Television – Two-way video and voice communication
Reexamination Certificate
2001-09-18
2004-03-09
Ramakrishnaiah, Melur (Department: 2643)
Television
Two-way video and voice communication
C348S014080, C379S093240
Reexamination Certificate
active
06704039
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to telecommunication and money transfer systems, specifically to a computer-aided system and method which employs an on-line website and a plurality of computers to create a subscriber network for use by skilled and unskilled computer operators alike from any computer or computer device anywhere and at any time, including personal computers in the home and office, hand-held personal digital assistants, and mobile phones, as well as any other device adapted to permit on-line access. The majority of users would be subscribers, although non-subscribers would have a more limited selection of services available on a unit cost basis. The present invention offers those unskilled in computer operation, as well as those who do not have a convenient means immediately available for computer or on-line access, the opportunity to transfer written information, images, and money to remote subscribers and others, including the transfer of notices about events, sales, and employment opportunities directed to more than one recipient; the conduct of real-time visual communication with one another; secure money transfer between individuals; make purchases, and also optionally receive still and/or moving images of remote correspondents at a cost that is relatively low when compared to alternative forms of communication. In addition those skilled in computer operation can optionally access the established subscriber network from any personal computer or other digital device permitting on-line access, a privacy booth, one of the network control stations, a network-connected local e-mail station, or one of many network-connected remote e-mail/ATM stations, to accomplish a wide variety of communication and financial transactions, including but not limited to sending money to remote individuals, paying bills, cashing checks, issuing paychecks, exchanging currencies, purchasing pre-paid telephone cards, purchasing pre-paid debit cards, purchasing money orders, purchasing transportation or entertainment tickets, purchasing goods and services such as groceries and gas, purchasing pre-paid software applications, purchasing bandwidth to send large files or for videoconferencing purposes, and pre-paying entertainment costs. Fast and private money transfer between one or more donating subscribers and one or more recipients remote from the donor, with on-camera money transfer confirmation, can take place in specially equipped privacy booths. The recipient does not have to be a subscriber. Money transfer can also take place between individuals whereby money is directly deposited in a bank or credit union account of another, or the money is made available for pick up, all or part thereof, via any remote e-mail/ATM station, control station, or local e-mail station also having ATM capability. At the option of the recipient, money pick up can be in the form of cash, pre-paid phone cards, prepaid debit cards, money orders, or other currency equivalent. Since personal identity confirmation is required for most transactions, personal home computer systems used for subscriber network access must have video communication equipment, such as a netcam. Stand-alone network-accessing units, such as remote e-mail-ATM stations, should each have video-recording and automated teller machine capability, and would be strategically placed in secure well-lighted locations, such as but not limited to convenience stores, grocery stores, drug stores, shopping malls, hotel lobbies, restaurants, theaters, bus stations, and airports. Certain cash transactions, such as the purchase of a pre-paid phone card or money order, could be completed by non-subscribers at stand-alone network accessing units. However, for most transactions at least the donor would be a network subscriber. As part of the application process for becoming a network subscriber, a digital photograph of the person is taken and entered into the network's computer database, along with other identifying information about the subscriber, such as but not limited to social security number, full name, birth date, and/or full address and telephone number. Additional layers of security can also be employed as part of the application process on an as needed basis, including but not limited to the taking of one or more fingerprints and establishing voice recognition patterns. Thereafter, subscriber wanting to perform a variety of financial transactions through use of the present invention, whether positioned in front of his or her own computer, a local e-mail station with ATM capability located at one of the network offices where privacy booths are also located, or in front of a stand-alone remote e-mail/ATM station network accessing unit, can do so by simply entering a discrete password and allowing the system to take a current digital photograph, fingerprint, and/or voice pattern sample and compare it to the digital photograph and other data already on file in its computer database. If currently collected data matches that originally collected upon registration as a subscriber, then the subscriber is permitted access to the network to accomplish any service for which pre-payment has been made. If current and original data do not match, network access is denied and compliance with further network procedures must be achieved before the person requesting network access can be permitted use of network services. When money is transferred to another person, the recipient will receive a message about the transfer via e-mail, pager, voice mail, or mobile phone, whereafter the recipient can proceed to the nearest network-accessing unit having automated teller machine capability to obtain all or part of the transferred money. If only part of the money is withdrawn from the subscriber network, the remainder can be maintained within the network indefinitely until recipient chooses to withdraw it. Further, a video screen, microphone, camera, and speaker or speakers associated with an e-mail station in a network office housing privacy booths, or as part of a stand-alone remote network-accessing unit, can further assist subscribers by providing full motion video customer service and alternatively provide the network with the opportunity for revenue generation through full motion video advertising. The simplest preferred embodiment of the subscriber system comprises two central processing units; two computer monitors; four keyboards; two printers; two printer/scanner/fax/copier combination units unless separate equipment for printing, scanning, faxing, and copying is alternatively made available for use; two video recorders; at least two privacy booths in which to conduct visual conferences, each having a high resolution monitor, a live video capture camera, audio speakers, at least one microphone, an optional writing surface, and at least one piece of furniture which can comfortably seat visual correspondents; and a plurality of network-accessing units each having video-recording capability that are strategically placed in secure locations to facilitate money transfer and other financial transactions.
2. Description of Prior Art
Recent technological advances have made worldwide communication between many remotely located business associates, friends, and family members nearly instantaneous and relatively easy to accomplish. Also, for those having computer skills and inexpensive on-line computer access, the cost of such communication has been dramatically lowered. However, there are people who lack computer skills, those who travel frequently or become temporarily relocated for periods of time too short to establish or transfer local telephone service, and those who lack the ability to purchase the computer hardware and software necessary for online access, who have not been able to take advantage of this technology. These people find alternative forms of communication expensive, subject to delay, and often totally inadequate when an important letter or package is not delivered to the intended recipient in its original condition or is n
Morse Dorothy S.
Ramakrishnaiah Melur
LandOfFree
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