Computer apparatus and methods supporting different categories of users
First Claim
1. 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, wherein at least one user in the second category of users is enabled to control the content presented to at least one user in the first category of users;
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 the content and based on financial information controlled by the user in the second category; and
a third subsystem for enabling the user in the second category of users to control financing for the items of value obtainable by the user in the first category.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
422 Citations
14 Claims
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1. 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:
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memory storing a database;
a first subsystem for the first category of users to gain access to a desired content, wherein at least one user in the second category of users is enabled to control the content presented to at least one user in the first category of users;
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 the content and based on financial information controlled by the user in the second category; and
a third subsystem for enabling the user in the second category of users to control financing for the items of value obtainable by the user in the first category. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A computerized method comprising:
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electronically providing a user in a first category of users with access to selected content, wherein at least one user in a second category of users controlling the content presentation to the user in the first category of users;
electronically maintaining a number of points representative of the first category user'"'"'s interaction with the content; and
electronically ordering item of value based on the first category user'"'"'s points and financial data, in electronic form, controlled by the user in the second category of users. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification