Network-based intercom system and method for simulating a hardware based dedicated intercom system

A method for providing efficient, non-interruptive, distance communication by way of a network-based intercom system, said system integrated on a plurality of non-dedicated computers providing respective stations of a network, said system comprising software, said software comprising a dispatcher module in any one of said computers, said software further comprising an intercom module in each of said computers, the method comprising the steps of:

• placing a network-based intercom panel display and a message banner on a screen of each of said stations facilitated by said software control;
• maintaining a dispatcher list of all current stations in said network in said one of said computers;
• coordinating all current messages by computer readable instructions in said software in said dispatcher by:
• designating at least one station number to which each of said messages is sent,
• assigning at least one audible tone per message, and
• routing all of said messages automatically when a final one of a predetermined number of options has been selected;
• automatically sounding said at least one audible tone at a respective one of said computers when one of said messages is sent to said one of said computers;
• and
• providing response means;
• wherein said messages are automatically received on respective ones of said banners without addressee input, such that each of said messages is received in a non-interruptive manner and a notification of the arrival of a message is also received in the form of said audible tone, so that an addressee may selectively view the screen without stopping other activities.

A method of using a network-based intercom system for efficient, non-interruptive, distance communication, said system being configured for implementation on a network comprising a plurality of computers providing respective stations of said network, said system comprising software including a dispatcher module for any one of said computers, said software further including an intercom module in each of said computers, the method of using comprising the sender initiated steps of:

• selectively displaying a message banner on a monitor of one of said computers;
• initiating a message send by:
• bringing up a simulated intercom panel via user interface means,
• selecting components of a message from lists on said intercom panel;
• completing a message send via user interface means;
• and
• the method of using further comprising the addressee initiated step of:
• interfacing directly with a visual display associated with the message on a message banner on the monitor of the addressee in order to respond to the message.

A network based computer intercom user interface implemented on a plurality of stations of a network, comprising:

• a software-based simulated intercom panel and means for selectively displaying said simulated intercom panel on the screen of each of said plurality of stations;
• a software-based banner display and means for selectively displaying messages received on said banner display at each of said plurality of stations;
• a software controlled, audible signal and means for generating said audible signal wherein said audible signal is generated by at least one of the plurality of stations for selectively notifying the user when a message for the user is received by the at least one station;
• and
• wherein the banner display further comprises a means for responding directly to a specific one of said messages.