WO2019220388A1

WO2019220388A1 - Real time system and method for remote transactions through virtual interactions

Info

Publication number: WO2019220388A1
Application number: PCT/IB2019/054064
Authority: WO
Inventors: Swarna Kumari ADARI
Original assignee: BODDEDA, Apparao
Priority date: 2018-05-17
Filing date: 2019-05-16
Publication date: 2019-11-21

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to banking transactions. A computer-implemented interactive virtual banking system and method is provided for connecting a user environment on a handheld computing device like mobile phone or tablet with a banking environment for facilitating banking tasks. The environment includes using various interactions mediums like audio, visual and haptic to connect the concerned officer in the bank.

Description

REAL TIME SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTE TRANSACTIONS

THROUGH VIRTUAL INTERACTIONS

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates generally to banking system, and more particularly to facilitate an interactive virtual banking experience enabling account holders to have a real time banking experience on handheld computing devices.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0003] While many banking customers now perform a plurality of banking tasks online. However, the online experience can be frustrating for some users and too limiting for other users. The users still often compelled to travel to conduct banking tasks in person in the bank branch due to the limitations of online banking.

[0004] For example, loan applications are now often available online; users are often unable to complete them without explanation or interaction with the loan officer. The level of explanation and interaction necessary for completion is typically not available through a financial institution website.

[0005] Another example, the remittance is not still available on the online banking website and/or mobile banking application. As it is concerned with security and banking regulations, the user needs to visit the bank to do the remittance with filing some forms and signing some declarations.

[0006] Further, there is a need of interactions and identity documentation verification along with user (subscriber of the bank account). The user or the bank officer needs to either visit the bank branch or to the user premises to do the formalities.

[0007] Additionally, current interfaces available for online banking typically require input through a keyboard, thus limiting the use of mobile devices and non-traditional computing devices for such applications.

[0008] Accordingly, a solution is needed for enhancing the remote and virtual banking experience for users currently experiencing above mentioned problems while conducting banking remotely and furthermore for attracting users who do not yet engage in online banking because of the problems described above or other difficulties encountered during the use of currently available online banking solutions.

SUMMARY

[0009] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to systems and methods for dynamically generating a playlist of multimedia files for a user and the concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0010] In an aspect of the invention, a computer-implemented interactive virtual banking system and method is provided for connecting a user environment on a handheld computing device like mobile phone or tablet with a banking environment for facilitating banking transactions. The environment includes audio, visual and haptic interfaces to connect the concerned officer or section in the bank.

[0011] The system additionally includes a user input sensing mechanism for accepting and interpreting user input received in the interactive virtual banking environment and computer processing components for accessing the stored banking application programs and executing the stored banking programs within the generated interactive virtual banking environment enabling the user to perform banking tasks through the interactive virtual banking environment.

[0012] The user can input using text, voice, and touch interfaces in the virtual banking environment.

[0013] The user can start the virtual interaction session on the handheld computing device. The user visits the banking website or application to start the virtual interaction session with the bank branch, the user is interested to.

[0014] Based on the user selection, the banking application program by executing various instructions and by getting response from the server, connect the user with the selected bank branch selected by the user.

[0015] Once the connection is established, the user will able to view the various sections of the selected bank branch on the display of the device.

[0016] After that, the user based on the requirement, directly connect to the officer/ person using audio/ video / textual input.

[0017] In an aspect, an interactive virtual system for connecting a user device with the interactive virtual system for facilitating transactions is provided. The interactive virtual system can include a computer memory disposed within said interactive virtual system and storing a plurality of instructions including banking application programs, and a processing unit for accessing the stored plurality of instructions including the banking application programs. The execution of the stored plurality of instructions causes the processing unit to generate an interactive virtual environment including visual and audio components with a holographic or normal branch view rendering of a bank branch selected by a user; represent, on an user interface of said user device, said holographic or normal branch view rendering of said bank branch selected by the user; and accept and process user input received in the interactive virtual environment to enable the user to facilitate transactions through the user input to the interactive virtual environment.

[0018] In this aspect, the user input is a voice input or a gesture based input.

[0019] In this aspect, the user input is in a native language associated with the user.

[0020] In this aspect, the interactive virtual environment enables the user to use a user avatar within the interactive virtual environment.

[0021] In this aspect, the interactive virtual environment enables the user to submit, in real time, photo copy or scanned copy of documents associated with the user to facilitate transactions.

