Patents Examined by Chanda L. Harris
  • Patent number: 6652283
    Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for maximizing the effectiveness and efficiency of learning, retaining and retrieving knowledge and skills includes a main engine having a Learn Module, a Review Module and a Test Module. Each of the Learn, Review and Test Modules are capable of operating independently but are preferably arranged to operate interactively such that operation of each of the Learn, Review and Test Modules are changed based on a user's past performance within one or more of the three modules. In addition, the main engine may also include a Schedule Module for flexibly scheduling learning, reviewing and retrieving knowledge and skills based on various factors and input information. The main engine also may include a Progress Module which monitors a user's performance on any of the Learn, Review and Test Modules and changes the future operation of each module based on the monitored performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Cerego, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Van Schaack, Andrew Smith Lewis
  • Patent number: 6632094
    Abstract: A computer-implemented techniques for improving reading proficiency. A segment of text is displayed on a video screen. An audio narration of the displayed text is generated from stored audio data derived from a custom reading in natural voice of the entire text segment. The words in the displayed text are highlighted during the audio narration, with each word being highlighted in synchronism to its narration. A visual track is created through the text by highlighting the current word, the previously narrated words and the yet-to-be-narrated words with respectively distinctive highlighting. A phonetic pronunciation with synchronized highlighting of the phonemes is also available. In addition, contextual word definitions are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: ReadingVillage.Com, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary A. Falcon, Ricardo Falcon, Jorge V. Juan
  • Patent number: 6626676
    Abstract: Apparatus utilizing electrical activity of the brain to control a series of low-stimuli educational exercises (displayed on a computer monitor to increase the following educational components: time on-task, visual tracking, short-term memory, visual discriminatory processing, auditory discriminatory processing, and focus. The exercises are governed by real-time analysis of the focus and processing states of the user. Specific relative exercise performance data are collected and recorded from the use of each of the educational components to demonstrate improvement over time of the user in each of the sited educational components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Unique Logic and Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter A. Freer
  • Patent number: 6628918
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for giving feedback in an educational environment using networked devices. Initially, an image stimulus is displayed to a plurality of individual group members regarding material being presented by a group leader utilizing a plurality of networked devices operated by the group members. Thereafter, feedback is received from the individual group members in response to the image stimulus utilizing the networked devices. The feedback is then aggregated after which the aggregated feedback is transmitted to the networked device operated by the group leader. Such aggregated feedback reflects the feedback received from each of the individual group members for allowing the group leader to view the aggregated feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: SRI International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Roschelle, Philip Vahey, Tristan De Fronderville
  • Patent number: 6606479
    Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for interactive, adaptive, and individualized computer assisted instruction. This invention includes an agent (108) for each student (101) which adapts to its student, and provides individualized guidance to the student and controls to the augmented computer assisted instructional materials. The instructional materials of this invention are augmented to communicate the student's performance and the material's pedagogical characteristics to the agent, and to receive control from the agent. In a preferred embodiment, the agent maintains data reflecting the student's pedagogic or cognitive characteristics in a protected and portable media in the personal control of the student. Preferably, the content of the communication between the agent and the materials conforms to specified interface standards, so that the agent acts independently of the content of the particular materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Finali Corporation
    Inventors: Donald A. Cook, George Lukas, Andrew V. Lukas, David J. Padwa
  • Patent number: 6606480
    Abstract: An interactive learning system and method are provided that identify a “gap” between the skill(s) possessed by the individual and those required by an organization and then creates a training regimen to fill that gap. The system and method precisely map the training to the defined required skills by identifying a skill desired to be possessed of a user and accessing a first electronic database that comprises a set of skills currently possessed by the user. Next the desired skill is compared with the possessed set of skills. If the possessed set of skills does not comprise the desired skill, the desired skill is mapped with a training regimen resident in a second electronic database. Then the user is automatically presented with the training regimen. A desired skill level may also be also specified and compared with the skill level currently possessed by the user. If the desired skill level has not yet been achieved, again a mapping is performed and a linked training regimen presented to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: National Education Training Group, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. L'Allier, Albert Pezzuti, Stephen P. Henrie
  • Patent number: 6580954
    Abstract: A system adapted for use in permitting a bowling game between bowlers at remotely located bowling centers includes pin fall sensors at each bowling center for sensing pin falls caused by balls bowled to knock down pins. Communication circuitry at each bowling center is configured to send locally generated scoring data based on the pin falls to a remotely located bowling center and to receive remotely generated scoring data from the remotely located bowling center. Display devices at each bowling center display the locally generated scoring data and the remotely generated scoring data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Inventor: Michael J. Shea
  • Patent number: 6565359
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer-implemented methods and apparatus for remote cognitive and/or perceptual testing using a computer network having a remote computer geographically separate from an administering computer. The remote cognitive and/or perceptual testing includes administering a set of cognitive and/or perceptual tests, obtaining a performance response of the person to the tests and uploading the testing information via the computer network. The tests may be administered a number of times to evaluate one or more cognitive skills and/or perceptual abilities. Parallel to the testing, a therapy may be administered. The method may also include monitoring the performance of the person on the tests. The computer-implemented method may additionally include administering a set of initial tests before therapy inception to assess a person's intrinsic cognitive skills and/or perceptual abilities. The results of the initial testing and testing during therapy may be entered into a database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Scientific Learning Corporation
    Inventors: Barbara Calhoun, Bret E. Peterson, Michael M. Merzenich
  • Patent number: 6547568
    Abstract: The education intermediary system and method for facilitating an interested learner to have a worldwide choice of an instructor who is best matched with his expectations are disclosed. The education intermediary system comprises a first database and a first processing means. The first database contains data of a plurality of instructors. The first processing means receives a first set of data inputted by an interested learner and, based on selection criteria containing the first set of data, selects from the first database an instructor who is best matched with the selection criteria, and provides from the first database at least part of the data of the selected instructor to the interested learner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventor: Kiyokazu Yamano