U.S. patent application number 10/880880 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-06 for interactive education system.
This patent application is currently assigned to SVI Systems, Inc.. Invention is credited to Manov, Aleksandar S., Norcott, Alfred A..
Application Number | 20050003338 10/880880 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27609338 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050003338 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Norcott, Alfred A. ; et
al. |
January 6, 2005 |
Interactive education system
Abstract
An interactive educational system simultaneously provides
educational materials to multiple users. The educational system
tests and records each user's demonstrated comprehension of the
materials provided. The server-based system can provide materials
that are data, video data, or audio data. The user may input video,
audio or other data. Each user can randomly access the precise
location of the educational materials or portion thereof to be
presented to the user.
Inventors: |
Norcott, Alfred A.; (Vienna,
VA) ; Manov, Aleksandar S.; (Peoria, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BANNER & WITCOFF, LTD.
TEN SOUTH WACKER DRIVE
SUITE 3000
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Assignee: |
SVI Systems, Inc.
Peoria
IL
|
Family ID: |
27609338 |
Appl. No.: |
10/880880 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10880880 |
Jun 30, 2004 |
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10056872 |
Jan 25, 2002 |
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6775518 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
434/350 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09B 5/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
434/350 |
International
Class: |
G09B 003/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An interactive educational system for providing educational
materials to a plurality of users randomly and simultaneously, the
system comprising: a server, the server including a storage, the
storage comprising a program memory and a content media storage for
storing the education material, the storage further comprising a
user database, a test database and a usage database for tracking
for an individual user's progress, wherein the test database
contains data useful for forming a test for use in assessing the
user's retention; and a plurality of bidirectional communications
channels, wherein the system is configured so that in operation,
the plurality of users can randomly and simultaneously interact
with the server to access the educational materials stored in the
server's storage so that each users can proceed through the
appropriate educational material according to the user's
ability.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the server storage further
comprises a usage database, the usage database configured to store
information about an individual user's access and use of the
educational materials and test results.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the user is unable to proceed
with additional education material until the user passes a test
based on previously reviewed education material, the test formed
from the data in the test database.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a
console, the console providing interaction between the system and
an administrator, wherein the interaction includes capture of
content to be stored in the storage.
5. A interactive educational system for providing educational
materials to multiple users randomly and simultaneously, the system
comprising: a server, the server including a storage and an audio
video I/O; a console connected to the server, the console allowing
an administrator to interact with the system, wherein the
interaction includes the capture of content to be stored on the
storage; a plurality of terminals for multiple users to receive the
educational materials wherein at least one of the terminals
comprises: a user interface for upstream control; and a video
channel for downstream presentation of the education materials; and
a plurality of bi-directional communication channels wherein the
multiple users interact in a random and simultaneous manner with
the server via the user interface and the server communicates with
the plurality of terminals in a manner responsive to the users'
input in the user interface, wherein at least one of the
communication channels includes a video channel in the downstream
direction.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the administrator can remotely
interact with the system via a network connection.
7. An interactive educational system for providing educational
materials to a plurality of users randomly and simultaneously, the
system comprising: a server, the server comprising storage, the
storage comprising a program memory, a user database, a test
database and a usage database, the server further comprising an
input/output; at least two terminals for multiple users to receive
the education materials, wherein the at least two terminals include
a user interface for upstream control and a channel for downstream
presentation of the educational materials a plurality of
bi-directional communication channels, whereby the server
communicates with the at least two terminals so as to provide the
user at each terminal random simultaneous access to the education
material via the downstream channel in response to the user's input
on the user interface.
8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a console connected to
the server, the console allowing an administrator to interact with
the system, wherein the interaction includes the capture of content
to be stored on the storage
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the connection between the
console and the server is via a network connection.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the network connection is an
internet connection and the console is remotely located from the
server.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of and claims benefit to
U.S. application Ser. No. 10/056,872 filed Jan. 25, 2002.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to an interactive
education system. In particular, the present invention relates to
an interactive education system which may include a library of
multimedia and interactive programming materials randomly accessed
by multiple sites simultaneously and over different types of
communication channels.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Education systems which do not require a classroom teacher
or instructor are well-known. For example, one type of such an
education system involves the use of videotape for presenting
educational information over television monitors to multiple
locations. Many drawbacks exist, however, with respect to the use
of such videotape technology as an educational tool. For instance,
students cannot interact with a video tape presentation. In
addition, videotape viewed over a communications channel and played
from a remote site to multiple, simultaneous students or users
cannot be randomly accessed by individual students. Other problems
with videotape systems include the lack of immediate feedback to
the user. In other words, videotape systems cannot provide a means
to test the user and provide instantaneous feedback or provide
response-dependent reinforcement of the subject material. Videotape
systems also suffer from the requirement that, to be sent over
certain communications channels such as Local Area Networks (LANs),
the videotape signal must first be converted to a digital signal.
