System and method of communications with supervised interaction

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a system and method of communications with supervised interaction, and more particularly, to such a system and method that control the nature of the communication between at least two entities.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many systems for communicating and exchanging information have been designed in the past. None of them, however, includes a system and method where the communicating parties may be supervised by a third party, such as a coordinator.

None of them include the use of controlled specific choices (either through the use of visual and/or auditory user interface such as menus and/or prompts) that control the scope of the communication. The third party (also referred to as the enabler or coordinator) controls the scope of the communication.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one of the main objects of the present invention to provide a system and method for controlling and supervising the scope of communication and exchange of information between at least two parties.

It is another object of this invention to provide a system and method that make the parties aware of their respective responsibilities relating to the subject matter that relates them with the limitations incorporated by the third party.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a system and method that enables the parties to exchange controlled information in one or more languages.

It is another object of this invention to provide a system and method of communication that ensures that the parties are focused on the issues of communicating and cannot deviate from controlled subjects.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide such a system and method that is inexpensive to implement and maintain while retaining its effectiveness.

Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a representation of the system using three interconnected network infrastructures with work stations connected thereto.

FIG. 2 is a chart with the steps followed by one of the preferred embodiments of the present method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, and specifically to FIG. 1, where the present invention is generally referred to with numeral 10, it can be observed that it basically includes global computer network 20, cellular network 22, land telephone network 24, and other interconnected networks (not shown) with equivalent compatibilities, computerized networkable entities or stations 30 and 40 (more than two are also possible and to simplify this explanation only two entities or stations will be used in this embodiment), third party station 50, and computer server 60 including software and storage assemblies. Computer server 60 includes software that is selectively programmable by station 50 only, in order to control the scope of the communication, as well as the frequency, hours, etc.

The software residing in computer server 60 includes data and instructions that are selectively programmable and controlled through third party station 50. In FIG. 1, station 50 is shown to access computer server 60 via networks 20; 22; or 24 but station 50 could also access server 60 directly. The software includes a predetermined number of categories and sub-categories that can be changed through station 50. In practice, station 50 is accessible by a judge, mediator, psychologist, child guardian, or a similar figure with vested responsibilities in the relationship between or among the parties. The parties could be spouses, ex-spouses, partners, grandparents, or any other parties linked by a relationship that requires the exchange of information to accept and/or discharge pre-established duties.

The categories and sub-categories available to the communicating parties are determined by the third party. The categories go from general to specific to control the scope of the communications permitted between the parties. As the requesting communicating party navigates and searches for the available choices (i.e. request child for grandparent's birthday party, etc.), other helpful information can also be selectively supplied (advice by third party for particular categories, statistics on the number of requests previously made, or how the requester is doing with respect to other references, etc.). This additional information helps the requester evaluate the reasonableness of the request prior to dispatching it to system 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, once requesting party (station 30) dispatches request 31 to system 10, the latter logs it in, with the computer server 60 maintaining a database with the time, date, originating party, and other information that may be required by the selected category/sub-category selected by the requesting party (station 30). Optimally, system 10 provides the requesting party (station 30) with a tracking number or other identifier for potential subsequent follow-up.

The communicating parties (stations 30;40) also have limited online access to system 10 to view their own profiles, statistics, and communication with the third party (under limited circumstances). The levels of interaction and categories are set by third party (station 50).

Once a request 31 has been accepted by system 10, the target communicating party (station 40) is notified, and again, the date, time, category/sub-category, and any other relevant information is logged by system 10. System 10 may escalate the manner and media used for notifying the target communicating party (station 40) depending on the category/sub-category and/or other circumstances that the third party (station 50) deems advisable. The different preferred media for communicating between the parties are listed on the parties' profile and may also by a prerequisite for using system 10. For example, the third party (station 50) may require at least one means for communicating through the internet 20, telephone 22;24, etc. System 10 can use more than one communication media depending on the responsiveness of the target party (station 40) and/or the immediacy of the request 31.

Having been notified that there is a request 31 in the queue, the target party (station 40) is required to acknowledge receipt 41 of the request, optionally, prior to providing an answer 42. Time limits can be optionally set, and extended by the third party (station 50) only, to acknowledge receipt 41 and/or provide an answer 42, or assume that the request 31 has been accepted if there is no response. System 10 is more efficient when the third party (station 50) has a position of authority, stipulated to or by operation of law.

The responses and options that are available to the target communicating party (station 40) are also limited. The third party (station 50) can optionally include additional information to the target communicating party to help him/her evaluate the request 31 and possible consequences of the different options for the answer 42 available at this point.

Once target communicating party (station 40) issues answer 42, system 10 logs the answer and relevant information in a database, places the said answer a queue, and notifies requesting party (station 30). The requesting party (station 30) is required to acknowledge receipt 32 of answer 42. Time limits can be optionally set, and extended by the third party (station 50) only, to acknowledge receipt of answer 42 and/or set options for responses.

The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.