U.S. patent application number 16/655354 was filed with the patent office on 2020-02-13 for layered multimedia interactive assessment system.
This patent application is currently assigned to eduPresent LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is eduPresent LLC. Invention is credited to Jeffrey S. Lewis.
Application Number | 20200051452 16/655354 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49716323 |
Filed Date | 2020-02-13 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200051452 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lewis; Jeffrey S. |
February 13, 2020 |
Layered Multimedia Interactive Assessment System
Abstract
Generally, a computer implemented layered multimedia assessment
system which provides one or more server computers that allow one
or more client devices and one or more administrator devices access
to an layered multimedia assessment application which provides an
administrator user interface and client user interface which
serially provide one or more assignment events each having a first
step in which the client user interacts with the client user
interface to perform an assessment of assignment content and
performs an interactive examination and a second step in which the
client user participates to evaluate the performance of other
client users.
Inventors: |
Lewis; Jeffrey S.; (Fort
Collins, CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
eduPresent LLC |
Loveland |
CO |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
eduPresent LLC
Loveland
CO
|
Family ID: |
49716323 |
Appl. No.: |
16/655354 |
Filed: |
October 17, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14960234 |
Dec 4, 2015 |
10467920 |
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16655354 |
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13842846 |
Mar 15, 2013 |
9207834 |
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14960234 |
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61658298 |
Jun 11, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09B 7/06 20130101; G06F
3/04847 20130101; G06F 3/0481 20130101; G09B 7/02 20130101; G06Q
10/06311 20130101; G06F 3/04842 20130101; G06F 3/0482 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G09B 7/02 20060101
G09B007/02; G06F 3/0481 20060101 G06F003/0481; G06F 3/0482 20060101
G06F003/0482; G06F 3/0484 20060101 G06F003/0484; G09B 7/06 20060101
G09B007/06 |
Claims
1. A user interface for depiction on a graphical display surface,
comprising: a first interactive graphic interface image which
includes an assessment selection display area including a plurality
of assessment identification areas each filled with an assessment
identifier, each of said assessment identification areas upon
subsequent selection concurrently displays on said graphical
display surface: an assessment overview display area which displays
an assessment overview; an assessment resources display area which
displays a plurality of resource files; and an assignment events
display which displays a plurality of assignment events.
2. The user interface of claim 1, wherein said assignment events
display area further includes a status image area which displays a
first prompt prompting a user to perform one of said plurality of
assignment events.
3. The user interface of claim 2, further comprising a second
interactive graphic interface image displayed upon user interaction
with said first prompt, said second interactive graphic interface
image concurrently displaying on said graphical display surface: a
first media image area which displays a media image; a first
instruction image area which displays an instruction image; and a
first interactive examination image area which displays an
interactive examination image, wherein said media image, said
instruction image and said interactive examination image each
coupled to said assignment event.
4. The user interface of claim 3, wherein said first media image
area further includes a query image display area which serially
displays a plurality of query images related to said media image,
each query having an answer selectable by user interaction on said
first interactive examination area.
5. The user interface of claim 4, wherein said query image display
area further includes a timer image which counts down time
allocated to provide said answer to each of said plurality of query
images.
6. The user interface of claim 5, wherein said first interactive
examination image area further functions by user interaction as an
oral examination image display area which displays an oral
examination image.
7. The user interface of claim 6, wherein said first interactive
examination image area further displays an oral examination image
control which includes an image capture device selector which by
user interaction allows selection of one of a plurality of image
capture devices.
8. The user interface of claim 7, wherein said an oral examination
image control further includes an audio capture device selector
which by user interaction allows selection of one of a plurality of
audio capture devices.
9. The user interface of claim 8, wherein said oral examination
image control further includes an oral examination initiation
control which by user interaction initiates an oral examination
including display of said video image on said first media image
area and subsequent display of an oral examination image on said
first interactive examination image area, said oral examination
image captured by one of said plurality of video capture
devices.
10. The user interface of claim 9, wherein said oral examination
image control further includes an image capture activity indicator
and an audio capture activity indicator which correspondingly
display image capture activity indicia and audio capture activity
indicia related to capture of said oral examination image.
11. The user interface of claim 10, wherein said oral examination
image control further includes an oral examination termination
control which upon user interaction terminates said interactive
examination and displays said first interactive graphic interface
image including a second prompt in said assignment events display
area.
12. The user interface of claim 11, further comprising a third
interactive graphic interface image displayed upon user interaction
of said second prompt, said third interactive graphic interface
image concurrently displaying on said graphical display surface: a
second media image area which displays results of said interactive
examination performed by user interaction in said second graphic
interface image; a second instruction image area which displays an
instruction image; and a second interactive examination image area
which displays an interactive examination image related to said
results image, said media image, said instruction image and said
interactive examination coupled to said assignment event.
13. The user interface of claim 12, wherein said second media image
area displays said oral examination image captured by user
interaction in said first interactive examination area.
14. The user interface of claim 13, wherein said interactive
examination image area displays a video image selector which allows
selection of one of a plurality of said oral examination images to
be displayed in said media image area coupled to said assignment
event.
15. The user interface of claim 14, wherein said in interactive
examination image area further includes a video valuation display
area which by user interaction displays a video valuation
element.
16. The user interface of claim 15, wherein said interactive
examination image area further includes an annotation display area
which by user interaction allows entry of annotations.
17. The user interface of claim 4, wherein said interactive
examination image area further includes a save image area, which by
user interaction with said second interactive graphic interface
image saves said answer to each of said plurality of query
images.
18. A computer and associated display device, the computer being
programmed to implement the user interface of claim 1.
19. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable
instructions for implementing that user interface of claim 1 in
conjunction with a display device having a graphical display
surface.