The present invention is directed at overcoming these known
drawbacks with videotape education systems.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention is generally directed to a
multifunctional digital video and multimedia presentation system,
incorporating components which output video, modulated radio
frequency channels, and data. The system of the invention may be
controlled through telephony access, over a computer network using
a web based graphical user interface, or via a wireless link using
handheld devices. The system may be networked to a cable television
distribution system, computer local area or wide area network, and
via coaxial, fiber optic or wireless connections. The system
outputs may be a variety of displays, including video monitors,
television sets or computer displays. The system inputs may be
standardized files, video, and audio delivered over the same types
of communications channels used for presentation, or analog signals
received directly from other sources.
[0005] In an exemplary embodiment, an interactive educational
system comprises a server including permanent memory, a first
communications channel, and a terminal for a student to receive
educational materials. The materials may include data, video,
and/or audio presented materials. The communications channel is
bi-directional whereby the server communicates with the terminal,
and the user interacts with the terminal to communicate with the
server. The terminal may be a computer with a processor, a monitor,
and a user controlled input device, such as a keyboard, a pointing
device, a camera, or a microphone. In the exemplary embodiment, the
first communications channel may be an Internet communications
channel.
[0006] In accordance with the exemplary embodiment, the interactive
educational system may further include multiple user terminals each
of which provide random access to the educational materials. The
educational materials are stored by the server, and each of the
multiple users may access the precise location for materials which
the particular user desires to use or be presented. The server
prompts each of the separate users to demonstrate their
comprehension of the educational materials used by that user or
student, and the server evaluates the correctness of each user's
responses and re-presents relevant portions of the educational
materials to that user when that user fails to demonstrate adequate
comprehension of the educational materials. In the exemplary
embodiment, the server includes writeable/rewriteable memory,
wherein each of the users' responses are recorded in the
writeable/rewriteable memory.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The invention will be described in relation to the
accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the following figures have
the following general nature:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a representation schematic view of an educational
system of the present invention; and
[0009] FIG. 2 is a flowchart representing features and process of
the educational system of the present invention.
[0010] Corresponding reference numerals will be used throughout the
several figures of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary educational system 10
for providing educational materials of the present invention is
depicted and includes a remotely located central operations unit,
such as a computer server 12 having a plurality of communication
channels 14 connected thereto. The server 12 includes a server
processor 18, storage 20, and input/output 22.
[0012] While many known servers 12 may be used with the present
invention, the server 12 should be capable of storing, accessing,
and distributing computer applications, data, video, and audio. The
server 12 should also be capable of handling multiple terminals
associated with multiple, simultaneous users for the same set of
educational materials, or portions thereof, as well as different
sets of educational materials. The server 12 stores or accesses
educational materials that may include digital computer records,
programs, and/or applications, to a user located at a user terminal
64. A user thus accesses the server 12 by means of a user terminal
64, which communicates through at least one communications channel
14. As used herein, the user terminal 64 is defined as one or more
components that either singly or together provide both input and
output with the server 12. Therefore, the user terminal 64 may be a
computer 68 which can both receive and transmit data or commands to
the server 12 over a single communications channel 14, or the user
terminal 64 may be a telephone 56 and one or more other devices
whereby the telephone 56 allows the user to provide touchtone
responses or input commands to the server 12 by means of a single
communications channel 14 and whereby the one or more other devices
communicate via a second communications channel 14.
[0013] The storage 20 includes a program memory 24, a content media
storage 26, a content selection database 28, a user database 30, a
test database 32, and a usage database 34. Other databases (not
shown) may be added to the storage sector of the system 10 in order
to store futher information, and to enhance the capabilities of the
system 10. Some databases may be eliminated or consolidated with
the storage 20 of the system 10 and still be within the scope of
the described invention. It should be noted that the storage 20, as
well as the processor 18, utilize in various manners a permanent
memory (commonly termed "ROM"), a temporary memory (known as RAM),
and a writeable/re-writeable memory, as is readily known to one
skilled in the art. The processor 18 may direct the accessing of
the materials stored in the ROM databases, and the materials are
then stored in the RAM. As is known in the art, the ROM may be a
hard disk, a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, or other permanent digital
recording means, as are known in the field of the art.
