US5743743A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Learning method and system that restricts entertainment
Assignee: IpLearn LLC
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Filing: 1996-09-03
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Granted: 1998-04-28
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Expires: 2016-09-03
Abstract
Abstract Method and system to help a student to focus on study materials on a computer by restricting the student from enjoying entertainment materials on the computer. The study materials are presented through a study program, and the entertainment materials are presented through an entertainment program. The entertainment program needs a device to entertain. The device can be a speaker or a position-pointing device, such as a mouse. The computer includes an access filter, which separates the programs from the device. The access filter can be modified to restrict coupling between the device and the entertainment program, but simultaneously allow coupling between the device and the study program. The restriction in the access filter can be removed under a predetermined condition, such as the amount of time the student has been working on the study materials, the student's performance in the study materials, and the time of day.
Inventors
- 👤 Chi Fai Ho
- 👤 Peter P. Tong
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 04:47
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B5/00; G09B5/06; G09B5/065; G06; G06F; G06F21/00; G06F21/60; G06F21/62; G06F2221/00; G06F2221/21; G06F2221/2137; G06F2221/2149
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A computer-aided-educational method for educating a student through a computer, which includes a device separated from a plurality of programs by an access filter, with the plurality of programs including a study program and an entertainment program, which requires the device to fulfill its entertainment purpose, the method comprising the steps of: modifying the access filter to restrict coupling between the device and the entertainment program, but simultaneously allow coupling between the device and the study program; and removing the restriction in the access filter to allow coupling between the device and the entertainment program under a predetermined condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
A computer-aided-educational method for educating a student through a computer, which includes a device separated from a plurality of programs by an access filter, with the plurality of programs including a study program and an entertainment program, which requires the device to fulfill its entertainment purpose, the method comprising the steps of: modifying the access filter to restrict coupling between the device and the entertainment program, but simultaneously allow coupling between the device and the study program; and removing the restriction in the access filter to allow coupling between the device and the entertainment program under a predetermined condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A computer-aided-educational method as recited in claim 1 wherein the device includes a position-pointing device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A computer-aided-educational method as recited in claim 1 wherein the device includes a speaker.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A computer-aided-educational method as recited in claim 1 wherein the device includes a storage medium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A computer-aided-educational method as recited in claim 1 wherein the device includes an output device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A computer-aided-educational method as recited in claim 1 wherein the device includes a circuit board.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A computer-aided-educational method as recited in claim 6 wherein the circuit board is a video-signal board.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A computer-aided-educational method as recited in claim 7 wherein the video-signal board is for accessing television signals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A computer-aided-educational method as recited in claim 6 wherein the circuit board is an audio-signal board.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A computer-aided-educational method as recited in claim 1 wherein the access filter includes a device driver.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A computer-aided-educational method as recited in claim 10 wherein: the device driver is a pre-installed driver; and modifying the access filter to restrict coupling includes the step of invoking another device driver instead of the pre-installed driver.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A computer-aided-educational method as recited in claim 10 wherein modifying the access filter to restrict coupling is through invoking an option in the device driver to restrict coupling.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
A computer-aided-educational method as recited in claim 10 wherein modifying the access filter to restrict coupling is through invoking a restriction-entry point in the device driver.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
A computer-aided-educational method as recited in claim 10 wherein: the access filter further includes a virtual driver; and modifying the access filter to restrict coupling is through the virtual driver.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A computer-aided-educational method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of determining whether a program is a study program or an entertainment program before the step of modifying.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
A computer-aided-educational method as recited in claim 15 wherein the step of determining includes the step of matching an identifier of the program with one or more identifiers of the one or more entertainment programs stored in the computer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
A computer-aided-educational method as recited in claim 16 wherein: the access filter includes a device driver; and the one or more identifiers of the one or more entertainment programs are stored in the device driver.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
A computer-aided-educational method as recited in 15 wherein: each program has its own credential defining whether it is a study program or an entertainment program; and the step of determining includes the step of identifying the credential.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
A computer-aided-educational method as recited in 15 wherein: each program has its own credential defining whether it is a study program or an entertainment program; and the step of determining includes the step of identifying the credential.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
A computer-aided-educational method as recited in claim 15 wherein the step of determining includes the step of treating the program as a study program if the student's identifier is in the program's attributes.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
A computer-aided-educational method as recited in claim 1 wherein the predetermined condition includes the student having achieved a certain predetermined level in the study materials.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
A computer-aided-educational method as recited in claim 1 wherein: the computer processes a clock signal; and the predetermined condition includes the time of day as shown by the processed clock signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
A computer-aided-educational method as recited in claim 1 wherein: the computer includes a counter; and the predetermined condition includes a duration of time that the student should be working on the study materials as shown by the counter.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
A computer-aided-educational method as recited in claim 1 wherein: the step of removing the restriction is based on a token system; and the predetermined condition includes whether the student has a token.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
44 words
A computer-aided-educational method as recited in claim 23 wherein: the plurality of programs include a plurality of entertainment programs; each entertainment program has an entertainment level; and in order to allow an entertainment program with a higher entertainment level to couple to the device.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
103 words
A computer-aided-educational system for educating a student through a computer, with a plurality of programs, which include a study program and an entertainment program, the system comprising: a device, which the entertainment program needs to fulfill its entertainment purpose; an access filter separating the plurality of programs from the device; and a controller modifying the access filter to restrict coupling between the device and the entertainment program, but simultaneously allow coupling between the device and the study program; such that the controller removes the restriction in the access filter to allow coupling between the device and the entertainment program under a predetermined condition.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
103 words
A computer-aided-educational system for educating a student through a computer, with a plurality of programs, which include a study program and an entertainment program, the system comprising: a device, which the entertainment program needs to fulfill its entertainment purpose; an access filter separating the plurality of programs from the device; and a controller modifying the access filter to restrict coupling between the device and the entertainment program, but simultaneously allow coupling between the device and the study program; such that the controller removes the restriction in the access filter to allow coupling between the device and the entertainment program under a predetermined condition.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
A computer-aided-educational system as recited in claim 25 wherein the access filter includes a device driver.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
A computer-aided-educational system as recited in claim 25 wherein the controller also determines whether a program is a study program or an entertainment program.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-04-27 | 2001-10-27 | 2002-04-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-04-27 | 2005-10-27 | 2006-04-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-04-27 | 2009-10-27 | 2010-04-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |