WO2001097086A2 - Web-based data management system and method for employment data - Google Patents

Abstract

A data management system and method is disclosed. The data management system can be utilized to access audio, visual or text data. The data accessed may include resumes of job seekers or descriptions of job providers. The internet may be utilized with the data management system to access the data.

Description

DATA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority based upon copending U. S. Provisional Application No. 60/211,534, filed June 15, 2000, and incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is generally related to classification and database technology. More specifically, the invention relates to a web-based data management system and method, where audio and/or video data is accessed from a data source via direct connection to a local and/or global network, such as the Internet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditional approaches to seeking employment requires significant investment of time and financial resources, both for the employer and candidate. For example, a corporation in search of a worker with specified job skills, generally begins the hiring process by placing an advertisement in the classified employment section of the newspaper. Subsequently, a human resource personnel would review the hundreds or thousands of job appKcations received, in order to narrow the search to a selected number of qualified candidates, before scheduling and conducting interviews. The interviewing process oftentimes involve significant expense, particularly if the candidate

must travel to the job site.

Alternatively, employment agencies are retained by employers to match job

candidates to specific job criteria required by employers. However, most employment agencies also employ a manual system of matching personnel to job specification criteria,

that is slow.

From the candidate perspective, a job seeker may spend hundreds of hours

preparing a resume, mass-mailing resumes to, and interviewing prospective employers. For the job seeker, this too is generally a time-consuming, and laborious expensive

process.

The following prior patents represent the state of the art, and are all hereby

incorporated by reference:

U.S. Patent No. 5,117,353 to Stipanovichet al. discloses a software system for

scheduling personnel suited to particular tasks for work on a temporary basis.

Temporary help applicants are screened and their particular skills matched to client job

orders. The system monitors jobs in progress, schedules work, trains temporary help

workers, and report on the operation of the temporary help business.

U.S. Patent No. 5,164,897 to Clark et al. discloses an automated method of selecting qualified job candidates for positions defined by specific selection criteria based

upon encoded job classification titles, industrial experience and special qualifications.

U.S. Patent No. 5,197,004 to Sobotka et al. discloses an automated

computerized system for resume analysis using a combination of frame-based and rule- based techniques, and further by incorporating probabilistic methods, to classify an applicant according to employment potential with a high degree of accuracy. An

extractor, using a predetermined list of word patterns, the word patterns having been

selected as indicative of skill in different job categories and assigned a weight

commensurate with its value as an indicator of skill in a particular job category or

categories, locates those words and word groups found in the resume that match the

patterns.

U.S. Patent No. 5,416,694 to Parrish et al. discloses a computer based data

integration and management processing system and a method for workforce planning

and occupational readjustment that uses a number of databases for skill matching based

on a behavioral skill analysis of target occupations.

The problem with one or more of the above-mentioned conventional automated

systems is the reliance exclusively on keyword searching, whereby certain key words that relate to the job criteria are hopefully matched with key words with the job criteria.

An additional problem with one or more of the prior art references is

impreciseness. That is, use of key words is very imprecise because job titles and "buzz" words, particularly in technology industries, have meanings that very from employer to

employer, and even from region to region.

Yet another problem in one or more of the prior art references is that the systems

are limited by misspellings, which is very common in large databases. As a result,

potentially qualified candidates are overlooked in a search. Additionally, in order to avoid missing a candidate, the undesirable task of performing a line-by-line search of

every file, is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a feature and advantage of the present invention to provide an automated

web- and/or network-based audio/visual approach that reduces the shortcoming of the

above approaches.

It is another feature and advantage of the present invention to provide an

improved automated approach to the problems of work force hiring/interviewing and

management that facilitates easy, efficient and convenient access by all users. It is another feature and advantage of the present invention to provide an

improved automated approach that is inexpensive.

It is another feature and advantage of the present invention to provide an

improved automated approach that is manageable and practical in its implementation.

It is another feature and advantage of the present invention to provide an

improved automated approach that does not require additional software in its

implementation.

