Method for improving reading speed and comprehension skills

• US 6,409,513 B1
• Filed: 03/22/2000
• Issued: 06/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lc Infinite Mind
• Original Assignee: Lc Infinite Mind
• Inventors: Kawamura, Akihiro, Flamm, Jeffrey C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rovnak, John Edmund
• Application Number:
  US09/533,646
• Time in Patent Office: 825 Days
• Field of Search: 434/178, 434/179, 434/180, 434/181, 434/182, 434/183, 434/184
• US Class Current: 434/178
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 17/04 for increasing the rate of reading; Reading rate control

Abstract

A system which utilizes a series of computer controlled exercises designed to strengthen eye muscles to reduce eye fatigue, to increase overall reading speed by performing variable reading speed exercises, and to enhance an eye-brain connection to improve reading comprehension and maintain the speed reading and comprehension skills. A specific variable reading rate process has the reader read at a first rate, then increase to a second rate, and finally decrease to a third reading rate that is faster than the first rate, and slower than the second rate. Eye-brain connection enhancement exercises include following objects moving in specific patterns across a computer screen, expanding peripheral vision by watching and following the outline of expanding objects, rapidly solving maze puzzles, sequentially locating a series of numbers on a single display screen, and two-point horizontal and vertical scanning.

Claims

1. A method for utilizing a computer software program in order to increase reading speed and improve comprehension of a reader by pushing the reader to read beyond a current capability, and then easing back to a more comfortable reading rate that is faster than an original reading rate, the method comprising the steps of:

(1) displaying text and having the reader read the text at a first speed for a first period of time;

(2) displaying text and having the reader read the text at a second speed for a second period of time, wherein the second speed is faster than the first speed; and

(3) displaying text and having the reader read the text at a third speed for a third period of time, wherein the third speed is faster than the first speed and slower than the second speed.

2. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the method further comprises the step of displaying the text from a left side of the computer screen to a right side of the computer screen.

3. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the method further comprises the step of generating a ticking sound from a computer system, wherein the ticking sound is synchronized with displaying each letter of the text as the text is displayed.

4. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

(1) recording the third speed at which the reader finished a previous reading exercise; and

(2) setting the first speed equal to the recorded third speed when beginning a new reading exercise, such that the reader is gradually increasing a reading speed.

5. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

(1) displaying the text by typing each individual letter of words in the text until an entire line of text is displayed;

(2) erasing the line of text;

(3) displaying a next line of text by typing each individual letter of words in the text until the next entire line of text is displayed; and

(4) repeating these steps for a predetermined period of time.

6. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

(1) displaying the text by groups of words until an entire line of text is displayed;

(2) erasing the line of text;

(3) displaying a next line of text by displaying groups of words until the entire next line of text is displayed; and

(4) repeating these steps for a predetermined period of time.

7. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

(1) displaying the text by displaying at least two complete lines of text;

(2) erasing the at least two complete lines of text;

(3) displaying more text by displaying at least two different complete lines of text; and

(4) repeating these steps for a predetermined period of time.

8. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

(1) stimulating both hemispheres of the brain so as to include both hemispheres in a reading process of the reader;

(2) strengthening eye muscles; and

(3) expanding a field of vision of the reader so as to peripherally visualize more text at any given time.

9. The method as defined in claim 8 wherein the method for stimulating both hemispheres of the brain further comprises the steps of:

(1) generating a maze having a start point and end point;

(2) displaying the maze on the computer display and activating a timer;

(3) causing the reader to visually scan the maze from the start point until reaching the end point; and

(4) deactivating the timer when the reader has visually completed scanning the maze.

10. The method as defined in claim 8 wherein the method for stimulating both hemispheres of the brain further comprises the steps of:

(1) randomly displaying a sequential set of numbers on the computer screen and activating a timer;

(2) causing the reader to visually scan the computer screen and sequentially identifying a location of each of the set of numbers in sequential order; and

(3) deactivating the timer when the reader has visually completed sequentially scanning the computer screen for the sequential set of numbers.

