WO2014099715A1

WO2014099715A1 - System and method for generating information graphics

Info

Publication number: WO2014099715A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/075263
Authority: WO
Inventors: Erik Christopher KARFF
Original assignee: PEIL, James, Francis, Jr.
Priority date: 2012-12-18
Filing date: 2013-12-16
Publication date: 2014-06-26

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method for generating information graphics. In particular, the present invention provides a system and method for generating information graphics for job descriptions. The present invention provides recruiters a tool to create unique infographic job descriptions and infographic job advertisements with ease and in a cost effective manner.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING INFORMATION GRAPHICS

Inventors: James Francis Peil, Jr. and Erik Christopher Karff

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention generally relates to information graphics and, more particularly, is concerned with a system and method for generating information graphics to be used as job descriptions related to job placements and/or advertisements.

Background of the Invention

[0002] A recruiter's primary objective is to attract potential candidates to fill open jobs.

Recruiters must create awareness for the job or jobs they are trying to fill. Most recruiters today use social media channels and job boards to advertise their jobs. Nearly all advertisements recruiters place are text-only job descriptions. With the advent of modern advertising techniques, companies are reluctant to advertise their products and services using text-only advertisements. (See Figures 1A-1D) Despite their reluctance, companies continue to advertise their job opportunities via text-only advertisements because it is the common practice, and there is no other time efficient and cost-effective alternative.

[0003] Advertising jobs with pictures, icons, color and design can attract more attention from candidates than the traditional text-only method, but recruiting departments lack the budget, resources, and skill to produce such advertisements. One such advertisement technique includes the use of information graphics or "infographics." However, the cost and effort involved in creating such infographics is prohibitive, and requires resources such as graphic designers and complex tools. Thus, there is a need for a tool to create attractive and compelling advertisements fast and easy, which does not require advanced design or technical skill to use.

[0004] While web applications that allow non-technical users to create infographics exist, they are not suitable for creating job descriptions and/or job advertisements. In particular, these tools are designed for data visualization. In order to create infographics for job descriptions and job advertisements, tools are required that include layout, graphics, and features specifically designed for enabling concept visualization, not data visualization. [0005] Consequently, a need exists for improvements in an infographic generation tool that provides a quick and easy way for recruiters to generate info graphics, such as for job

descriptions and job advertisements.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention provides a system and method for generating information graphics. In particular, the present invention provides a system and method for generating information graphics for job advertisements and job descriptions. The present invention provides recruiters a tool to create unique infographic job descriptions and infographic job advertisements with ease and in a cost effective manner. It is an object of the invention to create a new visual language to describe jobs. It is a further object of the invention to transform job advertisements and job descriptions from text-only to a visual style, provide recruiters a better way of advertising the jobs they are trying to fill, attract more talent to the job, and provide a manner of advertising jobs that is closely aligned with current trends.

Brief Description of Drawings [0007] Figures 1A-1D illustrates an exemplary prior art text-only based job advertisement.

[0008] Figure 2 is an exemplary embodiment of an infographic generating system in accordance with the present invention.

[0009] Figure 3 is an exemplary flow diagram for generating an infographic using a system in accordance with the present invention.

[0010] Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention for creating or editing an infographic.

[0011] Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention for locking and publishing an infographic.

[0012] Figure 6 shows an exemplary method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention for creating an infographic. [0013] Figure 7 illustrates an exemplary screen providing an output of available templates for creating infographics.

[0014] Figure 8 illustrates an exemplary graphical user interface showing user selected template and industry.

[0015] Figure 9 illustrates an exemplary graphical user interface showing user selected job function.

[0016] Figure 10 illustrates an exemplary graphical user interface showing user selected job level.

[0017] Figure 11 illustrates an exemplary graphical user interface for including company information and logo in an infographic generated using a system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 12 illustrates an exemplary graphical user interface for adding or deleting text boxes in an infographic generated using a system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figures 13-17 illustrates an exemplary graphical user interface for including icons in an infographic generated using a system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,

[0020] Figures 18 and 19 illustrate an exemplary graphical user interface for including custom text in an infographic generated using a system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 20 illustrates an exemplary graphical user interface for including a URL for candidates to click on in an infographic generated using a system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [0022] Figure 21 illustrates an exemplary graphical user interface for including a second URL for candidates to click on in an infographic generated using a system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 22 illustrates a published job description as prepared through the present invention.

Detailed Description

[0024] As used throughout the disclosure, the term "infographic," unless otherwise indicated, shall be understood to mean graphic visual representations of information, data or knowledge which present information quickly and clearly. In at least one embodiment, such information, data or knowledge relates to a job description or a job advertisement.

