 4-step mouse-based operation, the user selects the site he/she wishes to enter. The PC's installed browser opens the site, and the screen-interface is automatically reduced to icon size, such that it may be returned to full-size for further operation by a single VR command or mouse-click.

The principles and operation of the system and a method according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description, it being understood that these drawings are given for illustrative purposes only and are not meant to be limiting, wherein: The basic architecture of the present invention can be seen with reference to FIG.

1. As can be seen, the integral components are as follows: i. A plurality of servers (server system), for serving data requests at the application level. T is server farm optionally includes three server platforms: A Java application server 11; a messaging application server 12; and a search engine application server 13. ii. A client application 14 with a multimedia client interface, for interfacing between users (clients) and servers. iii. A database server 15 for storing system data, and processing data requests at the database level. iv. A group management application 16, for managing consumer group messaging and client application content for group members.

As can be further seen in FIG. 1 , a client request is initially sent to the Java application server 11, where the request is typically referred to the database 15. Such a procedure typically follows a client search request, using the category and sub-category list on the client application. Each category and sub-category has a unique number that signals top the database what content to provide in response to the request, thereby enabling extremely fast search results.

A typical multimedia user interface can be seen with reference to FIG. 2. As can be seen in the figure, the user executes a category based (text-free) search using the client application, by choosing the relevant category 21, using a mouse, scroll keys or voice commands. Once the primary category has been chosen, the relevant sub-categories for that particular category are presented in the sub-category menu 22. The user likewise uses the mouse, scroll keys or voice commands to elect a desired option, and subsequently elects "display" to execute the query. The query is passed to the Java application server 11, where the results of the cross category query (the combination of events that match both the primary category and sub-category fields) are located by the database 15, returned to the server 11, forwarded to the client application, and presented in the application window 23. Further features in the client application are "options" 24 for choosing various user preferences; Index ("i") 25 for presenting the user with previously used search commands for rapid lookup; favorites ("f ') 26 for managing bookmarked sites. The "site" 27, "reply" 28 and "chat" 29 buttons, as seen in the figure, can be changed according to the requirements of the group owner/manager, in order to provide direct links to particular sites, content, features etc.

The "Options" menu allows the user to select or deselect topics and subtopics, thereby customizing the lists presented. Users may also check site statistics and/or request inclusion of particular topics, subtopics or sites. A "History" option in this menu enables viewing a listing of Websites visited, again identified by Website-name, and not by URL or string, allowing a single-command return to a selected site.

Further features that can be managed by the client application are as follows: The present invention manages bookmarks under an innovative ergonomic model. While similar in its hierarchical approach to regular browser bookmarks, the present invention maintains a rating per user between the various hierarchies, trimming each hierarchy to include only the top 9 preferences. Hierarchies typically go as deep as 2 nesting levels, and point to up to 3 pallets of 9 web sites each. Following the above formula it can be seen that more than 800 of the most preferred sites are only 3 single- digit clicks away. Reaching the entire bookmark database requires 2 additional clicks at the most. The system's profile of sites is flexible and scalable, and enables Internet usage that is as easy as selecting a channel on a TV remote control.

The above software model, wrapped to resemble a simple TV remote control-like device, is a proven interface, extraordinarily attractive to practically all segments of Internet users, whether novices or systems administrators, young kids or mature adults. Users exposed to the system of the present invention quickly become familiar with this interface and typically remain habitual users, "addicted" to using it.

In addition to usage on standard PC's, the ergonomic model of the present invention is highly suited for use with devices that have only a limited keyboard, such as cellular phones (WAP, i-mode & others), TV remote controls (interactive TV), Internet terminals for cars, etc.

The user interface of the present invention can furthermore be integrated with SRT (Speech Recognition Technology). While SRT is notoriously error-prone, ineffective & cumbersome, the SRT used in the present system is required to recognize only the speech digits 1-9. Recognition of digits only is highly reliable, dialect/accent insensitive and requires practically no maintenance. Thus, users of the present invention do not even need to click the three single digits - they can simply pronounce them. The SRT-based interface is also multilingual, such that one-click selection of a particular language/dialect switches the interface to the language selected, and provides a content database only in that language.

