WO2014024190A1

WO2014024190A1 - Method and apparatus for personal communication

Info

Publication number: WO2014024190A1
Application number: PCT/IL2013/050669
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eduard VIBRANOVSKY; Anatoli Rapoport
Original assignee: Vibranovsky Eduard; Anatoli Rapoport
Priority date: 2012-08-09
Filing date: 2013-08-07
Publication date: 2014-02-13

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing communication, the method comprising: displaying to a user over a display device a questionnaire comprising one or more questions, wherein each question has a predetermined number of possible answers, and wherein each question may be indicated by the user for showing; receiving from the user answers to the questions; receiving from the user details of an additional person; sending the questionnaire to the additional person; receiving from the additional person, answers to the questions; automatically comparing by a computing platform answers provided to the questions by the user and by the additional person, and generating a report, based on correspondence between the answers and on a predetermined policy; and sending the report to the user and to the additional person, wherein subject to the user or the additional person indicating a question for showing, the report includes the question or data derived therefrom.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PERSONAL COMMUNICATION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to enabling users of computerized systems to communicate with each other in general, and to enabling users to focus on subjects or issues important for the users, in particular.

BACKGROUND

An individual is likely to face disputes with other people throughout his life, which may include disputes with business partners, friends, spouses, children, parents, siblings, neighbors or any other individual he or she is in relation with. Some disputes are bilateral while others may be multi-lateral and involve a multiplicity of individuals. Some disputes may be minor and easily solvable, while others may be more complex and involve multiple issues, complex history, underground currents between the sides, or other problems.

Many such disputes may be solved by having the two or more sides directly communicate with each other. However, this is not always possible or efficient. Sometimes, the sides do not fully agree about what the actual dispute is all about, and each side sees the origin of the problem in another area. In other cases, the sides may not even be able to communicate in a productive manner.

In such cases, it is very hard and sometimes impossible even to use effectively the services of a professional such as psychologist or another therapist, in crystallizing the dispute or resolving it.

In other situations, one of the sides may feel uncomfortable to even bring up a particular issue with the other side, although such discussion may eventually prove to be easier than expected and may help clear up problems. BRIEF SUMMARY

One exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter is a computer- implemented method performed by a computerized device, comprising: displaying to a user over a display device a questionnaire comprising one or more questions, wherein each question has a predetermined number of possible answers, and wherein each question may be indicated by the user for showing; receiving from the user, one or more answers to the questions; receiving from the user details of an additional person; sending the questionnaire to the additional person; receiving from the additional person, one or more answers to the questions; automatically comparing by a computing platform answers provided to the questions by the user and by the additional person, and generating a report, based on correspondence between the answers and on a predetermined policy; and sending the report to the user and to the additional person, wherein subject to the user or the additional person indicating a question for showing, the report includes the question or data derived therefrom. The method may further comprise receiving an additional question from the user, and sending the additional question as part of the questionnaire to the additional person. Within the method, the possible answers are optionally "Yes" and "No". Within the method, the report optionally comprises all questions for which the user and the additional person provided an identical answer. Within the method, the report optionally comprises all questions for which the user and the additional person provided answers within a predetermined range. Within the method, the report optionally comprises all questions for which the user and the additional person provided different answers. Within the method, the report optionally comprises an overall grade related to a matching level between answers provided by the user and answers provided by the additional person. The method may further comprise suggesting assistance to the user and to the additional person. The method may further comprise suggesting to the user any of the questions based on free text provided by the user. Another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter is a client- server apparatus comprising a server computing platform and a client computing platform, the server computing platform comprising: a processing unit; and a storage device, the storage device comprising: a questionnaire collection, comprising one or more questionnaires, each questionnaire comprising one or more questions, wherein each question has a predetermined number of possible answers, and wherein each question may be indicated by a user for showing; a comparison component for comparing answers provided to the at least one question by the user and by another person, and generating a report, based on correspondence between the answers and on a predetermined policy; a session management component adapted to: display the questionnaire to the user; receive from the user one or more answers to the questions; receive from the user details of an additional person; send the questionnaire to the additional person; receive from the additional person, one or more answers to the questions; receive comparison results from the comparison component; and send the report to the user and to the additional person, wherein subject to the user or the additional person indicating a question for showing, the report includes the question or data derived therefrom, the client computing platform comprising: a processing unit; and a storage device, the storage device comprising: an application for displaying the questionnaire and for enabling a user to provide answers to the questions. Within the apparatus, the application is optionally a w^reb browser. Within the apparatus, the server computing platform and the client computing platform optionally communicate via the Internet. Within the apparatus, the server computing piatfomi may further comprise a consultation component for offering consultation services to the user and to the additional person. Within the apparatus, the server computing platform may further comprise an advertisement management component for displaying corresponding advertisements to the user or to the additional person. Within the apparatus, the server computing platform may further store past or present questionnaires or reports. The apparatus may further comprise an artificial intelligence component for suggesting questions to the user based on free text provided by the user.

