US5002491A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic classroom system enabling interactive self-paced learning
Assignee: BETTER EDUCATION Inc
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Filing: 1989-04-28
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Granted: 1991-03-26
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Expires: 2009-04-28
Abstract
Abstract An interactive electronic classroom system for enabling teachers to teach students concepts and to receive immediate feedback regarding how well the students have learned the concepts. Structure is provided for enabling students to proceed in lockstep or at their own pace through exercises and quizzes, responding electronically to questions asked, the teacher being able to receive the responses, and to interpret a readout, in histogram or other graphic display form, of student responses. In a preferred embodiment, a central computer using an IBM AT (tm) compatible system is employed, together with a plurality of student computers which range from simple devices to full fledged personal computers. Optical peripheral hardware, such as VCRs or other recording/reproducing devices, may be used to provide lessons to students in association with the computer network.
Inventors
- 👤 A. Louis Abrahamson
- 👤 Frederick F. Hantline
- 👤 Milton G. Fabert
- 👤 Michael J. Robson
- 👤 Robert J. Knapp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:27
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B7/00; G09B7/02; G09B7/04; G09B5/00; G09B5/08; G09B5/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
310 words
An interactive electronic classroom system, comprising: a central computer, including a central processor, a monitor, and associated peripheral hardware, for running individual classroom programs, including programs which accept sequences of input associated with student tasks to which students provide responses, said central computer storing said programs and said responses and providing analyses of said responses, under control of the teacher, via said programs for display on said monitor; a plurality of student terminals, each including a microprocessor, input means for inputting information, and a display, for receiving said student tasks from said central computer, for executing said student tasks by students to provide said responses, for transmitting said responses to said central computer, and for providing feedback to the students; network means for transmitting data between said central computer and said plurality of student terminals, said data including said student tasks and said responses; a communication protocol, associated with said central computer, said network means, and said plurality of student terminals, for transmitting said data between said central computer and said plurality of student terminals, for downloading of ones of said student tasks from said central computer to said plurality of student terminals, and for transmitting said responses from said plurality of student terminals to said central computer; activation means, associated with said central computer, said plurality of student terminals, said network means, said communication protocol, and said individual classroom programs, for allowing the teacher to initiate and terminate said student tasks on said interactive electronic classroom system, such that each of said plurality of student terminals provides said responses to said student tasks at a pace that is under the control of the teacher, with said responses being transmitted to and monitored by said central computer; viewing and analyzing means for viewing and analyzing said responses; and electronic display means for displaying information, by the teacher to the students.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
310 words
An interactive electronic classroom system, comprising: a central computer, including a central processor, a monitor, and associated peripheral hardware, for running individual classroom programs, including programs which accept sequences of input associated with student tasks to which students provide responses, said central computer storing said programs and said responses and providing analyses of said responses, under control of the teacher, via said programs for display on said monitor; a plurality of student terminals, each including a microprocessor, input means for inputting information, and a display, for receiving said student tasks from said central computer, for executing said student tasks by students to provide said responses, for transmitting said responses to said central computer, and for providing feedback to the students; network means for transmitting data between said central computer and said plurality of student terminals, said data including said student tasks and said responses; a communication protocol, associated with said central computer, said network means, and said plurality of student terminals, for transmitting said data between said central computer and said plurality of student terminals, for downloading of ones of said student tasks from said central computer to said plurality of student terminals, and for transmitting said responses from said plurality of student terminals to said central computer; activation means, associated with said central computer, said plurality of student terminals, said network means, said communication protocol, and said individual classroom programs, for allowing the teacher to initiate and terminate said student tasks on said interactive electronic classroom system, such that each of said plurality of student terminals provides said responses to said student tasks at a pace that is under the control of the teacher, with said responses being transmitted to and monitored by said central computer; viewing and analyzing means for viewing and analyzing said responses; and electronic display means for displaying information, by the teacher to the students.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said activation means further comprises means for pacing said student tasks at a pace that is under the control of both the teacher and each of the students.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said activation means further comprises means for enabling a teacher to specify a time duration for provision of said responses to ones of said student tasks.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein ones of said classroom programs comprise means for enabling the teacher, during a class, to select, retrieve, and use said sequences of input.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said ones of said classroom programs comprise means for enabling selection, retrieval, and use of a subset of any of said sequences of input.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ones of said classroom programs further comprise means for enabling the teacher, during a class, to enter, in real time, a new sequence of input.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said viewing and analyzing means further comprises means for viewing and analyzing said responses to said student tasks which were previously executed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said communication protocol allows transmission of said data between said central computer and said plurality of student terminals, both selectively and collectively, and among said plurality of student terminals themselves, both selectively and collectively.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising database means for storing class records and said responses in accordance with a selectable format.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said database means includes means for storing class rolls, student attendance records, and said sequences of input.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said viewing and analyzing means includes means for viewing and analyzing said responses both during and after a classroom session.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said viewing and analyzing means includes means for viewing and analyzing responses to said student tasks in accordance with the type of student task.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising preparation means for enabling preparation of said sequences of input for use during a class, and for storing said sequences of input for later use.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as claimed in claim 13, wherein said preparation means comprises means for displaying teacher choices in a menu format.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system as claimed in claim 13, wherein said preparation means comprises language means, selected from the group consisting of high level programming languages, low level programming languages, and computer-responsive languages, for enabling preparation of said sequences of input.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a subroutine library, callable by said language means, for preparing said sequences of input.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said activation means comprises means for displaying teacher choices in a menu format.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising grading means for enabling a teacher to assign grades to said responses.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising logon means for identifying the students individually to the system by personal identity and by location in the classroom.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said central computer comprises one of a personal computer and a workstation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for transmitting prerecorded video information to said electronic display means under control of the teacher for viewing by said students.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said network means comprises a local area network (LAN).