[0022] In this aspect, the holographic or normal branch view rendering of said bank branch includes a plurality of departments and an option, associated with each of said plurality of departments, to facilitate, based on selection of the option, interaction with each of said plurality of departments.

[0023] In another aspect, a user device for allowing a user to connect with an interactive virtual system for facilitating transactions is disclosed. The user device includes a user interface to represent an interactive virtual environment including visual and audio components with a holographic or normal branch view rendering of a bank branch selected by a user; a digital camera integral to said user device enabling said user device to accept user input in the interactive virtual environment; and a transceiver to transmit, via a mobile network or a wireless local network, said user input to enable the user to facilitate transactions through the user input to the interactive virtual environment.

[0024] In this another aspect, the interactive virtual environment generated by interactive virtual system

[0025] In this another aspect, the user input is a voice input or a gesture based input and said user input is received from a biometrics device or a camera. [0026] In yet another aspect, a method, performed by an interactive virtual system, for connecting a user device with said interactive virtual system for facilitating transactions is disclosed. The method can include the steps of generating, at a processing unit of said interactive virtual system, an interactive virtual environment including visual and audio components with a holographic or normal branch view rendering of a bank branch selected by a user; representing, on an user interface of said user device, said holographic or normal branch view rendering of said bank branch selected by the user; and accepting and processing, at the processing unit, user input received in the interactive virtual environment to enable the user to facilitate transactions through the user input to the interactive virtual environment.

[0027] It may be appreciated that, while the virtual banking environment concept as recited in the present invention is not limited to only existing customers but is also available for non-existing customers for few queries as pre-decided by the bank.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0029] The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure, and wherein:

[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates an interface of the banking application program for assisting virtual banking, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates the running the program instructions codes to for facilitating virtual banking, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates the virtual bank interface on the display, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention...

[0033] FIG. 4 illustrates the interaction with one of the officer using communication medium, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary interactive virtual system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary user device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0036] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary method performed by the interactive virtual system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0038] The present invention relates generally to banking system, and more particularly to facilitate an interactive virtual banking experience enabling account holders to have a real time banking experience on handheld computing devices.

[0039] In one aspect of the invention, a computer-implemented interactive virtual banking method is provided for connecting a user environment on a handheld computing device like mobile phone or tablet with a banking environment for facilitating banking transactions. The environment includes audio, visual and haptic interfaces to connect the concerned officer or section in the bank.

[0040] The system additionally includes a user input sensing mechanism for accepting and interpreting user input received in the interactive virtual banking environment and computer processing components for accessing the stored banking application programs and executing the stored banking programs within the generated interactive virtual banking environment enabling the user to perform banking tasks through the interactive virtual banking environment.

[0041] The user can input using text, voice, and touch interfaces in the virtual banking environment.

[0042] The user can start the virtual interaction session on the handheld computing device. The user visits the banking website or application to start the virtual interaction session with the selection of various bank branches, the user is interested to start interaction as shown in FIG. 1.

[0043] Based on the user selection, the banking application program by executing various instructions and by getting response from the server, connect the user with the selected bank branch selected by the user as shown in FIG. 2.

[0044] Once the connection is established, the user will able to view the various sections of the selected bank branch on the display of the device. [0045] The various sections in the bank like Reception, Help-desk, and Investment section. Finance section, Loan Section, Manager as shown in FIG. 3.

[0046] A virtual layout of the bank branch can also be presented to the user interface to give the tour of the branch, in-case you wants to visit the branch sometime. Although this invention is trying to avoid the physical go the bank situation.

[0047] The virtual layout the bank branch, if presented, can be presented after considering all security and regulatory measures to avoid any wrong doings.

[0048] The virtual layout of the bank branch in the virtual banking system is not required to be same or actual building layout due to security reasons and the confidential premises information such as strong rooms, locker rooms cannot be presented on the virtual interface.

[0049] After that, the user based on the requirement, directly connect to the officer/ person in charge using audio/ video / textual input.

[0050] The interaction medium like voice, text, and video can be visible on the each sections of the bank.

[0051] The interaction medium like voice, text, and video can also be visible on either side of the user device on the interface for easy navigating.

[0052] It might be possible that, the concerned person or the officer the user is trying to reach is not available or assisting another customer, then the user can be displayed the current wait time and pending customer interactions ahead of the user.

[0053] The user can also navigate through the interface to connect to other available officer for similar or different query.

[0054] The virtual banking can either be implemented for 24 x 7days or can be available on regular banking hour based on the bank resources.