It is another feature and advantage of the present invention to provide an

improved automated approach that is flexible in providing the user with real time

information in support of the overall desired interviewing and management process. It is another feature and advantage of the present invention to provide an

improved automated approach that will enable a user to handle an increased participant load in the workforce hiring/interviewing and management process with no impairment or degradation in selection effectiveness.

It is another feature and advantage of the present invention to provide an

improved automated approach having an open architecture that will allow a variety of

uses depending on the types of data and/or databases employed for the matching activity.

The features and advantages of the present invention is accomplished by bringing

a comprehensive information technology (IT) solution to a user at home or office, for

example, that is seeking an efficient, inexpensive and user-friendly tool for selecting a worker or employer.

More specifically, these features and advantages are achieved by a web- and/or network- based data management system and method whereby users of the system, such as job

seekers or job providers, can provide, access and manipulate recorded video versions

of their resume. In one embodiment, the data management system and method of the present

invention allows job providers and their representatives, such as human resource

personnel, hiring managers or recruiters, to access, download or upload online audio and

video data and/or data streams of potential employees explaining their skills, background

and experience. Conversely, the present invention allows job seekers, such as employees, contractors and project-based workers, the same online capabilities regarding potential employers describing their company, job criteria and working

environment, for example. Since, in one embodiment, the present invention is web-based, users can access

the system' s database of text, audio and/or video resumes and interviews from any place

at any time. In addition, no software is required, other than what is needed to play

audio/video clips, which is generally available (including downloadable) for free.

For the first time, job seekers and job providers alike can see and hear a

candidate on line. For example, a job provider will now be able to judge presentation

and commumcation skills of a desired candidate without the expense of travel or

investing time via scheduling interviews or telephone screens.

The data management system and method of the present invention is developed in a three-tier architecture. This architecture consists of a front-end for user interface;

middle tier software; and a back-end for storing all forms of text, audio and/or video

data and/or data streams.

In one embodiment of the present invention, users can register into the data

management system and enter pertinent information, including contact details, salary and location expectations and work status. Users will then enter pertinent details regarding

skills and experience as well as a text version of the resume. Also, users will be given

instructions on how to record, edit or enter audio and video resumes to the database.

Once all information is entered, users will have options to manage resumes, such as

editing or deleting resumes. In another embodiment of the present invention, users are able to logon through

a web-browser, register and enter pertinent information, such as contact details, salary

and location expectations and work status. Users will then enter pertinent details regarding skills and experience as well as a text version of the resume. Finally, users are

given instructions on how to record, edit and upload, for example, audio and video

resumes to the database. Once all information is entered, users will have options to manage resumes.

In another embodiment of the present invention, users may register and/or logon

to the data management system to gain access thereof as a subscriber. Subscribers

include, but are not limited to, head hunters, HR personnel, hiring managers, recruiters, job seekers and job providers. Subscribers may also include individuals or their

representatives seeking personal and/or business companionship. Subscribers may enter a search criteria or search criteria list to narrow the field

of potential candidates. Once again, subscribers are able to enter pertinent information,

gain instructions on how to record, edit, enter/upload audit and video resumes, as well

as exercise options on managing those resumes. Subscribers can also post job

descriptions to which potential job seekers can browse and submit tailored audio-video

resumes.

In all of the embodiments of the present invention, users and subscribers are able to see and hear candidates describing experience and/or personal information and skills

in whole or in part. Users and subscribers may gain access to candidate contact

information. Alternatively and optionally, users and/or subscribers are able to email a

candidate or candidates of choice through the data management system.

The data management system and method of the present invention is configurable

to fit the needs of its users. For example, one feature and option of the present invention is the variability in timing and content of a video resume. That is, a video resume may

be user-defined or subscriber-defined. For example, a college graduate candidate may upload a 15 second video resume, while another candidate with 20 years experience may

upload a 60-second video resume. In another scenario, a job provider may request a 2-

minute video resume in a desired format and/or of a desired candidate. The system is

able to accommodate differently sized and scripted video resumes depending on the

differing skills, background and needs of each candidate and/or user.