Yet another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter is a computer program product comprising: a non-transitory computer readable medium; a first program instruction for displaying to a user over a display device a questionnaire comprising one or more questions, wherein each question has a predetermined number of possible answers, and wherein each question may be indicated by the user for showing: a second program instruction for receiving from the user, one or more answers to the questions; a third program instruction for receiving from the user details of an additional person; a fourth program instruction for sending the questionnaire to the additional person; a fifth program instruction for receiving from the additional person, one or more answers to the questions; a sixth program instruction for automatically comparing by a computing platform answers provided to the questions by the user and by the additional person, and generating a report, based on correspondence between the answers and on a predetermined policy: and a seventh program instruction for sending the report to the user and to the additional person, wherein subject to the user or the additional person indicating a question for showing, the report includes the question or data derived therefrom, wherein said first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh program instructions are stored on said non- transitory computer readable medium.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosed subject matter will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which corresponding or like numerals or characters indicate corresponding or like components. Unless indicated otherwise, the drawings provide exemplary embodiments or aspects of the disclosure and do not limit the scope of the disclosure. In the drawings:

Figs. 1A and IB show exemplary questionnaires, each to be filled by two or more optionally disputed sides, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

Fig. 1C is an exemplary report based upon a questionnaire filled by two sides, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

Fig. 2 is a schematic flow chart of steps in a method for crystal lizing issues between two or more optionally disputed sides, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter; and

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of components in a system for crystallizing issues between two or more optionally disputed sides, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter disclosed below is refers to flowcharts and block diagrams describing methods, apparatus, system, or computer program products according to embodiments. It will be appreciated that parts of the block and flowcharts, and combinations of parts, can be implemented by computer program instructions. The computer program instructions may be provided to one or more processors of any computer such as a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, a processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions or steps specified in the flowcharts or one or more blocks of the block diagrams.

These computer program instructions may be stored in a non-transient computer-readable medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the non-transient computer-readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the functions or acts or blocks specified in the flowchart or block diagram.

The computer program instructions may be loaded onto a device, a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions, acts, or blocks specified in the flowchart or block diagram.

One technical problem dealt with by the disclosed subject matter is the lack of technical and neutral method and system for crystallizing and optionally clearing up issues between two or more individuals, in order to focus on the differences in order to solve a dispute, or what at least one of the sides believes to be a dispute.

The problem may arise due to bad relationships between the sides, which do not enable the sides to talk and clear up the disputes. The situation may sometimes be so acute that the sides cannot even agree what they are disputed over.

Another problem may be when one of the sides in a relationship feels there is a certain issue or problem with the other side, but feels uncomfortable to discuss or even bring up the subject, since he or she may be afraid the other side would not cooperate.

One technical solution comprises the provisioning of a computerized questionnaire collection, which may comprise one or more computerized questionnaires appropriate for different types of relationships. For example, the collection may comprise one or more questionnaires related to couple relationships, parent-children relationships, sibling relationships, business partners relationships, or the like. Each such questionnaire may comprise a multiplicity of questions. Each question may have two answers, such as Yes/No, Agree/Disagree, or the like. In other embodiments, answers may be selected from a predetermined list, which may include textual values, numerical values of a specific range, or the like. Each such question may also be associated with an option to be shown, as discussed below.

A user may select a questionnaire, and answer the questions. In addition to answering the questions, the user may also select the "Show" option in regard to an₎' one or more of the questions. The user may also add one or more questions which may be related to subjects not covered or not covered enough by the existing questions.

When the user is done, or even before that if no new questions are to be introduced, the user indicates another person, such as a spouse, a child, a parent, a partner or the like, optionally by providing an e-mail address, a social network identifier, or the like.

