Enhanced learning aid

• US 6,421,525 B1
• Filed: 02/02/2000
• Issued: 07/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Arthur C. Prewitt
• Original Assignee: Arthur C. Prewitt
• Inventors: Prewitt, Arthur C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cheng, Joe H.
• Application Number:
  US09/496,733
• Time in Patent Office: 895 Days
• Field of Search: 434/118, 434/156, 434/169, 434/218, 434/219, 434/236, 434/307-R-3, 434/322-324, 434/335, 434/336, 434/350, 434/362, 434/365, 463/30, 463/32, 463/40, 463/42, 273/DIG.17, 472/59, 472/60, 472/70, 472/130, 345/8, 376/216, 370/490, 705/1, 705/26, 705/50, 705/74, 705/77, 706/915, 706/927, 709/203-205, 709/219, 709/231, 713/170, 725/74, 725/82, 725/85, 725/114, 725/131
• US Class Current: 434/350
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/02 with visual presentation of the material to be studied, e.g. using film strip
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/00 Electrically-operated teaching apparatus or devices working with questions and answers mechanically operated G09B3/00; computing arrangements G06F

Abstract

A learning aid which is mounted within a bus. A central computer stores lessons and distributes selected lessons to student work stations which are positioned for individual passengers. Each student work station includes a display unit and an input apparatus (such as a keyboard). The local computer at the student work station is in communications with the central computer. The preferred communication channel is through the use of radio frequencies. Scores for the passengers are collected and recorded in some embodiments for use by the instructor.

Claims

1. A learning aid comprising:

a) a bus having a multitude of passenger seats;

b) a central computer system having memory means for storage of lessons requiring interaction with a student; and

,

c) at least two work stations, each work station associated with an individual passenger seat, each work station having;

1) a display unit,

2) an input apparatus, and,

3) a local computer, said local computer in communications with said central computer, said local computer having means for effecting interactive learning through;

A) receiving unique operational instructions from said central computer relating to a selected one of said lessons,

B) communicating passenger input from said input apparatus to said central computer, and,

C) communicating messages received from said central computer to a passenger via said display unit.

2. The learning aid according to claim 1, wherein said central computer further includes an operator activation means for commencing said lessons.

3. The learning aid according to claim 2, wherein said central computer includes:

a) means for recording a task location for an identified student within said memory means; and

,

b) means for commencing a task at a selected point based upon data identifying a student and a task location associated with said student from said memory means.

4. The learning aid according to claim 3, wherein each of said work stations includes:

a) an audio communication apparatus; and

,

b) means for causing said audio communication apparatus to emit sounds.

5. The learning aid according to claim 2,

a) wherein said central computer includes,

means for transmitting said lessons via radio frequency, and, means for receiving data from said work stations via radio frequency;

and,

b) wherein each of said work stations includes,

1) means for receiving lessons from said central computer via radio frequency, and,

2) means for transmitting data to the central computer via radio frequency.

6. The learning aid according to claim 2,

a) wherein each of said work stations includes,

a camera generating an image of an associated individual passenger seat, and, means for communicating said image to said central computer;

and,

b) wherein said central computer includes display means for selectively displaying images from each camera.

7. The learning aid according to claim 6, wherein said central computer includes means for storing a selected image in said memory means.

8. The learning aid according to claim 2,

a) wherein said central computer includes means for generating a lesson report for each work station;

and,

b) wherein each of the work stations includes,

1) means for receiving the lesson report from said central computer for the specific work station,

2) a printer; and

,

3) means for causing said printer to print said lesson report.

9. The learning aid according to claim 8, wherein each work station includes:

a) a removable non-volatile memory; and

,

b) means for storing said lesson report in said removable non-volatile memory.

10. The learning aid according to claim 2, wherein said central computer includes:

a) means for generating a lesson report for each work station; and

,

b) a printer; and

,

c) means for causing said printer to print said lesson report.

11. The learning aid according to claim 10, wherein said central computer includes:

a) a removable non-volatile memory; and

,

b) means for storing said lesson report in said removable non-volatile memory.

12. A learning system comprising:

a) a transport having a multitude of passenger seats; and

,

b) a distributed computer system powered by said transport, said distributed computer system having,

1) a central computer system containing student-interactive lessons, and,

2) at least two student work stations having a display unit, an input apparatus, and, a local computer, said local computer having means for effecting interactive learning through;

A) receiving unique operational instructions from said central computer relating to a selected one of said lessons,

B) communicating passenger input from said input apparatus to said central computer, and,

C) communicating messages received from said central computer to a passenger via said display unit.

13. The learning system according to claim 12, wherein said central computer includes:

a) means for associating a task location with an identified student; and

,

b) means for commencing a task at said task location.

14. The learning system according to claim 12, wherein all communications between said central computer and the student work stations is accomplished via radio frequency.

15. The learning system according to claim 12, wherein each of said student work stations includes:

a) a camera generating an image; and

,

b) means for communicating said image to said central computer.

16. The learning system according to claim 15, wherein said central computer includes means for generating a lesson report for each work station together with an image from said work station.

17. A teaching assembly comprising:

a) a bus having,

1) a multitude of passenger seats,

2) a central computer system having memory means for storage of lessons requiring interaction with a student; and

,

3) at least two student stations having;

A) a display unit,

B) an input apparatus, and,

C) a local computer having means for effecting interactive learning through;

1) receiving unique operational instructions from said central computer relating to a selected one of said lessons,

2) communicating student input from said input apparatus to said central computer, and,

3) communicating messages received from said central computer to a passenger via said display unit; and

,

wherein said central computer includes means for storing a lesson report onto a removable non-volatile memory; and

,

b) a stationary teacher computer having,

1) means for receiving said removable non-volatile memory and withdrawing said lesson report therefrom, and,

2) means for communicating said lesson report to a teacher.

18. The teaching assembly according to claim 17, wherein all communications between the central computer and the student stations are accomplished using radio frequencies.