Apparatus and method for controlling educational and amusement use of a television

• US 5,716,273 A
• Filed: 10/11/1995
• Issued: 02/10/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Henry C. Yuen
• Original Assignee: Henry C. Yuen
• Inventors: Yuen, Henry C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrison, Jessica
• Assistant Examiner(s): SCHAAF, JAMES CHARLES
• Application Number:
  US08/540,749
• Time in Patent Office: 853 Days
• Field of Search: 273/48 B, 463/29, 463/47, 434/322, 434/332, 434/323, 364/410
• US Class Current: 463/29
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/338 using television networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/46 Computing the game score
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/537 using indicators, e.g. showing the condition of a game character on screen
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/75 Enforcing rules, e.g. detecting foul play or generating lists of cheating players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/792 for payment purposes, e.g. monthly subscriptions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/798 for assessing skills or for ranking players, e.g. for generating a hall of fame computing the game score A63F13/46
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/80 Special adaptations for executing a specific game genre or game mode
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/409 Data transfer via television network
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/63 for controlling the execution of the game in time
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8064 Quiz
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/629 to features or functions of an application
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2135 Metering
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2137 Time limited access, e.g. to a computer or data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2149 Restricted operating environment
• 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 7/06 of the multiple-choice answer-type, i.e. where a given question is provided with a series of answers and a choice has to be made from the answers
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/073 all student stations being capable of presenting the same questions simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/445 for displaying additional information H04N5/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/7755 the recorder being connected to, or coupled with, the antenna of the television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/035 : Circuits for the digital non-picture data signal, e.g. for slicing of the data signal, for regeneration of the data-clock signal, for error detection or correction of the data signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/088 : the inserted signal being digital
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0884 : for the transmission of additional display-information, e.g. menu for programme or channel selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17354 : in an intermediate station common to a plurality of user terminals
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/297 : Differential pitch, similar hand

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are provided for controlling educational and amusement use of a television. The apparatus includes a switch for switching an output between an amusement input and an educational input. The output is coupled to a television input. A measuring device measures the amusement input when it is switched to the output. A controller device controls switching of the educational input to the output when the measuring device measures a predetermined value for the amusement input and the, controller keeps score of a user'"'"'s responses to the educational material displayed on the television and controls switching of the amusement input to the output when the user attains a predetermined score. In a specific embodiment the measuring device includes a timer for measuring the time the amusement input is switched to the output and the controller switches the educational input to the output when the timer measures a predetermined time. In another specific embodiment the measuring device includes a counter for measuring the number of times a game on the amusement input is played when the amusement input is switched to the television and the controller switches the educational input to the output when the counter measures the game being played a first predetermined number of times. A memory for storing educational material is coupled to the educational input and the controller. The apparatus can include a tuner and a decoder for decoding educational material contained in a television signal. The decoder can include a vertical blanking interval decoder.

Claims

1. A method for controlling educational and amusement use of a television comprising the steps of:

displaying educational material on a television, the educational material containing at least one question;

scoring a first user'"'"'s responses to questions in the educational material;

a second user entering a prize code identifier and establishing the prize code identifier at a station, the prize code identifier having the purpose of identifying the second user;

the second user entering a threshold for awarding a prize to the first user if a score is determined to equal or exceed the threshold; and

displaying the prize code identifier to the first user on the television when the score is determined to equal or exceed the threshold.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

communicating the displayed prize code identifier to the station; and

awarding to the first user a prize corresponding to the displayed and communicated prize code identifier.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of communicating the displayed prize code identifier to the station comprises the step of displaying a telephone number of the station on the television.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of displaying the prize code identifier to the first user on the television comprises the step of displaying the prizes to the first user on the television to allow the first user to select a prize, when the score equals or exceeds the threshold.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

transmitting a video signal containing the educational material encoded into the video signal.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising the steps of:

decoding the educational material from the video signal; and

storing the educational material.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

transmitting a video signal containing amusement material encoded into the video signal.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the steps of:

decoding the amusement material from the video signal; and

storing the amusement material.