The questionnaire is then provided to the other person. The questionnaire may be provided by e-mail, SMS or the like. The other person may then answer the questionnaire as well. The other person may or may not be aware which questions are part of the default questionnaire and which were added by the first person. In addition to answering the questions, the other person may also select the "Show" option in regard to any one or more of the questions. The other person may also add questions to be referred to by the first person.

When either side indicates that he or she finished filling the questionnaire, he or she submits their questionnaire. When the two or more sides have submitted their questionnaires, a comparison may take place, in which the sides' answers are compared in accordance with a predetermined policy, and a report is generated and sent to the sides. According to the policy, the report may list or contain the questions for which the sides provided corresponding answers, the questions for which the sides provided different answers, the questions for which the two sides answered "a particular answer, or the like. The sides may also be presented with those questions for which at least one of them selected the "Show" option, regardless of their answers to the respective question.

The predetermined policy may be associated with the way the questions are phrased. For example, if a question is phrased as "I think our partnerships is doing well", and the sides agree, then this is probably not the source of any problem and there is no point in bringing it up to discussion, while if the question is phrased as "I think we should talk about X", then if the sides answered "Yes" the issue should be presented.

Thus, the sides may be presented with the subjects they are apart on, or think alike about, as the case may be. In addition, regardless of their answers, the sides may be presented with issues for which at least one of the sides indicated he or she wants to bring up. The report may also contain some general grade, based for example on the percentage of the questions on which the sides agree, out of the total number of questions, recommendations based on psychological evaluation of the provided answers, trends based on past vs. present questionnaires, statistics based on the answers of other people who answered the same questionnaire, or the like.

One technical effect of the disclosed subject matter relates to providing the sides of a relationship with an automated platform to bring up issues at least one of them believes they need to discuss, thus avoiding situations in which such discussion is impossible, or avoiding the inconvenience of bringing such issues up in person, and risking a refusal or a useless argument. The platform may also be used for bringing up delicate issues which a person wants to bring up but is afraid to do so since the other side may be offended.

Another effect of the disclosed subject matter relates to the option to crystallize the sources of a dispute between two or more sides, such that a future discussion may be more focused and fruitful, after the two sides had to opportunity to make their point and thus having decided together what the disputed subjects really are.

Referring now to Figs. 1A and IB, showing exemplary questionnaires, each to be filled by two or more optionally disputed sides.

Fig. 1 A shows a dialog 100 presenting a domestic questionnaire. Dialog 100 may be presented as a modal dialog window or another window on a display device of a user of a computing platform. The questionnaire of dialog 100 may comprise one or more questions, such as a question 102 related to children's education, question 104 related to financial decisions, and question 108 related to relationships with the extended family. Each question has a corresponding "Yes" button 112, "No" button 116 and "Show" button 120. A user may click or otherwise point at either "Yes" button 112 or "No" button 1 16 for each presented question, and may also click or otherwise point at "Show" button 120. In the exemplary questionnaire of Fig. IB, the user indicated that his or her opinions are that the children should not go to private schools, the credit card loans should be limited to $1000, and that he or she think they should visit the parents more often, but would like this issue to appear in the report regardless of the other person's response or the policy.

The user may also point at or click at "Edit Questionnaire" control 124, which opens a dialog or another window that enables a user, for example the user who initiated filling the questionnaire, to add questions, delete questions, change questions, or the like. When the user clicks control 124 another dialog may be opened which provides these options, such that when the dialog closes, the questionnaire form is updated. A similar option may be presented to the other person receiving the questionnaire. However, the presented options may be different. For example, the other person may not be able to delete questions.

In some embodiments, questions added or changed by one or more users may be used for updating the default questionnaire, so that future users of the questionnaire will see them as well.

It will be appreciated that any of the displayed questions may be a default question available to all users who select this questionnaire, or added by the person creating the questionnaire.

A user may also click or point at "Edit Policy" control 126, which may pop up a dialog or another window that enables the user to change a default policy related to how the report is to be generated based upon the answers. In some exemplary embodiments, the report may relate to all questions for which the sides provided corresponding answers or a specific answer, questions for which they provided different answers, or the like. Editing the policy may or may not be available to the other person answering the questionnaire, but may always be available to the person initiating the questionnaire. It will be appreciated that any of the displayed questions may be default questions available to all users who select this questionnaire, or added by the person creating the questionnaire. When the user clicks on "Submit" button 128, if this is the initialing user, then he or she may be asked for details such as e-mail address or another location of one or more other persons to which the questionnaire is to be sent. When the second person clicks "Submit" button 128, a comparison may be performed between the

of the sides, and a report may be generated and sent to the sides.

