Specification
FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
& THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10]
A METHOD FOR CONTROLLED DISTRIBUTION AND PRESENTATION OF DYNAMIC CONTENT AND A SYSTEM THEREOF
GREAT SOFTWARE PRIVATE LIMITED, A COMPANY PNCORPORATED UNDER THE COMPANIES ACT 1956, WHOSE ADDRESS IS VISHWAKALYAN,
S.No.149/3, Off.ITI ROAD, PUNE-411007, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA.
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE NATURE OF THIS INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a method for controlled distribution and presentation of dynamic content in a real-time virtual classroom. More particularly, the dynamic contents are synchronized and presented in real¬time virtual class and allowing the participants to interact with the content on an individual basis.
PRIOR ART
Classroom education is effective when the target audience have a common source of assembly. Education from distance or Distance learning is an alternate mode of education wherein the target audience has distinct sources of origin. Normally, distance education teaching occurs through dispatch of study materials through any preferred mode of postal services such as book-posts, registered posts and courier services. The dispatch of the study materials is often augmented by conduction of Contact classes wherein at a predetermined schedule; the target audiences are assembled at a predesignated location to deliver lectures.
However, attendance during such interactions is always low due to logistics. Hence, virtual conferences are a preferred mode of learning for distance learning or virtual meetings. Virtual conferencing is a fast emerging mode for interaction and collaboration of participants in real-time, irrespective of their geographical location. Participants can connect to a virtual conferencing server through individual computers or use a common computer to collaborate in real¬time with the other participants in the conference. Participants use various media like text messages, audio, video, slides and shared documents to discuss and illustrate their points in the conference.
Dynamic content is the content which is in the form of rich graphical output and provides various type of user-interactions like accepting inputs from user. The dynamic content here is stored in the form of SWF (small web format and later changed to shockwave-flash) format file, which allows easy and effective browser based display.
As mentioned above, the real-time virtual classrooms are rapidly growing mode of education from distance. In this type of virtual classroom, the instructor
uses various communication media like text messages, audio, video, slides and desktop sharing. Frequently, the media streamed in the virtual classroom are time-synchronized. But all these media helps the instructor to explain the theoretical aspect of the information displayed and they do not provide for any learn by experience aspect. Hence, there is a need for a method which enables the instructor to interactively interact with the plurality of participants in real-time during a virtual classroom. There is also a need for a system that enables the streaming of the data interactively between the instructor and the participant.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the invention includes a method for regulated distribution and presentation of dynamic content across the network. The method includes the steps of receiving a request from at virtual instructor client-node to show a specific dynamic content pages or files at a server. The loading of the requested dynamic content pages or files is in the form of page-url and notifying to all virtual attendee client-node to connect with page-url for display of the requested dynamic content pages or files.
Another aspect of the invention includes a system for regulated distribution and presentation of dynamic content across the network. The system is provide with a virtual instructor client-node wherein each node has a client processer and a client disk for holding client files. A virtual attendee client-node is also provides wherein each node has a client processer and a client disk for holding client files. Further, the system also includes a virtual conference server configured to each of the virtual conference client-nodes for communication. The virtual conference server includes a dynamic content server capable of sending requested dynamic content page to all the virtual client-node and also controls the operation between the virtual instructor client-node and the virtual attendee client-node.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to various embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
FIG. 1 shows a client server system according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 shows a server component according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3 shows a typical virtual classroom client according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic workflow for uploading dynamic content to a server system according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic workflow involved in searching the dynamic content in a server system according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic workflow for presenting a selected dynamic content in virtual classroom according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 7 shows a controllable dynamic content page according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 8 shows a controllable dynamic content page according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic workflow for Lock operation according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic workflow for Unlock operation according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic workflow to view current status of a dynamic content page for a specific virtual attendee client-node.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
Various embodiments of the invention provide a method for controlled distribution and presentation of dynamic content and a system thereof. FIG. 1 shows a virtual client server system 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The virtual client server system 100 includes of a virtual instructor client-node 110, a virtual attendee client-node 120 and a virtual conference server 130. Further, the virtual conference server 130 is connected with the virtual instructor client-node 110 and the virtual attendee client-node 120.
In an embodiment of the invention, the server can be connected with the virtual instructor client-node 110 and the virtual attendee client-nodes 120 over the network.
In another embodiment of the invention, the virtual instructor client-node 110 can request the virtual conference server 130 to present a preloaded dynamic content page to the virtual attendee client-nodes 120. Further, the virtual instructor client-node 110 demonstrates how to work with the presented dynamic page to the virtual attendee client-nodes 120 and also allows the virtual attendee client-nodes to work independently with the presented dynamic content. The virtual instructor client-node 110 can watch these activities done by the virtual attendee client-nodes 120.
In another embodiment of the invention, the virtual attendee client-nodes 120 see the dynamic content page and demonstration given by the virtual instructor client-node 110 to them. Further, the virtual attendee client-nodes 120 can independently work with the presented dynamic content.
FIG. 2 shows a server component 200 according to an embodiment of the invention. The virtual conference server component 200 includes a controlling server 210, at least one dynamic content server 220 and at least one storage server 230.
In an embodiment of the invention, the controlling server 210 accepts command from the instructor (not shown) to present/hide a specific dynamic content page to attendees (not shown). Further, the controlling server 210 authenticate virtual instructor client-node, who has given the command and its
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access right to perform the action, and then it instructs the dynamic content server 220 to show/hide the dynamic content page to others.
In another embodiment of the invention, the dynamic content server 220 takes the instruction from the controlling server 210 as mentioned above and sends it to everybody in the virtual classroom. It also sends instructions to the client or browser based clients connected to virtual classroom.
In another embodiment of the invention, the storage server 230 stores the preloaded dynamic pages and files. Furthermore, these components can be part of a single machine or they can be the independent servers looped in to this framework.
FIG. 3 shows a virtual classroom client 300 according to an embodiment of the invention. The virtual classroom client 300 includes a session manager 310, a media manager 320 and a controller 330. The media manager 320 may include an audio media manager 322, a video media manager 324, a whiteboard media manager 326 and a dynamic content media manager 328. Furthermore, the controller 330 includes a dynamic content uploader 332, a dynamic content searcher and initiator 334 and a dynamic content viewer and controller 336.
In an embodiment of the invention, the session's manager 310 manages user's session with the server (not shown) and the media manager 320 manages media like audio, video, white board and dynamic content.
In another embodiment of the invention, the dynamic content up loader 332 allows the user's to upload a page or a file with dynamic content to the server to make it available for the use during real-time virtual conference. It also allows writing title, description and searching keywords while uploading it so that the user can easily search a specific file of the server. The user here may include either or both the virtual instructor client-node or the virtual attendee client-nodes.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, the dynamic content searcher and initiator 334 allows the virtual instructor client-node to search dynamic content file which the virtual instructor client-node wants to use in the classroom. The search is based on various search criteria such as title, description etc. Further, it also allows the virtual instructor client-node to select one or more searched files
and initiates the process to make those files available to all the virtual attendee client nodes in the classroom.
In another embodiment of the invention, the dynamic content viewer and controller 336 displays the dynamic page/file presented by the instructor in the classroom. It also allows the virtual instructor client-node to control interactivity of the other virtual attendee client-nodes with this dynamic content by lock/unlock operation. The virtual instructor client-node can also get the view of the current state of this dynamic page/file at the end of any specific virtual attendee client-node.
FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic workflow for uploading dynamic content to a virtual conference server system according to an embodiment of the invention. The virtual conference server system 400 includes a virtual classroom client 410, a storage server 420, a controlling server 430 and a database 440. The virtual classroom client 410 further consists of dynamic content uploader 405 for uploading the file by the instructor. The file can be uploaded by the virtual instructor client-node through dynamic content uploader 405. The dynamic content uploader 405 sends a request to storage server 420 for uploading the file, the storage server 420 checks for the permission from the controlling 430. The controlling server 430 refers to the database, which has the information regarding the authentication of the virtual instructor client-node to upload the file. The information from the database 440 is sent back to the controlling server 430, which is further sent to the storage server 420. Subsequently, the file is uploaded and stored in the database 440.
FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic workflow involved in searching the dynamic content in a server system 500 according to an embodiment of the invention. The system includes a virtual classroom client 510, a storage server 520, a controlling server 530 and a database 540. The virtual classroom client 510 further consists of a dynamic content searcher and initiator 505.
