WO2003085538A1

WO2003085538A1 - On-line group collaboration having transparent communications

Info

Publication number: WO2003085538A1
Application number: PCT/US2002/010996
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christopher Bonsi; Terry Lee
Original assignee: Netsresearch
Priority date: 2002-04-04
Filing date: 2002-04-04
Publication date: 2003-10-16
Also published as: AU2002307180A1

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided in which members of an online collaborative group (210, 220, 250, 260) communicate using video streams (215, 225), wherein certain communications are transparent from some members (210, 260) of the collaborative group.

Description

ON-LINE GROUP COLLABORATION HAVING TRANSPARENT

COMMUNICATIONS

Field of The Invention

The field of the invention is online group collaboration.

Background of The Invention

Traditional collaborative groups involve group members gathered together in one location for the purpose of discussing a topic. In focus groups, the purpose of the discussions is usually to provide feedback to a sponsor of the focus group. The value of such feedback is often gleaned by the sponsor observing the group discussion. A common problem with a traditional collaborative group and a focus group in particular, however, is getting the members together in the same physical location at the same time.

In order to alleviate at least some of the problems associated with gathering multiple members in one location, collaboration may take place remotely as where collaborative members are located geographically distal from one another. Remote discussions may be accomplished by exchange of written communications, however such communications require much effort to compose and disperse. These and other problems are likely exacerbated by inclusion of additional group members. E-mail systems at least partly address some problems of remote collaborating by written communication, because e-mail makes it relatively easy to compose, disperse, and copy written communications. A persisting problem, however, with an e-mail based focus group is that there is relatively little spontaneity since members have time to think about the composition of their e-mails.

Another form of online written discussion involves chat sessions in which remote members are put into virtual groups, usually to discuss a group topic. Communications between chat session members usually relatively quickly and therefore may provide some degree of spontaneity. U.S. Patent 6256663 to Davis (July 2001) teaches that a chat session may be used for the purpose of conducting a focus group. The '663 patent also teaches that communications between a moderator and a client (sponsor) are "blocked" from the view of Problems with Davis include lack of spontaneity and a failure to capture member demeanor including facial and hand expressions.

Video conferencing applications have emerged and may solve some of the problems related to lack of spontaneity and failure to capture demeanor, however known video conferencing solutions fail to address specific problems related to focus groups including the need to have communications that are transparent to at least some of the members in the focus group, the need for increased security, and the need for an integrated software solution.

Thus, there is a need for improved systems and methods of online collaboration that are relatively more secure and provide more useful and relevant feedback in a single solution.

Summary of the Invention

Methods and systems are provided in which first set members of an online collaborative group are linked over a public communications channel and a second set member is simultaneously linked with at least one first set member over a private communications channel which is relatively more secure than a public channel.

Another aspect includes group members communicating with each other by video streaming. Additionally, certain members may communicate in a manner that is transparent to at least one other member. In this case, transparency may be obtained by programmatically excluding certain communications.

Yet another aspect is an integrated software package programmed to communicatively couple a first set of members to each other over a public communications channel and to communicatively couple a second set member to at least one of the first set members over a private communications channel. Alternatively and additionally, an integrated software package may be programmed to stream video among a plurality of first set members and communicatively couple at least one second set member with a proper subset of the first set members transparent to first set members outside the proper subset. Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components.

Brief Description of The Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic of a prior art focus group.

Fig. 2 is a schematic of an online collaboration embodying the invention.

Fig. 3 is a schematic of an online collaboration and a member display screen.

Detailed Description Referring first to fig. 1, a prior art focus group generally includes a participant to participant message 110, a client to moderator message 120, and a participant interface 160 operable at a participant's location (not shown).

A participant/participant message 110 is a text based message that is sent by activating a send button. The message 110 traverses the Internet 130 and is received by a participant interface 160 which comprises software running at a member's location. The participant interface 160 allows a participant/participant message to be viewed by any participant.

A client/moderator message 120 also traverses the Internet 130 and is received by the participant interface 160 which "blocks" the message from being displayed to the participant. The significance of the prior art system is that all messages traverse public communication channels and that such messages are effectively batched before being sent.

Fig. 2 depicts an online collaboration which generally includes a video stream 215 that is transmitted by a first set member 210 to another first set member 260 over a public communications channel 230 {e.g. the Internet). A video stream 225 may also be transmitted from a client 220 to a moderator 250 over a private communications channel 240.

A first set member 210, 260 is typically an entity (e.g. individual, company, family) that is capable of functioning in a group discussion although actual discussion is not a prerequisite for a first set member. A preferred first set member 210 is a person participating in an online focus group discussion. It should be appreciated, however, that an online focus group is not required in all embodiments and a first set member may be a participant in a collaborative group other than a focus group. While all first set members exist within the same virtual group, the physical location of the members will vary. In some aspects, all first set members are physically located distal in relation to one another. In other aspects, none or just some of the first set members are physically located distal from one another.

A video stream 215, 225 is data that is being transmitted according to a "streaming" technique that allows a recipient of the data to display at least part of the data during transmission (i.e. before all of the data is transmitted). In a preferred class of embodiments, a video stream comprises MPEG encoded data representing images and speech (audio) of first set members discussing a topic of an online focus group. It is also contemplated, however, that a video stream may comprise data representing a place or an object such as a graph, a chart, and an item of manufacture.

A video stream that is initiated by a first set member traverses public communications channels such as wired and wireless paths of the Internet 230. A communication over a private channel is transparent to a first set member if that member is not transmitting or receiving the communication. A communication over a public channel is not transparent to those first set members excluded from viewing communications over a private channel. In a preferred embodiment, communications over a private channel are transparent from first set members with the exception of a moderator 250. Transparent means not displayed or not transmitted. Transparency to a member may be achieved by maintaining a private channel in which the member is not coupled to the channel. w_* *. , .. _v_ -. _ _

Alternatively or additionally, a server may operate to achieve transparency in a variety of manners including by software instructions, encryption and routing.

With respect to a video file, it is further contemplated that a video on demand server (not shown) may be utilized to allow a first set member, a moderator, and a client to receive video on-demand. A video on demand server may have a variety of purposes including to provide recorded video during a group collaboration and to provide a recording of a group collaboration to designated users such as additional clients.

A preferred second set member is a client 220 that sponsors a focus group. A client 220 may actively participate in a focus group or other group collaboration. Active participation generally involves controlling at least some aspect of group discussion. For example, a client may control a group discussion by determining who participates in a group, what questions will be asked of the group, who answers particular questions, and so on. A second set member may be a non-actively participating client or even an additional active or non-active client. In a class of embodiments, a second set member may be an interpreter (human or machine) that inteφrets one language into another or provides sign language to hearing impaired members.

With respect to a moderator 250, it is generally contemplated that a moderator 250 is a member of both a first set of members and a second set of members. A moderator 250 may be an entity such as a person, a company, or a group of individuals, but in any case, a moderator generally orchestrates an online focus group. Communications between a moderator and a first set member generally traverse a public communication channels and communications between a moderator and a client generally traverse private communication channels.

Fig.3 depicts a plurality of first set members 220-270 communicating with each other by transmitting and receiving video streams. A first set member display screen 210 generally displays avatars 2l2(e.g. a pictorial representation or video stream) of group participants as well as a group moderator, a whiteboard 214, and a text box 216. A determination of whether to admit particular first set members may be made at least partially by matching facial feature data of a potential member with facial feature data of a past member. A past member is an entity that participated in a group in the past. Data related to a past member is typically stored on a server and may be used to determine whether to admit a potential member to a group. Stored data may include images (e.g. facial features) and other data related to the past member (e.g. demographic information, psychographic information, and amount of incentive paid). Admission of a first set member to a group is preferably done automatically by an integrated software package, however, admission may be based alternatively or additionally upon a manual interaction (e.g. override) by a client or other entity.

Avatars 212 of first set members are digital representations of first set members (i.e. group members). A preferable avatar is digital image of member that has been captured by a member's local video camera. Avatars aid in matching audio (e.g. a voice) with the source of the audio (e.g. a speaker) by highlighting the avatar associated with the source of the audio (e.g. the speaker). Preferably, avatars 212 are displayed in two rows having six members for each row, however, other configurations may exist in which more or less than two rows and six members are displayed. An additional configuration may include a drop down window for display of additional members. An avatar 212 may also display a representation of one or more moderators.

It is generally contemplated that a whiteboard 214 may have many features including loading a web page for shared browsing, display of a video stream, display of pictures, graphics and file, and polling. Additionally, group members may modify a whiteboard display by using drawing tools.

A text box 216 preferably displays alphanumeric characters that are typically typed by a group member or moderator. Text may be derived from digital and physical documents for example by blocking and copying or by scanning. Text may also be derived from speech through the use of voice recognition and speech may be derived from text by using speech synthesis technology. A further aspect includes an integrated software package that is programmed to communicatively couple first set members over a public communications channel and to communicatively couple a second set member to at least one first set member over a private communications channel. Yet another aspect includes an integrated software package that is programmed to stream video among a plurality of first set members and to communicatively couple at least one second set member with a proper subset of the first set members transparent to the first set members outside the proper subset.

"Integrated" as used in an "integrated software package" means that there is at least some inter-relationship between functions of a software package. Typically, that inter- relationship is that the software is sold and/or marketed together as a single solution. For example, an integrated software package includes a series of programs that are sold as a single solution for focus groups and other group collaboration. This is true regardless of whether program code is in a single file or multiple files. An e-mail system and a video conferencing system which are not sold or marketed together is not an integrated software package.

Thus, specific embodiments and applications of on-line group collaborations having transparent communications have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in inteφreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be inteφreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" should be inteφreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A method of conducting an online focus group having a first set of members and a second set member, comprising: linking all of the members of the first set to each other over a public communications channel; and simultaneously linking the second set member with at least one first set member over a private communications channel.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising at least one member of the first set transmitting a video stream to at least one of the second set member and another member of the first set.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising encoding the video stream in accordance with an MPEG specification.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the private communications channel comprises a VPN.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of associating an avatar with a particular member of the first set and displaying the avatar on a display screen of at least one member of the first set.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising highlighting the avatar when the particular member of the first set is speaking.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second set member comprises a client actively participating in the online focus group by communicating over the private communications channel.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second set member comprises an inteφreter inteφreting communications made over the public communications channel.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of determining whether to admit a potential member to the first set of members by matching facial feature data of the potential member with facial feature data of a past member in a different focus group.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of the second set member communicating an incentive to a particular member of the first set.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one member of the first set is physically located distal in relation to another member of the first set.

12. A method of online collaboration, comprising: a first set of members communicating with each other by transmitting a video stream; a second set of members participating in the online collaboration by communicating with a proper subset of the first set of members in a manner that is transparent to at least one member of the first set of members outside the proper subset.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the second set of members comprises a first client participating in the online collaboration.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the second set of members further comprises an additional client, physically located distal from the first client, participating in the online collaboration by receiving the video stream.

15. An integrated software package programmed to: communicatively couple a first set of members to each other over a public communications channel; and communicatively couple a second set member to at least one first set member over a private communications channel.

16. The integrated software package of claim 15, further comprising a video on demand server programmed to stream video between at least two members of the first set.

17. The integrated software package of claim 15, further programmed to automatically control admission to an online focus group by matching facial features of a past member with facial features of a potential member.

18. The integrated software package of claim 15, wherein the second set member comprises a client and the software package is further programmed to stream video to the client.

19. The integrated software package of claim 15, further programmed to display a whiteboard viewed by at least one member of the first set and the second set member.

20. An integrated software package programmed to: stream video among a plurality of first set members; and communicatively couple at least one second set member with a proper subset of the first set members transparent to the first set members outside the proper subset.

21. The integrated software package of claim 20, further programmed to automatically control admission to an online focus group by matching facial features of a past member with facial features of a potential member.

22. The integrated software package of claim 20, wherein the second set member comprises a client and the software package is further programmed to stream video to the client.

23. The integrated software package of claim 20, further programmed to display a whiteboard viewed by at least one member of the first set and the second set member.