Fig. IB shows a business questionnaire window 152, containing business- related questions, and having similar options to those detailed in association with Fig. 1A above. While question 154 which relates to real-estate investment and question 156 which relates to business flights may be part of a default questionnaire related to business partners, question 158 which relates to a specific complaint of one partner to the other is likely to have been added by one of the sides.

Referring now to Fig. 1C, showing a dialog 170 containing an exemplary report generated on the basis of the business questionnaire detailed in association with Fig. IB above. Fig. 1 C may comprise a "Points for Discussion" area 174, containing indications for all questions for which the sides provided answers for which the policy dictates they should be raised, for example corresponding answers, opposite answers or the like, such as Real Estate Investment topic 178. "Points for Discussion" area 174 may also indicate all issues for which at least one side indicated the "Show" button, such as point 182 related to a specific complaint.

The report may also comprise a general grade, such as "Total agreements" area 186, which may also be displayed graphically using a progress bar, an indicative color such as green if the sides agreed on more than a predetermined percentage of the questions, red if they disagreed on less than a predetermined percentage, and yellow for values inbetween.

Dialog 170 may also comprise an "OK" button 190, a "Start New Questionnaire" button 192, or a "Seek assistance" button 194 which may present one or more of the sides with relevant recommendations, references of professionals, or the like.

Referring now to Fig. 2 showing a schematic flow chart of steps in a method for crystallizing issues between two or more optionally disputed sides.

On step 200, a questionnaire selection may be received from a user. The questionnaire may be selected from a pre-prepared collection of questionnaires, which may comprise a hierarchy of questionnaires. For example, a collection may comprise categories such as "Family questionnaires", "Business Questionnaires" or others, from which a user may select a category. After having selected a category, the user may be presented with a list of available questionnaires of the category. For example business questionnaires may comprise a partners' questionnaire, an investor questionnaire, a colleague questionnaire, or the like.

On step 208 the selected questionnaire is displayed to the user over a computerized display device, together with several options, for example to edit the questionnaire, to edit the comparison policy, or the like.

On step 212 the user's answers and "Show" indications in relation to the displayed questionnaire are received, and on optional step 216 a request to edit the questionnaire or the policy may be received. User interface for enabling the changes may be displayed, and the user's changes may be received and applied, such that the questionnaire is re-presented.

On step 220, after the user asked to submit the questionnaire, details of another person or person to which the questionnaire should be sent are received from the user, which details may comprise first name, family name, e-mail address, social network name or nickname, or the like.

On step 224 the questionnaire may be sent to the other person. IN some embodiments, the questionnaire may be sent without the first side's answers, so as not to influence the other person. On step 228 the other person's answers or "Show" indications may be received from the other person. It will be appreciated that the questionnaire is sent to the other person without the first person's answers, and optionally without indicating which questions constituted a default part of the questionnaire and which were added by the first person.

It will also be appreciated that some of the additional options such as adding a question, may also be provided to the other person, which will cause re-sending the questionnaire to the first person for completion. This process may be continued with the sides sending questionnaires to each other, or may be limited to one or another predetermined number of additional sessions for each side, to avoid lengthy or endless exchanges.

On step 232 a comparison or another processing of the sides' answers may take place, and a report may be generated. The comparison may be made and the report may be generated in accordance with the policy as optionally amended by either side, and the sides' answers, and may also contain indications to those questions or issues for which at least one of the sides clicked on "Show".

On step 236 the report may be sent or otherwise displayed to the two or more sides, and on step 240 follow up actions may be taken. Step 240 may be performed together with sending the report or at a later time. For example, the follow-up actions may comprise providing reference of a service that may be of help for the particular situation based on analyzing the questions, the sides' answers or the reports, suggesting the sides to take an additional questionnaire, contacting the sides at a later time to make additional suggestions, or the like.

It will be appreciated that in some embodiments the sides may not see each other's answers, but only the report which compares the answers. Thus, their answers are neutral and are not influenced by what the other side answered.