11. The method as defined in claim 10 wherein the method further comprises the step of defining the sequential set of numbers as the numbers 1 through 50.

12. The method as defined in claim 8 wherein the method for expanding peripheral vision of the reader further comprises the steps of:

(1) displaying a first outline of a shape in approximately a center of a computer screen for a first period of time;

(2) erasing the first outline of the shape;

(3) displaying a second outline of the shape for a second period of time, wherein the second outline is centered around the first outline, and wherein edges of the second outline are expanded relative to the first outline; and

(4) erasing and then displaying a new outline of the shape, centered around an immediately previous outline, until the edges of the shape reach a perimeter of the computer screen.

13. The method as defined in claim 8 wherein the method for expanding peripheral vision of the reader further comprises the steps of:

(1) displaying a first outline of a shape in approximately a center of a computer screen for a first period of time;

(2) displaying a second outline of the shape for a second period of time, wherein the second outline is centered around the first outline, and wherein edges of the second outline are expanded outward relative to the first outline; and

(3) displaying a new outline of the shape, centered around an immediately previous outline, until the edges of the shape reach a perimeter of the computer screen.

14. The method as defined in claim 8 wherein the method for strengthening eye muscles further comprises the steps of:

(1) displaying an object on the computer screen at predetermined locations; and

(2) causing the reader to look at and follow the object by moving the eyes as it is displayed on the computer screen.

15. The method as defined in claim 14 wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

(1) displaying the object on opposite sides of the computer screen, beginning at an upper corner of the display; and

(2) moving the object down the display to thereby cause the reader'"'"'s eyes to scan back and forth in a horizontal motion.

16. The method as defined in claim 14 wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

(1) displaying the object on opposite sides of the computer screen, beginning at a top corner or bottom corner of the display; and

(2) moving the object from a bottom or top edge to an opposite side of the display to thereby cause the reader'"'"'s eyes to scan up and down in a vertical motion as the object moves across the display.

17. The method as defined in claim 14 wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

(1) displaying an object generally near a center of the computer display; and

(2) subsequently erasing and then displaying the object while moving the object progressively outwards in a consistent diagonal orientation.

18. The method as defined in claim 8 wherein the method for strengthening eye muscles further comprises the steps of:

(1) displaying a plurality of lines of text on the computer screen;

(2) disposing a symbol at a beginning and at and end of each of the plurality of lines of text;

(3) causing the reader to scan the lines of text without reading the text, beginning at a symbol at the beginning of the first line of the plurality of lines and moving the eyes of the reader to a symbol at the end of the first line of the plurality of lines;

(4) proceeding down each line of text, scanning from the symbol at the beginning of each line of text and moving immediately to the symbol at the corresponding line of text;

(5) scanning as many of the symbols as possible within a predetermined amount of time; and

(6) grading performance of the exercise based upon the number of lines that the reader was able to scan, without reading the words.

19. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

(1) customizing a column width of the text so as to set a total number of words per line that will appear;

(2) customizing a font size of the text so as to set a size of words in the text;

(3) customizing a block size so as to set a number of lines of the text to be highlighted at any one time; and

(4) customizing a speed of the text so as to set a rate of words per minute that the reader sees.

20. A method for utilizing a computer software program in order to increase reading speed and improve comprehension of a reader, the method comprising the steps of:

(1) causing the reader to read at a first reading rate, then to read beyond a current capability, and then easing back to a more comfortable reading rate that is faster than the original reading rate;

(2) stimulating both hemispheres of the brain so as to include both hemispheres in a reading process of the reader;

(3) strengthening eye muscles; and

(4) expanding a field of vision of the reader so as to peripherally visualize more text at any given time.

21. The method as defined in claim 20 wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

(1) providing the computer software program with a main menu from which the reader can select to receive a practice session, test reading rate and comprehension, participate in speed reading practice exercises, or receive personal training to enhance an eye-brain connection or receive speed reading training; and

(2) selecting one of the options on the main menu.