[0055] It might be possible, that some bots (robots) can be available for chats using text and video assistance using AI technology for after hour service.

[0056] The present invention can be implemented on any handheld or computing device having capability to connect to the network.

[0057] The network can be connected via any wireless or wired technology like LAN,

Wi-Fi, cellular networks.

[0058] In other aspect of the invention, the user and concerned and/or related bank official can interaction real-time. As the situation demand, the commanding bank official can validate/authenticate the user using any security measures like 4-digit preselected PIN, Bio- metrics, physical signature using touch-pen or digital pen or by direct hand using any virtual device and/or using gestures and haptic devices as shown in FIG. 4

[0059] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary interactive virtual system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the interactive virtual system 502 can be implemented as an application residing in a server.

[0060] Although the present subject matter is explained considering that the interactive virtual system 502 can be implemented as an application residing in a server, it may be understood that the interactive virtual system 502 may also be implemented in a variety of computing systems, such as a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a notebook, a workstation, a mainframe computer, a server, a network server, and the like. It will be understood that the interactive virtual system 502 may be accessed by multiple users through one or more user devices (not shown), collectively referred to as user hereinafter, or applications residing on the user devices. Examples of the interactive virtual system 502 may include, but are not limited to, a portable computer, a personal digital assistant, a handheld device, and a workstation. The interactive virtual system 502 is communicatively coupled to the user devices through a network (not shown).

[0061] In one implementation, the network may be a wireless network, a wired network or a combination thereof. The network can be implemented as one of the different types of networks, such as intranet, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), the internet, and the like. The network 106 may either be a dedicated network or a shared network. The shared network represents an association of the different types of networks that use a variety of protocols, for example, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), and the like, to communicate with one another. Further the network may include a variety of network devices, including routers, bridges, servers, computing devices, storage devices, and the like.

[0062] In an implementation, the interactive virtual system 502 can be embedded with/incorporated with one or more Internet of Things (IoT) devices. In a typical network architecture of the present disclosure can include a plurality of network devices such as transmitter, receivers, and/or transceivers that may include one or more IoT devices.

[0063] As used herein, the IoT devices can be a device that includes sensing and/or control functionality as well as a WiFi™ transceiver radio or interface, a Bluetooth™ transceiver radio or interface, a Zigbee™ transceiver radio or interface, an Ultra-Wideband (UWB) transceiver radio or interface, a Wi-Fi-Direct transceiver radio or interface, a Bluetooth™ Low Energy (BLE) transceiver radio or interface, and/or any other wireless network transceiver radio or interface that allows the IoT device to communicate with a wide area network and with one or more other devices. In some embodiments, an IoT device does not include a cellular network transceiver radio or interface, and thus may not be configured to directly communicate with a cellular network. In some embodiments, an IoT device may include a cellular transceiver radio, and may be configured to communicate with a cellular network using the cellular network transceiver radio.

[0064] A user may communicate with the network devices using an access device that may include any human-to-machine interface with network connection capability that allows access to a network. For example, the access device may include a stand-alone interface (e.g., a cellular telephone, a smartphone, a home computer, a laptop computer, a tablet, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a computing device, a wearable device such as a smart watch, a wall panel, a keypad, or the like. In some embodiments, the access device may include a cellular network transceiver radio or interface.

[0065] The operator may interact with the interactive virtual system 502 using an application, a web browser, a proprietary program, or any other program executed and operated by the access device. In some embodiments, the e-device may communicate directly with the network devices (e.g., communication signal). For example, the access device may communicate directly with network devices using Zigbee™ signals, Bluetooth™ signals, WiFi™ signals, infrared (IR) signals, UWB signals, WiFi-Direct signals, BLE signals, sound frequency signals, or the like. In some embodiments, the e-device may communicate with the network devices via the gateways and/or a cloud network.

[0066] As in a typical network architecture of the present disclosure can include a plurality of network devices such as transmitter, receivers, and/or transceivers that may include one or more Internet of Things (IOT) devices. As used herein, an IOT devices can be a device that includes sensing and/or control functionality as well as a Wi-Fi transceiver radio or interface, a Bluetooth transceiver radio or interface, a Zigbee transceiver radio or interface, an Ultra-Wideband (UWB) transceiver radio or interface, a Wi-Fi Direct transceiver radio or interface, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) transceiver radio or interface, and/or any other wireless network transceiver radio or interface that allows the IOT device to communicate with a wide area network and with one or more other devices. In some embodiments, an IOT device may include a cellular transceiver radio, and may be configured to communicate with a cellular network using the cellular network transceiver radio.

[0067] In an exemplary embodiment, the proposed system may include the interactive virtual system 502. It would be appreciated that the proposed e-device may be accessed by multiple users, through one or more computing devices, or applications residing on the computing devices. In an aspect, the proposed e-device can be operatively coupled to a website and so be operable from any Internet enabled computing device. Examples of the computing devices may include, but are not limited to, a portable computer, a personal digital assistant, a handheld device, and a workstation. The computing devices are communicatively coupled to the proposed robotic cleaner through a network.

[0068] In an exemplary embodiment, the interactive virtual system 502 may include at least one processing unit 504, an input/output (I/O) interface 506, and a memory 508. The at least one processing unit 504 may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the at least one processor is configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memory. The I/O interface 506 may include a variety of software and hardware interfaces, for example, a web interface, a graphical user interface, and the like. The I/O interface 506 may allow the proposed e-device to interact with a user directly or through the client devices. Further, the I/O interface may enable the proposed e-device to communicate with other computing devices, such as web servers and external data servers (not shown). The I/O interface can facilitate multiple communications within a wide variety of networks and protocol types, including wired networks, for example, LAN, cable, etc., and wireless networks, such as WLAN, cellular, or satellite. The I/O interface may include one or more ports for connecting a number of devices to one another or to another server.

[0069] The memory 508 may include any computer-readable medium known in the art including, for example, volatile memory, such as static random access memory (SRAM) and dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM, flash memories, hard disks, optical disks, and magnetic tapes. The memory may include modules, routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., which perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types.

[0070] In an aspect, an interactive virtual system for connecting a user device with the interactive virtual system for facilitating transactions is provided. The interactive virtual system can include a computer memory disposed within said interactive virtual system and storing a plurality of instructions including banking application programs, and a processing unit for accessing the stored plurality of instructions including the banking application programs. The execution of the stored plurality of instructions causes the processing unit to generate 510 an interactive virtual environment including visual and audio components with a holographic or normal branch view rendering of a bank branch selected by a user; represent 512, on an user interface of said user device, said holographic or normal branch view rendering of said bank branch selected by the user; and accept and process 514 user input received in the interactive virtual environment to enable the user to facilitate transactions through the user input to the interactive virtual environment.

[0071] In this aspect, the user input is a voice input or a gesture based input and said user input is received from a biometrics device or a camera.

[0072] In this aspect, the user input is in a native language associated with the user.

[0073] In this aspect, the interactive virtual environment enables the user to use a user avatar within the interactive virtual environment.

[0074] In this aspect, the interactive virtual environment enables the user to submit, in real time, photo copy or scanned copy of documents associated with the user to facilitate transactions.

[0075] In this aspect, the holographic or normal branch view rendering of said bank branch includes a plurality of departments and an option, associated with each of said plurality of departments, to facilitate, based on selection of the option, interaction with each of said plurality of departments.

[0076] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary user device 602, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the user device 602 can be implemented as an application residing in a server.

[0077] Although the present subject matter is explained considering that the user device 602 can be implemented as an application residing in a server, it may be understood that the user device 602 may also be implemented in a variety of computing systems, such as a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a notebook, a workstation, a mainframe computer, a server, a network server, and the like. It will be understood that the user device 602 may be accessed by multiple users through one or more user devices (not shown), collectively referred to as user hereinafter, or applications residing on the user devices. Examples of the user device 602 may include, but are not limited to, a portable computer, a personal digital assistant, a handheld device, and a workstation. The user device 602 is communicatively coupled to the user devices through a network (not shown).

[0078] In one implementation, the network may be a wireless network, a wired network or a combination thereof. The network can be implemented as one of the different types of networks, such as intranet, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), the internet, and the like. The network 106 may either be a dedicated network or a shared network. The shared network represents an association of the different types of networks that use a variety of protocols, for example, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), and the like, to communicate with one another. Further the network may include a variety of network devices, including routers, bridges, servers, computing devices, storage devices, and the like.

[0079] In an implementation, the user device 602 can be embedded with/incorporated with one or more Internet of Things (IoT) devices. In a typical network architecture of the present disclosure can include a plurality of network devices such as transmitter, receivers, and/or transceivers that may include one or more IoT devices.

