System and method for facilitating collaboration and communication in a visual mapping system by tracking user presence in individual topics
US8161396B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 20, 2007 |
| Grant date | Apr 17, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 19, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L67/75
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A visual mapping system and method facilitate communication and collaboration among users sharing visual maps or topics in visual maps. The visual mapping system tracks user presence in individual topics in the visual mapping system. User presence is tracked for users that are online. If an online user is present in a topic, the system displays an indication of such presence in the topic to other online users currently sharing the same topic. The visual mapping system also provides an interface in the visual map through which an online user can initiate communications with other online users that are present in a shared topic. Types of communications that can be initiated through the visual map include chat sessions, instant meetings, telephone calls, and email messages.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.