The data management system and method of the present invention is also configurable to accommodate varying search criteria, which may include geographical

location, IT experience, number of years, specific core competencies, and the like.

Alternatively and optionally, the present invention can accommodate searches on the

audio component only and/or the video component of an audio and/or video resume. Audio search attributes, such as tone of voice and speed of speech, are enabled in the

present invention by voice recognition technology.

The data management system and method of the present invention is also

configurable to accommodate editing requests submitted by a job seeker or job provider.

For example, for existing video and or audio resumes on the data base, the present

invention can edit portions of a audio, video and/or text resume to a requested resume

format, which may require, for example, information on the three most recent programming skills. Editing may be performed via content, resume length or resume

type (i.e. audio vs video), and the like. There has been outlined, rather broadly, the important features of the present

invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better

appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be

described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended

hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in

detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the

details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the

following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other

embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose

of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which

this disclosure is based, may readily be used as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present

invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such

equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the

present invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U. S. Patent and

Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art, who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection, the nature and essence of the technical

disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of

the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to

the scope of the invention in any way.

The above objects of the invention, together with other apparent objects of the

invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are

pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this

disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the

specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying

drawings and descriptive matter, which illustrates preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRJEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a high level block diagram of one embodiment of the

architecture of the data management system and method of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A-2C is a block diagram of one embodiment of the front end of the present invention.

NOTATIONS AND NOMENCLATURES

The detailed description that follows may be presented in terms of program procedures executed on a computer or network of computers. These procedural descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the art to most

effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art.

A procedure is here, and generally, conceived to be a self-consistent sequence

of steps leading to a desired result. These steps are those requiring physical

manipulations of physical quantities . Usually, though no necessarily, these quantities take

the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined,

compared and otherwise manipulated. It proves convenient at times, principally for

reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols,

characters, terms, numbers, or the like. It should be noted, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are

merely convenient labels applied to these quantities.

Further, the manipulations performed are often referred to in terms, such as adding or comparing, which are commonly associated with mental operations performed

by a human operator. No such capability of a human operator is necessary, or desirable

in most cases, in any of the operations described herein which form part of the present

invention; the operations are machine operations. Useful machines for performing the

operation of the present invention include general purpose digital computers or similar devices.

The present invention also relates to apparatus for performing these operations. This apparatus may be specially constructed for the required purpose or it may comprise a general purpose computer as selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer

program stored in a computer. The procedures presented herein are not inherently related to a particular computer or other apparatus. Various general purpose machines

may be used with programs written in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may

prove more convenient to construct more specialized apparatus to perform the required method steps. The required structure for a variety of these machines will appear from

the description given.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 is a high level block diagram of one embodiment of the architecture of

the data management system and method of the present invention. The first tier of the

three-tier architecture is the front-end, which is the interface between a user and the

system. It consists of the screens that the user enters into through and the contact that

the user views. The front-end screens primarily provide point and click buttons for

entering and retrieving information.

The technologies employed for the development of the front-end screens from

the client side may include, but are not limited to, HTML, XML, Javascript, VBScript,

Java Applets and Java Beans, CORB A, stand alone web application, Macromedia tools,

ActiveX, Adobe tools used to develop front-end web pages, COM/DCOM, and C L.

Development of the front-end from the server side may include, but is not limited to,

Perl, C, C++, Java, python, tcl/tk, Jpython, all versions of Rexx, ASP, JSP, PHP, Servlets, all scripting and programming languages used for CGI programming, Java