[0014] The program memory 24 stores programs of educational
materials, and accesses the content media storage 26 and content
selection database 28 for data relevant to the programs of
educational materials in program memory 24. The user database 30
identifies and recognizes permitted users of the system 10, and
categorizes available programs available to the user, as well as
options available to the user at various times during a session.
The test database 32 provides testing materials at various points
in a session to a user to reinforce the materials. The results of
such testing are stored as identified with the user in the usage
database 34. In the case where the server 12 includes a
writeable/re-writeable memory, as the user reads an instruction and
responds to queries, the writeable/re-writeable memory records in
the user database 30 the instruction a particular user has been
presented and the results of the testing.
[0015] The usage database 34 recognizes and stores certain
parameters and information regarding the access and use by users,
including test responses. In some instances, it will be desirable
for the system 10 to record not only objective data input from the
user, such as answers to questions presented, but also video and
audio responses of the user. For example, it may be desired to
observe the physical behavior of how a user interacts with the
system. In this case, the terminal 64 should include a camera 72
and a microphone (not shown) both of which will provide a signal
output that is sent over the communications channel 14. In the case
where a personal computer 80 or laptop computer 68 are employed, a
computer controlled digital camera (not shown) may be employed. It
will be understood by those skilled in the art that it is also
possible to convert an analog output signal into a digital signal
as an intermediary step prior to transmission to the server. It
will be further understood that a digital signal will be received
by a network interface 42 of the system 10 while an analog signal
will be received by an AV I/O 48 of the system 10, both discussed
herebelow.
[0016] The input/output 22 includes a console 40, a network
input/output (I/O) 42, a modem 44, a telephony input/output (I/O)
46, an audio/video input/output (AV I/O) 48, and a Television (TV)
modulator 50. As used herein, input/output (I/O) is a
bi-directional communication over one or more paths where the
"input" aspect is considered upstream, that is, from the user to
the system, and where the "output" aspect is considered downstream,
that is, from the system to the user. Any path is a computer data
channel when the communication over that path is at least in part
to or from a computer or microprocessor.
[0017] The console 40 is an input/output device or interface for
use by a locally located server or system administrator. The
console 40 may also provide interaction between the system 10 and a
system administrator, for instance, to allow for the capture, or
collection, of content to be stored in storage 20. The same
function of capturing content to be stored in storage 20 may also
be performed from a remote location by connecting to the system
10.
[0018] The network I/O 42 connects to area networks, such as a
Local Area Network (LAN) 52 or Wide Area Network (not shown). The
modem 44 connects to a phone line, such as a Public Switching
Telephone Network (PSTN) 54.
[0019] The telephony I/O 46 connects to a signaling system such as
a Private Branch exchange (PBX) 47 which in turn connects to a
telephonic user interface, such as a telephone 56. In utilizing a
telephone 56, a standard PCI computer accessory card (not shown) as
part of the telephony I/O 46 provides voice prompts and interprets
touchtone responses from the user via the telephone 56.
[0020] The AV I/O 48 may connect to an audio and/or video source
58, and/or to the TV modulator 50 which, in turn, connects to an
end user's television set, represented as 60. It should be noted
that, in the preferred embodiment, a plurality of TV modulators 50
are provided, each TV modulator 50 serving a separate simultaneous
end user's television set 60. The audio and/or video sources 58 may
include a satellite communications video downlink 70, a television
signal camera 72, and a television receiver/demodulator and/or
video tape player 74. Multi-channel PCI computer digital video
decoder cards (not shown) as part of the AV I/O 48 are installed to
provide analog audio and video to radio frequency television and
video monitors, such as represented by 60.
[0021] The system 10 in its preferred embodiment has bi-directional
communication to allow a direct exchange between a user and the
server 12, and the bi-directional communication may be performed in
a variety of methods and configurations. The communications channel
14 may be any channel capable of transmitting a signal from a
server 12 to a remotely located terminal 64. Thus, the
communications channel 14 may be a coaxial cable, a fiber optic
line, a dedicated Internet line (such as ISDN or T1), a telephone
line capable of transmitting modem or voice signals, a wireless,
cellular, or other RF channel, or any other communications channel
capable of carrying signals, depending on the required usage as
discussed above and below. The server 12 transmits the proper
educational materials to the terminal 64 via the communications
channel 14, and the user controls the presentation of the
educational materials with the appropriate input device.