[0025] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly, to Figure 2, there is shown a system for creating an infographic, generally designated 200, which includes embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, infographic(s) generated using a system in accordance with the present invention are advertisements or components of advertisements. Exemplary advertisements including such infographics are job advertisements, and the like. System 200 includes input device 202, output device 212, web server 204 and database server 206. Database server 206 controls a physical storage device 208. In some embodiments of the present invention, system 200 further includes a firewall 210.

[0026] Input device 202 receives a request to either build or view an infographic and passes the request to web server 204. In some embodiments of the present invention, build or view requests pass through firewall 210 before received at web server 204. Web server 204 receives the request and determines whether the type of request received is a build request or a view request. Web server 204 parses the view requests to database server 206, which in turn retrieves infographic data and template meta data from data storage device 210. Database server 206 passes the infographic data and template meta data retrieved to web server 204. Web server 204 parses the build requests to retrieve predefined listing of available templates. Web server 204 identifies the correct template based on the template meta data provided, aggregates infographic data with the template, and publishes the generated infographic. Published infographic is presented back to requesting device 202. In some embodiments of the present invention, published infographic passes through firewall 210 before it is presented back to requesting device 202. Published infographic is displayed to user via output device 212.

[0027] Data, instructions and any other software components of system 200 are stored in respective storage devices, which are implemented as one or more computer-readable or computer usable storage media. The storage media can include different forms of memory including semiconductor memory devices such as dynamic or static random access memories (DRAMs or SRAMs), erasable and programmable read-only memories (EPROMs), electrically erasable and programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs) and flash memories; magnetic disks such as fixed, floppy and removable disks; other magnetic media including tape; and optical media such as compact disks (CDs) or digital video disks (DVDs). Note that the instructions of the software discussed above can be provided on one computer-readable or computer-usable storage medium, or alternatively, can be provided on multiple computer- readable or computer-usable storage media distributed in a large system having possibly plural nodes. Such computer-readable or computer-usable storage medium or media is (are) considered to be part of an article (or article of manufacture). An article or article of manufacture can refer to any manufactured single component or multiple components.

[0028] Figure 3, generally at 300, shows a method for creating an infographic in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, infographics generated using a method in accordance with the present invention can be used to create advertisements. Exemplary advertisements including such infographics are job advertisements, and the like. In other embodiments, infographics generated using a method in accordance with the present invention can be used as job descriptions or as components of job descriptions. At step 302, system 200 receives a request from a user to create or edit an infographic. At step 304, system 200 retrieves predefined templates of infographic from storage device 208 and, at step 306, displays on output device 212 a list of templates available for editing. At step 308, system receives a selection from the user of one of predefined infographic templates for editing. At step 310, system 200 presents the selected infographic template for creation or editing. [0029] At step 312, system 200 determines whether to clone the previously created infographic selected at step 312. If the system determines at step 314 to clone a previously created infographic selected, then at step 314 system 200 creates and stores a copy of the previously created infographic selected at step 308.

[0030] At step 316, system 200 locks and publishes the mfographic created at step 314.

Financial transaction by which user pays for publishing infographic is performed at step 318. Once payment is received at step 318, system 200 releases the published infographic to user at step 320. A released infographic can be shared with others. In one embodiment of the present invention, published infographic can be used as a job advertisement. In another embodiment of the present invention, published infographic can be used as a job description.

[0031] Figure 4, generally at 400, shows a process by which system 200 creates or edits an infographic. At step 402, system 200 receives a request from a user to create or edit an infographic. In one embodiment of the present invention, prior to receiving a request from user, system 200 will display a default file name of "Untitled__Timestamp" where Timestamp is the month, day, year, hour and minute that the file was created, in localized format, military time. User may modify this default file name at any time. At step 404, system determines whether user's request is for creating a new infographic or for editing an existing infographic. If at step 404, system 200 determines that the user's request is for creating an infographic, then system 200 retrieves predefined templates from storage device 208 and displays the results on output device 212 at step 406. At step 408, system receives a selection from the user of one of predefined infographic templates. If at step 404, system 200 determines that the user's request is for editing a previously created infographic, then system 200 retrieves a list of previously created infographic from storage device 208 and displays the results on output device 212 at step 410. At step 412, system receives a selection from the user of one of previously created infographic for editing.

[0032] Next, at step 414, system 200 presents the selected infographic template from step 408 or 412 to user for editing. Each template is defined with a predetermined set of sections.