In an embodiment of the invention, the virtual instructor client-node can search the preloaded dynamic content based on various available search criteria such as name, title, description, etc. the search term is given to dynamic content
searcher and initiator 505, which sends this information to storage server 520. The storage server 520 further sends this to controlling server 530. The controlling server 530 refers to the database 540 for the relevant information and sends back information to the controlling server 530. The controlling server 530 passes this information to the storage server 510. The storage server 520 returns a list of eligible file name according to the search term given by the virtual instructor client node. The virtual instructor client-node can select needed file from the list and requests server to present it to all the virtual attendee client-nodes in a virtual classroom.
FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic workflow for presenting a selected dynamic content in a system 600 according to an embodiment of the invention. The system 600 includes a virtual classroom client 610, a controlling server 620, a dynamic content server 630, a storage server 640 and a database 650. The virtual classroom client 610 further consists of a dynamic content searcher and initiator 604 and a dynamic content viewer and controller 608.
In an embodiment of the invention, the request if given by dynamic searcher and initiator 604 for showing the specific dynamic content page. The request is forwarded to the controlling server 620, which may refer to the database 650 for the specific dynamic content or may refer to dynamic content server 630 for the same dynamic content page. The dynamic content server 630 search for the dynamic page into the storage server 640. The storage server 640 retrieves the information and sends in the form of page-url to controlling server 620 routed through dynamic content server 630. Further, this page-url is then transferred to the dynamic content viewer and controller 608. The page-url is received by all the attendees in the virtual classroom client 610. The dynamic content viewer and controller connect to the page-url to view it.
FIG. 7 shows a controllable dynamic content page 700 according to an embodiment of the invention. This control is given to the virtual instructor client-node, on request a dynamic content page 710 shows each of the important objects it contains.
FIG. 8 shows a controllable dynamic content page 800 according to an embodiment of the invention. The request with detailed state of important objects is given by the virtual instructor client-node. The graphical output of a dynamic page is shown in original state 810, which can be changed by the virtual instructor client-node and then same dynamic content page with changed state and changed graphical output 820 is shown.
In an embodiment of the invention, the virtual instructor client-node can perform controlling activities; the virtual instructor client-node can lock/unlock the dynamic content page presented in the virtual classroom.
FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic workflow for Lock operation according to an embodiment of the invention. A system 900 includes a virtual classroom client for instructor 910, a virtual classroom client for attendee 920, a dynamic content server 930, a controlling server 940 and a database 950. Further, both the virtual classroom client for the virtual instructor client-node and the virtual classroom client for the virtual attendee client-node consist of dynamic content viewer and controller 905 and 915 respectively.
In an embodiment of the invention, the virtual instructor client-node can lock the dynamic page presented in virtual classroom. This operation helps the virtual instructor client-node to interact with this page and operation done by the virtual instructor client-node is shown to all the virtual attendee client-nodes on the dynamic page displayed. This is useful for the virtual instructor client-node to demonstrate to all virtual attendee client-node how to work with the presented dynamic content.
In another embodiment of the invention, the request is send by the dynamic content viewer and controller 905 of the virtual classroom client for virtual instructor client-node 910 to the dynamic content server 930, the dynamic content server checks for the authentication with the controlling server 940. The controlling server 940 refers to the database 950 when needed and sends the authentication information back to dynamic content server 930. Accordingly, the dynamic content server locks the page and then displays to all the virtual attendee client-node in virtual classroom on the dynamic content viewer and controller 915.
Similarly, the virtual instructor client-node can also unlock the page as illustrated in FIG. 10.
FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic workflow for Unlock operation according to an embodiment of the invention. The system 1000 includes a virtual classroom client for virtual instructor client-node 1010, a virtual classroom client for virtual attendee client-node 1020, a dynamic content server 1030, a controlling server 1040 and a database 1050. The request for unlocking the page is send by the virtual instructor client-node to the dynamic content server 1030. The dynamic content server 1030 check for authentication with controlling server 1040, which further refers to database 1050 for authentication. The authentication report is sent to dynamic content server 1030, after which dynamic content server 1030 unlocks the page. Now the unlock file or page is presented through the dynamic content viewer and controller 1005 of the virtual instructor client-node and also the virtual attendee client-node 1020 can interact with the dynamic content file or page independently on dynamic content viewer and controller 1015.
