Methods of providing computer systems with bundled access to...

Details Methods of providing computer systems with bundled access to... Methods of providing computer systems with bundled access to...

1999-04-12

2002-12-17

Vu, Kim (Department: 2172)

Data processing: database and file management or data structures

Database design

Data structure types

C707S793000, C707S793000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06496822

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to methods of providing computer systems having bundled access to restricted-access databases.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Generally speaking, people who are properly trained are more satisfied and more productive in their work. People from all fields—science, business, engineering, education, social services, etc.—seek training to enhance their existing skills, or to develop new skills. In every field of industry, workforce training is usually a high priority.
Computer users typically have a wide variety of computer savvy. Many have technical backgrounds and are familiar with the basics of computer hardware and software. Some are experts who are intimately familiar with one or more aspects of the computing sciences. Ever-increasing numbers of computer users, however, have little or no experience with, or understanding of, the computer systems they use. At every level of experience, people who use computer systems often desire training on how to better use their computer systems and related computer products.
Traditionally, training occurs within the confines of a classroom in an educational or industrial institution, such as a university lecture hall or a company training facility. In such “brick and mortar” facilities, students gather at desks to be taught by an instructor. Due to limited availability of instructors, and limited classroom space, this method of training is conducted on a rigidly maintained schedule, and class sizes are restricted to a limited number of students. Typically, students (or their employers) are charged fees in accordance with the amount of training provided.
Efforts have been made to accommodate the growing numbers of people who desire training. For example, class sizes have been expanded by offering televised instruction wherein an instructor's lecture is broadcast for limited periods at scheduled times over a limited broadcast area. Alternately, lectures are recorded on audio-visual media and are stored at a facility, such as a public or private library, for access by students during scheduled operating hours. The audio-visual media may also be sold, allowing the consumer to access a limited amount of educational information at any time.
More recently, with the increasing availability and popularity of a global computer communication network (commonly referred to as the “Internet” or the “World Wide Web”), other methods of training, particularly computer science training, have evolved. For example, a number of suppliers of computer products have developed webpages that provide unrestricted-access to information directed to informing consumers about each supplier's particular computer-related products. Product-specific webpages include those provided by Micron Technology, Inc. indexed at www.micron.com, or by Microsoft Corporation indexed at www.microsoft.com, or by Intel Corporation at www.intel.com, or by Compaq Computer Corporation at www.compaq.com/smb/.
Another prior art method of providing computer science educational information via the global computer communication network is depicted in FIG.
1
. In this embodiment, a method
10
includes a consumer
11
paying computer system purchase or rental fees
12
to a computer system supplier
14
which, in return, provides a computer system
16
,
20
to the consumer
11
. The consumer
11
then pays a use fee
22
to an educational information supplier
24
to access a restricted-access database of educational information
18
. The amount of use fee paid by the consumer is typically proportional to either the amount of educational information accessed, or the period of time the database is accessed, by the consumer. In exchange for the use fee, the educational information supplier
24
provides a password (and access software if necessary)
26
to the consumer
11
. The consumer
11
transmits the password and accesses the restricted-access educational information database using the computer system
20
via the global computer communication network (ie. “online” access).
Typically, the educational information supplier
24
stores educational information
28
in the database
18
for access by authorized consumers at a later time. Alternately, the educational information supplier
24
may provide the educational information
26
in a “real-time” fashion, such as by approximately instantaneous audio-visual transmissions similar to a television broadcast. Such real-time transmissions may be routed through the educational information database
18
, and may be interactive between the consumer
10
and an instructor. The educational information supplier
24
also provides authorized password information
30
to the educational information database
18
to permit or deny access to the database appropriately.
Using the computer system
20
, the consumer
11
transmits their authorized password
32
over a communication link (e.g. the global computer communication network) to gain online access to the restricted-access educational information database
18
. The consumer
11
then chooses which educational information they wish to receive, and transmits selection information
34
to the restricted-access educational information database
18
. The database then transmits the selected educational information
36
to the consumer's computer system
20
. The foregoing method
10
(or variations thereof) is used, for example, by educational information supplier Ziff-Davis, Inc. as described in part at www.ziffdavis.com/education_index.htm.
The prior art methods have several disadvantages. For example, in addition to the purchase fees paid by the consumer for the computing system
20
, the consumer must also pay the use fee for access to the restricted-access educational information database
18
, leading to consumer dissatisfaction. Typically, the pay structure of the prior art training methods requires that the user/trainee pay fees in direct proportion to the amount of training received, which deters may users from pursuing training despite its availability.
Although a limited amount of information is available on an non-fee basis via the webpages of computer product suppliers, the content of these sources is characteristically oriented toward marketing, advertising, and basic trouble-shooting of the supplier's computer products. These sources generally do not provide comprehensive educational information, nor do they provide interactive “real-time” training presently available on a restricted-access, pay-per-view basis. The adage “you get what you pay for” strongly applies to the prior art methods.
Furthermore, existing methods necessitate that, after purchasing a computer system, the consumer who desires on-line training must seek out an educational information provider. Because consumers are typically uninformed of the quality and availability of educational information suppliers, consumer frustration and dissatisfaction is increased. Also, the educational information provided by the educational information supplier may not be compatible with the user's computer system, resulting in additional loss of productivity, expense, and frustration for the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed toward methods of providing computer systems with bundled access to restricted-access databases. In one embodiment, a method in accordance with the invention includes providing a computer system with an authorized access identifier that allows access to a restricted-access educational information database via a computer communication network; and providing the computer system to a user. The user is not required to pay use fees, or seek out a suitable educational information supplier. In this way, the user is immediately and conveniently included into a community of students and instructors in an online university environment, enhancing the user's knowledge, productivity, and satisfaction.
In an alternate embodiment, a method includes providing an access software program for accessing the restricted-access database via th

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