The present invention relates generally to tourism. More specifically, the present invention is a system and method for electronic tourism that provides an improved customer experience and more secure payment methods.
While the concept is known to many, vacation time is not something which is available to all persons. Even amongst those who have vacation time, they may find it financially or even physically unfeasible to take a trip to a location of interest. The present invention, rather than bring the person to the location, brings the location to the person. Using the internet and audio-visual technology, a vacation experience is simulated and transmitted to a client user, allowing them to travel the world without leaving their living room.
The present invention provides a platform that connects users from across the world, allowing a client user to receive a live stream of a tour of a desired location. In this manner the present invention can substitute for a physical vacation or even aid with preparation and planning for a physical vacation. The present invention also applies improvements that build upon social media and payment processes that ultimately enhance electronic tourism. As an end result, the present invention is able to improve customer satisfaction and better obtain and retain an active user community.
A number of solutions have been attempted by others; a common example is a pre-recorded DVD or internet video that addresses an interesting location. However, these videos are often pre-planned and intended to attract tourists or enhance an area's reputation, further distorted by actions such as post-processing. Though some systems have been developed to overcome this by providing streaming tours, they do not provide the numerous advancements and benefits across a number of areas as provided by the present invention.
It is noted that the present invention was independently conceptualized and developed by the inventor; the creation was in no way influenced by prior art.
All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
The present invention is a method for facilitating live stream feeds of remote locations. Through the implementation of the present invention, a user is able to visually and aurally experience foreign locations under the direction of a service-providing entity or subsequent user. While a distinction is made between client users and service-providing entities, client users may also act as service-providing entities; this allows client users of the present invention to provide guided tours in addition to contracting tours from professional service-providing entities and subsequent client users.
The primary benefit of the present invention is the ability for a client user to become an “e-Traveler” (which can also be referred to as an “e-Hopper” or “eHopper”); the present invention defines this as a person who experiences a remote location by receiving video and/or audio streams from a location of interest. The ability to become an e-Traveler is beneficial in a number of situations for varying reasons. For example, the client user may wish to visit the pyramids of Egypt but be unable due to poor health or insufficient funds to pay for the necessary travel and lodging. In another situation, the client user may be planning a vacation to Paris and desire to simulate the experience in order to prepare a better itinerary. In yet another scenario, the client user may be unable to physically attend an event such as wedding for a subsequent user due to insufficient funds or for health reasons. The present invention can also be used for remote business applications, such as viewing real estate locations or showcasing products such as cars, jewelry, etc. Client users may utilize the present invention for any purpose; the present invention is not limited to use in the aforementioned scenarios.
Through the present invention, the client user can choose from multiple streaming sources and create a schedule of events to stream. In order to do so, the client user must first establish a client user account that is used to remotely connect to a streaming account. The streaming account is associated with either a subsequent client user or service-providing entity and as such, the streaming account may more specifically be a subsequent client user account or a service provider account. The client user can create the client user account through a host software that is communicably coupled to a back-end system that is also used to store information relevant to the operation of the present invention. The back-end system can be any type of networking equipment, such as servers, routers, etc. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the host software is implemented as a website that is directly hosted on the back-end system. Alternatively, the host software may be a downloadable application that can be connected to the back-end system via the internet.
In order to establish the client user account, the client user must complete a registration process through the host software. During the registration process, the client user provides personal information that is submitted through the host software and stored on the back-end system. The personal information may include, but is not limited to, the name of the client user, a username, a password, email address, or payment information. Through account settings for the client user account, the client user can determine which information is displayed to other users of the host software. For example, the client user may be provided the option to display their name, initials, username, or a nickname to other users that are non-friends.
Once the client user has established the client user account, the client user is provided access to the functions of the present invention through the host software. The primary function of the present invention is to allow the client user to view remote locations through a live stream video feed. In reference to
The present invention provides a number of ways in which the client user is able to search through the plurality of streaming events. One method of searching through the plurality of streaming events is using location data for the event/location to be streamed. The location data can be entered by the client user though input fields, or using an interactive map. Another method of searching through the plurality of streaming events is by category, such as the type of event, languages spoken, user rating, or hourly rate. Yet another method for searching through the plurality of streaming events is by providing a list or lists of the plurality of streaming events. For example, a list of businesses and streaming events can be displayed through a website homepage, or other page, wherein the client user can be directly linked to a streaming event or to a list of streaming events for a particular business. Examples of businesses and events that can be listed include, but are not limited to, hotels and resorts, assisted living, wedding halls and bridal stores, tour guides, photographers, videographers, event planners, jewelers, car showrooms, real estate, weddings, birthday parties, graduations, bar mitzvahs, and sporting events.
Additionally, the client user can request an event, such as a tour by providing information for certain categories, such as price range, location, special site requests, and event duration. In reference to
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An event activation code may also be used in order for the client user account to access the live stream video feed; the event activation code for each streaming event being a unique code. Upon scheduling the event appointment, the back-end system also provides the client user and the operator of the streaming account with the event activation code. The event activation code is then entered through the client user account and the streaming account at the event appointment time in order to communicably connect the client user account and the streaming account. Alternatively, the event activation code could be used only by the back-end system, wherein the event activation code is not distributed to the client user account and the streaming account. In this way, the client user and the service-providing entity only need to select the streaming event from the events calendar, and are automatically connected to one another by the back-end system.