[0080] As used herein, the IoT devices can be a device that includes sensing and/or control functionality as well as a WiFi™ transceiver radio or interface, a Bluetooth™ transceiver radio or interface, a Zigbee™ transceiver radio or interface, an Ultra-Wideband (UWB) transceiver radio or interface, a Wi-Fi-Direct transceiver radio or interface, a Bluetooth™ Low Energy (BLE) transceiver radio or interface, and/or any other wireless network transceiver radio or interface that allows the IoT device to communicate with a wide area network and with one or more other devices. In some embodiments, an IoT device does not include a cellular network transceiver radio or interface, and thus may not be configured to directly communicate with a cellular network. In some embodiments, an IoT device may include a cellular transceiver radio, and may be configured to communicate with a cellular network using the cellular network transceiver radio.

[0081] A user may communicate with the network devices using an access device that may include any human-to-machine interface with network connection capability that allows access to a network. For example, the access device may include a stand-alone interface (e.g., a cellular telephone, a smartphone, a home computer, a laptop computer, a tablet, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a computing device, a wearable device such as a smart watch, a wall panel, a keypad, or the like. In some embodiments, the access device may include a cellular network transceiver radio or interface.

[0082] The operator may interact with the user device 602 using an application, a web browser, a proprietary program, or any other program executed and operated by the access device. In some embodiments, the e-device may communicate directly with the network devices (e.g., communication signal). For example, the access device may communicate directly with network devices using Zigbee™ signals, Bluetooth™ signals, WiFi™ signals, infrared (IR) signals, UWB signals, WiFi-Direct signals, BLE signals, sound frequency signals, or the like. In some embodiments, the e-device may communicate with the network devices via the gateways and/or a cloud network.

[0083] As in a typical network architecture of the present disclosure can include a plurality of network devices such as transmitter, receivers, and/or transceivers that may include one or more Internet of Things (IOT) devices. As used herein, an IOT devices can be a device that includes sensing and/or control functionality as well as a Wi-Fi transceiver radio or interface, a Bluetooth transceiver radio or interface, a Zigbee transceiver radio or interface, an Ultra-Wideband (UWB) transceiver radio or interface, a Wi-Fi Direct transceiver radio or interface, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) transceiver radio or interface, and/or any other wireless network transceiver radio or interface that allows the IOT device to communicate with a wide area network and with one or more other devices. In some embodiments, an IOT device may include a cellular transceiver radio, and may be configured to communicate with a cellular network using the cellular network transceiver radio.

[0084] In an exemplary embodiment, the proposed system may include the user device 602. It would be appreciated that the proposed e-device may be accessed by multiple users, through one or more computing devices, or applications residing on the computing devices. In an aspect, the proposed e-device can be operatively coupled to a website and so be operable from any Internet enabled computing device. Examples of the computing devices may include, but are not limited to, a portable computer, a personal digital assistant, a handheld device, and a workstation. The computing devices are communicatively coupled to the proposed robotic cleaner through a network.

[0085] In an exemplary embodiment, the user device 602 may include at least one processing unit 604, an input/output (I/O) interface 606, a camera 608, a memory 610, and a transceiver 612. The at least one processing unit 604 may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the at least one processor is configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memory. The I/O interface 606 may include a variety of software and hardware interfaces, for example, a web interface, a graphical user interface, and the like. The I/O interface 606 may allow the proposed e-device to interact with a user directly or through the client devices. Further, the I/O interface may enable the proposed e-device to communicate with other computing devices, such as web servers and external data servers (not shown). The I/O interface can facilitate multiple communications within a wide variety of networks and protocol types, including wired networks, for example, LAN, cable, etc., and wireless networks, such as WLAN, cellular, or satellite. The I/O interface may include one or more ports for connecting a number of devices to one another or to another server.

[0086] The memory 610 may include any computer-readable medium known in the art including, for example, volatile memory, such as static random access memory (SRAM) and dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM, flash memories, hard disks, optical disks, and magnetic tapes. The memory may include modules, routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., which perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types.

[0087] In an implementation, a user device 602 for allowing a user to connect with an interactive virtual system for facilitating transactions is disclosed. The user device includes a user interface to represent an interactive virtual environment including visual and audio components with a holographic or normal branch view rendering of a bank branch selected by a user; a digital camera integral to said user device enabling said user device to accept user input in the interactive virtual environment; and a transceiver to transmit, via a mobile network or a wireless local network, said user input to enable the user to facilitate transactions through the user input to the interactive virtual environment.

[0088] In this implementation, the interactive virtual environment generated by interactive virtual system

[0089] In this implementation, the user input is a voice input or a gesture based input and said user input is received from a biometrics device or a camera.

