Device, system and method for providing incentives including technology use and technology-based work

• US 10,320,793 B2
• Filed: 04/21/2016
• Issued: 06/11/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Edovo Foundation
• Original Assignee: Jail Education Solutions, Inc.
• Inventors: Hill, Brian Christopher, Cornstubble, Michael Raymond Dhruba
• Primary Examiner(s): Eskandarnia, Arvin
• Application Number:
  US15/135,097
• Publication Number:
  US 20160315836A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,146 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/00 Security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorised activity
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources

Abstract

A system and method serve to a user a login menu that is executed on a computing device, wherein the login menu is programmed to acquire from a user a set of parameters for access to a facility computing environment. In response to receiving credentials corresponding to the user, displaying, using the computing device, at least one graphical user interface that allows the user to participate in at least one activity corresponding to the facility, wherein the at least one activity is based in part on the credentials and one or more tasks available at the facility, and wherein the one or more tasks are verified for the user. The system and method generate, using the computing device, one or more points in real-time or near real-time for the user, during execution of the at least one activity at the computing device, wherein the at least one point is based on at least one achievement corresponding to the activity. The system and method generate, using the computing device, at least one reward based on the one or more points, and stores an indication of the achievement in a database communicatively connected to the at least one computing device.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a content management platform having a processor;

a database operatively coupled to the content management platform and accessible by the processor;

a plurality of client computing devices located in a correctional facility and operative to physically connect to and disconnect from corresponding docking stations located in the correctional facility, the client computing devices and corresponding docking stations remotely located from the content management platform;

wherein when each of the client computing devices physically connects to a corresponding docking station, the content management platform securely recognizes the physically connected client computing device and unlocks selected built-in functions of the physically connected client computing device, and displays at least one graphical user interface on a display of the client computing device;

wherein when a physically connected client computer device is separated from the corresponding docking station by greater than a predetermined distance, the content management platform disables at least one of the enabled selected built-in functions;

wherein the graphical user interface allows a user to participate in at least one activity corresponding to the facility, wherein the at least one activity is based in part on credentials of the user and one or more tasks available at the facility, and wherein the one or more tasks are verified for the user;

the client computing device configured to generate one or more points in real-time or near real-time for the user, during execution of the at least one activity at the client computing device, wherein the at least one or more points are based on at least one achievement corresponding to the activity; and

wherein an indication of the achievement of the corresponding client computing device is stored in the database.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the client computing device rewards on a daily basis before an end of a lesson or course of study.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the client computing device measures an effort and an achievement of the user.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the client computing device rewards in a facility analog environment for points earned in a separate learning environment.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the client computing device rewards in the separate learning environment for behavior in the facility analog environment.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the built-in functions of the client computing device are activated only when the client computing device is physically connected with the corresponding docking station.

7. The system of claim 1, where the built-in functions include at least one of a video, a camera, a keyboard and a determined program.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the client computing device processes at least one task of a digital work received from an external source.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the client computing device reports completion of the task to a facility inmate management system.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the client computing device generates a monetary reward from the tasks that can be used for both digital and analog rewards.

11. A method, comprising:

operatively coupling a content management platform with a database and providing access between the content management platform and the database;

physically connecting a client computer device to an associated docking station;

serving to a user, a login menu that is executed on a client computing device only when the client computing device is physically connected to the associated docking station, wherein the content management platform securely recognizes the connected client computing device and unlocks selected built-in functions of the physically connected client computing device;

disabling, by the content management platform, at least one of the selected enabled built-in functions when a physically connected client computer device is separated from the corresponding docking station by more than a predetermined distance;

wherein the login menu is programmed to acquire from a user a set of parameters for access to a facility computing environment;

in response to receiving credentials corresponding to the user, displaying, using the computing device, at least one graphical user interface that allows the user to participate in at least one activity corresponding to the facility, wherein the at least one activity is based in part on the credentials and one or more tasks available at the facility, and wherein the one or more tasks are verified for the user;

generating, using the computing device, one or more points in real-time or near real-time for the user, during execution of the at least one activity at the computing device, wherein the at least one point is based on at least one achievement corresponding to the activity;

generating, using the computing device, at least one reward based on the one or more points; and

storing an indication of the achievement in a database communicatively connected to the at least one computing device.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising rewarding, using the client computing device, on a daily basis before an end of a lesson or course of study.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising measuring, using the client computing device, an effort and an achievement of the user.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising rewarding, using the client computing device, in a facility analog environment for points earned in a separate learning environment.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising rewarding, using the client computing device, in the separate learning environment for behavior in the facility analog environment.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising activating selected built-in functions of the client computing device only when the client computing device is located within a determined vicinity of a dock.

17. The method of claim 11, where the built-in functions include at least one of a video, a camera, a keyboard and a determined program.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising processing, using the client computing device, at least one task of a digital work received from an external source.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising reporting completion of the task to a facility inmate management system.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the client computing device generates a monetary reward from the tasks that can be used for both digital and analog rewards.