9. A method for controlling educational and amusement use of a television comprising the steps of:

displaying educational material on a television, the educational material containing at least one question;

scoring a first user'"'"'s responses to questions in the educational material;

switching the television to amusement material, if the score is determined to equal or exceed a first threshold;

timing the duration of time the television is switched to the amusement material;

switching the television to the educational material when the duration of time equals a predetermined value;

a second user entering a prize code identifier and establishing the prize code identifier at a station, the prize code identifier having the purpose of identifying the second user;

the second user entering a second threshold for awarding a prize to the first user, if a score is determined to equal or exceed the second threshold; and

displaying the prize code identifier to the first user on the television when the score is determined to equal or exceed the second threshold.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the steps of:

communicating the displayed prize code identifier to the station; and

awarding to the first user a prize corresponding to the displayed and communicated prize code identifier.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of communicating the displayed prize code identifier to the station comprises the step of displaying a telephone number of the station on the television.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of displaying the prize code identifier to the first user on the television comprises the step of displaying the prizes to the first user on the television to allow the first user to select a prize, when the score equals or exceeds the second threshold.

13. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of the second user selecting an educational subject from the educational material for display on the television.

14. The method of claim 9 further comprising the steps of:

the second user selecting the first threshold; and

the second user selecting the predetermined value for the duration of time the television is switched to the amusement material.

15. A method for controlling educational and amusement use of a television comprising the steps of:

displaying educational material on a television, the educational material containing at least one question;

scoring a first user'"'"'s responses to questions in the educational material;

switching the television to amusement material, if the score is determined to equal or exceed a first threshold;

counting a number of times a game in the amusement material is played;

switching the television to the educational material when the count of the number of times equals a predetermined value;

a second user entering a prize code identifier and establishing the prize code identifier at a station, the prize code identifier having the purpose of identifying the second user;

the second user entering a second threshold for awarding a prize to the first user, if a score is determined to equal or exceed the second threshold; and

displaying the prize code identifier to the first user on the television when the score is determined to equal or exceed the second threshold.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the steps of:

communicating the displayed prize code identifier to the station; and

awarding to the first user a prize corresponding to the displayed and communicated prize code identifier.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of communicating the displayed prize code identifier to the station comprises the step of displaying a telephone number of the station on the television.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of displaying the prize code identifier to the first user on the television comprises the step of displaying the prizes to the first user on the television to allow the first user to select a prize, when the score equals or exceeds the second threshold.

19. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of the second user selecting an educational subject from the educational material for display on the television.

20. The method of claim 15 further comprising the steps of:

the second user selecting the first threshold; and

the second user selecting the predetermined value for the count of the number of times for playing a game in the amusement material.

21. The method of claim 15 further comprising the steps of:

counting the number of times the game in the amusement material is played; and

erasing the game from storage when the count of the number of times the game is played equals a second predetermined value.

22. An apparatus for controlling educational and amusement use of a television comprising:

means for displaying educational material on a television, the educational material containing at least one question;

means for scoring a first user'"'"'s responses to questions in the educational material;

means for a second user to enter a prize code identifier, the prize code identifier having the purpose of identifying the second user;

means for the second user to enter a threshold for awarding a prize to the first user, if a score is determined to equal or exceed the threshold; and

means for displaying the prize code identifier to the first user on the television when the score is determined to equal or exceed the threshold.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 further comprising means for displaying a telephone number on the television for claiming the prize.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the means for displaying the prize code identifier to the first user on the television comprises means for displaying prizes to the first user on the television to allow the first user to select a prize, when the score equals or exceeds the threshold.

25. The apparatus of claim 23 further comprising:

means for decoding the educational material from a received video signal; and

means for storing the educational material.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the means for decoding the educational material from a received video signal comprises a vertical blanking interval decoder.

27. The apparatus of claim 22 further comprising:

means for decoding the amusement material from a received video signal; and

means for storing the amusement material.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the means for decoding the amusement material from a received video signal comprises a vertical blanking interval decoder.