20. A computer system having a first computer including
computer-executable instructions for performing a method,
comprising: displaying a first interactive graphic interface image
on a graphical display surface which includes an assessment
selection display area including a plurality of assessment
identification areas each filled with an assessment identifier;
concurrently displaying on said graphical display surface in
response to user interaction with said plurality of assessment
identification areas; an assessment overview display area which
displays an assessment overview; an assessment resources display
area which displays a plurality of resource files; and an
assignment events display which displays a plurality of assignment
events.
21. The computer system of claim 20, wherein said assignment events
display area further includes a status image area and further
comprising displaying a first prompt in said status image area,
said first prompt coupled to one of said plurality of assignment
events.
22. The computer system of claim 21, further comprising: displaying
a second interactive graphic interface image on said graphical
display surface by user interaction with said first prompt;
concurrently displaying in said second interactive graphic
interface image; a first media image area which displays a media
image; a first instruction image area which displays an instruction
image; and a first interactive examination image area which
displays an interactive examination image, wherein said first media
image, said first instruction image and said first interactive
examination image each coupled to said assignment event.
23. The computer system of claim 22, further comprising: displaying
a query image display area which serially displays a plurality of
query images related to said media image; and displaying in said
first interactive examination area an answer to said query image
selectable by user interaction on in said first interactive
examination area.
24. The computer system of claim 23, further comprising displaying
a timer image in said a second interactive graphic interface image
which counts down time allocated to said user to select said answer
to each of said plurality of query images.
25. The computer system of claim 24, further comprising generating
an oral examination image area in said first interactive
examination for display of an oral examination image.
26. The computer system of claim 25, further comprising displaying
an oral examination image control in said first interactive
examination area which includes: an image capture device selector
which by user interaction allows selection of one of a plurality of
image capture devices; and an audio capture device selector which
by user interaction allows selection of one of a plurality of audio
capture devices.
27. The computer system of claim 26, further comprising displaying
an oral examination initiation control which by user interaction
initiates an oral examination including display of a video image in
said first media image area and subsequent display of an oral
examination image on an oral examination image area, said oral
examination image captured by one of said plurality of video
capture devices.
28. The computer system of claim 27, further comprising displaying
an image capture activity indicator and an audio capture activity
indicator which correspondingly display image capture activity
indicia and audio capture activity indicia related to capture of
said oral examination image.
29. The computer system of claim 28, further comprising displaying
an oral examination termination control which upon user interaction
further comprises: terminating display of said oral examination;
displaying said first interactive graphic interface image; and
displaying a second prompt in said assignment events display
area.
30. The computer system of claim 29, further comprising: displaying
a third interactive graphic interface image on said graphical
display surface by user interaction with said second prompt;
concurrently displaying in said second interactive graphic
interface image; a second media image area which displays a results
image of said oral examination; a second instruction image area
which displays an instruction image; and a second interactive
examination image area which displays an interactive examination
image related to said results image, said second media image, said
second instruction image and said second interactive examination
image area coupled to said assignment event.
31. The computer system of claim 30, further comprising displaying
in said second media image area said oral examination image.
32. The computer system of claim 31, further comprising displaying
an oral examination image selector which by user interaction
selects one of a plurality of said oral examination images to be
displayed in said second media image area.
33. The computer system of claim 32, further comprising displaying
an oral examination valuation display area which by user
interaction displays an oral examination valuation element.
34. The computer system of claim 33, further comprising displaying
an annotation display area which by user interaction allows entry
of annotations coupled to said oral examination image.
35. The computer system of claim 34, further comprising:
interconnecting a second computer including said
computer-executable instructions for performing the method;
displaying on a graphical display surface associated with said
second computer said first interactive graphic interface image,
further comprising: said plurality of assessment identification
areas each by user interaction fillable with said assessment
identifier for display in said first interactive graphic interface
image on said graphical display surface of said first computer;
said assessment overview display area fillable by user interaction
with said assessment overview for display in said first interactive
graphic interface image on said graphical display surface of said
first computer; said assessment resources display area fillable by
user interaction with said plurality of resource files for display
in said first interactive graphic interface image on said graphical
display surface of said first computer; and said assignment events
display area fillable by user interaction with said plurality of
assignment events for display in said first interactive graphic
interface image on said graphical display surface of said first
computer.
36. The computer system of claim 35, further comprising: displaying
on said graphical display surface associated with said second
computer said second interactive graphic interface image; further
comprising: said first media image area fillable by user
interaction with said media image for display in said second
interactive graphic interface image on said graphical display
surface of said first computer; said first instruction image area
fillable by user interaction with said instruction image for
display in said second interactive graphic interface image on said
graphical display surface of said first computer; and said first
interactive examination image area fillable by user interaction
with said interactive examination image for display in said second
interactive graphic interface image on said graphical display
surface of said first computer.
37. The computer system of claim 36, further comprising: displaying
said query image display area fillable by user interaction with
said plurality of query images for serial display in said second
interactive graphic interface image on said graphical display
surface of said first computer; and displaying said first
interactive examination area fillable by user interaction with said
answer to said query image for selectable display in said second
interactive graphic interface image on said graphical display
surface of said first computer.
38. The computer system of claim 37, further comprising: displaying
on said graphical display surface associated with said second
computer said third interactive graphic interface image; further
comprising: said second media image area fillable by user
interaction with said results image of said oral examination for
display in said third interactive graphic interface image on said
graphical display surface of said first computer; said second
instruction image area fillable by user interaction said
instruction image for display in said third interactive graphic
interface image on said graphical display surface of said first
computer; and said second interactive examination image area
fillable with said interactive examination image related to said
results image for display in said third interactive graphic
interface image on said graphical display surface of said first
computer.
Description
[0001] This United States Non-Provisional patent application claims
the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/658,298,
filed Jun. 11, 2012, hereby incorporated by reference herein.
