# US 6,296,487 B1 · Method and system for facilitating communicating and behavior skills training > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,296,487 B1 - Document ID: US6296487B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 09/332,416 - Filed: 1999-06-14 - Granted: 2001-10-02 - Earliest claimed: 1999-06-14 - Inventors: Ernest L. Lotecka - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6296487B1 ## CPC - G09B 7/02: of the type wherein the student is expected to construct an answer to the question which is presented or wherein the machine gives an answer to the question presented by a student - G09B: EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS (devices for psychotechnics or for testing reaction times A61B5/16; games, sports, amusements A63; projectors, projector screens G03B) ## Abstract A method for operating a computer to teach a student communication skills. First a goal is displayed to the student. Then the student is presented with a prompting scene that is related to the goal that was presented to him. In the prompting scene there is a first character that represents the student. Also, there is at least one second character that represents at least one person to whom the student needs to communicate. Also displayed is a plurality of sentences the student may select. At least one of the sentences will help the student achieve his goal and at least one of the sentences will not help the student achieve his goal. The student's selection is then received. The student is then presented with a response scene. The response scene is positive if the student's selection from the plurality of sentences is such that it will help the student achieve his goal. The response scene is negative if the student's selection from the plurality of sentences is such that it will not help him achieve his goal. In a preferred embodiment, the student accesses a main programmed computer through the Internet. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for teaching communication skills, said method comprising the steps of: A) utilizing a computer network to display on a computer monitor of a student a goal relating to improving communication or behavior skills of said student, B) presenting through said network at least one prompting scene, wherein said at least one prompting scene relates to said goal, wherein said at least one prompting scene comprises: 1) a first character representing the student, 2) at least one second character representing at least one person to whom the student will need to communicate to achieve said goal, and 3) a plurality of sentences the student may select, wherein at least one of said plurality of sentences will help the student achieve said goal and at least one of said plurality of sentences will not help the student achieve said goal, C) receiving from the student through said network his selection from said plurality of sentences, and D) presenting through said network at least one response scene, wherein said at least one response scene is positive if the student's selection was at least one of said plurality of sentences that will help the student achieve said goal, and wherein said at least one response scene is negative if the student's selection was at least one of said plurality of sentences that will not help the student achieve said goal. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method as in claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying a congratulatory message after said goal is achieved. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method as in claim 1, wherein said first character and said at least one second character is selected by the student from a plurality of first characters and a plurality of second characters. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method as in claim 1, wherein said first character and said at least one second character each comprise an identity, wherein the probability of success of achieving said goal is determined by said identity of said first character and said identity of said at least one second character. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method as in claim 1, wherein said computer network is a LAN. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method as in claim 1, wherein said receiving from the student through said network his selection comprises the sub-steps of: A) clicking on one of said plurality of sentences to define a selected sentence, B) dragging said selected sentence to cover a blank-bubble, and C) dropping said selected sentence over said blank-bubble. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method as in claim 1, further comprising the sub-steps of: A) clicking on each word of said selected sentence, B) brightening said each word from lower relief after said clicking on each word, and C) playing an audio recording of said each word after said clicking on each word. ### Claim 8 A computer system to teach a student communication skills comprising: A) a means for utilizing a computer network to display on a computer monitor of a student a goal relating to improving communication or behavior skills of said student, B) a means for presenting through said network at least one prompting scene, wherein said at least one prompting scene relates to said goal, wherein said at least one prompting scene comprises: 1) a first character representing the student, 2) at least one second character representing at least one person to whom the student will need to communicate to achieve said goal, and 3) a plurality of sentences the student may select, wherein at least one of said plurality of sentences will help the student achieve said goal and at least one of said plurality of sentences will not help the student achieve said goal, C) a means for receiving from the student through said network his selection from said plurality of sentences, and D) a means for presenting through said network at least one response scene, wherein said at least one response scene is positive if the student's selection was at least one of said plurality of sentences that will help the student achieve said goal, and wherein said at least one response scene is negative if the student's selection was at least one of said plurality of sentences that will not help the student achieve said goal. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A computer system to teach a student communication skills as in claim 8, further comprising a means for displaying a congratulatory message after said goal is achieved. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) A computer system to teach a student communication skills as in claim 8, wherein said first character and said at least one second character is selected by the student from a plurality of first characters and a plurality of second characters. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) A computer system to teach a student communication skills as in claim 8, wherein said first character and said at least one second character each comprise an identity, wherein the probability of success of achieving said goal is determined by said identity of said first character and said identity of said at least one second character. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) A computer system to teach a student communication skills as in claim 8, wherein said computer network is a LAN. ### Claim 13 A computer system to teach a student communication skills comprising: A) a processor, and B) a memory connected to said processor and storing a program for controlling the operation of said processor, said processor operative with said program in said memory to: 1) utilize a computer network to display on a computer monitor of a student a goal relating to improving communication or behavior skills of said student, 2) present through said network at least one prompting scene, wherein said at least one prompting scene relates to said goal, wherein said at least one prompting scene comprises: a) a first character representing the student, b) at least one second character representing at least one person to whom the student will need to communicate to achieve said goal, and c) a plurality of sentences the student may select, wherein at least one of said plurality of sentences will help the student achieve said goal and at least one of said plurality of sentences will not help the student achieve said goal, 3) receive through said network from the student his selection from said plurality of sentences, and 4) present through said network at least one response scene, wherein said at least one response scene is positive if the student's selection was at least one of said plurality of sentences that will help the student achieve said goal, and wherein said at least one response scene is negative if the student's selection was at least one of said plurality of sentences that will not help the student achieve said goal. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A computer system to teach a student communication skills as in claim 13, wherein said processor operative with said program in said memory also displays a congratulatory message after said goal is achieved. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) A computer system to teach a student communication skills as in claim 13, wherein said first character and said at least one second character is selected by the student from a plurality of first characters and a plurality of second characters. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) A computer system to teach a student communication skills as in claim 13, wherein said first character and said at least one second character each comprise an identity, wherein the probability of success of achieving said goal is determined by said identity of said first character and said identity of said at least one second character. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) A computer system to teach a student communication skills as in claim 13, wherein said computer network is a LAN. ### Claim 18 A method for operating a computer having a monitor to teach a student communication skills comprising the steps of: A) displaying a goal on said monitor, B) presenting at least one prompting scene, wherein said at least one prompting scene relates to said goal, wherein said at least one prompting scene comprises: 1) a first character representing the student, 2) at least one second character representing at least one person to whom the student will need to communicate to achieve said goal, and 3) a plurality of sentences the student may select, wherein at least one of said plurality of sentences will help the student achieve said goal and at least one of said plurality of sentences will not help the student achieve said goal, C) receiving from the student his selection from said plurality of sentences, wherein said receiving comprises the steps of: 1) clicking on one of said plurality of sentences to define a selected sentence. 2) dragging said selected sentence to cover a blank-bubble, 3) dropping said selected sentence over said blank-bubble, 4) clicking on each word of said selected sentence, 5) brightening said each word from lower relief after said clicking on each word, and 6) playing an audio recording of each word after said clicking on each word, and D) presenting at least one response scene, wherein said at least one response scene is positive if the student's selection was at least one of said plurality of sentences that will help the student achieve said goal, and wherein said at least one response scene is negative if the student's selection was at least one of said plurality of sentences that will not help the student achieve said goal. ### Claim 19 A method for operating a computer having a monitor to teach a student communication skills comprising the steps of: A) displaying a goal on said monitor, B) presenting at least one prompting scene, wherein said at least one prompting scene relates to said goal, wherein said at least one prompting scene comprises: 1) a first character representing the student, 2) at least one second character representing at least one person to whom the student will need to communicate to achieve said goal, and 3) a plurality of sentences the student may select, wherein at least one of said plurality of sentences will help the student achieve said goal and at least one of said plurailty of sentences will not help the student achieve said goal, C) receiving from the student his selection from said plurality of sentences, and D) presenting at least one response scene, wherein said at least one response scene is positive if the student's selection was at least one of said plurality of sentences that will help the student achieve said goal, and wherein said at least one response scene is negative if the the student's selection was at least one of said plurality of sentences that will not help the student achieve said goal, wherein said method is for the purpose of teaching the student communication skills.