The combination of the rating engine and the ergonomic model are used to generate a large variety of applications, as follows: a. GENERIC WEB BROWSING - users of the present invention can intuitively manage bookmarks, search for sites using site names (and not lengthy and cumbersome URLs) and mouse clicks only, and can reduce the navigational learning-curve to a minimum. b. SEARCH ENGINES - the database of the present invention contains several hundred generic and vertical search engines, allowing it to predict which particular search engines will deliver the most concise and best targeted match for each query. This is typically determined by ranking the results in order of popularity, according to the entire user base of the application. c. CHAT - users select the area of interest by clicking or speaking the appropriate commands, whereupon they are automatically connected to a chat room on the chosen topic, i.e. the chat room they are most likely to prefer. There is no need for users to remember URL's of the preferred chat rooms. Various chat room skins, with topic related backgrounds, may be chosen, such as Business, Economy; Travel etc. d. SHOP - this function opens a list of Business to Consumer (B2C) Websites, which can be accessed by audio, voice recognition, mouse, number pad and/or keyboard. Users can select the area of interest in a minimal number of clicks or voice commands (such as "shop"), and the engine of the present invention selects the shops most likely to interest the user, eliminating endless roaming in irrelevant virtual shopping malls. e. E-MAIL - the user interface of the present invention is integrated with an intuitive e-mail client utilizing the same ergonomic concepts as the other applications. Email functionality, including sending messages to users using cc, bcc, clip attachments etc. f. VIDEO CONFERENCING - multiple users of the client application of the present invention, when they are simultaneously connected to the server and are equipped with video input and output capabilities, can undertake video conferencing sessions using the client application described above. These sessions are executed directly between the client devices, only passing the server initially in order to establish the initial user connections. g. AUDIO PLAYER- user-friendly CAN-DO-MAILER and CAN-DO-PLAYER features enable all current PC & Web audio files to be played by the client application. h. GRAPHIC WINDOW- several low-weight flash and/or alternative graphics features (such as 3D) may be featured as marketing devices. In particular, such graphics can be presented in a window of the screen interface, in which they can display logos, sponsorships, advertisements, promotions or alternative marketing means. The virtual introducer panel on the remote-communicator device window is also available for advertising messages, or announcements streamed to particular users selected on the basis of their own language-geography, topic and subtopic selections.

In the case where the user is not satisfied with the results of a category based search query, the user may execute a text based search query, using a proprietary search engine located on the search engine application server 13. This search engine server executes search queries using existing Internet based search engines, compiling and presenting the results to the user, from a plurality of engines. The server returns an extensive code string including special keys. Since the server replies are text-based, sending, data receipt and decoding of responses are accomplished very swiftly, and the system is equipped with special keys to correctly and quickly divide or otherwise order the request responses. The results are typically ranked according to popularity of usage of clients in the client base of the present invention. The search results are furthermore stored in a cache in the database server, such that future similar requests are responded to in real time.

In the case where a user wants to send a message to another user, the message is prepared using the client application 14 of a first user. The message is then sent, with the destination user name, to the Java application server 11. Upon determining that the request is a messaging request, the request is sent to the messaging application server 12. The messaging server 12 searches the database server 15 to determine whether the destination user is currently connected to the application server 11. If both users are currently connected, the messaging server 12 sends the second user the message along with the IP data of the first user. The second user can then respond to the message, using the first users IP data, thereby establishing a live session between the users, using the instant messaging or chat features of the client-server application. In the case where the second user is not connected to the server 11, the first user can leave the message for the second user on the database server 15, such that the next time that user 2 connects to the server 11, user 2 will be notified that there is a message waiting. The group management server 16 is a software tool used by a group manager, such as a corporation or other group that have clients using the client application. This software enables configuring mass or personalized messaging, in text or flash format, for sending to the group's users. The group management application also enables managing all dimensions of the messaging process, such as monitoring messages read and links followed, canceling problematic messages that were sent, designing and sending flash- based messages and sending new messages etc. As can be seen in Figures 3-6, the group manager software enables the creation and management of messages to individuals and groups. FIG. 3 illustrates the design of messages and banners. After the designer has elected what function is to be carried out, such as "Add Flash Message", the designer can add features such as: the text to be sent; the font color; a link (URL) to be sent with the message (such that when the message receiver moves the mouse pointer over the image; the pointer will change to a shape or type that represents hypertext); the duration and period for playing the message; various flash effects for the message; and the way that the text should enter the message.

The technology behind the flash-based messaging includes the inclusion of a flash message manager component (mechanism) that provides an empty flash file, hereinafter referred to as, a "smart flash file", in the client and server software. This file enables creating, receiving, executing and managing the flash commands. The procedure of designing and executing these flash based messages, by the a flash message manager component, is as follows: i. A message designer configures a smart flash file on the client application, such that the file contains a blank, open file. This file is designed to receive and translate data (such as flash commands) into a prepared file, such that the data or commands can be displayed or otherwise executed for the user; ii. The message designer sends at least one encoded flash command to at least one potential message receiver, via the server; iii. The client connects to the server and receives the flash commands from the server; iv. The flash commands are decoded by the client software and the flash file is subsequently configured on the client application; v. The flash message is finally executed on the client application.

