Abstract:
A method and apparatus for distribution of electronic media replace the display of printed employee communications with a method and apparatus for distribution of electronic media. In a typical embodiment of the invention, electronic media replaces the posters and printed materials and the conventional bulletin board is replaced by an electronic display. Maintaining the employee communications in electronic form from creation to display significantly reduces and cost while dramatically improving the flexibility of an employee communications program.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/758,833, filed Jan. 11, 2001. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates generally to employee communication programs, and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for publishing and distributing employee communications.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Modern business management calls for effective communications between management and employees. Among various other techniques for communicating with employees, conventional employee communication programs have typically included providing a bulletin board upon which printed material, e.g., posters including photographs, artwork, designs and/or slogans, and messages are displayed. Topics that may be the subject of employee communications involve safety, quality, teamwork, morale and self-motivation. For example, since safety is an important consideration in most working environments, a poster with a slogan relating to the exercise of caution in potentially dangerous situations may be displayed for impressing upon employees an employer&#39;s requirement for observing on-the-job safety. Other examples of representative employee communications include news releases about the company, messages for boosting employee morale and messages relating to employee activities.  
         [0006]     In conventional systems to which the invention relates graphic designers may develop the posters and other employee communications by hand or on a computer aided design system. Typically, they are printed as a large employee communication for display and then sent to a client for mounting to a bulletin board. The bulletin board may be relatively sophisticated and creatively organized for efficiency and visual attention, such as a three-panel bulletin board on the order of 26 inches (66 centimeters) by 63 inches (160 centimeters). For conventional systems to which the invention relates the posters are typically manually replaced to communicate corporate goals, news of interest and employee activities to employees.  
         [0007]     At regular time intervals, such as once a month, clients may select new posters and messages and/or the new posters and messages are automatically selected, printed and shipped periodically to each client. Because of the large number and variety of clients and the specific requirements for certain users, there are significant inefficiencies associated with selecting, printing and shipping the employee communications. Also, achievement of a high degree of customization and selectivity is economically problematic.  
         [0008]     Accordingly, it is desired to provide an efficient system that overcomes many of the deficiencies of prior art systems and services.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     Briefly stated, the invention in a preferred form replaces the display of printed employee communications with a method and apparatus for distribution of electronic media. In a typical embodiment of the invention, electronic media replaces the posters and printed materials and the conventional bulletin board is replaced by an electronic display. Maintaining the employee communications in electronic form from creation to display significantly reduces and cost while dramatically improving the flexibility of an employee communications program.  
         [0010]     An apparatus embodying the claimed method may be described as an electronic communication display system configured for transmitting data corresponding to media to one or more remote client locations where the media is displayed. The electronic communication display system comprises an electronic display for displaying media, and a client server that receives data corresponding to the media for display. A web server capable of communicating with the client server for transmission of data thereto is also provided. The web server along with an application server communicating with the web server formulates the data for ultimate transmission to the client server.  
         [0011]     It is envisioned that a provider of workplace communications will maintain the web server and applications server. The provider will also design and store various electronic employee communications suitable for a variety of business types, e.g., manufacturing, sales, service, etc. The electronic employee communications may be provided to businesses as a subscription service. A subscriber is provided with the electronic display and client server for display of electronic employee communications produced by the provider. The subscriber provides information about his business to the provider to aid the provider in producing pertinent electronic employee communications. The subscriber is granted limited access to the provider&#39;s application server to enable the subscriber to choose and/or alter the electronic employee communications delivered to the electronic display.  
         [0012]     In a basic configuration, the electronic communication display system comprises two computers, a main computer at the provider and a client computer at a subscriber-designated remote location. The main computer stores electronic employee communications, sorts and keeps track of each subscriber&#39;s order. Each remote location of the system has a client server that is hooked up to the Internet and to an electronic display. The client server polls the main server on a regular basis and retrieves an updated assortment of employee communications in electronic form, which are then displayed on the electronic display. The electronic display may be configured to also show regularly updated news, weather and sports information, if desired by the subscriber.  
         [0013]     In one particular embodiment of the invention, the client server has a web browser configured in kiosk mode for display of the media. The web browser may contain a plurality of channels wherein each of the channels contains an electronic poster or an electronic message.  
         [0014]     Another preferred form of the invention involves a method of providing customized employee communications in electronic form to a plurality of remote subscriber locations and comprises the steps of: 
        creating employee communication collections containing several electronic employee communications for each subscriber;     posting the employee communication collections on a server connected to the Internet;     permitting subscriber access to the server and allowing the subscriber to: 
            view one or more of the employee communication collections;     alter the content of the one or more employee communication collections by: 
                adding or deleting particular electronic employee communications;     modifying the content of one or more electronic employee communications; and/or     creating a new electronic employee communication for inclusion in the employee communication collection;    
               
            delivering the employee communication collection to one or more remote subscriber locations designated by the subscriber; and     displaying the employee communication collection on one or more electronic displays designated by the subscriber.        
 
         [0025]     As used in this application, the term “deliver” shall be understood to encompass both transmitting, downloading and uploading, or any combination thereof. Transmitting information does not typically require a request for the information. In contrast, downloading or uploading typically involve a request by the computer seeking the data.  
         [0026]     An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for distribution of electronic media capable of electronically transferring employee communications generated at a provider location to a plurality of remote subscriber locations.  
         [0027]     Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for distribution of electronic media that enables both the provider and the subscriber to easily customize the content of employee communications and increases the variety of materials available for inclusion in employee communications.  
         [0028]     A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for distribution of electronic media in which employee communications are efficiently produced at a provider location, customized by a subscriber and delivered to the subscriber in electronic form for display at remote subscriber locations. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0029]     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the specification and drawings wherein:  
         [0030]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of an apparatus for distribution of electronic media according to aspects of the present invention;  
         [0031]      FIG. 2  is a partial flow diagram for a method of distributing electronic media compatible with the apparatus of  FIG. 1  and according to aspects of the present invention; and  
         [0032]      FIG. 3  is a further partial flow diagram for a method of distributing electronic media compatible with the apparatus of  FIG. 1  and according to aspects of the present invention;  
         [0033]      FIG. 4  is an annotated diagram of a representative electronic display compatible with the apparatus and method of the present invention; and  
         [0034]      FIG. 5  is a representative screen generated by application software, which a subscriber may use in connection with the apparatus and method of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0035]     One embodiment of an apparatus for distribution of electronic media according to the present invention is schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1  and generally designated by the numeral  10 . The apparatus for distribution of electronic media  10  facilitates electronic transmission of employee communications from a primary location to one or more remote subscriber locations. The employee communications may take the form of a “poster” as that term is commonly understood, where the poster is created and maintained in electronic form. A typical electronic poster may include text and graphics arranged to be visually attractive and convey information pertinent to a subscriber&#39;s business, workplace or employees. The subject matter of the employee communications may involve safety, quality, teamwork, morale, self motivation, subscriber news releases, employee activities and the like.  
         [0036]     The term “employee communication” as used herein is intended to include all forms of visual communication including graphics, written and printed text along with photographs, visual works and artistic material displayed either alone or in any combination. Particular employee communications may take the form of an “electronic poster” as described above.  
         [0037]     The apparatus for distribution of electronic media  10  comprises a main server system  12  located at a primary location and a multiplicity of client or subscriber communication and display systems  14 ,  114 ,  214  located at each remote subscriber location. The subscriber communication and display systems  14 ,  114 ,  214  communicate with the main server system  12  via the Internet  16 , or other suitable communications pathway.  
         [0038]     The main server system  12  comprises a computer  13  configured to function as a first web server  18 , a second web server  20 , a data base server  22 , and an application server  26 . While the main server system  12  is described in terms of several services and server functions, a single computer  13  may be configured to provide all functions and incorporate all described services. The computer  13  may be any commercially available server such as those manufactured and marketed by the Compaq Corporation and may be connected to the Internet  16  via line  28  in a well-known manner. The first web server  18  is configured to be accessible by one or more subscriber work stations  38  to allow subscribers to modify the content of the employee communications.  
         [0039]     The second web server  20  may be similar to web server  18  although modified to communicate via communication line  29  with one or more client servers  42 . It will be understood that while two web servers  18  and  20  are provided, one web server performing both functions may be employed instead.  
         [0040]     The database server  22  stores subscriber information such as subscriber identification, business type, routing information and media data such as employee communication collections developed at a workstation  24  and as modified by the application server  26  as discussed below. Numerous workstations  24  may be employed. Each workstation  24  is configured so that a graphic designer may develop electronic employee communications (which may take the form of electronic posters) and collect them together into employee communication collections which may contain, for example, collections of electronic posters and messages for a particular subscriber. The employee communications are created at the workstation  24 , using software such as Adobe Photoshop™ or Adobe Illustrator™. The electronic employee communications are then sent to application server  26  where they are organized by edition and subscriber. The work station  24  communicates with the data base server  22  represented by communication line  30  to transmit various electronic employee communications, etc., which are developed at the work station  24  in a conventional manner. The electronic employee communications are converted into an appropriate format for transmission over the Internet  16 , such as file transfer protocol (FTP), and then stored before transfer to a client communication and display system  14 .  
         [0041]     The application server  26  communicates with both the first and second web servers  18 ,  20  represented by communication lines  32  and  34  and with the data base server  22  via communication line  36 . The application server  26  provides coordination between the web servers  18  and  20  and allows access to the electronic poster kits contained in data base server  22 . The application server  26  includes application software that tracks and distributes content according to subscriber data and as modified by subscribers according to the method of the present invention.  
