METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACCESS CONTROL TO LANGUAGE LEARNING SYSTEM

• US 20060292530A1
• Filed: 07/20/2006
• Published: 12/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Burlington Education L Td.
• Original Assignee: Burlingtonspeech Ltd.
• Inventors: Shpiro, Zeev, Cohen, Eric
• Granted Patent: US 7,996,321 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/185
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/382 insuring higher security of transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/06 Foreign languages with audible presentation of material to be studied G09B5/04
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/04 with audible presentation of the material to be studied sound recording or reproducing G11B

Abstract

A technique to control access to computer network resources at a computer facility permits a user to interact with the computer facility through a computer node of a network, wherein the user interaction comprises language learning responses submitted to the computer facility through the computer node, and a user authentication process is performed to determine if the permitted user interaction is authorized. The user authentication process is performed with user authentication information that is obtained by the computer facility during the permitted user interaction and also with user authentication information that is extracted from the user'"'"'s language learning responses. In this way, user authentication occurs without intruding into the utilization of the computer facility.

Claims

1. A method of accessing language learning data at a network computer facility, the method comprising:

detecting that a user at a node of the network is utilizing a microphone to provide speech input at a computer node of the network;

providing the user with limited access to a predetermined number of language learning data modules at the computer facility;

receiving a selection by the user for additional data modules that are available and are associated with a payment amount for access;

providing the user with access to the selected data modules in response to receipt of the associated payment amount.

2. A method of selling controlled network access from a local computer to a remote computer, the method comprising:

selling an item that is used by a local computer user in responding to a program of language instruction comprising a plurality of data modules, wherein the item is associated with an access permit to allow the user to select a predetermined number of the language instruction data modules;

receiving a user request from the local computer for access to a selection of the predetermined number of data modules of the language instruction program and granting access to the user-selected data modules.

3. The method as defined in claim 2, wherein the language instruction comprises spoken language instruction.

4. The method as defined in claim 2, further including:

receiving a user request from the local computer for access to additional modules of the language instruction, wherein the user request includes a payment authorization for the additional modules; and

permitting the requesting user to have access to the paid-for additional modules of the language instruction program.

5. The method as defined in claim 2, wherein granting access to the selected data modules includes detecting a code received from the local computer that identifies a unique user account.

6. The method as defined in claim 5, wherein the sold item comprises a microphone apparatus that communicates with the local computer, and detecting a code comprises receiving a code from the microphone apparatus that identifies the unique user account.

7. The method of selling a program of language skills instruction modules at a remote computer that is accessed from a local computer, the method comprising:

selling a microphone apparatus and permitting the local computer to access a predetermined number of program modules of the language skills instruction at the remote computer, wherein the predetermined number is associated with the sold microphone apparatus;

receiving a user request from the local computer for access to a selection of the predetermined number of data modules of the language instruction program and granting access to the user-selected data modules;

receiving a user request from the local computer for access to additional program modules of the language instruction program, wherein the user request includes a payment authorization for the additional program modules; and

permitting the requesting user to have access to the paid-for additional modules of the language instruction program.

8. A method of providing access to language skills instruction modules at a computer, the method comprising:

selling a microphone apparatus and permitting access to a predetermined number of language learning program modules of the language skills instruction through the computer, wherein the predetermined number of program modules is associated with the sold microphone apparatus;

processing a user request for access to a selection of the predetermined number of program modules of the language instruction program and granting access to the user-requested program modules;

receiving a user request for access to additional program modules of the language instruction program, wherein the user request includes a payment authorization for the additional program modules;

permitting the requesting user to have access to the paid-for additional modules of the language instruction program.

9. A computer apparatus comprising:

a processor that receives user requests for computer operation;

a Speaker Recognition processor that permits the user to interact with the computer apparatus, wherein the user interaction comprises language learning responses submitted to the computer apparatus by the user, wherein the Speaker Recognition processor performs a user authentication process to determine if user authentication information is obtained during the permitted user interaction and is extracted from the user'"'"'s language learning responses, and if a proper identification code is received from a microphone apparatus through which the user provides speech input to the computer apparatus, and permits continued user interaction only if the user is authenticated.

10. The computer apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein the Speaker Recognition processor provides the user with limited access to a predetermined number of language learning modules of spoken language instruction.

11. The computer apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the Speaker Recognition processor further receives a user request from the local computer for access to additional language learning modules of the spoken language instruction, wherein the user request includes a payment authorization for the additional language learning modules, and permits the requesting user to have access to the paid-for additional modules of the spoken language instruction.