[0022] It is of little consequence if a user terminal 64 connects
to a PSTN 54 and then directly to the server 12 via the modem 44,
or if the user terminal 64 connects from the PSTN 54 to the
internet 62 and then to a LAN 52 before accessing the server 12 via
the network I/O 42, or connects via a myriad of other routes that
may be devised.
[0023] In the case where communications are being used over the
PSTN 54, the PSTN 54 may further connect to the Internet 62 or to a
terminal 64 of a user (not shown). There are multiple paths between
various user terminals 64 and the server 12, for example, through
the PSTN 54, the Internet 62, and the LAN 52.
[0024] In the case where communications are being made over the LAN
52, the LAN 52 may connect directly to a networked user terminal
64, to a wireless LAN bridge 66, or to the internet 62. The LAN
bridge 66 is used to connect to a wireless user terminal, depicted
as a wireless laptop computer 68, though other devices may be
used.
[0025] In the case of a wireless communications channel, the
terminal 64 may be a wireless telephone or handheld device, such as
a Personal Data Assistant (PDA) or organizer, as well as a
traditional computer 68 utilizing a wireless connection through a
wireless LAN bridge 66, for instance. The terminal 64 may be a
personal computer 80, which includes a processor, monitor, and
input device, such as a keyboard or pointing device.
[0026] The user terminal 64 may also be a video monitor,
represented by 60, coupled with telephone 56, a television set,
also represented by 60, a wireless telephone (not shown) coupled
with a video monitor 60, or PDA or organizer (not shown).
[0027] The user terminal 64 may be a computer terminal, such as a
personal computer 80 or laptop computer 68, providing network
access to the server 12. This may be accomplished via the modem 44
or the network I/O 42, the path for which has been described above.
When interacting via personal computer 80 or laptop computer 68,
software (not shown) is present in the terminal 64. The software
may be a browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer, or Netscape
Navigator, or one of the many other available browser interfaces
for the display of world wide web pages. In addition, executable
proprietary software (not shown) that is downloadable or available
on diskette or CD-Rom may be provided that connects to the internet
62 without the need for a browser. A browser is the preferred
method, as it is most generally available on personal computers 80,
68 without further programming. The server 12 is programmed to
accommodate standardized interfaces which are supported by common
operating systems such as Windows NT or Windows 2000, both products
of the Microsoft Corporation. The server 12 includes a web site
application (not shown) located either in storage 20 or in the
processor 18, the application running continuously with available
web pages (not shown) linked in a sequence analogous to a
presentation provided over the telephony I/O 46 and AV I/O 48
interfaces. Playback of materials is accomplished using standard
file formats and protocols installed on the server 12.
[0028] In some instances, it may be desirable to include a smart
interface (not shown) to the terminals 64, particularly those
incorporating a television 60 or television receiver/demodulator
and/or video tape player 74, providing for infrared television
remote control (not shown) or wireless keyboard (not shown)
communications. A cable television modem (not shown) or other
two-way radio frequency cable may be used to accomplish the
communication.
[0029] In the case where a television 60 or television
receiver/demodulator and/or video tape player 74 are employed, the
system 10 is ideally utilized such that the broadcast to the
television 60 or television receiver/demodulator and/or video tape
player 74 are closed circuit or radio frequency to a nearby
television 60 or television receiver/demodulator and/or video tape
player 74.
[0030] As demonstrated, the system 10 provides for a user to access
the system 10 and the educational materials from a variety of
terminals 64. Utilizing the various databases 24, 26, 28, 30, 32,
and 34 of the storage 20 of the server 12, the system 10 provides
random access to each of the multiple, simultaneous users
regardless of the terminal 64 being used by the users.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 2, basic usage of the system 10 is
depicted. A user is prompted to login via the terminal 64 or
interface with the system 10, as at 100. When a user accesses the
system 10, the system 10 verifies the identification of the users
and/or location. The user database 30 determines whether the user
is permitted access to the system 10 and provides an indication to
a report composer 102 that will record and display a record of the
materials covered as well as any test results (discussed below).