In some embodiments, the method may depend on a user enrolling with a corresponding system and providing required details. In other embodiments, the method may be available also without enrolling. In either case, the privacy of the initiating user and the other persons may be kept so as to avoid exposing personal details to unauthorized people. The privacy may be based on uniform policy or on rules determined by the person, such that the person determines who is authorized to see the questionnaire, the answers, the reports, or the like. In some embodiments, if the initiating person and the other person define different privacy rules, the stricter of the rule systems is enforced in regard with the common questionnaire.

Referring now to Fig. 3, showing a block diagram of components in a system for crystallizing issues between two or more optionally disputed sides.

In some embodiments the system may be implemented as a client-server system, in which a client such as a person interested in filling and sending a questionnaire is using a client computing platform to access a server offering such service. In other embodiments, the system may be a standalone system, downloaded from a network, installed from a storage device or otherwise stored on a storage device of a personal computing platform of the user, such that no information is transmitted.

The server may be implemented as a server computing device 300 which may comprise one or more processors 304. Any of processors 304 may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an electronic circuit, an Integrated Circuit (IC) or the like. Alternatively, server computing device 300 can be implemented as firmware written for or ported to a specific processor such as digital signal processor (DSP) or microcontrollers, or can be implemented as hardware or configurable hardware such as field programmable gate array (FPGA) or application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Processors 304 may be utilized to perform computations required by comptuing device 300 or any of it subcomponents.

Server computing device 300 may comprise one or more storage devices 308 for storing executable components. Storage device 308 may also contain data relevant for execution of one or more components. Storage device 308 may be persistent or volatile. For example, storage device 308 may be a Flash disk, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a memory chip, an optical storage device such as a CD, a DVD, or a laser disk; a magnetic storage device such as a tape, a hard disk, storage area network (SAN), a network attached storage (NAS), or others; a semiconductor storage device such as Flash device, memory stick, or the like. In some exemplary embodiments, storage device 308 may retain program code operative to cause any of processors 304 to perform acts associated with any of the steps shown in Fig. 2 above, for example presenting a questionnaire, receiving answers, comparing answers, or the like.

The components detailed below may be implemented as one or more sets of interrelated computer instructions, executed for example by any of processors 304 or by another processor. The components may be arranged as one or more executable files, dynamic libraries, static libraries, methods, functions, services, or the like, programmed in any programming language and under any computing environment. Storage device 308 may store, comprise or be loaded with one or more of the components, which can be executed on computing platform 300 by any one or more of processors 304. Alternatively, any of the executable components may be executed on any other computing device which may be in direct or indirect communication with computing platform 300.

Storage device 308 may store questionnaire collection 312, which may comprise one or more questionnaires in one or more categories, which may be organized as a hierarchy. The questionnaires may be prepared by or with the assistance of a professional such as a domestic therapist, a psychologist, a business consultant, or the like.

Storage device 308 may also contain user management component 316 for storing and managing details of users, such as name, questionnaires the person initiated in the past and optionally the answers and reports, questionnaires the person received in the past and optionally the answers and reports, questions added or deleted by the person, comparison policy preferences, or the like. User management component 316 may also manage details of service providers, such as psychologists, or the like.

User management component 316 may provide for enlisting users, enlisting service providers such as psychologists, and performing other actions related to users of the system.

Yet another component of storage device 308 is session management component 320 for managing the control and data flow within a session, e.g. a session referring to a questionnaire to be filled by two or more sides. For example session management component 320 may be adapted to display the available questionnaires to a user, receive user selection of a questionnaire, receive answers, send the questionnaire to the other person, receive answers from the other person, or the like.

Storage device 308 may also comprise comparison component 324 for comparing the answers of the two or more sides in accordance with the policy, and generating a report showing the questions for which the answers were corresponding (or not corresponding, depending on the policy), the questions indicated as "Show" and optionally additional data such as total grade, recommendations, or the like.

Yet another component of storage device 308 may be consultation component 328 adapted for providing questionnaire answers to consultants and receiving recommendations, further questions or other materials from a consultant.

Storage device 308 may also comprise advertisement management component 332 for receiving advertisements, matching corresponding advertisements to people based upon the questionnaires they filled or their answers, or the like. Server computing platform 300 may be in communication with client computing platform 336 through any communication channel 334 or protocol, such as the internet, intranet. Local Area Network, Wide Area Network or the like. Communication between server computing platform 300 and client computing platform 336 may be encrypted or secured using any encryption or securing mechanism.