FIG. 4 illustrates the management of a group by the group manager. As can be seen in the figure, the various details of the group members can be displayed and edited. Furthermore, the message manager may elect which members to send a group message to, by checking the box in the "Client No." column.

FIG. 5 illustrates the management of messages of an individual. As can be seen in the figure, a history of all messages sent to the individual can be displayed and analyzed. FIG. 6 illustrates additional elements of user message management. As can be seen in the figure, a particular message sent to one or more individuals can be tracked, to determine whether the message has been received, declined, opened, and whether the link has been followed etc. FIG. 7 illustrates the management of banners by the group manager. As can be seen in the figure, various banners, which may be advertisements, special offers etc., can be designed with or without flash features, and can be managed similarly to the management of messages, as described above.

The present invention, furthermore, provides a method for marketing online based on a solution for institutions or corporation to function as public on-line community managers. Such a function provides a revenue generating, brand-enhancing and cost- cutting (no postage) business opportunity, by building and maintaining active, secure, intuitive, beneficial and highly effective online group management. The present invention provides a tool for customers or employees of such corporations or institutions that can drastically ease their navigation within the Internet and their corporate intranet, resulting in increased Quality of Service (QoS) for customer service representatives, as well as increasing efficiency of employees' use of network resources. Examples of industries sensitive to QoS include retail financial services, Telco's, utilities and energy, banks, insurance companies and more.

Additional embodiments, according to the present invention, are as follows: 1. A multimedia interface sold to Networked Corporations: Non-work-related

Web browsing at the workplace has become a major problem in high Internet Usage environments. The present application provides limited access to only those topics, sites & features that the Corporation wishes employees to see and use.

2. A performance and integrity management suite for remote-working employees enables remote users to access particular data sources from various types of communication devices. The software administrator can configure the site categories, sub-categories and sites to be available to users. Furthermore, each user can use the above to further filter his or her preferences according to chosen primary categories, sub- categories and sites 3. An application, such as a school-oriented application, that limits access to undesirable Website categories. The creation of virtual 3D graphics cards and albums spaces will provide a valuable content and computer skills educational tool.

The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It should be appreciated that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A system for providing value added online customer relationship management, comprising: i. a plurality of client applications for enabling user interaction with the system; ii. a server system with server software for serving data to said client applications; iii. a database for storing system data; and iv. a group management application for managing online communications to said client applications.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said client application enables personalized category management, said category management providing category and sub-category election and selection by each user.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said central server further comprises components selected from the group consisting of: a java application server for processing client requests; a messaging application server for enabling direct messaging between at least two connected users; and a search engine application server for enabling direct word searching via Internet search tools, said server providing search results directly to said user.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said group management application further comprises a flash message manager, said manager enabling personalized flash message composition and management.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said manager comprises a smart flash file for providing flash messages to a client application.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said flash messages are personalized for each said user.

7. A method for enabling personalized, click based real time browsing, comprising: i. configuring a server database with preferred Web sites, such that all sites are categorized according to a primary category and a sub-category; ii. presenting said sites to a user in a multimedia user interface, said sites being presented by site names; iii. providing said user with a list of primary categories and sub-categories, said list of sub-categories changing in response to choice of primary category; iv. enabling said user to enter a choice of said primary categories and said sub-categories with a mouse click; and v. forwarding user request to said server database to provide search results.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said preferred Web sites are ranked according to user usage, as calculated by a rating machine.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein said entering a choice can be executed using voice commands.

10. A method for enabling multilingual mouse-based online navigation, comprising: i. configuring a multimedia user interface with a plurality of language skins; ii. providing said interface with a language selection button, said button used in order to choose language of choice for navigation; iii. changing said interface into interface based on said chosen language; iv. providing search results in said chosen language only.

11. A method for enabling personalized flash-based instant messaging, comprising: i. configuring a smart flash file on a server application and on a client application, using a flash message manager mechanism; ii. sending at least one encoded flash command to a potential message receiver, via said server application, by said flash message manager mechanism; iii. connecting to server application, by said message receiver, and receiving said at least one flash command from said server application; iv. decoding said at least one flash command by said client application; v. configuring said flash file on said client application, such file incorporating said at least one flash command; and vi. executing said at least one flash command on said client application.