[0090] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary method performed by the interactive virtual system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The method may be described in the general context of computer executable instructions. Generally, computer executable instructions can include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, procedures, modules, functions, etc., that perform particular functions or implement particular abstract data types. The method may also be practiced in a distributed computing environment where functions are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, computer executable instructions may be located in both local and remote computer storage media, including memory storage devices. [0091] The order in which the method is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method or alternate methods. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the method without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the method can be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof. However, for ease of explanation, in the embodiments described below, the method may be considered to be implemented in the above described system 502.

[0092] In an implementation, a method, performed by an interactive virtual system, for connecting a user device with said interactive virtual system for facilitating transactions is disclosed. The method can include the steps of generating 702, at a processing unit of said interactive virtual system, an interactive virtual environment including visual and audio components with a holographic or normal branch view rendering of a bank branch selected by a user; representing 704, on an user interface of said user device, said holographic or normal branch view rendering of said bank branch selected by the user; and accepting and processing 706, at the processing unit, user input received in the interactive virtual environment to enable the user to facilitate transactions through the user input to the interactive virtual environment.

[0093] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and system for facilitating interactive remote banking using a realistic virtual image and varied input options including voice input. The system enables account holders to address banking needs with minimal effort from any location.

[0094] The interactive experience may implement hologram or other technology to provide a three-dimensional display of components of a banking system. For example, the display may include multiple bank branches, single bank branches, a teller, or other components that the user would encounter during the“in-person” experience. Embodiments of the invention relate to an interactive banking experience that can be utilized by users from a remote location. The interactive banking experience may be provided through any suitable visual and audio interactive equipment, such as for example, personal computers, kiosks, or televisions.

[0095] Embodiments of the system provide users with private bank branches with no lines and a customized visual experience. Once in the bank branch, the user can open a door and decide where to go. For instance, the user may approach a teller window, a loan officer, or a sales office. In embodiments of the invention, users may interact with actual bank personnel through the provisions of a live transaction option that may be incorporated through live video chat or other technology.

[0096] The invention is not only limited to banking system, the invention can be implemented to any financial institute or any other people interaction institute.

[0097] The system of the invention or portions of the system of the invention may be in the form of a“processing machine,” i.e. a tangibly embodied machine, such as a general purpose computer or a special purpose computer, for example. As used herein, the term “processing machine” is to be understood to include at least one processor that uses at least one memory. The at least one memory stores a set of instructions. The instructions may be either permanently or temporarily stored in the memory or memories of the processing machine. The processor executes the instructions that are stored in the memory or memories in order to process data. The set of instructions may include various instructions that perform a particular task or tasks, such as any of the processing as described herein. Such a set of instructions for performing a particular task may be characterized as a program, software program, or simply software.

[0098] As noted above, the processing machine, which may be constituted, for example, by the particular system and/or systems described above, executes the instructions that are stored in the memory or memories to process data. This processing of data may be in response to commands by a user or users of the processing machine, in response to previous processing, in response to a request by another processing machine and/or any other input, for example. As noted above, the processing machine used to implement the invention may be a general purpose computer. However, the processing machine described above may also utilize (or be in the form of) any of a wide variety of other technologies including a special purpose computer, a computer system including a microcomputer, mini-computer or mainframe for example, a programmed microprocessor, a micro-controller, a peripheral integrated circuit element, a CSIC (Consumer Specific Integrated Circuit) or ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or other integrated circuit, a logic circuit, a digital signal processor, a programmable logic device such as a FPGA, PLD, PLA or PAL, or any other device or arrangement of devices that is capable of implementing the steps of the processes of the invention.

[0099] The processing machine used to implement the invention may utilize a suitable operating system. Thus, embodiments of the invention may include a processing machine running the Microsoft Windows™ Vista™ operating system, the Microsoft Windows™ XP™ operating system, the Microsoft Windows™ NT™ operating system, the Windows™ 2000 operating system, the Unix operating system, the Linux operating system, the Xenix operating system, the IBM AIX™ operating system, the Hewlett-Packard UX™ operating system, the Novell Netware™ operating system, the Sun Microsystems Solaris™ operating system, the OS/2™ operating system, the BeOS™ operating system, the Macintosh operating system, the Apache operating system, an OpenStep™ operating system or another operating system or platform.