I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Generally, a computer implemented layered multimedia
assessment system which provides one or more server computers that
allow one or more client devices and one or more administrator
devices access to an layered multimedia assessment application
which provides an administrator user interface and client user
interface which serially provide one or more assignment events each
having a first step in which the client user interacts with the
client user interface to perform an assessment of assignment
content and performs an interactive examination and a second step
in which the client user participates to evaluate the performance
of other client users.
II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Currently, in the context of distance learning, there does
not exist a computer implemented system which provides an
administrator user interface which allows an administrator user to
generate a plurality of assignment events and fill each with
assignment content and which can be subsequently serially provided
to a client user in the form of a first prompt and a second prompt
which correspondingly divides the assignment event into a first
step of assessment of assignment content and performance of an
interactive examination and a second step in which the client user
participates to evaluate the performance of other client users
which have taken the same interactive examination.
III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Accordingly, a broad object of the invention can be to
provide a layered multimedia assessment system and method which
allows one or more client devices and one or more administrator
devices access to a layered multimedia assessment application
executable to generate an administrator user interface and client
user interface on the corresponding graphical display surfaces.
Each of the administrator user interface and the client user
interface have an interactive structure which allows access to one
or more assignment events in serial order each having a first step
in which the client user interacts with the client user interface
to perform an assessment of assignment content and performs an
interactive examination and in a second step participates to
evaluate the performance of other client users.
[0005] Another broad object of the invention can be to provide
computer implemented method of layered multimedia assessment by
which a client user in a first step assesses assignment content and
performs an interactive examination and in a second step
participates to evaluate the performance of other client users.
[0006] Another broad object of the invention can be to provide a
first client user interface and corresponding administrator user
interface for assignment selection structured to provide a first
prompt and a second prompt which correspondingly generate for each
assignment event a second client interface and a third client
interface. The second client user interface concurrently displays
an instruction image, a media image area, and an examination image
area. The instruction image area provides instructions on
assessment of the media image (which as to particular embodiments
can include a video image and associated audio) and instructions in
taking an interactive examination (which as to particular
embodiments can be an oral examination). The third interactive
graphic user interface includes the media image area, the
instruction image area, and the examination image area associated
with the same assignment event. The instruction image area provides
instructions on assessment of other client user answers (or as to
particular embodiments can be an assessment and rating of the oral
examination video of other client users) for the same interactive
examination.
[0007] Naturally, further objects of the invention are disclosed
throughout other areas of the specification and drawings.
IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a particular embodiment of the
inventive layered multimedia assessment system.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an illustrative computer means,
network means and computer readable medium which provides
computer-executable instructions to implement an embodiment of the
layered multimedia assessment system.
[0010] FIG. 3 shows a particular embodiment of a first client
graphic user interface image which provides a format for displaying
an assessment selection image area which provides one or more
assessment identification areas, an assessment overview image area,
an assessment resources image area, and an assignment events
interface which operate to provide a first prompt and a second
prompt to serially generate a second client graphic user interface
image and a third user interface image in the layered multimedia
assessment system.
[0011] FIG. 4 shows a particular embodiment of second client
graphic user interface generated by selection of the first prompt
in a first assignment event which concurrently displays a media
image area, an instruction image area and interactive examination
image area which provides the interactive structure for the first
step of an assignment event in the layered multimedia assessment
system including assessment of assignment content and performance
of an interactive examination.
[0012] FIG. 5 shows a particular embodiment of a first client
graphic user interface which further operates to serially provide
the second prompt to generate a third client graphic user interface
image which provides the interactive structure for the second step
of an assignment event in the layered multimedia assessment system
including participation to evaluate the performance of other client
users who have taken the interactive examination.
[0013] FIG. 6 shows a particular embodiment of third client graphic
user interface which illustrates a format for concurrently
displaying a media image area, an instruction image area and
interactive examination image area which provides the interactive
structure including participation to evaluate the performance of
other client users who have taken the interactive examination.
[0014] FIG. 7 shows a particular embodiment of the first client
graphic user interface which further operates to provide an
interactive structure which provides a first prompt in a second
assignment event to generate a second client graphic user interface
image in the layered multimedia assessment system.
[0015] FIG. 8 shows a particular embodiment of second client
graphic user interface which illustrates a format for concurrently
displaying a media image area, an instruction image area and
interactive examination image area which provides the structure for
an interactive oral examination of the client user.
[0016] FIG. 9 shows a particular embodiment of the oral examination
image area structured to allow an interactive oral examination of
the client user.
[0017] FIG. 10 shows a particular embodiment of a first client
graphic user interface which further operates to provide an
interactive structure which provides a second prompt in a second
assignment event to generate a third client graphic user interface
image in the layered multimedia assessment system.
[0018] FIG. 11 shows a particular embodiment of a third client
graphic user interface which illustrates a format for concurrently
displaying a media image area, an instruction image area and
interactive examination image area which provides the interactive
structure for a participation step which allows the client user to
access, evaluate and rate the oral examination of other client
users.
V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Now referring primarily to FIGS. 1 and 2, which generally
illustrate computer means, certain network means, and computer
readable media which can be utilized to practice embodiments of the
inventive layered multimedia assessment system (1). It is not
intended that embodiments of the invention be practiced in only
wide area computing environments or only in local computing
environments, but rather the invention can be practiced in local
computing environments or in distributed computing environments
where functions or tasks are performed by remote processing devices
that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed
computing environment, program modules may be located in both a
local or in a remote memory storage device(s) or device
elements.
[0020] Also while a preferred embodiment of the invention is
described in the general context of computer-executable
instructions such as an application program and program modules
which utilize routines, programs, objects, components, data
structures, or the like, to perform particular functions or tasks
or implement particular abstract data types, or the like, being
executed by the computer means and network means, it is not
intended that any embodiments of the invention be limited to a
particular set of computer-executable instructions or
protocols.
