TABLET COMPUTER

• US 20130227675A1
• Filed: 03/28/2013
• Published: 08/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Inventors: Fujioka, Robb
• Granted Patent: US 10,460,085 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/16
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5553 user representation in the game field, e.g. avatar
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6018 where the game content is authored by the player, e.g. level editor or by game device at runtime, e.g. level is created from music data on CD
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/12 Protecting executable software
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/30 Authentication, i.e. establishing the identity or authorisation of security principals
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/62 Protecting access to data via a platform, e.g. using keys or access control rules
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2149 Restricted operating environment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44 Arrangements for executing specific programs
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]

Abstract

A tablet computer comprises an operating system, including an application framework layer and an application layer, and an overlay system. The overlay system controls access to application programs and provides a first user interface and a second operating environment associated with a second user interface. Optionally, the overlay system provides a first operating environment associated with the first user interface. The overlay system includes an access control configured to permit or deny a request for access in the second operating environment to resources and/or data. Optionally, the overlay system is executed in the application framework layer of the operating system and may comprise a hypervisor providing an operating platform comprising the first user interface, the second operating environment, and an application space providing access to the application layer.

Claims

1. A tablet computer, comprising:

a touch screen display, one or more processors, a storage media, a wireless data communication interface, an operating system comprising an application framework layer and an application layer, and an overlay system stored in the storage media and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the overlay system comprising;

instructions for controlling access to one or more application programs in the application layer,

instructions for providing a first user interface,

instructions for providing a second operating environment associated with a second user interface,

instructions for requiring input of an authentication code to access the first user interface from the second operating environment; and

instructions for accepting in the first user interface a configuration of an access control configured to permit or deny a request for access in the second operating environment to one or more of a system setting, an application program, a data, and a hardware resource, wherein the data comprises one or more of an internet resource, a text file, an image file, an audio file, a video file, and an electronic book.

2. The tablet computer of claim 1, wherein the access control comprises:

instructions for intercepting user input in the second operating environment,

instructions for determining whether a request for access in the second operating environment is permitted under an operative configuration of the access control, and

instructions for granting the request for access in the second operating environment only if the request for access in the second operating environment is permitted under the operative configuration of the access control.

3. The tablet computer of claim 1, wherein the access control comprises:

instructions for requiring a confirmation of compliance with one or more conditions specified in the first user interface before permitting the request for access in the second operating environment, wherein the one or more conditions specified in the first user interface comprises one or more of an event external to the tablet computer and an event in the second operating environment.

4. The tablet computer of claim 1, wherein the overlay system further comprises:

instructions for tracking a user activity in the second operating environment,

instructions for generating a report regarding the user activity in the second operating environment, and

instructions for displaying in the first user interface the report regarding the user activity in the second operating environment.

5. The tablet computer of claim 4, wherein the overlay system further comprises:

instructions for accepting a configuration of the access control from a different computer using the wireless data communication interface, and

instructions for communicating the report regarding the user activity in the second operating environment to a different computer using the wireless data communication interface.

6. The tablet computer of claim 1, wherein the overlay system is configured to be executed by the one or more processors in the application framework layer of the operating system.

7. The tablet computer of claim 1, wherein the overlay system further comprises:

instructions for providing a first operating environment associated with the first user interface.

8. The tablet computer of claim 1, wherein the overlay system comprises instructions for executing a hypervisor configured to provide an operating platform comprising the first user interface, the second operating environment, and an application space providing access to the application layer.

9. The tablet computer of claim 1, further comprising an adaptive learning system, comprising:

instructions for executing at least one direct instructional component comprising at least one of a definition of a desired skill, a skill acquisition exercise, and a configuration and evaluation interface;

instructions for executing at least one indirect instructional component comprising one or more reinforcements designed to encourage one or more behaviors associated with acquisition or reinforcement of the desired skill; and

instructions for executing at least one technological enabler to support at least one of the direct instructional component and the indirect instructional component.