The client user experiences the streaming event through the live stream video feed that is recorded through the streaming account. In order to accomplish this, the client user operates the client user account through the host software on a first electronic streaming device, wherein the first electronic streaming device provides means for receiving and displaying the live stream video feed. The streaming account is operated through the host software on a second electronic streaming device, wherein the second electronic streaming device provides a means for recording and transmitting the live stream video feed. For example, the first electronic streaming device could be a desktop or laptop computer and the second electronic streaming device could be a smartphone or webcam capable of transmitting video and audio.
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The data rate charge is applied per unit of time and may be charged at different rates depending on the operator of the streaming account. In reference to
Ideally, the client user account is communicably connected to the streaming account in real-time. In reference to
Additionally, the client user is allowed to and even encouraged to record the live stream vide feed or take screenshots of interesting landmarks and locations. This helps the client user to feel as if they physically visited the location and took pictures or video footage. In reference to
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A data storage fee is charged to the client user account for storing data on the back-end system. The data storage fee is applied at a price per data unit rate. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first five hundred megabytes of storage is free and then the data storage fee is two dollars per gigabyte of data stored on the back-end system, however, this is subject to change in other embodiments of the present invention. The data storage fee is also applied to the service provider account for storing any data on the back-end system.
If the streaming event is a tour, then the client user must also pay a tour fee before the event appointment is scheduled, wherein the tour fee is determined by the tour guide. In reference to
A satisfaction threshold is programmed into the back-end system in order to delegate how funds are transferred once the first rating and the second rating are received. For example, if the rating scale is one to five, then the satisfaction threshold could be three and a half, wherein anything above the satisfaction threshold constitutes a good rating and anything below constitutes a bad rating. In reference to
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The review process is used to encourage honorable behavior from all involved parties, lest they receive negative reviews from other users. Since these evaluations are available to all users of the platform, both client users and service-providing entities are encouraged to conduct themselves in a respectful and professional manner. Those who perform or behave poorly may find that no clients wish to hire them (in the case of an unprofessional service-providing entity) or that no tour guides which to do offer tours to them (in the case of poorly behaved clients).
It is also a possible for the client user to extend the duration of a tour if it is agreed upon by the tour guide. If the tour guide agrees to extend the virtual tour, then the client user proceeds to pay an additional fee, which is transferred to the escrow account or directly to the streaming account. The additional fee may be at the same rate as the tour guide fee initially paid by the client user, or may be adjusted for overtime pay. For example, the additional fee may be charged at a rate of one and a half or two times as much as the tour guide fee originally paid. The rate of the additional fee may be adjusted at the discretion of the tour guide or an administrator of the present invention, wherein the client user should be notified of the rate prior to extending the duration of the virtual tour.
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The present invention also provides social networking capabilities, wherein the client user can add friends and share information both publicly and privately. Through the client user account, the client user can upload personal information and media files, such as photos or videos. In reference to
Additionally, an interactive map is provided for the client user through the client user account. Using the interactive map, the client user can tag different locations around the world. The client user can tag in categories, such as their current location, locations they have virtually travelled to, locations they have physically traveled to, and locations that they would like to travel to in the future. Each different category is tagged in a different color in order easily visualize and distinguish the locations on the interactive map. It may also be a feature to share the interactive map with subsequent client users.
In addition to adding friends and family to share information with, the client user can choose to subscribe to service-providing entities. In this way, the client user can select a service-providing entity, such as a business or tour guide, to follow and receive updates from the service-providing entity. For example, a tour guide could distribute a list of planned tours to his to her followers, allowing the followers to automatically see upcoming tours and easily select tours to stream; any updates to the tour schedule or relevant notifications made by the tour guide would then also be automatically distributed to followers. The ability to subscribe to service-providing entities not only benefits the client user by receiving automatic updates, but is also beneficial to the service-providing entity as it allows the service providing entity to contact and update a lager client user base at one time.
Incentives may also be provided by the administrator of the present invention in order to encourage increased use of the present invention by both the client users and the service-providing entities. One such example is a rewards system for the client users and a rewards system for the service-providing entities. For example, the client user who has taken the most virtual tours over a defined period of time could be named an e-Hopper extraordinaire and maybe given credit for a free tour, free streaming, free storage etc. An example of a rewards system for the service-providing entities would be to give the tour guide who receives the highest rating for a defined period of time accolades such as promoted viewing/premium advertisement, credit for free streaming, reduced rate streaming, etc.
Beyond the core method and supporting processes, the present invention introduces additional beneficial concepts. The first is a live customer support system, using video conferencing software (as used for providing the virtual tours themselves) to connect users with customer support representatives. This live audio-visual service improves the effectiveness of customer service compared to traditional methods utilizing calls, text chat, frequently asked questions, and non-interactive video tutorials.
The present invention is also constructed to be adaptable to differences in laws across the countries of the world. To accommodate countries which restrict or prohibit certain types of communications and visual material, the present invention will disable social media settings, videos, political discussions and relevant posts, supporting only the live streaming aspect. These restrictions can be applied in a number of different methods. One example is the use of internet protocol (IP) address filtering, which blocks certain features from being accessed by IP addresses originating in a country that restricts or prohibits certain actions. Alternatively, differences in laws can be addressed by providing separate websites as necessary to comply with the laws of different countries.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/949,892 filed on Mar. 7, 2014.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61949892 | Mar 2014 | US |