The user is then prompted to select an option or make a content
selection, as at 104, based upon desired program or selection (see
above), by a content selection database 28, which may be located
within one of the other previously discussed databases or a
separate database, or the system 10 may default to a particular set
or program of materials. The content selection database 28
communicates to the user database 30 to insure that access is
permitted to the desired content and to determine what selections
are made available to the user for content selection 104. The
materials are then accessed from the content media storage 26
database to communicate and present the content, as at content
presentation 108, for user viewing. The server 12 provides the
materials over the communications channel 14 to the appropriate
terminal 64 or interface. The materials may be in the form of
digital video or audio and present questions regarding the subject
matter of the materials. Programs may be paused or stopped, and the
system 10 allows the user to return to the program at the exact
stopping point in the future. The system 10 presents selections
including options for content or interactivity such as video
programming, interactive presentations, opinion survey, a test
based upon previously viewed material, or the resumption of a
previously selected program.
[0032] The system 10 then, in its preferred embodiment, proceeds to
a retention assessment 110, or test. The focus of the interaction
between the user and the materials provided by the server is that
the user must demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the
materials. At various points in the instruction, questions may be
posed to the user to ensure longer-term retention of the material
previously displayed. The system 10 accesses and communicates with
the test database 32, the test database 32 providing the questions
to be presented and communicating with the user database 30 in
order to tailor the questions for the specific user. The materials
or program may present questions that require a short answer,
true/false, or multiple-choice response. The response of the user
to each question presented is evaluated, by a verification 112, and
recorded by the usage database 34 (response/usage database). If the
question was answered correctly, the retention assessment 110
provides the next question to be answered or the program may
continue with providing instruction. If the question was answered
incorrectly, a presentation segment review 114 is activated,
whereupon the content media storage 26 and content selection
database 28 are prompted to re-present the materials (content) that
are relevant to the incorrectly answered question. The system 10
then re-presents the incorrectly responded to question and provides
the user the opportunity to make a correct response. Once the
correct response is attained, the system 10 continues through the
questions in the test database 32 for that particular user and
program. All interaction with the databases 28, 30, 32, and 34 are
recorded in the report composition 102, as well as directed to a
content/user administration 118.
[0033] All information sent to report composition 102 may be
accessible by standard means and any type of report may be
generated regarding users, performance, content or other desired
report parameters. The report may be constructed and exported on
demand to a local or network printer (not shown), or sent over
compatible file format over a network for further analysis. In the
case of the user being presented with an opinion survey, responses
to the survey may be flagged or otherwise noted, for instance, in
the case of a strong negative. The flagged responses may generate
an alert transmitted over telephone, facsimile, or network
communications (such as electronic mail (email)) for immediate
action. The report composition 102 may provide printed reports 120,
or may download to external databases, as at 122.
[0034] Administration may be conducted over the network
connections, either proximally or distally (remotely) located from
the system 10. This provides an administrator of the system 10 to
alter, delete, or add content, selection or display structure or
content, presentation, media content (materials) identification,
authorization/de-authorization of users, and other operations.
Access controls (not shown) are provided to prevent unauthorized
tampering with the system 10. In the preferred embodiment, the
system 10 includes a system administration program, such as a media
capture scheduling/control program 107, that permits the addition
and deletion of content (typically digital video and audio files,
but also text or other types of files as are available as materials
on the system 10). Ideally, the system 10 permits the input of
materials (programming) that is not digital or is transferred via
data networks, and, accordingly, the system 10 includes analog
capture capability and permits scheduled digitization and recording
to file of analog audio and video source material.
[0035] In an exemplary method, the user accesses the system 10 via
a user terminal 64 comprising a telephone 56 and a monitor
television 60. The telephone 56 communicates with the telephony I/O
46 which provides input/output to the storage 20 databases through
the processor 18. After verifying the identification of the users
and/or location, the system 10 directs the user to tune the monitor
television 60 to a specific channel, dedicated to that session. The
user is prompted to confirm the channel selection, whereupon an
introductory screen is presented on the television 60. The
introductory screen presents a set of options or selections to the
user, as discussed above. After a selection is made by the user,
the system 10 may present the educational materials, test the user
based on the educational materials, record the user's responses,
create a report of the user's activity, or act according to any of
the other available options.
[0036] It will be recognized that the illustrated embodiments can
be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from the
scope of the present invention. Therefore, to particularly point
out and distinctly claim the subject matter regarded as the
invention, the following claims conclude the specification.
* * * * *