Learning Method and System Using Detached Sensor

• US 20120237920A1
• Filed: 05/26/2012
• Published: 09/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ho Chi Fai, Peter P. Tong
• Original Assignee: Ho Chi Fai, Peter P. Tong
• Inventors: Ho, Chi Fai, Tong, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 8,475,174 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/362
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/00 Electrically-operated educational appliances working with questions and answers G09B7/00; simulators G09B9/00; advertising or displaying in general G09F
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/06 with both visual and audible presentation of the material to be studied
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/065 Combinations of audio and video presentations, e.g. videotapes, videodiscs, television systems
• 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 7/04 characterised by modifying the teaching programme in response to a wrong answer, e.g. repeating the question, supplying a further explanation

Abstract

One embodiment includes a computer-implemented method using a window environment of a display, with a detached sensor, to teach a user. Another embodiment includes a computer system helping teach a user using a detached imaging sensor. In yet another embodiment, a computer-aided-educational system considers a user'"'"'s concentration level when teaching the user. The system monitors automatically more than once a user'"'"'s concentration-sensitive behavior while the user is working on study materials. Through monitoring the user'"'"'s volitional or involuntary behavior, the system provides an indication on the user'"'"'s concentration level. Based on the indication, the system could react such as by providing rewards, punishments, and stimulation; or changing the study materials. The system can also react by asking the user a question to stimulate the user or to assess the user'"'"'s understanding. Based on the user'"'"'s response, the system may change to more appropriate study materials, or different presentation styles.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for teaching materials using a first window of a display, with at least some of the space outside of the first window being viewable via the display, with the space outside of the first window including a second window at least partially viewable via the display, the method comprising:

acquiring data, by a computing device, regarding a volitional input of a user, the data being sensed by a sensor monitoring a physical attribute associated with the user, the sensor being detached from the user; and

analyzing the data by the computing device, which is coupled to the sensor and the display; and

determining by the computing device from the analyzing of the data whether the volitional input is in the first window or in the second window, whereby the volitional input being in the second window indicates a learning situation different from the volitional input being in the first window.

2. A computer-implemented method for teaching a user as recited in claim 1 further comprising adjusting, by the computing device, materials for presenting to the user, wherein the adjusting comprises switching to alternative materials that are different from materials that would have been presented if the determining determines that the volitional input is in the first window, instead of the second window.

3. A computer-implemented method for teaching a user as recited in claim 1 wherein the volitional input includes a behavior based on a facial expression of the user.

4. A computer-implemented method for teaching a user as recited in claim 3 wherein the facial expression includes the user frowning.

5. A computer-implemented method for teaching a user as recited in claim 1 wherein the method further comprises using a rule regarding speed of input to analyze a volitional input of the user to help teach the user.

6. A computer-implemented method for teaching a user as recited in claim 1 wherein the method further comprises determining understanding of the user in materials presented to the user.

7. A computer-implemented method for teaching a user as recited in claim 1 further comprising, in view of the analyzing, having materials retrieved to be presented to the user to help teach the user.

8. A computer-implemented method for teaching a user as recited in claim 1 further comprising being aware of whether or not the user is focusing in materials presented to the user.

9. A computer-implemented method for teaching a user as recited in claim 1 further comprising asking the user a question in view of the analyzing to help teach the user.

10. A computer-implemented method for teaching a user as recited in claim 1,

wherein the sensor includes a camera, and

wherein the data includes an image of the user.

11. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 10 further comprising analyzing more than one image of the user sensed by the camera to determine whether the volitional input is in the first window or in the second window.

12. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 10 further comprising asking the user to be in front of the camera for acquiring the data.

13. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 10 further comprising:

acquiring, in a learning session, another piece of data regarding a volitional input of the user, the another piece of data being sensed by the sensor monitoring the physical attribute associated with the user, the sensor being detached from the user; and

comparing the another piece of data with the data to help teach the user materials during the learning session.

14. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1,

wherein the sensor includes an imaging sensor configured to acquire data regarding volitional inputs of the user at different times, and

wherein the method further comprises having materials retrieved to teach the user based upon changes in the volitional inputs of the user sensed by the sensor monitoring the physical attribute associated with the user.

15. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

linking the data to an identity of the user;

acquiring, in a learning session, another piece of data regarding a volitional input of the user, the data being sensed by the sensor monitoring the physical attribute associated with the user, the sensor being detached from the user; and

comparing the another piece of data with the data to help teach the user materials during the learning session.

16. A computer system for teaching comprising:

an imaging sensor configured to sense data regarding volitional behaviors of a user at different times;

computer memory having materials to teach the user; and

a controller associated with the computer memory, the controller configured to communicate with the sensor and analyze the data to have materials retrieved to teach the user based upon changes in the volitional behaviors,

wherein the sensor is configured to be detached from the user when the sensor is sensing data from the user.

17. A computer system as recited in claim 16,

wherein the sensor includes a camera, and

wherein the data includes an image of the user.

18. A computer system as recited in claim 16, wherein the volitional behaviors include behaviors based on a facial expression of the user.

19. A computer-implemented method to help teach materials comprising:

capturing in a learning session, a first piece of information regarding a volitional input of a user, by a sensor monitoring a physical attribute associated with the user, the sensor being detached from the user;

linking by a computing device, which is coupled to the sensor, the first piece of information to an identity of the user;

storing the first piece of information with the identity of the user in a memory device;

capturing in another learning session, a second piece of information regarding a volitional input of the user, by the sensor monitoring the physical attribute associated with the user, the sensor being detached from the user;

retrieving, by the computing device, the first piece of information from the memory device; and

comparing, by the computing device, the second piece of information with the first piece of information to help teach the user materials.

20. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 19 further comprising adjusting materials for presenting to the user in view of the comparing, wherein the adjusting comprises switching to alternative materials that are different from materials that would have been presented.