Beans, COM DCOM, and ActiveX. Additionally, miscellaneous tools supporting client and server side programming may include, but are not limited to Coldfusion, zope, and all web application servers. The front-end screens allow a user of the system to login,

setup an account, post a resume or job description /opening and searching capabilities,

for instance. That is, all functionalities that the system provides is visible to the user at

the front end. The middle layer 10 performs the operations requested by the user 4 and serves

as the interface between the front-end 2 and the back-end 12. It converts user-entered

information, such as contact or search information, into a format easily stored, accessed

and manipulated by the back end 12. Generally, the middle layer 10 comprises a

plurality of program modules such as a login 14, search 16 or view 18 module that

performs login, search and viewing operations, respectively. Each module may comprise

a plurality of files based on the desired functionality. Optionally, middle layer operations may be performed via a web server 20. The middle layer may employ technologies

including, but not limited to, Java servlets, JDBC, and server side programming to

accomplish various tasks. In addition, the middle layer 10 may employ CORBA,

COM DCOM, RMI, RPC, Message queuing servers, and Directory servers to

accomplish its tasks.

The back-end 12 generally consists of storage 22 where all user information and

audio and video data, in the form of audio and/or video resumes, are stored. Video

resumes may be stored in many different formats, including but not limited to JPEG, AVT, and GIF. In addition to storing video files along with other pertinent user

information, the database storage 22 is capable of storing text versions of resumes. It is a comprehensive relational database management and storage system that collects and stores all the information from the front end. The storage of text documents in the database storage 22 will allow for the text documents, including the resumes, to be

searched using keywords. It can be housed coincidently with the middle layer or can be

located remotely from the middle layer. The back-end 12 may employ, but is not limited

to, all RDBMS, ODBMS, DBMS, flatfile databases, and inmemory databases to

accomplish its tasks. In addition, Oracle 8/8i may be utilized for managing the data

stored in the databases.

Figures 2A-2C outline a more detailed embodiment of the above-mentioned

system and method in more detail. Figure 2 A illustrates a block diagram of the process

flow at the front-end of the data management system. The general process begins with a user inquiry at the system's main page, as at step S30, which may include corporate

logo, a brief description of the system, advertisement(s), disclaimer(s), and the like.

Optionally, the main page may include a web site logo, and a brief description of what

the web site offers. Additionally, the main page may include icons or links to register

for or enter a variety of available services.

Upon access at the system' s main page, a determination is made whether the user

is registered (S32). If so, the user is prompted for login information, which may include

a login identification and password (S34). On the other hand, if the user is not

registered, the user may register at this stage (S36). At step 38 (S38), a system check is performed to determine if registration is successful. If registration is unsuccessful, including situations in which users refuse to register, access is denied (S40), and the user is prohibited from proceeding any further.

If the registration process is successful, the user is prompted for login information (S34).

Upon successful completion of the registration and login procedures, in one

embodiment of the present invention, a user has an option to select, among other

options, whether to use the system as a job provider, such as an employer, or as a job seeker (S42).

As shown in FIG. 2B, if the job seeker selection is made, a user is greeted with

the Job Seeker Main Page (S44). Alternatively and optionally, the Job Seeker Main

Page may include icons or links to register for a variety of other available services.

These services are also available for users already registered.

Alternatively and optionally, a job seeker may be prompted to a Job Seeker

Register Page (S46), which requires job seekers to enter pertinent information, such as name, address, telephone number(s), email address(es), salary and relocation

expectations, and work status. The information may optionally include credit

card billing information. The Job Seeker Register Page then chooses a login

identification for each job seeker, and allows a job seeker to choose his/her own

password. Once appropriate login ID and password information are entered, job seekers

can access site services.

From the Job Seeker Main Page and/or Job Seeker Register Page, the user is prompted to proceed the Resume Management Page (S48), which allows job seekers to

access links to different pages in order to manage their resume(s). Links may include

Add, Delete, Edit and the like. For example, an Add link may allow a job seeker to upload audio/video resume

via a resume template. This link also provide another link to uploading instructions for

first-time users.

The Delete link provides job seekers with a button or icon to delete their resume from the database. Job seekers may also be made to affirm their wish to delete their

resume, before actual deletion occurs.

The Edit resume link allows job seekers to upload edited portions of the

audio/video resume, or to replace an existing resume with another one.