         [0042]     The client communication and display system  14  comprises a computer  15  that may include a client workstation  38 , a client server  42 , and an electronic display  40 . The client workstation  38  communicates with the web server  18  via communication lines  28  and  44  and the Internet  16 . The client workstation  38  preferably comprises a web browser sold under the trademark EXPLORER by the Microsoft Corporation of Redman, Wash. Optionally, other web browsers, such as that sold under the trademark NETSCAPE by the Netscape Communications Corporation of Mountain View, Calif., may be employed. The client work station  38  interactively communicates with web server  18  to transmit subscriber input, for example to modify an employee communication collection and receive an updated version of the employee communication collection.  
         [0043]     The electronic display  40  may be any suitably large electronic display but is preferably a large flat panel gas plasma display, such as those manufactured and sold by the Sony corporation of Japan.  
         [0044]     The client server  42  receives employee communication collections (alternatively referred to as electronic poster kits) in the form of data in a particular format, for display on the electronic display  40 . The client server  42  is illustrated as being connected to the electronic display  40  by a communication line  46 . It will be appreciated that the computer  15  may be located on a housing supporting the electronic display  40 , but is preferably separated some distance therefrom. In any event, the client server  42  communicates with the web server  18  via communication lines  29  and  44  and the Internet  16 . The client server  42  preferably comprises a web browser, which is configured in a kiosk mode whereby the browser receives data from the web server  18  and generates a continuous display. In particular, it will be understood that a number of channels of the web browser may be used to simultaneously display various elements of the employee communications collection for varying amounts of time.  
         [0045]     Referring now also to  FIG. 4 , the client server  42  communicates employee communication collections (electronic poster kits) to the electronic display  40  for display. Preferably, the electronic display  40  may comprise a plurality of sections for displaying different materials. For example, four separate sections  50 ,  52 ,  54  and  56  may be provided—each of which may be functioning simultaneously and at different update times and periods. Each section may sequentially display varying messages and/or posters, slogans, etc. For example, in section  50  an electronic poster  58  may be displayed for fifteen (15) minutes and then switch to a custom executive poster  62 . Section  52  may display, concurrently with the employee communications displayed on section  50 , an employee communication  64 , then switch to a Good Will Motivator™ media  66  and thereafter switch to a management suggested letter  60 . The relative timing may also be selected. For example, messages  64  and  66  may alternate every fifteen (15) minutes and may start seven and one half (7.5) minutes after the electronic poster  58  is initially displayed in section  50 . Section  54  may display news or announcements such as news headlines, sports scores and local 3 or 5-day weather forecasts. The electronic display  40  may include media such as a client&#39;s name or trademark, etc. as illustrated at  70 , which may be permanently affixed thereto. It will be appreciated that each of the communication lines  28 ,  29 ,  44  and  48  may comprise, for example, telephone, satellite or wireless connection.  
         [0000]     Operation  
         [0046]     With reference to  FIGS. 1, 2  and  3 , a graphic artist using work station  24  creates an employee communication in electronic form that is compiled into an employee communications collection in a data format, as discussed above, that is suitable for transmission over the Internet as shown in box  72 . The electronic employee communications are cataloged and stored in the data base server  22 . See box  74 .  
         [0047]     The application server  26  and workstation  24  function to group electronic employee communications by topic and edition. The electronic employee communications may also be compiled into employee communications collections arranged by, for example, a particular subscriber or subscriber type such as retail or manufacturing subscribers. See box  76 . For example, the subscribers of systems  14  and  114  may have access only to one set of poster kits while the subscriber of system  214  has access only to a different set of posters. The application server  26  is also configured to indicate the last time and date that revisions or updates have been made to the employee communication collections.  
         [0048]     Each subscriber may modify these collections using a subscriber workstation  38 . The subscriber may select specific electronic employee communications (electronic posters) for display on the electronic display  40 . Thereafter, the client server  42  communicates the electronic employee communications to the electronic display  40  as described above for display. See box  80 . The subscriber can query through the web browser to determine the latest times and dates of poster kit changes.  
         [0049]     The subscriber may also modify the contents of an employee communication collection as follows. Using a subscriber workstation  38 , the subscriber contacts the web server  18  (see box  82  and  84 ) and logs onto the web server  18 . After checking for proper password and client ID, (see  86 ), the subscriber is allowed to view the current employee communication collection contents at  88 . The subscriber may then choose between different options. The subscriber may search for electronic employee communications by topic, for example, electronic posters with themes such as safety, attitude, cooperation, etc. The subscriber may remove any unwanted electronic posters or other content at  90 . The subscriber may also search, using the application server  18 , to select a particular electronic poster or posters and add each selected electronic poster to the employee communications collection at  92 ,  94  and  96 . The subscriber may have access to various screens such as screen  200  ( FIG. 5 ) to facilitate the search and selection. Optionally, the subscriber may design its own electronic poster content within the application or simply provide electronic material for display—all of which may be added to the employee communications collection at  98  and  100 . Once a subscriber has completed the modification, the application server  26  makes the updated employee communications collection available. Accordingly, when the client server  42  polls the web server  18 , new media data is downloaded for display on the electronic display  40  as represented at box  102 .  
         [0050]     While the present invention has been described in connection with what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Rather it is intended to cover all of the various modifications and equivalent arrangements including within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.