Exemplary sections include items such as, Industry, Function, Level, Location, and the like. Each item is defined as a specific type, icon, free text, and the like. In some embodiments of the present invention, at step 414, system 200 carries over matching items previously selected to the new template and displays the newly selected template pre-populated with the carried over items.

[0033] At step 416, system 200 detects section of template user selects for editing and, at step 418, opens and highlights the selected section of template and presents user with tools for editing. Exemplary tools for editing include add, delete, formatting, and the like. System 200 records user modifications in selected section of template at step 420. In one embodiment of the present invention, system 200 auto-saves after action by user on the selected section of template. Steps 16-420 can be repeated as necessary for all selected sections of template and selected sections can be edited in any order.

[0034] Figure 5, generally at 500, shows a process by which system 200 locks an infographic created for publication. At step 502, system 200 receives a request from a user to lock an infographic created. System 200 retrieves infographics created by user from storage device 208 and displays the results on output device 212 at step 504. At step 506, system receives a selection from the user of one of created infographics for lockdown. Prior to lockdown for publication, system 200 requests user to complete financial transaction at step 508. Financial transactions include methods by which user pays for publishing infographics. Exemplary payment options include subscriptions, Pay-as-you-go, and the like. Once payment is received at step 510, system 200 locks and flags the infographic as published at step 512. At step 514, publication date of the infographic is recorded. The infographic published at step 512 is recorded as an image at step 516. Exemplary image format for recording infographic published using a method in accordance with the present invention include URL, jpeg, tiff, jiff, bmp, png, and the like. At step 517, the system determines whether the user has opted to share the published infographic. If system 200 determines that the published infographic is to be shared, then at step 518 system 200 shares the published infographic via a method opted by user.

Exemplary methods of sharing published infographic available to user using a method in accordance with the present invention include email as attachment, presenting a URL link for copy and paste, posting to a job board, posting to social media, ftp site for download, and the like. At step 520, system 200 records that the published infographic was shared and the method of sharing. [0035] A more complete understanding of the present invention can be obtained by referring to the following illustrative example of the practice of the invention, which example is not intended, however, to be unduly limitative of the invention.

[0036] Figure 6, generally at 600, shows an exemplary method in accordance with an

embodiment of the present invention for creating an infographic. At step 602, system 200 receives a request, through input device 202, for generating an infographic such as for a job description. System 200 retrieves available templates from storage device 208 at step 604 and displays the results on output device 212 at step 606. Figure 7 illustrates an exemplary screen providing an output of available JobsUView templates for creating infographics for job descriptions. Input device 202 receives a selection of template from user at step 608. Next, at step 610, system 200 provides user with selected template and retrieves a list of industry categories for the job description. Available industry list retrieved in step 610 is provided to user via display device 206 at step 612. Figure 8 illustrates an exemplary graphical user interface showing user selected template, and a list of industry categories from which the user can select appropriate industry for the job they are advertising. System 200 receives user selection of appropriate industry for the job description at step 614 and displays user's selection as an icon on top of an infographic at step 616. At step 618, system 200 retrieves available job functions related to the industry category selected by the user at step 614, and displays the list of available job functions to user at step 620, At step 622, system 200 receives user's selection of job function. Selected job function is displayed as an icon on top of infographic at step 624. Figure 9 illustrates an exemplary graphical user interface showing user selected job function based on a selected industry category. A list of job titles is retrieved at step 626 based on user's selection of job function, and is provided to the user at step 628.

[0037] At step 630, system 200 receives a selection of job level for infographic and displays the selection at step 632 as an icon on top infographic next to function icon. System 200 generates text box to receive company information at step 634. At step 636, system 200 determines if there is a request for adding or deleting rows or columns of text boxes. If there is a request for adding rows or columns, then at step 638 system 200 generates additional text boxes to receive information to be included in infographic. If there is a request for deleting rows or columns, then at step 640 system 200 removes selected text boxes from infographic. The system generates a skeleton infographic using steps 602-640, which can be used as a basis for building job description infographic. Figure 10 shows a screenshot of a skeleton infographic generated based on user's selection of a template, an industry category, a job function within the industry category, and a job level within the job function. The skeleton infographic provides a user with forms through which the user can include additional information to the infographic.

