Computer apparatus and methods supporting different categories of users

• US 20020165777A1
• Filed: 06/28/2002
• Published: 11/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hanger Solutions, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Mikhail Lotvin, Richard M. Nemes
• Inventors: Nemes, Richard Michael, Lotvin, Mikhail
• Granted Patent: US 7,203,656 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/387 Payment using discounts or coupons relating to marketing G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0218 based on score
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/20 Education
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0053 Computers, e.g. programming
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/18 Book-keeping or economics
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/14 with provision for individual teacher-student communication
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/00 Electrically-operated teaching apparatus or devices working with questions and answers mechanically operated G09B3/00; computing arrangements G06F
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/02 of the type wherein the student is expected to construct an answer to the question which is presented or wherein the machine gives an answer to the question presented by a student
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/04 characterised by modifying the teaching programme in response to a wrong answer, e.g. repeating the question, supplying a further explanation

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.

Claims

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.

2. The computer system of claim 1 further comprising electronic means for enabling a user in a second category of users to finance items of value that at least one corresponding user in the first category obtains.

3. The computer system of claim 1 further comprising electronic means for enabling a user in the second category of users to specify types of content that are available for selection by at least one corresponding user in the first category of users.

4. The computer system of claim 2 further comprising electronic means for enabling a user in the second category of users to specify types of content that are available for selection by at least one corresponding user in the first category of users.

5. The computer system of claim 4 further comprising electronic means for enabling a user in the second category of users to specify items of value that are available to at least one corresponding user in the first category of users.

6. The computer system of claim 4 further comprising electronic means for enabling a user in the second category of users to specify advertisement for display to at least one corresponding user in the first category of users.

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:

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.

8. The computing facility computer system of claim 7 wherein the third subsystem further comprises means for a user in the second category to specify content available for at least one user in the first category.

9. The computing facility computer system of claim 8 wherein the third subsystem further comprises means for a user in the second category to specify items of value available to at least one user in the first category.

10. The computing facility of claim 9 further comprising a feedback subsystem for users of the first and second categories to communicate with system administration.

11. The computing facility of claim 7 wherein at least some of the content is stored in the memory of the computing facility.

12. The computing facility of claim 7 wherein at least some of the content is stored at a third party provider'"'"'s computer.

13. The computing facility of claim 7 wherein at least some of the content is stored in at least some of the local computers.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising electronically restricting first user'"'"'s access to certain content on the basis of the second user'"'"'s input.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising electronically displaying advertisement to the first user.

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising downloading content to a local computer of the first user and, uploading the results of the first user'"'"'s interaction with the content from the first user'"'"'s local computer to the remote computer.

19. The system of claim 18 further comprising electronic means for enabling the parent to establish a limit on an amount of money that the child is permitted to spend for items of value when redeeming the points.

20. The system of claim 19 further comprising means for selecting by the parent the educational materials that can be presented to the child.

21. The system of claim 19 further comprising means for providing a parent with a capability for controlling advertisements presented to the child.

14. A computer method comprising:

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;

18. A computer system comprising:

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.

22. A computer method comprising:

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.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising electronically enabling a parent to establish a limit on an amount of money that the child is permitted to spend for items of value when redeeming the points.

24. The method of claim 22 further comprising electronically enabling the parent to select the educational materials that can be presented to the child.

25. The method of claim 22 further comprising electronically providing a parent with a capabilities for controlling advertisements presented to the child.

27. The article of claim 26 wherein the item of value is an electronic representation of money.

28. The article of claim 26 wherein the item of value is a certificate.

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.