In another embodiment of the invention, the virtual instructor client-node 1010 can unlock the file or page, which allows each of the virtual attendee client-node 1020 to interact independently with the presented dynamic content. This type of interaction helps in giving text inputs and manipulating various objects on the dynamic content file or page.
FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic workflow to view current status of a dynamic content page for a specific virtual attendee client-node. The system includes a virtual classroom client for a virtual instructor client-node 1110, a virtual classroom client for a virtual attendee client-node 1120, a dynamic content server 1130, a controlling server 1140 and a database 1150. Both the virtual instructor client-node and the virtual attendee client node consist of a dynamic content viewer and controller 1105 and 1115 respectively.
In an embodiment of the invention, the dynamic content page is presented by the virtual instructor client-node 1110 in a virtual classroom through the dynamic content viewer and controller 1105, which is played independently by each virtual attendee client-node 1120 on the dynamic content viewer and
controller 1115. The virtual instructor client-node 1110 can see current status of the file or page on the dynamic content viewer and controller 1105 and how the virtual attendee client-node 1120 is interacting with the specific file or page. This can be done by sending a request by the virtual instructor client-node 1110 to the dynamic content server 1130, which checks for authentication with controlling server 1140, which further refers to database 1150 for appropriate authentication. The dynamic content server 1130 passes the request to the specific virtual attendee client-node. The virtual attendee client-node 1120 which has already loaded the dynamic content page accepts the request for the current page status and takes the current status from the virtual attendee client-node, which is then sent back to the dynamic content server 1130.
The dynamic content server 1130 sends the received current page status data to the virtual instructor client-node 1110, where the virtual instructor client-node 1110 interprets the received current page data, which enables the virtual instructor client-node 1110 to know the current page status and the action taken by the specific virtual attendee client-node.
The foregoing description of the invention has been set for merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to person skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
WE CLAIM
1. A system for regulated distribution and presentation of dynamic content
across the network, the system comprising:
at least one virtual instructor client-node, each node having a client processer and a client disk for holding client files;
at least one virtual attendee client-node, each node having a client processer and a client disk for holding client files; and
at least one virtual conference server configured to each of the virtual conference client-nodes for communication, wherein the virtual conference server comprising a dynamic content server capable of sending requested dynamic content page to all the virtual client-node and also controls the operation between the virtual instructor client-node and the virtual attendee client-node.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a control server controls the communication between the virtual conference server and the virtual client-nodes, wherein the control server instructs the dynamic content server to show or hide a given dynamic content page to all virtual client-nodes.
3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a storage server for storing pre-loaded dynamic content pages and files.
4. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a database coupled to the storage server for storing the loaded meta-data information.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the virtual instructor/attendee client-node
includes a "dynamic content file uploader".
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the virtual instructor/attendee client-node includes a "dynamic content searcher and initiator".
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the virtual instructor/attendee client-node includes a "dynamic content viewer and controller".
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the virtual instructor/attendee client-node includes dynamic content file uploader which allows to upload pages or files with dynamic content to the virtual conference server.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the virtual instructor/attendee client-node includes the dynamic content searcher and initiator which allows to the virtual instructor client-node to search the dynamic content pages or files from the virtual conference server and initiates the process of making available those pages or files to at least one virtual attendee client-node.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the virtual instructor/attendee client-node includes the dynamic content viewer and controller which allows the virtual instructor client-node to display dynamic content pages or files to at least one virtual attendee client-node.
11. The system of claim 1, further wherein the virtual instructor client-node is configured to individually interact with the plurality of the virtual attendee client-node in the virtual classroom, in a lock or an unlock mode.
12. A method for regulated distribution and presentation of dynamic content across the network, the method comprising :
receiving, at a server, a request from at least one virtual instructor client-node to show a specific dynamic content pages or files ;
loading the requested dynamic content pages or files in the form of page-url; and
notifying to all virtual attendee client-node to connect with page-url for display of the requested dynamic content pages or files.
13. A method of claim 11, wherein the steps of receiving further comprising: Receiving a lock or unlock operation request for a specific dynamic content page or file from virtual instructor client-node, wherein the virtual instructor client-node demonstrate to all the virtual attendee client-nodes how to work with the presented dynamic content page or file.
