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US6160987A
Expired / Lapsed
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Computer-aided group-learning methods and systems
Assignee: IpLearn LLC
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Filing: 1999-12-29
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Granted: 2000-12-12
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Expires: 2019-12-29
Abstract
Abstract Providing methods and systems for a computer-aided group-learning environment, where a number of users can interact and work on a subject together. The system and method can monitor and analyze users' inputs. The analysis process can identify a user's performance on the subject, and can understand some of the user's traits, such as confidence level and learning attitude. The system can include an interaction controller, which sets a duration of time for the users to communicate in a dialogue environment. Working on the subject in a group and working alone can be intertwined. For example, the users first work on the materials generated individually, and then solve the problem together in a dialogue environment. During the dialogue session, the interaction controller can provide hints to the users. The system can also include a user registry, which restricts the users who can use the embodiment to work on the subject. The registry can receive potential user's characteristics to determine whether such user may be allowed to join the existing users to work on the subject. The registry can also access a summarized profile of the existing users to help the potential user make joining decisions. The system can also include a notepad for a user to take notes. The interaction controller can also guide the user to take notes.
Inventors
- 👤 Chi Fai Ho
- 👤 Peter P. Tong
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 07:44
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B5/00; G09B5/06; G09B5/065; G09B5/08; G09B5/14; G09B7/00; G09B7/02; G09B7/04; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S706/00; Y10S706/902; Y10S706/927
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A computer-aided group-learning method for more than one user to work on a subject, the method comprising the steps of: setting a duration of time for users to communicate in a dialogue session so as to allow the users to work on materials on the subject; and monitoring at least one user's inputs during the dialogue session so as to have the monitored inputs available for analysis to guide at least one user back to the subject in the dialogue session when one or more users have been distracted from the subject; such that the dialogue session provides an interactive environment to help the users learn.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A computer-aided group-learning method for more than one user to work on a subject, the method comprising the steps of: setting a duration of time for users to communicate in a dialogue session so as to allow the users to work on materials on the subject; and monitoring at least one user's inputs during the dialogue session so as to have the monitored inputs available for analysis to guide at least one user back to the subject in the dialogue session when one or more users have been distracted from the subject; such that the dialogue session provides an interactive environment to help the users learn.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A computer-aided group-learning method as recited in claim 1 wherein the materials for at least one user to work on are tailored to that user based on monitored inputs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-aided group-learning method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of responding to a user's natural-language question.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A computer-aided group-learning method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of restricting one user from communicating with at least one other user.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-aided group-learning method as recited in claim 1 wherein the analysis includes analyzing the relevancy of the user's inputs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A computer-aided group-learning method as recited in claim 1 wherein the analysis is also for generating a profile of one or more users.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A computer-aided group-learning method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of restricting one or more users who can work on the subject.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A computer-aided group-learning method as recited in claim 7 wherein the restriction is on limiting a user to observing but not interacting in the dialogue session.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A computer-aided group-learning method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of restricting a potential user from learning the subject with the more than one users based on information related to the potential user.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A computer-aided group-learning method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of retrieving information related to one or more users for a potential user to decide on learning the subject with the one or more users.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
A computer-aided group-learning method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of guiding the user to take notes on the subject so as to help the user learn the subject; wherein the guidance is related to the subject.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
A computer-aided group-learning method as recited in claim 1 wherein: the users communicate in a mode of communication; and the mode of communication can be selected from a unicast, multicast and broadcast mode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
115 words
A computer-aided group-learning system for more than one user to work on a subject, the system comprising: a controller configured to set a duration of time for users to communicate in a dialogue session so as to allow the users to work on materials on the subject; and a monitoring apparatus configured to monitor at least one user's inputs to the system during the dialogue session so as to have the monitored inputs available for analysis to guide at least one user back to the subject in the dialogue session when one or more users have been distracted from the subject; such that the dialogue session provides an interactive environment to help the users learn.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
115 words
A computer-aided group-learning system for more than one user to work on a subject, the system comprising: a controller configured to set a duration of time for users to communicate in a dialogue session so as to allow the users to work on materials on the subject; and a monitoring apparatus configured to monitor at least one user's inputs to the system during the dialogue session so as to have the monitored inputs available for analysis to guide at least one user back to the subject in the dialogue session when one or more users have been distracted from the subject; such that the dialogue session provides an interactive environment to help the users learn.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
119 words
A computer-aided group-learning system for more than one user to work on a subject the system comprising: a plurality of notepads, with at least two of said notepads coupled together to allow information to communicate between each other; at least one of the notepads being configured for a user to take notes while working on the subject through the system; and a notepad controller configured to monitor the user's inputs to guide the user to take notes on the subject so as to help the user learn that subject; wherein the guidance is related to the subject, and the system allows more than one user to work on the subject in a dialogue session to help the users learn.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
119 words
A computer-aided group-learning system for more than one user to work on a subject the system comprising: a plurality of notepads, with at least two of said notepads coupled together to allow information to communicate between each other; at least one of the notepads being configured for a user to take notes while working on the subject through the system; and a notepad controller configured to monitor the user's inputs to guide the user to take notes on the subject so as to help the user learn that subject; wherein the guidance is related to the subject, and the system allows more than one user to work on the subject in a dialogue session to help the users learn.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
A computer-aided learning system as recited in claim 14 wherein the guidance is presented in the notepad.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-aided learning system as recited in claim 14 wherein the guidance depends on the user's strength in the subject.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
A computer-aided learning system as recited in claim 14 wherein the system is configured to allow the user to cut materials on the subject the user has received, and paste the materials in the notepad.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
A computer-aided learning system as recited in claim 14 wherein the system is configured to allow the user to link the notes taken to the subject's materials that the user is working on.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
A computer-aided group-learning system as recited in claim 18 wherein the link is from an area in the notes to a point in the materials.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
113 words
A computer-aided group-learning method for more than one user to work on a subject, the method comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of notepads, with at least two of said notepads coupled together to allow information to communicate between each other; allocating an area in a notepad for a user to take notes while working on the subject; and monitoring the user's inputs to guide the user to take notes on the subject so as to help the user learn the subject; wherein the guidance is related to the subject, and the method allows more than one user to work on the subject in a dialogue session to help the users learn.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
113 words
A computer-aided group-learning method for more than one user to work on a subject, the method comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of notepads, with at least two of said notepads coupled together to allow information to communicate between each other; allocating an area in a notepad for a user to take notes while working on the subject; and monitoring the user's inputs to guide the user to take notes on the subject so as to help the user learn the subject; wherein the guidance is related to the subject, and the method allows more than one user to work on the subject in a dialogue session to help the users learn.
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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) | 2003-12-12 | 2004-06-12 | 2004-12-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-12-12 | 2008-06-12 | 2008-12-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-12-12 | 2012-06-12 | 2012-12-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |