Performing a computerized language teaching lesson using a main computer and a mobile device
View Patent ↗A main computer runs a primary program performing an ongoing task, the primary program being optimized for performance on a desktop computer. A computerized device remote from the main computer runs an adjunct program which is a modified version of the primary program and is optimized for performance in a hands free mode. Communication means provides communication between the main computer and computerized device, and the main computer and computerized device interact through the communication means so that each influences the operation of the other.
1. A method, comprising:
retrieving a mobile compute device usage pattern including an indication of a context in which a user uses a mobile compute device;
selecting a first lesson type based on the mobile compute device usage pattern;
generating, at a main compute device and based on the first lesson type, first control information related to an activity of the first lesson type that can be performed by the user at the mobile compute device in the context and is associated with a task, the activity of the first lesson type being optimized for hands-free operation;
sending the first control information from the main compute device to the mobile compute device such that the user can complete the activity of the first lesson type using the mobile compute device and in the context;
receiving, from the mobile compute device and after the activity of the first lesson type has been completed at the mobile compute device, second control information including data associated with performance by the user on the activity of the first lesson type;
updating information in the main compute device related to performance of the task based upon the second control information; and
presenting, on a display of the main compute device, an activity of a second lesson type to the user at the main compute device based on (1) the performance by the user on the activity of the first lesson type and (2) main compute device usage pattern data including an indication of a context in which the user uses the main compute device, the activity of the second lesson type being optimized for operation on the main compute device.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mobile compute device includes an adjunct program that executes specific aspects of the task.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second control information is related to a quality of the user's performance on the activity of the first lesson type.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
modifying the task based on the second control information.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the task is a language teaching lesson, the main compute device having stored data defining the language teaching lesson and result information related to the user's progress in the language teaching lesson, the generating the first control information being based on the stored data and the result information such that the activity of the first lesson type is a language learning activity based on the stored data and the result information.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the mobile complete device executes a simplified version of a main program executing at the main compute device.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second control information is related to the user's progress in the activity of the first lesson type.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the generating includes generating the first control information based at least in part upon a capability of the mobile compute device.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mobile compute device usage pattern includes data pertaining to how often the mobile compute device is used, capabilities of the mobile compute device, and under which conditions the user uses the mobile compute device.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first lesson type is a hands-free lesson and the context includes driving.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the presenting includes presenting the activity of the second lesson type to the user at the main compute device based on the mobile compute device usage pattern.
12. An apparatus, comprising:
a primary program module implemented in a main compute device, the primary program module configured to retrieve mobile compute device usage pattern data including an indication of a context in which a user uses a mobile compute device, the primary program module configured to, based on the mobile compute device usage pattern data, generate first control information related to a hands-flee activity that can be performed by the user on the mobile compute device in the context and is associated with a task, the primary program module configured to send the first control information to the mobile compute device such that the user can complete the hands-free activity on the mobile compute device and in the context,
the primary program module configured to receive, from the mobile compute device, second control information including data associated with performance by the user on the hands-free activity, the primary program module configured to retrieve main compute device usage pattern data including an indication of a context in which the user uses the main compute device, the primary program module configured to, based on the main compute device usage pattern data, present, on a display of the main compute device, a hands-on activity to the user at the main compute device based on the performance by the user on the hands-free activity.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the main compute device updates result information based on the second control information.
14. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the primary program module is further configured to select the hands-free activity based at least in part upon a capability of the mobile compute device.
15. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the task is a language teaching lesson, the main compute device storing data related to the language teaching lesson and result information related to the user's performance in the language teaching lesson, the primary program module interacting with the mobile compute device to have the user perform the hands-free activity at the mobile compute device and in the context in response to the user's performance in the language teaching lesson.