Prior art for CamtoWork.com
Publish the patents away
Date of first publication: 05 April 2008 at 08:04:10 (UTC)
Published by camtowork
Ref number 222
Name, address and citizenship of all inventors
Name of Inventor: Gurudatt Shenoy
Address: Flat No.1, D12 Nilgiris Co-Op Hsg Society, Godrej Hill, Barave Village, Kalyan (West), Pincode 421301, Maharashtra, India
Citizenship: Indian
The problem this invention solves This invention provides a web based portal as a solution for Professionals or skilled people for monetizing their valuable time and skills by engaging in web based online interaction with their clients by simply using a computing device, internet connection, web browser software and a digital web camera.
The solution does not require the user to purchase or install any other proprietary software on their computing device and thus offer a cost effective solution.
The solution integrates existing cam chat technology with the web based platform for delivery of online streaming chat interactive application.
The solution also offers accounting and metering of online activities to both the user and clients and also offer trusted identity and accounting of financial transactions.
Existing solutions that attempt to solve this problem
Existing web based solutions do not offer this solution for professionals such as doctors, technicians, teachers or other similar highly skilled people. And if at all it is available the solution is at very high cost and also requires installation of proprietary software by the user as well as client. Such solutions are particularly deployed by the outsourcing and service industry and not available for general public.
There are many other free as well as paid solutions such as online messengers which are web as well as software based but do not offer the accounting and metering that is being offered by CamtoWork.com.
Existing solutions also do not offer the feature of social or business networking.
How the invention works Professionals or highly skilled people register with the CamtoWork.com portal as a “Internal Member”.
On registering, an email is sent to the “Member” for activating their account and updating their Cam Profile. This includes their contact details, their Cam Image, their Streaming CAM link (a free non-private option is made available by the portal; paid private options can also be made available) and other information that will interest visitors to their profile.
The CamtoWork.com portal then authenticates the information provided by the new “Member” and activates their account and adds sufficient credit to their account.
Likewise, those who wish to avail of the expertise of the registered Professionals (here to refer to as “Member(s)”) also require registering with the CamtoWork as “Visitors” seeking “Members”. Registration requires payment to the Portal for availing of usage time and “Chat Credits”. The “Chat credits” are used by the “Visitor” to interact with “Experts” by chat and get reduced depending on the time they spend with each “Expert” and the amount the “Expert” charges per minute. Once the “Chat Credits” become zero, the “Visitor” has to upgrade their account and pay for additional “Chat Credits”
The “Visitors” however do not need to register their Cam image or Streaming Cam Link as this is an option. On registering their profile, they can search and contact “Members” for free or pay per minute online interaction.
The Portal keeps an audit of the “Chat Credits” accumulated for each “Member” and makes the payment to them on a periodic basis after deducting a commission amount. This is the revenue generated by the Portal.
The CamtoWork.com portal thus creates a network of Professionals and Clients interacting using the features made available to them.
How this invention uniquely addresses the problem
This invention is unique as it solves the problem of trusted online interaction by providing a real-time live digital camera interface as also providing a platform for professionals to monetize their valuable time and skills.
The invention also saves time and money for both the Professional as well as their clients by bridging national / international boundaries and thus not having to travel vast distances.
By offering a trusted identity, accounting and metering solution, CamtoWork.com provides users a reliable platform for online interaction.