[0100] It is appreciated that in order to practice the method of the invention as described above, it is not necessary that the processors and/or the memories of the processing machine be physically located in the same geographical place. That is, each of the processors and the memories used by the processing machine may be located in geographically distinct locations and connected so as to communicate in any suitable manner. Additionally, it is appreciated that each of the processor and/or the memory may be composed of different physical pieces of equipment. Accordingly, it is not necessary that the processor be one single piece of equipment in one location and that the memory be another single piece of equipment in another location. That is, it is contemplated that the processor may be two pieces of equipment in two different physical locations. The two distinct pieces of equipment may be connected in any suitable manner. Additionally, the memory may include two or more portions of memory in two or more physical locations.

[0101] To explain further, processing as described above is performed by various components and various memories. However, it is appreciated that the processing performed by two distinct components as described above may, in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, be performed by a single component. Further, the processing performed by one distinct component as described above may be performed by two distinct components. In a similar manner, the memory storage performed by two distinct memory portions as described above may, in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, be performed by a single memory portion. Further, the memory storage performed by one distinct memory portion as described above may be performed by two memory portions.

[0102] Further, various technologies may be used to provide communication between the various processors and/or memories, as well as to allow the processors and/or the memories of the invention to communicate with any other entity; i.e., so as to obtain further instructions or to access and use remote memory stores, for example. Such technologies used to provide such communication might include a network, the Internet, Intranet, Extranet, LAN, an Ethernet, or any client server system that provides communication, for example. Such communications technologies may use any suitable protocol such as TCP/IP, UDP, or OSI, for example.

[0103] As described above, a set of instructions is used in the processing of the invention. The set of instructions may be in the form of a program or software. The software may be in the form of system software or application software, for example. The software might also be in the form of a collection of separate programs, a program module within a larger program, or a portion of a program module, for example. The software used might also include modular programming in the form of object oriented programming. The software tells the processing machine what to do with the data being processed.

[0104] Further, it is appreciated that the instructions or set of instructions used in the implementation and operation of the invention may be in a suitable form such that the processing machine may read the instructions. For example, the instructions that form a program may be in the form of a suitable programming language, which is converted to machine language or object code to allow the processor or processors to read the instructions. That is, written lines of programming code or source code, in a particular programming language, are converted to machine language using a compiler, assembler or interpreter. The machine language is binary coded machine instructions that are specific to a particular type of processing machine, i.e., to a particular type of computer, for example. The computer understands the machine language.

[0105] Any suitable programming language may be used in accordance with the various embodiments of the invention. Illustratively, the programming language used may include assembly language, Ada, APL, Basic, C, C++, COBOL, dBase, Forth, Fortran, Java, Modula-2, Pascal, Prolog, REXX, Visual Basic, and/or JavaScript, for example. Further, it is not necessary that a single type of instructions or single programming language be utilized in conjunction with the operation of the system and method of the invention. Rather, any number of different programming languages may be utilized as is necessary or desirable.

[0106] Also, the instructions and/or data used in the practice of the invention may utilize any compression or encryption technique or algorithm, as may be desired. An encryption module might be used to encrypt data. Further, files or other data may be decrypted using a suitable decryption module, for example.

[0107] As described above, the invention may illustratively be embodied in the form of a processing machine, including a computer or computer system, for example, that includes at least one memory. It is to be appreciated that the set of instructions, i.e., the software for example, which enables the computer operating system to perform the operations described above may be contained on any of a wide variety of media or medium, as desired. Further, the data that is processed by the set of instructions might also be contained on any of a wide variety of media or medium. That is, the particular medium, i.e., the memory in the processing machine, utilized to hold the set of instructions and/or the data used in the invention may take on any of a variety of physical forms or transmissions, for example. Illustratively, the medium may be in the form of paper, paper transparencies, a compact disk, a DVD, an integrated circuit, a hard disk, a floppy disk, an optical disk, a magnetic tape, a RAM, a ROM, a PROM, a EPROM, a wire, a cable, a fiber, communications channel, a satellite transmissions or other remote transmission, as well as any other medium or source of data that may be read by the processors of the invention.

[0108] Further, the memory or memories used in the processing machine that implements the invention may be in any of a wide variety of forms to allow the memory to hold instructions, data, or other information, as is desired. Thus, the memory might be in the form of a database to hold data. The database might use any desired arrangement of files such as a flat file arrangement or a relational database arrangement, for example.