[0038] At step 642, the system receives a request to add icons to infographics. The system retrieves available icons from storage device 208 at step 644 and displays the list of available icons at step 646. A selection of available icons is received at step 648, and location information regarding where the selected icons are to be placed on infographic is detected at step 650. At step 652, system displays icons in designated locations within infographic template detected at step 650. At step 654, system 200 receives custom information from user through forms provided via the infographic generated at steps 634-640. Figures 1 1-20 illustrate exemplary steps involved in including custom information to an infographic for job description. In particular, Figures 1 1-20 show graphical user interface provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, through which user can include company information, company logo, text- based job description, graphical representation of job description (e.g., icons), and interactive form fields. Exemplary fields shown in Figures 11-20 used in creating the infographic include text boxes, icon drag-drop, URL field, "Ready to Apply" button, and "No, keep me in mind" button. At step 656, system 200 stores custom information provided by user at step 654 and associates the stored information with the skeleton infographic generated using steps 602-640. At step 658, system 200 builds the infographic based on information collected and associated at step 656. Figure 21 illustrates an exemplary infographic for a job description generated using a method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 22 illustrates a published job description as prepared through the present invention.

[0039] Methods and systems in accordance with embodiments of the present invention can be applied in various ways. One or more embodiments of the present invention is a web application that allows users to easily and quickly create infographics for job descriptions. Such

infographics for job descriptions can be included in job placement advertisements, job boards, and the like. The web application solves the problem of recruiters having no alternative other than text-only job descriptions for the jobs they are trying to fill. The web application also solves the problem of needing to use a graphic designer to create an infographic job description which is usually quite timely and costly. An advantage of embodiments of the present invention is that it saves the user and the user's employer time and money by giving them a quick and easy way to create an attractive job description. It also allows for a common language using defined icons.

[0040] It is thought that the infographics generation system and method of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction arrangement of parts thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred or exemplary embodiment thereof.

Claims

Claims We claim:

1. A computer-implemented method for creating an infographic, said method comprising the steps of: receiving a request from a user to create or edit the infographic; retrieving a plurality of predefined templates corresponding to the infographic from a storage device; receiving a selection from the user of one of the predefined infographic templates for editing; presenting the selected infographic template for editing; editing the selected infographic template to create the infographic for publication; locking the infographic created for publication; and publishing the locked infographic created.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of displaying the plurality of predefined templates available for editing.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of editing the selected infographic template further comprises the steps of: cloning the selected infographic template; and editing the cloned infographic template to create the infographic for publication.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of determining whether to clone the selected predefined infographic template.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: receiving payment from the user for publishing the infographic; and releasing the published infographic to the user.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the released infographic is shared with other users.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the published infographic is used as a job advertisement.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the step of editing the selected infographic template to create the infographic for publication further comprises the steps of: presenting a plurality of sections available to be included in the infographic; selecting at least one of the plurality of sections to be included in the infographic; carrying over the at least one of the plurality of selected sections to the selected infographic template;

displaying the selected template populated with the carried over sections; receiving a selection from the user of the at least one of the plurality of carried over sections on the selected infographic template; detecting the at least one carried over sections of template user selects for editing; and recording user modifications in selected section of template;

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of: opening and highlighting the selected section of template; and presenting the user with tools for editing.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the step of recording the user modifications comprises auto-saves after action by the user on the selected section of the template.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the tools for editing is selected from a group consisting of add, delete, and formatting.

12. A method of locking an infographic created for publication, said method comprising the steps of: receiving a request from a user to lock at least one of infographic of a plurality of infographics created by the user; retrieving the plurality of infographics created by user from a storage device; displaying the plurality of infographics retrieved;

receiving a selection from the user of the at least one of the plurality of created infographics for lockdown; requesting payment from the user for publishing the created infographic; locking and flagging the infographic as published, wherein the locking step occurs after receiving the requested payment from the user; recording the publication date of the infographic; recording the published infographic published as an image; determining a method opted by the user to share the published infographic; sharing the published infographic via a method opted by the user; and recording the sharing and the method opted by the user for the published infographic.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the image format for the recording of the published infographic is selected from URL, jpeg, tiff, jiff, bmp, and png.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the sharing method for the published infographic is selected from email as attachment, presenting a URL link for copy and paste, posting to a job board, posting to social media, and ftp site for download.

15. A system for creating an infographic, comprising: an input device for receiving a request to either build or view an infographic; a web server for receiving the request from the input device and determining whether the type of request received is a build request or a view request, wherein the web server retrieves infographic data and template meta data from a data storage device; a database server for passing the infographic data and template meta data retrieved by the web server; and an output device for displaying the published infographic to the user,

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the web server parses the build requests to retrieve predefined listing of available templates.

17. The system according to claim 15, wherein the web server identifies the correct template based on the template meta data provided, aggregates infographic data with the template, and publishes the generated infographic.

18. The system according to claim 15, wherein the web server parses the view requests to the database server to retrieve infographic data and template meta data from a data storage device.

19. The system according to claim 15, further comprising a firewall for secure passing of build or view requests to the web server