10. The tablet computer of claim 9, wherein the at least one indirect instructional component of the adaptive learning system is associated with a configuration of the access control requiring a confirmation of compliance with one or more conditions specified in the first user interface before a request for access in the second operating environment is permitted, wherein the one or more conditions specified in the first user interface comprises one or more of an event external to the tablet computer, an event in the second operating environment, and a performance of a skill acquisition exercise.

11. The tablet computer of claim 9, wherein the adaptive learning system further comprises a dynamic learning path, comprising:

instructions for analyzing a data captured regarding the skill acquisition exercise,

instructions for determining an assessment regarding the skill acquisition exercise based on one or more predetermined criteria, and

instructions for personalizing a subsequent instance of a skill acquisition exercise automatically based on the assessment.

12. The tablet computer of claim 11, wherein the one or more predetermined criteria comprise one or more of a user proficiency in the desired skill and a user learning style.

13. The tablet computer of claim 9, wherein the adaptive learning system further comprises:

instructions for awarding to a user of the second operating environment a virtual award responsive to the one or more behaviors associated with acquisition or reinforcement of the desired skill, wherein the virtual award comprises one or more of a virtual credit and a badge, and

instructions for mediating an exchange of the virtual award for one or more of a status, a usage time allotment, and an authorization to access a content.

14. The tablet computer of claim 13, wherein the adaptive learning system further comprises:

instructions for awarding to a user of the second operating environment a supplemental virtual award responsive to a desired award behavior, wherein the desired award behavior comprises one or more of maintaining some or all of the virtual award for a predetermined period of time and conforming with predetermined goals regarding allocation of virtual awards.

15. The tablet computer of claim 9, wherein the at least one technological enabler comprises at least one of:

instructions for capturing an input data from an input source, the input source comprising one or more of the touch screen display and an alternate input source operable to capture and transmit input data for processing by the one or more processors, wherein the alternate input source comprises one or more of a keyboard, a touch sensitive pad, a mouse, a track ball, a pen device, a joystick, a game controller, a motion detecting device, a microphone, and a camera;

instructions for capturing an offline use data reflecting use of the tablet computer in an offline mode; and

instructions for using the wireless data communication interface to automatically transmit the offline use data reflecting use of the tablet computer in an offline mode to a different computer when the tablet computer is in an online mode.

16. The tablet computer of claim 1, wherein the overlay system is configured to default to the second operating environment responsive to one or more events selected from the group comprising:

a boot up of the tablet computer, an activation of the tablet computer from a dormant state, an activation of the tablet computer from a locked state, and an inactivity of the tablet computer for a predetermined period of time.

17. The tablet computer of claim 1, wherein the overlay system further comprises:

instructions for providing an e-commerce interface configured to communicate with a remote content source using the wireless data communication interface, and

instructions for mediating acquisition and installation on the tablet computer of a content from the remote content source.

18. The tablet computer of claim 1, wherein the access control comprises instructions for permitting or denying a request for access based on one or more of a time of day, a time allotment, a satisfaction of a predetermined condition, and a maximum session duration.

19. The tablet computer of claim 1, further comprising instructions for causing the touch screen display to display information using a character-based interface.

20. A tablet computer, comprising:

a touch screen display, one or more processors, a storage media, a wireless data communication interface, an operating system comprising an application framework layer and an application layer, and an overlay system stored in the storage media and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the overlay system comprising;

instructions for controlling access to one or more application programs in the application layer,

instructions for providing a first operating environment associated with a first user interface,

instructions for providing a second operating environment associated with a second user interface,

instructions for requiring input of an authentication code to access the first user interface from the second operating environment; and

instructions for accepting in the first user interface a configuration of an access control configured to permit or deny a request for access in the second operating environment to one or more of a system setting, an application program, a data, and a hardware resource, wherein the data comprises one or more of an internet resource, a text file, an image file, an audio file, a video file, and an electronic book,

wherein the access control comprises;

instructions for intercepting a request for access in the second operating environment,

instructions for determining whether the request for access in the second operating environment is permitted under an operative configuration of the access control, and

instructions for granting the request for access in the second operating environment only if the request for access in the second operating environment is permitted under the operative configuration of the access control.