[0021] Now referring to primarily to FIG. 1, one or more client
devices (2) and one or more administrator devices (3) can each be
configured to connect with one or more server computers
(4)(5)(6)(also referred to as "a first server computer (4)" and "a
second server computer (5)" and "a third server computer" (6))
through a wide area network (7)("WAN"), such as the Internet (8),
or one or more local area networks (9) to transfer corresponding
data and images (10). The one or more client devices (2) and the
one or more administrator devices (3) can as to particular
embodiments take the form of one or more corresponding
limited-capability computers designed specifically for navigation
on the World Wide Web of the Internet (8). Alternatively, the one
or more client devices (2) or the one more administrator devices
(3) might be set-top boxes, intelligent televisions connected to
receive data through an entertainment medium such as a cable
television network or a digital satellite broadcast, hand-held
devices such as smart phones, slate or pad computers, personal
digital assistants or camera/cell phones, or multiprocessor
systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics,
network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, or the like.
[0022] Now referring primarily to FIGS. 1 and 2, in general, each
of the one or more client devices (2) and the one or more
administrator devices (3) can include an Internet browser (11)(also
referred to as a "browser") such as Microsoft's INTERNET EXPLORER,
GOOGLE CHROME, MOZILLA, FIREFOX, or the like, which functions to
download and render multimedia content that is formatted in
"hypertext markup language" (HTML). In this environment, a first
server computer (4) might be programmed to implement the most
significant portions of one or more client user interface(s)(12) or
administrator user interfaces (13). As to these embodiments, an
application program (14) (also referred to as the "layered
multimedia assessment program") which implements the one or more
client user interface(s)(12) and the one or more administrator user
interfaces (13) can be resident in the first server computer (4)(as
shown in the example of FIG. 1) and the one or more client devices
(2) and the one or more administrator devices (3) can use the
browser (11) to display downloaded content and to relay user inputs
back to the first server computer (4). The first server computer
(4) would respond by formatting new screen displays for the
respective client user interfaces (12) (as shown in the example of
FIGS. 3 through 10 further described below).
[0023] In other embodiments, the one or more server computers
(4)(5)(6) can be used primarily as sources of data or images (10),
with primary responsibility for implementing the client user
interfaces (12) and the administrator user interfaces (13) being
placed upon each of the one or more client devices (2) or each one
of the administrator devices (3). As to these embodiments, each of
the one or more client devices (2) and each of the one or more
administrator devices (3) can run the appropriate portions of the
application program (14) implementing the client user interfaces
(12) and the administrator user interfaces (13), as further
described below.
[0024] In an illustrative embodiment of the layered multimedia
assessment system (1), a first server computer (4) can be used
primarily to store and serve the corresponding portions of the
layered multimedia assessment program (14) to the one or more
client devices (2) and the one or more administrator devices (3)
with the primary responsibility for implementing the client user
interface(s)(12) and the administrator user interfaces (13) being
placed upon each of the one or more client devices (2) or each of
the one or more of the administrator devices (3). Each of the one
or more client devices (2) and each one more administrator devices
(3) run the appropriate portions of the application program (14) to
implement the client user interfaces (12) and the administrator
user interfaces (13). A second server computer (5) can be used
primarily to record video media images (16)(such as streaming
video, progressive video, or the like)(also referred to as a "video
image"), conversion of video media to video media files (17) in the
appropriate format (such as video file formats), and transfer of
the video media files (17) to a third server computer (6). The
third server computer (6) can receive, store and retrieve video
media files (17). Understandably a greater or fewer server
computers can be utilized as necessary or desired. The layered
multimedia assessment program (14) operates to provide the graphic
user interfaces (12)(13), video media files (17) and data and
images (10) from the one or more server computers (4)(5)(6) in a
common format which can be displayed in the client user interfaces
(12) or the administrator user interfaces (13).
[0025] A client user (18) or an administrator user (19) may enter
commands and information into a corresponding one or more client
devices (2) or administrator devices (3) through input devices (19)
such as a keyboard (20) or a pointing device (21) such as a mouse
(22); however, any method or device that converts user action into
commands and information can be utilized including, but not limited
to: a microphone, joystick, game pad, touch screen, or the like. A
display surface (23), such as the graphical display surface,
provided by a monitor screen or other type of display device (24)
can also be connected to the client device (2) or the administrator
device (3) by a display interface ( ) (such as a video adapter).
The client user interface (12) and the administrator user interface
(13) can in part or whole be presented as one or more interactive
graphic interfaces on the graphical display surface (23). In
addition, each of the one or more client devices (2) or the one or
more administrator devices (3) can further include peripheral input
devices (25) such as an image capture device (26), for example a
camera, video camera, web camera, mobile phone camera, video phone,
or the like, and an audio capture device (27) such as microphones,
speaker phones, computer microphones, or the like. The audio
capture device (27) can be provided separately from or integral
with the image capture device (26). The image capture device (26)
and the audio capture device (27) can be connected to the client
user device (2) or the administrator device (3) by an image capture
and an audio capture interface (28).