Client computing platform 336 may also be any computing platform, as detailed in association with server computing platform 300.

Client computing platform 336 may contain one or more processor(s) 340 as detailed for processor 304 above.

In some embodiments, client computing platform 336 may comprise or be in communciation with one or more input-output (I/O) devices 344 such as a terminal, a display device for displaying questionnaires and reports, input devices such as a keyboard, a touch screen or a mouse for providing answers, or another I/O device.

Client computing platform 336 may also comprise storage device 348, as described in association with storage device 316 above. Storage device 348 may comprise data such as past or present questionnaires, answers, reports, or the like. Storage device 348 may also comprise a dedicated application for receiving questionnaires and reports, filling questionnaires, or the like. The dedicated application may be downloaded from the server. Alternatively, the questionnaires and reports may be received and filled using any standard internet browser.

It will be appreciated that if the system is used as a standalone system rather than a client-server solution, the client's computing platform may contain or store also the components shown as part of storage device 308 associated with server computing platform 300. The system may also be used from any computing platform such as a laptop computer, a desktop computer, any mobile device, a smart phone, a Personal Digital Assistant, or the like. The system may be used from such device in the client-server configuration as well as in the standalone version. Also, dedicated versions may be developed for different operating system such as iOS, Windows, Android, or the like.

In some embodiments, instead of the user selecting from pre-made questionnaires, an artificial intelligence component or step may be provided. Using this component or step, the user may describe in free language the difficulties with the other side, and the system may suggest one or more questions from a collection of questions. The user may then approve or reject each question, and may add one or more additional questions, to generate a tailor-made questionnaire. The question suggestion may be based on keywords, topic analysis, text analysis, or other algorithms. In some embodiments the system may be integrated with a speech-to-text component and a voice input device such as a microphone, such that the person may describe the problem orally and receive question suggestions.

It will be appreciated that the disclosed method and apparatus may also be used in a multi-lateral environment in which the questionnaire is sent to two or more people after the first person have filled it. The comparison component may be adapted to insert a subject into the report based on unanimous answers, at least one dissenting answer, or the like. The comparison component may also be implemented to raise an issue in the report if at least one or another predetermined number of participants marked it as "Show", or the like.

It will also be appreciated that the answers for questions are not limited to Yes/No or other binary answers. Rather, one or more answers may be designed to have a limited number of answers. Further, questions may be designed as requiring a numerical answer, for example an integer between 1 and 10. The comparison component may be designed to indicate two answers as corresponding if the difference between the answer is under a predetermined value, for example 3 (in a range of 1 to 10), The disclosed method and apparatus provide a computerized tool for improving communication between individuals and focusing on issues that at least one of the individuals would like to discuss or bring to the other side's attention. The method and apparatus may help promote emotional balance and reduction of emotional stress, provide new methods for constructing healthy relationships within family, business environment, social environment, or other relationships. The method and apparatus may be used for educating children for constructive communication and addressing communication challenges.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, each block in the flowchart and some of the blocks in the block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of program code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware -based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the disclosed subject matter may be embodied as a system, method or computer program product. Accordingly, the disclosed subject matter may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a "circuit," "module" or "system." Furthermore, the present disclosure may take the form of a computer program product embodied in any tangible medium of expression having computer-usable program code embodied in the medium.

Any combination of one or more computer usable or computer readable medium(s) may be utilized. The computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be, for example but not limited to, any non-transitory computer-readable medium, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation medium. More specific examples (a non-exhau stive list) of the computer-readable medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory )₅ an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CDROM), an optical storage device, a transmission media such as those supporting the Internet or an intranet, or a magnetic storage device. Note that the computer- usable or computer-readable medium could even be paper or another suitable medium upon which the program is printed, as the program can be electronically captured, via, for instance, optical scamiing of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted, or otherwise processed in a suitable manner, if necessary. and then stored in a computer memory. In the context of this document, a computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be any medium that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The computer-usable medium may include a propagated data signal with the computer-usable program code embodied therewith, either in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. The computer usable program code may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, and the like.

Computer program code for carrying out operations of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like, conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages, scripting languages such as Perl, Python, Ruby, or any other programming language. ^'Hie program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or steps plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any stnicture, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A computer- implemented method performed by a computerized device, comprising: displaying to a user over a display device a questionnaire comprising at least one question, wherein the at least one question has a predetermined number of possible answers, and wherein the at least one question may be indicated by the user for showing; receiving from the user, at least one answer to the at least one question; receiving from the user details of an additional person; sending the questionnaire to the additional person; receiving from the additional person, at least one answer to the at least one question; automatically comparing by a computing platform answers provided to the at least one question by the user and by the additional person, and generating a report, based on correspondence between the answers and on a predetermined policy; and sending the report to the user and to the additional person, wherein subject to the user or the additional person indicating a question for showing, the report includes the question or data derived therefrom.

2. The computer-implemented method of Claim 1, further comprising receiving an additional question from the user, and sending the additional question as part of the questionnaire to the additional person.

3. The computer-implemented method of Claim L wherein the possible answers are "Yes" and "No".

4. The computer-implemented method of Claim 1, wherein the report comprises all questions for which the user and the additional person provided an identical answer.

5. The computer-implemented method of Claim 1, wherein the report comprises all questions for which the user and the additional person provided answers within a predetermined range.

6. The computer-implemented method of Claim 1. wherein the report comprises all questions for which the user and the additional person provided different answers.

7. The computer- implemented method of Claim 1, wherein the report comprises an overall grade related to a matching level between answers provided by the user and answers provided by the additional person.

8. The computer-implemented method of Claim 1, further comprising suggesting assistance to the user and to the additional person.

9. The computer- implemented method of Claim 1, further comprising suggesting to the user the at least one question based on free text provided by the user.

10. A client-server apparatus comprising a server computing platform and client computing platform, the server computing platform comprising: a processing unit; and a storage device, the storage device comprising: a questionnaire collection, comprising at least one questionnaire, each of the at least one questionnaire comprising at least one question, wherein the at least one question has a predetermined number of possible answers, and wherein the at least one question may be indicated by a user for showing: a comparison component for comparing answers provided to the at least one question by the user and by another person, and generating a report, based on correspondence between the answers and on a predetermined policy; a session management component adapted to: display the at least one questionnaire to the user; receive from the user at least one answer to the at least one question; receive from the user details of an additional person; send the questionnaire to the additional person; receive from the additional person, at least one answer to the at least one question; receive comparison results from the comparison component; and send the report to the user and to the additional person, wherein subject to the user or the additional person indicating a question for showing, the report includes the question or data derived therefrom. the client computing platform comprising: a processing unit; and a storage device, the storage device comprising: an application for displaying the at least one questionnaire and for enabling a user to provide answers to the at least one question.

1 1. The apparatus of Claim 1 1010, wherein the application is a web browser.

12. The apparatus of Claim 11010, wherein the server computing platform and the client computing platform communicate via the Internet.

13. The apparatus of Claim 11010, wherein the server computing platform further comprises a consultation component for offering consultation services to the user and to the additional person.

14. The apparatus of Claim 1 1010. wherein the server computing platform further comprises an advertisement management component for displaying corresponding advertisements to the user or to the additional person.

15. The apparatus of Claim 11010, wherein the server computing platform further stores past or present questionnaires or reports.

16. The apparatus of Claim 1 1010, further comprising an artificial intelligence component for suggesting to the user the at least one question based on free text provided by the user.

17. A computer program product comprising: a non-transitory computer readable medium; a first program instruction for displaying to a user over a display device a questionnaire comprising at least one question, wherein the at least one question has a predetermined number of possible answers, and wherein the at least one question may be indicated by the user for showing; a second program instruction for receiving from the user, at least one answer to the at least one question; a third program instruction for receiving from the user details of an additional person; a fourth program instruction for sending the questionnaire to the additional person; a fifth program instruction for receiving from the additional person, at least one answer to the at least one question; a sixth program instruction for automatically comparing by a computing platfonn answers provided to the at least one question by the user and by the additional person, and generating a report, based on correspondence between the answers and on a predetermined policy; and a seventh program instruction for sending the report to the user and to the additional person, wherein subject to the user or the additional person indicating a question for showing, the report includes the question or data derived therefrom, wherein said first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh program instructions are stored on said non-transitory computer readable medium.