Interactive multimedia virtual classes requiring small online network bandwidth

US6381444B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• International Business Machines Corporation · US

Inventors

• Alok Aggarwal · Foster City, US
• Rema Ananthanaratanan · New Delhi, IN
• Vipul Bansal · New Delhi, IN
• Krishna Kummamuru · Bengaluru, IN
• Parul Mittal · New Delhi, IN
• Natwar Modani · Savanuru, IN
• Sreerama K. Murthy · New Delhi, IN
• Atrayee Roychowdhury · New Delhi, IN
• Satuloori Sridhar · Darsi, IN

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 12, 2000
• Grant date: Apr 30, 2002
• Expiry date: Jul 12, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G09B5/02
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A system for implementing a virtual class and distance education via a computer network is disclosed. The process carried out by the system involves receiving signals from one or more instructor entities, the signals including lesson material designated as belonging to one or more interest groups. The lesson material is sent in advance to student entities listed in one or more of the interest groups to which the lesson material is designated as belonging. Signals from one or more student entities are received requesting admission to a particular class and instructions are sent to student entities to control the display and execution of the lesson material. Interaction amongst student entities, or between student entities and instructor entities, are facilitated and moderated.