[0109] In the system and method of the invention, a variety of“user interfaces” may be utilized to allow a user to interface with the processing machine or machines that are used to implement the invention. As used herein, a user interface includes any hardware, software, or combination of hardware and software used by the processing machine that allows a user to interact with the processing machine. A user interface may be in the form of a dialogue screen for example. A user interface may also include any of a mouse, touch screen, keyboard, voice reader, voice recognizer, dialogue screen, menu box, list, checkbox, toggle switch, a pushbutton or any other device that allows a user to receive information regarding the operation of the processing machine as it processes a set of instructions and/or provide the processing machine with information. Accordingly, the user interface is any device that provides communication between a user and a processing machine. The information provided by the user to the processing machine through the user interface may be in the form of a command, a selection of data, or some other input, for example.

[0110] As discussed above, a user interface is utilized by the processing machine that performs a set of instructions such that the processing machine processes data for a user. The user interface is typically used by the processing machine for interacting with a user either to convey information or receive information from the user. However, it should be appreciated that in accordance with some embodiments of the system and method of the invention, it is not necessary that a human user actually interact with a user interface used by the processing machine of the invention. Rather, it is also contemplated that the user interface of the invention might interact, i.e., convey and receive information, with another processing machine, rather than a human user. Accordingly, the other processing machine might be characterized as a user. Further, it is contemplated that a user interface utilized in the system and method of the invention may interact partially with another processing machine or processing machines, while also interacting partially with a human user.

[0111] It will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible to broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those herein described, as well as many variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and foregoing description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the invention.

[0112] Accordingly, while the present invention has been described here in detail in relation to its exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made to provide an enabling disclosure of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing disclosure is not intended to be construed or to limit the present invention or otherwise to exclude any other such embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements.

[0113] From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects set forth above, together with other advantages, which are obvious and inherent to the system and method. It will be understood that certain features and sub-combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. This is contemplated and within the scope of the appended claims.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION:

[0114] The proposed system give the user the real-time interaction from anywhere in the world.

[0115] The user might feel convenient connected to the person, known to the user.

[0116] The user authentication can be performed by various means and validation can be performed quickly considering user virtual presence as physical presence.

[0117] The proposed system saves a lot of time, which was wasted when user travelled to the bank.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An interactive virtual system for connecting a user device with said interactive virtual system for facilitating transactions, the interactive virtual system comprising:

a computer memory disposed within said interactive virtual system and storing a plurality of instructions including banking application programs;

a processing unit for accessing the stored plurality of instructions including the banking application programs, wherein the execution of the stored plurality of instructions causes the processing unit to:

generate an interactive virtual environment including visual and audio components with a holographic or normal branch view rendering of a bank branch selected by a user;

represent, on an user interface of said user device, said holographic or normal branch view rendering of said bank branch selected by the user;

accept and process user input received in the interactive virtual environment to enable the user to facilitate transactions through the user input to the interactive virtual environment.

2. The interactive virtual system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user input is a voice input or a gesture based input, and said user input is received from a biometrics device or a camera associated with the user.

3. The interactive virtual system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user input is in a native language associated with the user.

4. The interactive virtual system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interactive virtual environment enables the user to use a user avatar within the interactive virtual environment.

5. The interactive virtual system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interactive virtual environment enables the user to submit, in real time, photo copy or scanned copy of documents associated with the user to facilitate transactions.

6. The interactive virtual system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said holographic or normal branch view rendering of said bank branch includes a plurality of departments and an option, associated with each of said plurality of departments, to facilitate, based on selection of the option, interaction with each of said plurality of departments.

7. A user device for allowing a user to connect with an interactive virtual system for facilitating transactions, the user device comprising:

a user interface to represent an interactive virtual environment including visual and audio components with a holographic or normal branch view rendering of a bank branch selected by a user, said interactive virtual environment is generated by interactive virtual system; and

a digital camera integral to said user device enabling said user device to accept user input in the interactive virtual environment;

a transceiver to transmit, via a mobile network or a wireless local network, said user input to enable the user to facilitate transactions through the user input to the interactive virtual environment.

8. The user device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user input is a voice input or a gesture based input and said user input is received from a biometrics device or a camera associated with the user.

9. A method, performed by an interactive virtual system, for connecting a user device with said interactive virtual system for facilitating transactions, the method comprising:

generating, at a processing unit of said interactive virtual system, an interactive virtual environment including visual and audio components with a holographic or normal branch view rendering of a bank branch selected by a user;

representing, on an user interface of said user device, said holographic or normal branch view rendering of said bank branch selected by the user;

accepting and processing, at the processing unit, user input received in the interactive virtual environment to enable the user to facilitate transactions through the user input to the interactive virtual environment.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the user input is a voice input or a gesture based input.