29. An apparatus for controlling educational and amusement use of a television comprising:

means for displaying educational material on a television, the educational material containing at least one question;

means for scoring a first user'"'"'s responses to questions in the educational material;

means for switching the television to amusement material, if the score is determined to equal or exceed a first threshold;

means for timing the duration of time the television is switched to the amusement material;

means for switching the television to the educational material when the duration of time equals a predetermined value;

means for a second user to enter a prize code identifier, the prize code identifier having the purpose of identifying the second user;

means for the second user to enter a second threshold for awarding a prize to the first user, if a score is determined to equal or exceed the second threshold; and

means for displaying the prize code identifier to the first user on the television when the score is determined to equal or exceed the second threshold.

30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the means for displaying the prize code identifier to the first user on the television when the score is determined to equal or exceed the second threshold comprises means for displaying a telephone number on the television for claiming the prize.

31. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the means for displaying the prize code identifier to the first user on the television comprises means for displaying prizes to the first user on the television to allow the first user to select a prize, when the score equals or exceeds the second threshold.

32. The apparatus of claim 29 further comprising means for the second user to select an educational subject from the educational material for display on the television.

33. The apparatus of claim 29 further comprising:

means for the second user to select the first threshold; and

means for the second user to select the predetermined value for the duration of time the television is switched to the amusement material.

34. An apparatus for control ling educational and amusement use of a television comprising:

means for displaying educational material on a television, the educational material containing at least one question;

means for scoring a first user'"'"'s responses to questions in the educational material;

means for switching the television to amusement material, if the score is determined to equal or exceed a first threshold;

means for counting a number of times a game in the amusement material is played;

means for switching the television to the educational material when the count of the number of times equals a predetermined value;

means for a second user to enter a prize code identifier, the prize code identifier having the purpose of identifying the second user;

means for the second user to enter a second threshold for awarding a prize to the first user, if a score is determined to equal or exceed the second threshold; and

means for displaying the prize code identifier to the first user on the television when the score is determined to equal or exceed the second threshold.

35. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the means for displaying the prize code identifier to the first user on the television when the score is determined to equal or exceed the second threshold comprises means for displaying a telephone number on the television for claiming the prize.

36. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the means for displaying the prize code identifier to the first user on the television comprises means for displaying prizes to the first user on the television to allow the first user to select a prize, when the score equals or exceeds the second threshold.

37. The apparatus of claim 34 further comprising means for the second user to select an educational subject from the educational material for display on the television.

38. The apparatus of claim 34 further comprising:

means for the second user to select the first threshold; and

means for the second user to select the predetermined value for the count of the number of times for playing a game in the amusement material.

39. The apparatus of claim 34 further comprising:

means for counting the number of times the game in the amusement material is played; and

means for erasing the game from storage when the count of the number of times the game is played equals a second predetermined value.

40. A method of controlling entertainment and educational use of a television having a screen, the method comprising the steps of:

inhibiting use of the television screen for entertainment by enabling an educational device coupled to the television;

initially displaying educational material and questions about the educational material on the screen when use of the television is desired;

inputting to the educational device answers to the questions displayed on the screen;

evaluating the inputted answers; and

allowing use of the television screen for display of entertainment material instead of the educational material when the inputted answers satisfy a predetermined threshold number of correctly answered questions.

41. The method of claim 40 additionally comprising the steps of determining an amount of entertainment use of the television screen that is allowed, and inhibiting again the use of the television screen for display of entertainment material when the amount has expired.

42. The method of claim 41 wherein the amount is measured in units of time.

43. The method of claim 41, in which entertainment use of the television screen is for displaying a game having an end and the amount is measured by the number of times the game is played to its end.

44. The method of claim 41, in which entertainment use of the television screen is for displaying a game having a beginning and the amount is measured by the number of times the game is played from its beginning.

45. The method of claim 40, further comprising the steps of:

displaying a prompt to a user to enable or disable the educational device; and

entering an identification code by the user to enable or disable the educational device.

46. The method of claim 40, further comprising the steps of:

selecting a subject of educational material; and

selecting the predetermined threshold number of correctly answered questions for the selected educational material.