Additionally, the Resume Management Page may further include access links to

different pages, such as a resume upload instruction page, a view resume page, or a

search job page. More specifically, for example, the resume upload instruction page

provides job seeker users with instructions on how to record and upload resume to the

system's database. The view resume page, for instance, allows users to view a resume. The search jobs page allows job seekers to enter search criteria and view a list of

links/icons to job postings from the database.

Referring to Figure 2C, if the employer selection is made, a user is greeted with

the Employer Main Page (S50), which may include appropriately similar features of the

Job Seeker Main Page. Alternatively and optionally, the Employer Main Page may

include icons or links to register for a variety of other available services. These services

are also available for users already registered.

Alternatively and optionally, an employer may be prompted to an Employer

Register Page (S52), which requires employer to enter pertinent information, such as corporation or organization name, address, telephone number(s), contact person(s),

email address(es), and credit card/billing information. The Employer Register Page then

chooses a login identification for each employer, and allows an employer to choose its

own password. Once appropriate login ID and password information are entered,

employer can access site services.

From the Employer Main Page and/or Employer Register Page, the user is

prompted to proceed to the Resume Management Page (S54), which allows employers

to access links to different pages in order to manage their corporate resume(s). Links

may include Add, Delete, Edit and the like.

For example, an Add link may allow an employer to upload audio/video

corporate resume via a resume template. This link also provide another link to

uploading instructions for first-time users.

The Delete link provides employers with a button or icon to delete their resume

from the database. Employers may also be made to affirm their wish to delete their

resume, before actual deletion occurs.

The Edit resume link allows employers to upload edited portions of the audio/video corporate or organizational resume, or to replace an existing resume with

another one.

Additionally, the Resume Management Page may further include access links to

different pages, such as a resume upload instruction page, a view resume page, a resume

search page, or a search results page. More specifically, for example, the resume upload instruction page provides

employer users with instructions on how to record and upload organizational resumes

to the system's database. The view resume page, for instance, allows users to view a

resume. The resume search page allows employers to enter search criteria based upon

desired skills and background, for example, and view a list of links/icons to candidate

resumes from the database. The search results page provides links to all candidate

resumes matching an employer's search criteria in the database.

Using the feature of an Individual Resume Page, for instance, resumes are displayed with an audio and/or video component on this page. Employers can view

and/or listen to all or part of a resume, which is generally based on a template.

Employers can also use links to a candidate's page or an Email Candidate Page, to

instantly send an email to the desired candidate.

Alternatively and optionally, an employer user may be prompted to proceed to a Job Management Page, where the user can choose to Add, Delete and Edit any of their

particular job openings/descriptions by clicking relevant buttons.

There are many alternative features encompassed by the data management

system of the present invention. Those features include, and are not limited to, an

authentication and/or verification system, a payment module/system, text, audio and

video searching capabilities, voice recognition capabilities, system integrity checking

protocols for text, audio and visual components. Moreover, the data management system of the present invention is not limited to job providers and job seekers. The present invention has application to any activity predicated on matching user supply information with demand information.

Furthermore, the data management system of the present invention can be accommodated on any network (i.e. an inter-network, an intra-network or a global network).

Claims

What is claimed:

1. A database management system, comprising:

an input means for inputting a request for employment data, wherein the

employment data is at least one of audio, visual and text data;

at least one software program; and

a storage for storing the employment data, wherein the at least one software

program accesses the data in response to the request input in the input means.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said request is one of a request to enter employment data, view employment data, hear employment data, and retrieve

employment data.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said employment data is of a job

seeker.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said employment data is of a job

provider.

5. The system according to claim 1 , wherein said storage accommodates databases.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said input means is an web browser.

7. A method for linking job providers with job seekers, comprising:

storing at least one of audio, visual and text data in a database;

accessing said database, utilizing a software program, in response to a request

by at least one of a job provider and a job seeker for at least one of audio, visual and text

data; and providing said at least one of an employer and a job seeker with said at least one

of audio, visual, and text data.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein said accessing said database is

accomplished using an Internet.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein said request is input utilizing a web browser.