[0026] Now referring primarily to FIG. 2, as a non-limiting
example, a client device (2)(encompassed by broken line) can
include a processing unit (29), one or more memory elements (30),
and a bus (31) (which operably couples components of the client
device (2), including without limitation the memory elements (30)
to the processing unit (29). The processing unit (29) can comprise
one central-processing unit (CPU), or a plurality of processing
units which operate in parallel to process digital information. The
bus (29) may be any of several types of bus configurations
including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and
a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. The one or
more memory elements (30) can without limitation be a read only
memory (ROM) (32) or a random access memory (RAM) (33), or both. A
basic input/output system (BIOS) (34), containing routines that
assist transfer of data between the components of the client device
(2), such as during start-up, can be stored in ROM (32). The client
device (2) can further include a hard disk drive (35) for reading
from and writing to a hard disk (not shown), a magnetic disk drive
(36) for reading from or writing to a removable magnetic disk (37),
and an optical disk drive (38) for reading from or writing to a
removable optical disk (39) such as a CD ROM or other optical
media. The hard disk drive (35), magnetic disk drive (36), and
optical disk drive (38) can be connected to the bus (31) by a hard
disk drive interface (40), a magnetic disk drive interface (41),
and an optical disk drive interface (42), respectively. The drives
and their associated computer-readable media provide nonvolatile
storage of computer-readable instructions, data structures, program
modules and other data for the client device (2). It can be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that any type of
computer-readable media that can store data that is accessible by a
computer, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital
video disks, Bernoulli cartridges, random access memories (RAMs),
read only memories (ROMs), and the like, may be used in a variety
of operating environments. A number of program modules may be
stored on the hard disk drive (35), magnetic disk (37), optical
disk (39), ROM (32), or RAM (33), including an operating system
(43), one or a plurality of application programs (44) and without
limitation the layered multimedia assessment program (14)(to the
extent not stored in a remote server computer (4)(5)(6) which
implements the client user interface(s)(12) and the administrator
user interface(s)(13) or other program interfaces.
[0027] A "click event" occurs when the client user (18) or the
administrator user (19) operates a application function through the
use of a command, for example, pressing or releasing the left mouse
button (45) while a pointer icon (46) is located over a control
icon (47)(or other interactive field which activates a function)
displayed in any one of the client user interfaces (12) or
administrator user interfaces (13). However, it is not intended
that a "click event" be limited to the press and release of the
left mouse button (45) on a mouse (22) while a pointer icon (46) is
located over a control icon (47)(or field), rather, a "click event"
is intended to broadly encompass a command by the user (18)(19)
through which a function of the layered multimedia assessment
program (14)(or other program, application, module or the like)
which implements the client user interface (12) or the
administrator user interface (13) (or other interface) can be
activated or performed, whether through selection of one or a
plurality of control icon(s) (47) or fields, or by user voice
command, keyboard stroke, mouse button, or otherwise. It is further
intended that the control icons (47) can be configured or displayed
without limitation as a bullets, point, a circle, a triangle, a
square, a polygon (or other geometric configurations or
combinations or permutations thereof), or as fields or boundary
elements created in displayed images, or as fields in which
addresses such as a street address, zip code, county code, or
natural area code, or inputting a latitude/longitude or projected
coordinate X and Y, or other notation, script or character, or the
like, can be entered manually or by operation of the layered
multimedia assessment program (14), or a portion or element
thereof.
[0028] The one or more client devices (2) and the one or more
administrator devices (3) can operate in a networked environment
using one or more logical connections (48) to transfer data and
images (10) and to connect to one or more of server computers
(4)(5)(6). These logical connections (46) are achieved by one or
more communication devices (49) coupled to or a part of the one or
more client devices (2) or the one or more administrator devices
(3); however, the invention is not limited to a particular type of
communications device (49). The logical connections (48) depicted
in FIG. 2 can include a local-area network (LAN) (9) or a wide-area
network (WAN) (7). Such networking environments are commonplace in
offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets, wireless
networks, global satellite networks, cellular phone networks and
the Internet (8).
[0029] When used in a LAN-networking environment, the client device
(2) and the administrator device (3) can be connected to the local
area network (9) through a LAN-network interface (50), which is one
type of communications device (49). When used in a WAN-networking
environment, the client device (2) and the administrator device (3)
typically each include a modem (51), a type of communications
device (49), or any other type of communications device for
establishing communications over the wide area network (7), such as
the Internet (8). The modem (51), which may be internal or
external, can be connected to the bus (31) via a serial port
interface (52). In a networked environment, program modules
depicted relative to the client device (2) or the administrator
device (3), or portions thereof, may be stored in the one or more
server computers (4)(5)(6), as above described. It is appreciated
that the network connections shown are exemplary and other means of
and communications devices for establishing a communications link
between the client devices (1), the administrator devices (2) and
the server computers (4)(5)(6) can be used.
[0030] Now referring again primarily to FIGS. 1 and 2, the client
device (2) and the administrator device (3) can encompass a single
computer or can encompass a plurality of computers each of which
can be operated by a corresponding user (18)(19) which can be
without limitation a person or a plurality of persons whether
individually, serially or as a group. The user (18)(19) can access
the layered multimedia assessment application (14) including the
corresponding one or more client user interfaces (12) or the one or
more administrator user interfaces (13) to retrieve data and images
(10) from one or more server computers (4)(5)(6) in a common format
for display on the graphical display surface (23).
[0031] Now referring to FIGS. 3 through 10, which provide an
illustrative example of a first client user interface (12), in
accordance with the invention. The first client user interface (12)
can be implemented using various technologies and different
devices, depending on the preferences of the designer and the
particular efficiencies desired for a given circumstance. In a
first step, the client user (18) by click event can activate the
layered multimedia assessment program (14). The program (14)
functions to provide a login module (53) which can function to
generate a conventional login format (54) into which the client
user (18) can enter a user name (55) and password (56). The login
module (53) functions to verify the user name (55) and password
(56) and activates a graphic user interface module (57) which
functions to stepwise serially display the client user interface
(12) in the form of a plurality of interactive graphic images (58)
ordered based on the particular client user (18) and based upon
interaction of the particular client user (18) in each of the
plurality of interactive graphic images (58).
[0032] Again referring primarily to FIG. 3, the first interactive
graphic interface image (59) includes one or more of: an assessment
selection image area (60) which provides one or more assessment
identification areas (61), an assessment overview image area (62),
an assessment resources image area (63), and an assignment events
interface (64), the content of each entered by the administrator
user (19) in a corresponding administrator user interface (13).