22. The method as defined in claim 21 wherein the step of selecting the practice session further comprises the steps of:

(1) selecting one of twelve sessions in which to participate;

(2) taking a Pre-Test which determines a pre-practice session reading rate;

(3) participating in a practice session; and

(4) taking a Post-Test which determines a post practice session reading rate.

23. The method as defined in claim 22 wherein the step of participating in a practice session further comprises the steps of:

(1) participating in at least one eye strengthening exercise;

(2) participating in at least one eye exercise which is designed to expand peripheral vision of the reader;

(3) participating in at least one exercise which is designed to stimulate both hemispheres of the brain to participate in a reading process;

(4) participating in at least one exercise which is designed to improve reading comprehension; and

(5) participating in at least one exercise which pushes the reader to read beyond a current reading rate.

24. The method as defined in claim 23 wherein the step of participating at least one exercise which pushes the reader to read beyond a current reading rate further comprises the steps of:

(1) displaying text and having the reader read the text at a first speed for a first period of time;

(2) displaying text and having the reader read the text at a second speed for a second period of time, wherein the second speed is faster than the first speed; and

(3) displaying text and having the reader read the text at a third speed for a third period of time, wherein the third speed is faster than the first speed and slower than the second speed.

25. The method as defined in claim 23 wherein the step of participating in at least one exercise which is designed to stimulate both hemispheres of the brain to participate in a reading process further comprises the steps of:

(1) generating a maze having a start point and end point;

(2) displaying the maze on the computer display and activating a timer;

(3) causing the reader to visually scan the maze from the start point until reaching the end point; and

(4) deactivating the timer when the reader has visually completed scanning the maze.

26. The method as defined in claim 23 wherein the step of participating in at least one exercise which is designed to stimulate both hemispheres of the brain to participate in a reading process further comprises the steps of:

(1) randomly displaying a sequential set of numbers on the computer screen and activating a timer;

(2) causing the reader to visually scan the computer screen and sequentially identifying a location of each of the set of numbers in sequential order; and

(3) deactivating the timer when the reader has visually completed sequentially scanning the computer screen for the sequential set of numbers.

27. The method as defined in claim 23 wherein the step of participating in at least one eye exercise which is designed to expand peripheral vision of the reader further comprises the steps of:

(1) displaying a first outline of a shape in approximately a center of a computer screen for a first period of time;

(2) displaying a second outline of the shape for a second period of time, wherein the second outline is centered around the first outline, and wherein edges of the second outline are expanded outward relative to the first outline; and

(3) displaying a new outline of the shape, centered around an immediately previous outline, until the edges of the shape reach a perimeter of the computer screen.

28. The method as defined in claim 23 wherein the step of participating in at least one eye strengthening exercise further comprises the steps of:

(1) displaying a plurality of lines of text on the computer screen;

(2) disposing a symbol at a beginning and at and end of each of the plurality of lines of text;

(3) causing the reader to scan the lines of text without reading the text, beginning at a symbol at the beginning of the first line of the plurality of lines and moving the eyes of the reader to a symbol at the end of the first line of the plurality of lines;

(4) proceeding down each line of text, scanning from the symbol at the beginning of each line of text and moving immediately to the symbol at the end of the corresponding line of text;

(5) scanning as many of the symbols as possible within a predetermined amount of time; and

(6) grading performance of the exercise based upon the number of lines that the reader was able to scan, without reading the words.

29. The method as defined in claim 28 wherein the method further comprises the step of reading the words on each line of text as the reader scans down the plurality of lines.

30. The method as defined in claim 20 wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

(1) providing a first icon on a computer display which enables the reader to access eye exercises which can be performed without the need for a recording medium from which the computer software program was installed, to be present in the computer; and

(2) providing a second icon on a computer display which enables the reader to access reading exercises which can be performed without the need for the recording medium from which the computer software program was installed, to be present in the computer.