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said student tasks are compiled from the group consisting of questions, quizzes, tests, classroom exercises, didactic programs, instructional games, simulations, and homework.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said network means comprises at least one network controller.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said communication protocol allows transmission of said data from said central computer to only one of said plurality of student terminals at a time.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said communication protocol allows transmission of said data from said central computer simultaneously to a selected subset consisting of fewer than all of said plurality of student terminals.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said communication protocol allows transmission of said data from said central computing unit simultaneously to a plurality of selected subsets each consisting of fewer than all of said plurality of student terminals.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said activation means allows each of said plurality of student terminals to receive and respond to said student tasks at each student's own pace.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said activation means allows all said plurality of student terminals to receive and respond to said student tasks within time limits set by the teacher.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
49 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said activation means allows all of said plurality of student terminals within a selected subset, consisting of fewer than all of said plurality of student terminals, to receive and respond to said student tasks within time limits set by the teacher.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
51 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said activation means allows selected subsets of said plurality of student terminals, each of said selected subsets consisting of fewer than all of said plurality of student terminals, to receive and respond to said student tasks within time limits set by the teacher.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electronic display means comprises a display selected from the group consisting of a liquid crystal display a color television, and a color television projector.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said activation means further comprises means for changing said time duration.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sequences of input include at least one predetermined time duration for provision of said responses.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sequences of input are input to said central computer via devices compiled from the group consisting of a keyboard, pointing device, floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, modem, and computer network.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sequences of input are compiled from the group consisting of said student tasks, student task descriptions, student task time limits, computer programs, enhanced viewing and analyzing tools for specific student tasks, graphic images, and video and audio sequences.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of said student terminals includes means for providing narrative responses to said student tasks.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said viewing and analyzing means includes means for viewing and analyzing responses to said student tasks outside class on a separate computer that is separate from remaining elements of said interactive electronic classroom system.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as claimed in claim 38, further comprising additional networking means for networking said separate computer to said central computer.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of said student terminals is portable and comprises means for performing at least one function selected from the group consisting of computer, calculator, organizer, appointment diary, typewriter, phone directory, alarm clock, thesaurus, and dictionary.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein ones of said student tasks include programs, executing on said student terminals, for providing local analyses of said responses and for providing individual instructions and feedback to the students.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said data transmitted by said network means under said communication protocol includes said information for display by said electronic display means.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said network means includes means for transmitting said data by electromagnetic waves.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system as claimed in claim 30, wherein said activation means allows ones of said plurality of student terminals, other than those in said selected subset, to receive and respond to said student tasks at each respective student's own pace.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system as claimed in claim 31, wherein said activation means allows ones of said plurality of student terminals other than those in said selected subsets to receive and respond to said student tasks at each respective student's own pace.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electronic display means comprises means for enabling display of said information, by the teacher to the students, at the display at each of said plurality of student terminals.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electronic display means comprises means for playing segments of prerecorded video and audio information under control of said central computer, said segments being selected in accordance with said sequences of input and said responses.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as claimed in claim 24, further comprising means for enabling at least one microprocessor from said plurality of student terminals to act as a microcontroller with said network controller.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electronic display means comprises means for displaying analyses of said responses to said student tasks.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-03-25 | 1994-09-24 | 1995-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-03-25 | 1998-09-24 | 1999-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-03-25 | 2002-09-24 | 2003-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |