| Title: |
Media-channel based interactive voice/video/data discussion-forums |
| Document Number: |
20070124379 |
| Publication Date: |
May 31, 2007 |
| Appl. No: |
11/599757 |
| Application Filed: |
November 15, 2006 |
| Abstract: |
A method for communicating includes the steps of presenting a topic on the media channel with a phone number or IP address to a real-time interactive forum regarding the topic. There is the step of calling the phone number or IP address by an individual. There is the step of entering the forum by the individual. There is the step of conversing with participants about the topic on the forum. |
| Inventors: |
Coraluppi, Giorgio L. (Pittsburgh, PA, US); Pompa, Gerard A. (Pittsburgh, PA, US); Schmitt, Jerome (Pittsburgh, PA, US) |
| Claim: |
1. A method for communicating comprising the steps of: presenting a topic on the media channel with a phone number or IP address to a real-time interactive forum regarding the topic; calling the phone number or IP address by an individual; entering the forum by the individual; and conversing with participants about the topic on the forum. |
| Claim: |
2. A method as described in claim 1 including the step of using a multipoint collaboration equipment to establish and maintain the forum. |
| Claim: |
3. A method as described in claim 2 wherein the calling step includes the step of using a telephone or soft phone for the individual to be connected using a PSTN network or Internet to enter the forum. |
| Claim: |
4. A method as described in claim 3 wherein the multipoint equipment includes audio or video or data multipoint equipment or any combination thereof. |
| Claim: |
5. A method as described in claim 4 wherein the conversing step includes the step of talking with the participants, viewing data or seeing a video image, or any combination thereof. |
| Claim: |
6. A method as described in claim 5 wherein the entering step includes the steps of greeting the individual with a message and guiding the individual to the forum. |
| Claim: |
7. A method as described in claim 6 wherein the entering step includes the step of providing the individual with a URL or phone number. |
| Claim: |
8. A method as described in claim 7 including the step of allowing a facilitator to mute or reject a participant from the forum. |
| Claim: |
9. A method as described in claim 8 including the step of the facilitator moving from one form to another to assist in monitoring and facilitating many forums simultaneously. |
| Claim: |
10. A method as described in claim 9 including the steps of the facilitator creating sub forums, recording, playing pre-recorded information or calling out to a specialist/celebrity for addition to the forum. |
| Claim: |
11. A method as described in claim 10 including the step of generating revenue from the forum through either ad based revenue, or participant direct payment or credit-card payment or account charge or network residual payment. |
| Claim: |
12. A method as described in claim 11 including the step of charging the participants on a per party or per minute usage basis. |
| Claim: |
13. A method as described in claim 12 wherein the media channel is either a newspaper, magazine, television show, radio show, Internet search engine, Web portal, Web news agency or Web-log. |
| Claim: |
14. A method of communicating comprising the steps of: offering a phone number or IP address to an individual after an Internet search has been performed on a topic to a real-time interactive form regarding the topic; calling the phone number or IP address by the individual; entering the form by the individual; and conversing with participants about the topic on the forum. |
| Claim: |
15. A method as described in claim 14 wherein the calling step includes the step of calling the phone number or IP address by the individual at a predetermined time. |
| Current U.S. Class: |
709204/000 |
| Current International Class: |
06 |
| Accession Number: |
edspap.20070124379 |
| Database: |
USPTO Patent Applications |
