Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for online video conferencing platforms with vouchers for food delivery at the time of the conference.
Videoconferencing has been a popular way for people to meet virtually and attend presentations, network, discuss topics, and otherwise enjoy the company of colleagues, friends, and family members. The recent worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has rapid expanded the usage of such tools and mainstreamed them for businesses that allow or require their employees to work from home. Technological developments pushed by companies such as Meta (Facebook) promise to further expand and improve the virtual meeting experience for users. Unfortunately, these virtual environment do not provide all of the staples and amenities of real-world, physical conferences, such as food, drinks, and take-home swag.
Thus, it would be beneficial and needs exist for businesses and conference organizers to improve the experience of users with food, beverage, and item deliveries at the time a virtual conference is being held.
This summary is provided to introduce a variety of concepts in a simplified form that is disclosed further in the detailed description of the embodiments. This summary is not intended for determining or limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
The example embodiments provided herein relate to and disclose systems and methods for a customized video conferencing platform that provides managers with the ability to include food vouchers and/or delivery, providing for virtual lunch/dinner meetings. These platforms can provide convenient systems to conduct virtual meetings and send food and drinks to invitees. Additionally, users can take advantage of simplified billing and meeting organization, which may otherwise need to be manually conducted or across multiple applications and platforms. These features allow user organizers to send meeting invitations, set vouchers for food and drinks, schedule dates and times, and communicate over videoconference while sharing a virtual meal.
Games, centralized billing, gift card delivery, scheduling, customized questions, live e-cards (e.g., users sending vouchers and gift cards with mini-video conferences and labeled as live greetings/e-cards) and other features are also contemplated and included herein.
Other objects and advantages of the various embodiments of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention. To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of this application.
A more complete understanding of the embodiments, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by references to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
The specific details of the single embodiment or variety of embodiments described herein are set forth in this application. Any specific details of the embodiments described herein are used for demonstration purposes only, and no unnecessary limitation(s) or inference(s) are to be understood or imputed therefrom.
Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of components related to particular devices and systems. Accordingly, the device components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
Processors 110 suitable for the execution of a computer program include both general and special purpose microprocessors and any one or more processors of any digital computing device.
The processor 110 will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random-access memory or both. The essential elements of a computing device are a processor for performing actions in accordance with instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computing device will also include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g., magnetic, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks; however, a computing device need not have such devices. Moreover, a computing device can be embedded in another device, e.g., a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile audio or video player, a game console, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, or a portable storage device (e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) flash drive).
A network interface may be configured to allow data to be exchanged between the computer system 102 and other devices attached to a network 130, such as other computer systems, or between nodes of the computer system 102. In various embodiments, the network interface may support communication via wired or wireless general data networks, such as any suitable type of Ethernet network, for example, via telecommunications/telephony networks such as analog voice networks or digital fiber communications networks, via storage area networks such as Fiber Channel storage area networks (SANS), or via any other suitable type of network and/or protocol.
The memory 120 may include application instructions 150, configured to implement certain embodiments described herein, and at least one database or data storage 160, comprising various data accessible by the application instructions 150. In at least one embodiment, the application instructions 150 may include software elements corresponding to one or more of the various embodiments described herein. For example, application instructions 150 may be implemented in various embodiments using any desired programming language, scripting language, or combination of programming languages and/or scripting languages (e.g., C, C++, C#, JAVA®, JAVASCRIPT®, PERL®, etc.).
The steps and actions of the computer system 102 described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. A software module may reside in random-access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM) memory, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) memory, registers, a hard disk, a solid-state drive (SSD), hybrid drive, dual-drive, a removable disk, a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc (DVD), high definition digital versatile disc (HD DVD), or any other form of non-transitory storage medium known in the art or later developed. An exemplary storage medium may be coupled to the processor 110 such that the processor 110 can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integrated into the processor 110. Further, in some embodiments, the processor 110 and the storage medium may reside in an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in a computing device. Additionally, in some embodiments, the events or actions of a method or algorithm may reside as one or any combination or set of codes and instructions on a machine-readable medium or computer-readable medium, which may be incorporated into a computer program product.
Also, any connection may be associated with a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, microwave, or others, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, microwave, or others can be included in the definition of medium. “Disk” and “disc,” as used herein, include compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray disc or others where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs usually reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.
It should be understood by those in the art that computer system 102 also includes power components that are operably coupled such that the system is operable. This can include one or more batteries if computer system 102 is mobile.
In some embodiments, the system is world-wide-web (www) based, and the network server is a web server delivering HTML, XML, etc., web pages to the computing devices. In other embodiments, a client-server architecture may be implemented, in which a network server executes enterprise and custom software, exchanging data with custom client applications running on the computing device 102.
As shown in the example embodiment, a mobile computing device 104 can also be communicatively coupled with and exchange data with network 130. Those in the art will understand that mobile computing device 104 can include some or all of the same or similar components as computer system 102, coupled to constitute an operable device. Mobile computing device 104 can be a personal digital assistant (PDA), smartphone, tablet computer, laptop, wearable computing device such as a smartwatch or smart glasses, or other device that includes one or more user interface 106, such as a touchscreen and/or audio input/output and/or other display and user input components. Mobile computing device 104 can also include one or more image capturing or reading component 108 (e.g., a digital camera, scanner, or others) and associated structures and elements operatively coupled to at least one processor and memory of the mobile computing device. Such image capturing component 108 can be operable to capture an image of a label and/or code (e.g., a quick response (QR) code or others) automatically or upon one or more user input commands.
