Computer apparatus and methods supporting different categories of users
First Claim
1. A computer system, comprising:
- electronic means for enabling a user in a first category of users to interact with content;
electronic means for electronically maintaining a measure of interaction with content by a user in the first category of users; and
electronic means for enabling a user in the first category of users to obtain one or more items of value on the basis of the measure representative of the interaction with content by the user in the first category of users.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The computer apparatus and methods of the preferred embodiment uses computer technology in a unique way to motivate children to devote more time to educational and cultural enrichment. In the preferred embodiment, educational material is provided at a child'"'"'s local computer under control of a central computer system connected to it over a computer network. On completing a particular educational task, the child is rewarded with a certain number of points. Points that the child accumulates are stored centrally, and at least some of the points can be redeemed towards the purchase of goods and services offered through the system of the preferred embodiment by its commercial participants. The purchasing transactions are also administered by the central computer. Parents, preferably, use the system to support their children'"'"'s purchasing activity financially and to select content available for presentation to the child. In other embodiments, the disclosed apparatus and methods can be used for purposes unrelated to education of children, and distribution of functionality between the central and local computers may be different, including wholly local implementations.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A computer system, comprising:
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electronic means for enabling a user in a first category of users to interact with content;
electronic means for electronically maintaining a measure of interaction with content by a user in the first category of users; and
electronic means for enabling a user in the first category of users to obtain one or more items of value on the basis of the measure representative of the interaction with content by the user in the first category of users. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A computing facility electronically communicating with local computers, which are provided for a first and a second categories of users, using at least one communication network, comprising:
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memory storing a database;
a first subsystem for the first category of users to gain access to a desired content;
a second subsystem for enabling a user in the first category to obtain one or more items of value on the basis of a measure of the user'"'"'s interaction with content; and
a third subsystem for enabling users in the second category of users to provide financing for the items of value obtainable by the users in the first category. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21)
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14. A computer method comprising:
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electronically providing a first user in a first category of users with access to the selected content;
electronically maintaining a number of points representative of the first user'"'"'s interaction with the content;
electronically ordering an item of value on the basis the fist user'"'"'s points and financial data in electronic form provided by a second user in a second category of users;
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18. A computer system comprising:
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electronic means for providing to a child, interacting with a local computer, educational materials;
electronic means for awarding the child points based on the child'"'"'s performance during interaction with the educational materials; and
electronic means for enabling the child to redeem the points for goods and services on the basis of data provided by a parent.
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22. A computer method comprising:
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electronically enabling a child to interact with educational materials;
electronically awarding the child points based on the child'"'"'s performance during interaction with the educational materials; and
electronically enabling the child to redeem the points for goods and services on the basis of data provided by a parent. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 27, 28)
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26. An article of manufacture comprising a physical medium storing therein a computer program comprising:
- means to present educational materials, means to receive responses to the presented educational materials, means to determine a score based on the responses, means to award an item of value based on the score, and means to determine when no additional awards are available.
Specification