Accordingly, the administrator user (19) can enter assessment
identifiers (65) in the one or more assessment identification areas
(61), an assessment overview (66) for display in the assessment
overview image area (62), and one or more resource files (67)
clickably selectable within the assessment resource image area
(63). Entry of the assessment identifiers (65), assessment overview
(66), or resource files (67) into the corresponding administrator
interface (13) activates the layered multimedia assessment program
(14) to correspondingly display the assessment identifiers (65),
assessment overview (66), and resource files (66) in the assessment
identification areas (61), the assessment overview image area (62),
and the assessment resources image area (63) of the first
interactive graphic interface image (59) of the client interface
(12).
[0033] Again referring primarily to FIG. 3, the assignment events
interface (64) as displayed in the administrator interface (13)
allows entry of a date (68) and a time (69) for corresponding
display in a date image area (70) and a time image area (71). The
assignment events interface (64) as displayed in the administrator
interface (13) further allows entry of an assignment event (72) and
assignment event description (73) in the corresponding assignment
events image area (74) and the assignment event description image
area (75) to be linked or otherwise associated with the date (68)
and the time (69) entered by the administrator user (19). The
assignment events interface (64) subsequently displayed upon access
by the client user (18) includes the date (68) and the time (69)
for each corresponding assignment event (72) and assignment event
description (73).
[0034] Particular embodiments of the assignment events interface
(64) operate in the client user interface (12) to provide a
two-step process associated with each assignment event (72). In a
first step, the client user (18), interactive with the client user
interface (12), performs an assessment of assignment content (76)
provided in a media image area (77) in accordance with instruction
image (78) concurrently provided in an instructions image area
(79), and performs an interactive examination (80) concurrently
displayed in an interactive examination image area (81)(shown in
the example of FIG. 4).
[0035] The second step requires the client user (18), interactive
with the client user interface (12), to participate in assessment
of answers (82) of other client users (18)(whether provided as
cumulative data or as a random selection of discrete answers) to
the same assignment event (72). The two step process of
"performance" and "participation" is described below. The term
"answers" for the purposes of this invention encompasses in whole
or in part the responsive content to the interactive examination
(80) whether provided by click event or by video presentation or
otherwise, as further described below.
[0036] Again referring to FIG. 3, the assignment events interface
(64) further includes an assignment status tracker module (83)
which functions to compare the actual date and actual time against
the dates (68) and times (69) entered by the administrator user
(19) and displayed to the client user (18) in the assignment events
interface (64) of client user interface (12). A match between the
actual date and actual time against the dates (68) and the time
(69) entered by the administrator user (19), activates a prompt
generator (84) of the layered multimedia assessment program (14) to
generate a first prompt (85) ("Do It Now" in the example of FIG. 3)
in the first prompt image area (86)(under "Status" in the example
of FIG. 3) of the assignment events interface (64). Click event
upon the first prompt (84) activates the graphic user interface
module (57) which generates a second interactive graphic interface
image (87)(as shown in the example of FIG. 4) of the client user
interface (12) which relates to the first step of the two-step
process associated with each assignment event (72).
[0037] Now referring primarily to FIG. 4, the second interactive
graphic user interface (87) includes the first media image area
(77), the instruction image area (79), and the examination image
area (81). All of which correspondingly fill with an instruction
image (78), media image (76) and interactive examination image (81)
linked to the assignment event (72) by use of the corresponding
administrator interface (13) and retrievably stored in the one or
more server computers (4)(5)(6) in a common format for graphical
display.
[0038] The client user (18) can then read the instruction image
(78), view the associated media image (76)(shown in the example of
FIG. 4 as a video image (16) which can be controllable as to
forward, reverse, pause, audio volume and the like) and by click
event take the interactive examination (80). The answers (82)
associated with the interactive examination can by click event of a
save icon (88) be retrievably stored in the one or more server
computers (4)(5)(6) and activates the prompt generator (84) of the
layered multimedia assessment program (14) to change the first
prompt (85) in the first prompt image area (86) to indicate that
the assignment event (72) has been completed (show as "Submitted"
in the example of FIG. 5). The prompt generator (84), then
functions to generate a second prompt (89) in a second prompt image
area (90) (show under "Participate" in the example of FIG. 5). The
administrator user (19) receives the corresponding change in the
first prompt (85) in the administrator user interface (19) which
allows access by the administrator user (19) for evaluation of the
answers (82) submitted by one or more client users (18).
[0039] Now referring primarily to FIG. 5, the client user (18) can
be returned to the first interactive graphic image (59) in which
the prompt generator (84) has generated the second prompt (89) in
the second prompt image area (90) (shown as "Do It Now" under
"Participate" in the example of FIG. 5). Click event upon the
second prompt (89) activates the graphic user interface module (57)
which generates a third interactive graphic image (91) of the
client user interface (12) which relates to the second step of the
two-step process associated with each assignment event (72).
[0040] Now referring primarily to FIG. 6, in the participation
step, the third interactive graphic user interface (91) includes
the media image area (77), the instruction image area (79), and the
examination image area (81). All of which correspondingly fill with
an instruction image (78), media image (76) and interactive
examination image (80) linked to a participation step associated
with the assignment event (72) by use of the corresponding
administrator interface (13) and retrievably stored in the one or
more server computers (4)(5)(6) in a common format for graphical
display.
[0041] The client user (18) can as above described read the
instruction image (78), view the associated media image (76) (in
the example of FIG. 6 shown as cumulative results of the
interactive examination (80) answers (82) provided by other client
users (18) associated with the assignment event (72)) and take
interactive examination (80) provided in the examination image area
(81) in view of the interactive examination (80) answers (82)
provided by other client users (18) associated with the same
assignment event (72).
[0042] Now referring primarily to FIG. 7, the client user (18) can
return to the first interactive graphic user interface (59)(similar
to the example of FIGS. 3 and 5) for additional prompts (85)(89)
for subsequent assignment events (72) each including the first step
and the second step of the process as above described. In the
assignment event (72), as shown in the example of FIG. 7, the
client user (18) can by click event select the first prompt (84) to
again generate the second interactive graphic user interface
(87).