Also shown in
In this description, conference and meeting may be used interchangeably and generally have similar connotations.
In various embodiments, hosts and/or organizers can assign and/or pay the system on a per voucher transaction, per meeting transaction, per week, per month, per quarter, or other basis. Service fees for videoconference, audioconference, messaging conference, bandwidth, memory storage, and/or other basis in a similar manner.
In various embodiments, vouchers can be used with system connected vendors or suppliers, with third-party system integration (e.g., Uber Eats, DoorDash, or other delivery service), with particular restaurant partners, or otherwise. These vouchers can be selected or assigned based on subscription, individual meeting transaction or otherwise in various embodiments.
As shown, users can also select a features, services, sign up, or other button in a menu bar to view the associated information and/or sign-up (e.g., see
Referring to
In some embodiments, the communication module 202 is configured for receiving, processing, and transmitting a user command and/or one or more data streams. In such embodiments, the communication module 202 performs communication functions between various devices, including the user computing device, the administrator computing device, and a third-party computing device. In some embodiments, the communication module 202 is configured to allow one or more users of the system, including a third-party, to communicate with one another. In some embodiments, the communications module 202 is configured to maintain one or more communication sessions with one or more servers, the administrative computing device, and/or one or more third-party computing device(s).
In some embodiments, the communication module 202 may be in operable communication with the voucher module 214 to transmit the voucher to the one or more guests.
In some embodiments, a database engine 204 is configured to facilitate the storage, management, and retrieval of data to and from one or more storage mediums, such as the one or more internal databases described herein. In some embodiments, the database engine 204 is coupled to an external storage system. In some embodiments, the database engine 204 is configured to apply changes to one or more databases. In some embodiments, the database engine 204 comprises a search engine component for searching through thousands of data sources stored in different locations.
In some embodiments, the videoconferencing module 210 is configured to receive and permit the user to generate a videoconference invite, initiate a videoconference meeting, and otherwise allow users to interact via the videoconference.
In some embodiments, the user module 212 facilitates the creation of a user account for the application system. The user module 212 may allow the user to create a user profile which includes user information, user preferences, and user-associated information. The user module 212 may define the user's role (e.g., an administrator, employee, guest third-party, etc.).
In some embodiments, the voucher module 214 is operable to request a voucher from a third-party. Once the voucher is received from the third-party it may be transmitted to a guest to allow the guest to user the voucher as a currency to receive a service, or good (such as a food product).
In some embodiments, the display module 216 is configured to display one or more graphic user interfaces, including, e.g., one or more user interfaces, one or more consumer interfaces, one or more video presenter interfaces, etc. In some embodiments, the display module 216 is configured to temporarily generate and display various pieces of information in response to one or more commands or operations. The various pieces of information or data generated and displayed may be transiently generated and displayed, and the displayed content in the display module 216 may be refreshed and replaced with different content upon the receipt of different commands or operations in some embodiments. In such embodiments, the various pieces of information generated and displayed in a display module 216 may not be persistently stored. The display module 216 provides alerts to the user device which can be viewed and acknowledged by the user (e.g., a voucher notification).
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. The systems and methods described herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.
Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to literally describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, all embodiments can be combined in any way and/or combination, and the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein, and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shall support claims to any such combination or subcombination.
The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of this disclosure. Modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of this disclosure.
As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
It should be noted that all features, elements, components, functions, and steps described with respect to any embodiment provided herein are intended to be freely combinable and substitutable with those from any other embodiment. If a certain feature, element, component, function, or step is described with respect to only one embodiment, then it should be understood that that feature, element, component, function, or step can be used with every other embodiment described herein unless explicitly stated otherwise. This paragraph therefore serves as antecedent basis and written support for the introduction of claims, at any time, that combine features, elements, components, functions, and steps from different embodiments, or that substitute features, elements, components, functions, and steps from one embodiment with those of another, even if the description does not explicitly state, in a particular instance, that such combinations or substitutions are possible. It is explicitly acknowledged that express recitation of every possible combination and substitution is overly burdensome, especially given that the permissibility of each and every such combination and substitution will be readily recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.
In many instances entities are described herein as being coupled to other entities. It should be understood that the terms “coupled” and “connected” (or any of their forms) are used interchangeably herein and, in both cases, are generic to the direct coupling of two entities (without any non-negligible (e.g., parasitic) intervening entities) and the indirect coupling of two entities (with one or more non-negligible intervening entities). Where entities are shown as being directly coupled together or described as coupled together without description of any intervening entity, it should be understood that those entities can be indirectly coupled together as well unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
While the embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific examples thereof have been shown in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that these embodiments are not to be limited to the particular form disclosed, but to the contrary, these embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit of the disclosure. Furthermore, any features, functions, steps, or elements of the embodiments may be recited in or added to the claims, as well as negative limitations that define the inventive scope of the claims by features, functions, steps, or elements that are not within that scope.
An equivalent substitution of two or more elements can be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element can be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements can be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination can be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present embodiment is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the following claims.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/235,547filed Mar. 30, 2022, titled “VIDEO CONFERENCING WITH FOOD DELIVERY VOUCHERS,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.