47. The method of claim 40, further comprising the steps of:

downloading the educational material embedded in a video signal from a central station to the educational device; and

storing the educational material in a memory in the educational device.

48. The method of claim 40, further comprising the steps of:

measuring scores relating to answered questions, amount of time the television screen was used for entertainment, and amount of time the television screen was used for education; and

interrogating the educational device to determine scores relating to answered questions, amount of time the television screen was used for entertainment, and amount of time the television screen was used for education.

49. The method of claims 42, further comprising the step of selecting a time duration for allowing entertainment use of the television screen after the predetermined threshold is reached.

50. The method of claim 43 or 44, further comprising the step of selecting a number of times the game is played after the predetermined threshold is reached.

51. The method of claim 43 or 44 further comprising the steps of:

downloading the game embedded in a video signal from a central station to the educational device; and

storing the game in a memory in the educational device.

52. The method of claim 51, further comprising the step of erasing the game from the memory after the game is played a predetermined number of times.

53. A system for controlling educational and entertainment use of a television having a screen comprising:

a first source of electrical signals representing educational material and questions about educational material;

a second source of electrical signals representing amusement material;

switching means for connecting one of the sources to the television screen;

means for operating the switching means to automatically connect the first source to the television so as to display the educational material and the questions on the screen initially upon activation of the system, thereby inhibiting display of the amusement material on the screen;

a controller for inputting answers to questions displayed on the screen when the first source is connected to the television;

means for evaluating the inputted answers; and

means responsive to the evaluating means for automatically connecting the second source to the television to display the amusement material on the screen instead of the educational material and questions when the inputted answers satisfy a predetermined threshold number of correctly answered questions.

54. The system of claim 53 additionally comprising means for determining the amount of the amusement material that is displayed and means for unconnecting the second source from the television after a predetermined amount has been displayed.

55. The system of claim 53, in which the determining means measures the time that the second source is connected to the television and the unconnecting means.

56. The system of claim 53, in which the amusement material is a game having an end and the determining means counts the number of times the game is played to its end.

57. The system of claim 53 in which the amusement material is a game having a beginning and the determining means counts the number of times the game is played from its beginning.

58. The system of claim 53, in which the controller has a help key, the system additionally comprising a source of help material related to the questions and means for displaying the help material responsive to the help key.

59. The system of claim 53 further comprising:

timer means for measuring an amount of time the second signal source is connected to the television screen; and

wherein said operating means comprises means for directing the switching means to connect the first source of electrical signals to the television screen when the amount of time exceeds a predetermined time limit.

60. The system of claim 53, further comprising:

counter means for measuring a number of times a game carried by the second source of electrical signals is played when the second source is connected to the television screen; and

wherein said operating means comprises means for directing the switching means to connect the first source of electrical signals to the television screen when the number of times the game has been played equals a predetermined number of times.

61. The system of claim 53, further comprising:

tuner means for tuning to a television channel;

means for decoding data contained in a television signal on the television channel, the means for decoding being, coupled to the tuner means, and wherein the data comprises the educational material;

memory means coupled to the decoding means, the switching means and the first source of electrical signals for storing the educational material.

62. The system of claim 53, wherein the second source of electrical signals representing amusement material comprises means for multiplexing one of a plurality of sources of amusement material.

63. The system of claim 62, wherein the plurality of sources of amusement material includes a video game device.

64. The system of claim 63, wherein the plurality of sources of amusement material includes a television signal source.

65. The system of claim 53, further comprising:

means for preventing a user from disconnecting the switching means from the television.

66. The system of claim 53, further comprising:

means for selecting a subject of educational material; and

means for selecting the predetermined threshold number of correctly answered questions.

67. The system of claim 60, further comprising:

tuner means for tuning to a television channel;

means for decoding data contained in a television signal on the television channel, the means for decoding being coupled to the tuner means, and wherein the data comprises the amusement material; and

memory means coupled to the decoding means, the switching means and the second source of electrical signals for storing the amusement material.

68. The system of claim 67, further comprising:

means for erasing the amusement material from the memory means when the game is played the predetermined number of times.