[0043] Now referring primarily to FIG. 8, the second interactive
graphic user interface (87) can as above described provide the
media image area (77), an instruction image area (79), and an
interactive examination image area (81). As to this embodiment of
the second interactive graphic user interface (87), the media image
area (77) displays a video image (92) and the instruction image
area (79) displays an instruction image (78) which instructs on
assessing the video image (92) and taking the interactive
examination (81) in the form of an oral examination (93).
[0044] The second interactive graphic user interface (87) can
further provide an oral examination image control (96) (shown in
the example of FIG. 8 as a "Test Settings" button and in the
example of FIG. 9 as clickably selectable features of an oral
examination image display area (97)) which by click event activates
an oral examination module (95) of the layered multimedia
assessment program (14). The oral examination module (95) functions
in part to display in the interactive examination image area (81)
the oral examination image display area (97). Video media images
(16) captured by one or more image capture devices (26), as above
described, can be displayed in the oral examination image display
area (97) along with audio captured by one or more audio capture
devices (27).
[0045] Now referring primarily to FIG. 9, the oral examination
image control (96) can further include an image capture device
selector (98) which can be the form of an image capture device
selection icon (99) for a drop down list which by click event
activates an image capture selection device module (100) which
allows the client user (19) to select one of a plurality of image
capture devices (26)(such as "video camera").
[0046] Similarly, the oral examination control (96) can further
provide an audio capture device selector (101) which can be in the
form of an audio capture device selection icon (102) for a drop
list (such as "microphone") which by click event activates an audio
capture selection device module (103) which allows the client user
(18) to select one of a plurality of audio capture devices (27), as
above described.
[0047] The oral examination image control (96) can further provide
an image capture activity indicator (104)(shown as a horizontal
field and image capture activity indicia in the example of FIG. 9)
and an audio capture activity indicator (105) (shown as a
horizontal field and audio capture activity indicia in the example
of FIG. 9).
[0048] The oral examination image control (96) can further provide
an oral examination initiation control (106) which can be in the
form of an initiate oral examination icon (107)(shown as a "Start"
icon in the examples of FIG. 8 and FIG. 9) which by click event
activates the oral examination module (95). While the embodiment
shown in FIG. 8 provides an instruction that states "when the video
stops playing you video will start recording and you'll have 30
seconds to answer the question" presented by the video image (92)
displayed in the media image area (77); this is not intended to
limit the invention to only this particular method of oral
examination.
[0049] As shown in the examples of FIGS. 8 and 9, the media image
area (77) can as to particular embodiments provide a query image
display area (108) in which one or more query images (109) can be
generated in serial order by operation of the oral examination
module (95). Upon presentation of each query image (109) in the
query image display area (108), the oral examination module (95)
activates a recording module (110) which records the captured video
media images (16) (both image and audio) including the client
user's (18) answer (82) to the query image (109) to a video media
file (17) as an oral examination file (111). The oral examination
file (111) can be stored in the client device (2) and encoded and
converted to a common file format and stored either by the client
device (2) or by the one or more server computers (4)(5)(6), as
above described. The oral examination module (95) can upon
presentation of each query image (109) generate a timer image (112)
proximate the oral examination image display area (97) which allots
and counts down a period of time in which the client user (18) can
provide an answer (82) to the query image (109). A recording
indicator (113) can be generated proximate the timer image (112) to
indicate to the client user (18) that the video media (16) is being
recorded. The oral examination module (95) can further generate a
terminate oral examination icon (114) (for example "end answer"
which can presented over the initiate oral examination icon (107))
which upon click event activates the oral examination module (95)
to terminate recording of the video media (16) for the query image
(109). The oral examination module (95) can further function to
display the next query image (109), reset the timer image (112) to
allocate and count down a period of time in which the client user
(18) can answer the displayed query image (109), as above
described. Upon elapse of the period of time in which the client
user (18) can answer the last of the one or more inquiry images
(109), the oral examination module (95) can further function to
turn off the image capture device (26) and the audio capture device
(27).
[0050] Now referring to FIG. 10, the client user (18) can be
returned to the first interactive graphic interface image (59) in
which the prompt generator (84) has generated the second prompt
(89) in the second prompt image area (90) ("Do It Now" under
"Participate"). Click event upon the second prompt (89) activates
the graphic user interface module (57) which generates the third
interactive graphic user interface image (91) of the client user
interface (13) which relates to the second step of the two-step
process associated with each assignment event (72).
[0051] Now referring to FIG. 11, the third interactive graphic user
interface image (91) can as above described provide the media image
area (77), the instruction image area (79), and the interactive
examination image area (81). All of which correspondingly fill with
an instruction image (78), media image (76) and interactive
examination image (80) linked to the participation step associated
with the assignment event (72) by use of the corresponding
administrator interface (13) and retrievably stored in the one or
more server computers (4)(5)(6) in a common format for graphical
display.
[0052] As to this embodiment of the third interactive graphic user
interface (91), the media image area (77) displays one or more a
video images (115) from the oral examination files (111) of other
client users (18) that took the oral examination (93) for the same
assignment event (72). The instruction image area (79) displays and
instruction image (78) providing instructions for assessing the one
or more video images (113) of other client users (18). The
interactive examination image area (81) displays a video image
selector (116) which allows selection of the one or more oral
examination files (111) of other client users (18) by click event
to display one or more video images (115). The application program
(14) can further include a video image valuation module (117) which
generates a value element display area (118)(proximate "Rating" in
the example of FIG. 11). The client user (18) can enter a value
element image (119) (such as a letter grade A, B, C or the like, or
numerical value 1, 2, 3, 4 or the like, or a word such as
excellent, average, poor or the like, or one or more symbols such
as a five star rating system as shown for example in FIG. 11) in
the value element display area (118).
[0053] The interactive examination image area (81) can further
display a annotation area (120) (shown in the example of FIG. 11 as
a "Comments" and "Add Comment" image area) in which annotations
(121) related to each of the one or more video images (115) can be
entered. The value element image (118) and the annotations (121)
can be associated with each of the one more video images (115) and
saved to the client device (2), he administrator device (3), or the
one or more of the server computers (4)(5)(6) by use of a save
value element control (122) (shown in the example of FIG. 11 as a
"Save" icon).
[0054] As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic
concepts of the present invention may be embodied in a variety of
ways. The invention involves numerous and varied embodiments of a
computer implemented layered multimedia assessment system or
specialized computer system having a layered multimedia assessment
program and methods for making and using such system(s) including
the best mode.
[0055] As such, the particular embodiments or elements of the
invention disclosed by the description or shown in the figures or
tables accompanying this application are not intended to be
limiting, but rather exemplary of the numerous and varied
embodiments generically encompassed by the invention or equivalents
encompassed with respect to any particular element thereof. In
addition, the specific description of a single embodiment or
element of the invention may not explicitly describe all
embodiments or elements possible; many alternatives are implicitly
disclosed by the description and figures.
[0056] It should be understood that each element of an apparatus or
each step of a method may be described by an apparatus term or
method term. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make
explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this invention is
entitled. As but one example, it should be understood that all
steps of a method may be disclosed as an action, a means for taking
that action, or as an element which causes that action. Similarly,
each element of an apparatus may be disclosed as the physical
element or the action which that physical element facilitates. As
but one example, the disclosure of a "computer" should be
understood to encompass disclosure of the act of
"computing"--whether explicitly discussed or not--and, conversely,
were there effectively disclosure of the act of "computing", such a
disclosure should be understood to encompass disclosure of a
"computer" and even a "means for computing." Such alternative terms
for each element or step are to be understood to be explicitly
included in the description.
[0057] In addition, as to each term used it should be understood
that unless its utilization in this application is inconsistent
with such interpretation, common dictionary definitions should be
understood to included in the description for each term as
contained in the Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary,
second edition, each definition hereby incorporated by
reference.
[0058] All numeric values herein are assumed to be modified by the
term "about", whether or not explicitly indicated. For the purposes
of the present invention, ranges may be expressed as from "about"
one particular value to "about" another particular value. When such
a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one
particular value to the other particular value. The recitation of
numerical ranges by endpoints includes all the numeric values
subsumed within that range. A numerical range of one to five
includes for example the numeric values 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80,
4, 5, and so forth. It will be further understood that the
endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to
the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. When a
value is expressed as an approximation by use of the antecedent
"about," it will be understood that the particular value forms
another embodiment. The term "about" generally refers to a range of
numeric values that one of skill in the art would consider
equivalent to the recited numeric value or having the same function
or result. Similarly, the antecedent "substantially" means largely,
but not wholly, the same form, manner or degree and the particular
element will have a range of configurations as a person of ordinary
skill in the art would consider as having the same function or
result. When a particular element is expressed as an approximation
by use of the antecedent "substantially," it will be understood
that the particular element thin's another embodiment.
[0059] Moreover, for the purposes of the present invention, the
term "a" or "an" entity refers to one or more of that entity unless
otherwise limited. As such, the terms "a" or "an", "one or more"
and "at least one" can be used interchangeably herein.
[0060] Thus, the applicant(s) should be understood to claim at
least: i) each of the layered multimedia assessment systems herein
disclosed and described, ii) the related methods disclosed and
described, iii) similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations
of each of these devices and methods, iv) those alternative
embodiments which accomplish each of the functions shown,
disclosed, or described, v) those alternative designs and methods
which accomplish each of the functions shown as are implicit to
accomplish that which is disclosed and described, vi) each feature,
component, and step shown as separate and independent inventions,
vii) the applications enhanced by the various systems or components
disclosed, viii) the resulting products produced by such systems or
components, ix) methods and apparatuses substantially as described
hereinbefore and with reference to any of the accompanying
examples, x) the various combinations and permutations of each of
the previous elements disclosed.
[0061] The background section of this patent application provides a
statement of the field of endeavor to which the invention pertains.
This section may also incorporate or contain paraphrasing of
certain United States patents, patent applications, publications,
or subject matter of the claimed invention useful in relating
information, problems, or concerns about the state of technology to
which the invention is drawn toward. It is not intended that any
United States patent, patent application, publication, statement or
other information cited or incorporated herein be interpreted,
construed or deemed to be admitted as prior art with respect to the
invention.
[0062] The claims set forth in this specification, if any, are
hereby incorporated by reference as part of this description of the
invention, and the applicant expressly reserves the right to use
all of or a portion of such incorporated content of such claims as
additional description to support any of or all of the claims or
any element or component thereof, and the applicant further
expressly reserves the right to move any portion of or all of the
incorporated content of such claims or any element or component
thereof from the description into the claims or vice-versa as
necessary to define the matter for which protection is sought by
this application or by any subsequent application or continuation,
division, or continuation-in-part application thereof, or to obtain
any benefit of, reduction in fees pursuant to, or to comply with
the patent laws, rules, or regulations of any country or treaty,
and such content incorporated by reference shall survive during the
entire pendency of this application including any subsequent
continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof
or any reissue or extension thereon.
[0063] Additionally, the claims set forth in this specification, if
any, are further intended to describe the metes and bounds of a
limited number of the preferred embodiments of the invention and
are not to be construed as the broadest embodiment of the invention
or a complete listing of embodiments of the invention that may be
claimed. The applicant does not waive any right to develop further
claims based upon the description set forth above as a part of any
continuation, division, or continuation-in-part, or similar
application.
* * * * *