Abstract:
A method and apparatus for a computer-based teaching system includes modifying a text file by inserting a first predetermined character at a first end of a first selected information element, and also inserting a second predetermined character at a second end of the first selected information element. A blank box is created in an area defined by the first and second predetermined character. The blank box replaces the first selected information element. Data is stored in a memory, with the data representing the first selected information element. A user interface is provided, which enables selective display of either the blank box or the first selected information element.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/079,181, filed on May 14, 1998, abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for converting a standard text file into a text file for a “fill-in-the-blanks” type of teaching method and apparatus which can be implemented on a computer for learning information using the converted text file. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Computer technology has been rapidly advancing, and personal computers have recently been used as teaching and learning tools. There are already a number of prior art systems which display “fill-in-the-blanks” questions. However, no prior art method has been directed towards how to easily create a data file for a “fill-in-the-blanks” type of question and answer program. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,083 issued Mar. 23, 1999 to Ferrell, and discloses a method and system for interactive speech training. This invention includes Sentence Completion and Story Completion. According to the disclosed method, sentences with an omitted word or words must be stored in memory. Further, the correct answer corresponding to the omitted word or words and incorrect answers must also be stored. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,599 issued Sep. 22, 1998 to Bishop, and discloses a system and method for interactive audio-visual foreign language maintenance. This invention utilizes a “fill-in-the-blanks” method for teaching foreign languages to students. According to this method, it is necessary for the system to store two kinds of sentences. One sentence comprises lines of dialog with selected word left blank, and the other sentence comprises the completed lines of dialog. 
     In both of these references, two kinds of data must be stored in a file or files on a storage medium. Accordingly, a user must edit both kinds of the data when creating or updating them. This is so troublesome that a dedicated program for editing the data is necessary. 
     Further, both prior art references require a user to input an answer. If a user inputs an answer, the computer can evaluate the answer and indicate whether the user input is correct. However it is time-consuming for a user to input an answer using a keyboard or other conventional input devices, especially when the questions are numerous. 
     HTML files and browsers such as Netscape and Microsoft Internet Explorer are well known in the art. A “link” which is used in a HTML file is also well known in the art. A link to another place in the same document looks like this: 
     &lt;A HREF=“#target”&gt;Click here.&lt;A&gt; 
     If the user clicks on the words ‘Click here.’, the browser will jump to the location in the current document marked with &lt;A NAME=“target”&gt; This is the target of above link.&lt;/A&gt; 
     Using a link, a data file for a “fill-in-the-blanks” program can be made as follows: 
     The &lt; 1 &gt; of the invention, which should be as short and specific as possible, should appear as a &lt; 2 &gt; on the &lt; 3 &gt; page of the specification, if it does not otherwise appear at the beginning of the application. 
       1 =title 
       2 =heading 
       3 =first 
     However, a user will have difficulty in converting an ordinary text file into the data file like this. A user must extract the keywords, store them in an appropriate location, and link them. In order to do this, therefore, a dedicated program is necessary. 
     Not only text but also images can also be displayed. It is known that images often gives a student a strong impression, and therefore enhances the learning experience. The prior art discussed above displays images. However the position where images are displayed is fixed. After the above invention&#39;s systems are completed, the display layout is not movable. 
     Below is a example of an HTML file. 
     &lt;HTML&gt; 
     &lt;HEAD&gt; 
     triangle 
     &lt;/HEAD&gt; 
     &lt;BODY&gt; 
     This is a regular triangle.&lt;BR&gt; 
     &lt;IMG SRC=“triangle.jpg” WIDTH=“60” HEIGHT=“40”&gt; 
     &lt;/BODY&gt; 
     &lt;/HTML&gt; 
     Using an HTML file, both text and images can be displayed in a window on the display device. The positions where images are displayed are not fixed. The position where images are displayed can be altered by altering the HTML file. However it is not visually clear for a user where and how large images are displayed when a user views the HTML file. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,141,439, issued Aug. 25, 1992 to Cousins, discloses a keyword teaching and testing method. According to this reference, a student does not use a computer but uses printed matter, something to write with, and something to delete keywords with, such as typewriter correction fluid. It is difficult and time-consuming to delete keywords physically especially when printed characters are small. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and system for learning information by keyword methodology using a computer which enables a user to easily convert a text file into a text file for a “fill-in-the-blanks” question program. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for presenting already acquired information through as easy operation as possible. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for presenting images with text in a window on a display device which enables a user to visually control and understand the position and size of the images when editing the text file. 
     The invention, therefore, includes a method of creating a computer-based teaching system, with the method comprising modifying a text file by inserting a first predetermined character at a first end of a first selected information element, and inserting a second predetermined character at a second end of the first selected information element. A blank box is created in an area defined by the first and second predetermined character. The blank box replaces the first selected information element. Data is stored in memory, representing the first selected information element. A user interface is provided, which enables selective display of either the blank boxes or the first selected information element. 
     The invention also includes an apparatus for teaching information. The apparatus comprises a display device, and an input device for inputting commands of a user. A computer is connected to the display device and the input device, with the system including an editing unit for editing a text file, and a storage unit for storing the text file. A position determining unit is provided for determining selected positions of predetermined characters with respect to selected information elements in the text file. A converting unit converts the text file into a combination of text and selected blank boxes based upon the selected information elements. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG.1 is an example of a text file according to the present invention; 
     FIG.2 is a “screen shot” of window on the display device of the present invention showing the text file shown in FIG.1; 
     FIG.3 is a screen shot of the same window as shown in FIG.2 displaying answers one by one in the blank boxes by pressing the Shift key on a keyboard; 
     FIG.4 is a block diagram of a device according to the present invention; 
     FIG.5 is a flow chart of how to convert a text file into a text file for a “fill-in-the-blanks” question program according to the present invention; 
     FIG.6 is a flow chart of how to edit a text file to show an image with text; 
     FIG.7 is a flow chart of the process performed according to the invention; and 
     FIG.8 is a flow chart of the process of how to determine a next process when a user presses the Shift key. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 4 wherein there is shown a block diagram of a learning system of the present invention. The system includes a personal computer  22 , a textual input device  28 , a graphical input device  29 , a display device  21  and a modem  30 . The means for interconnecting the computer  22  to the various components shown in FIG. 4 is well known in the art. 
     The personal computer  22  can be a personal computer having a microprocessor  23 , such as an Intel Pentium (tm) or similar, at least 32 MB random access memory (RAM)  25 , mass storage (hard disk drive)  27 , a floppy disc drive  24  and a CD-ROM drive  26 . It will, of course, be understood that any computing system having equivalent functional and operational capabilities may be substituted for the personal computer  22 . The floppy disc drive  24  allows the computer  22  to receive and access a floppy disk  31  containing program data and user data. Such data is accessed directly from the floppy disc  31  and/or stored by the computer in, and accessed from RAM  25  and/or mass storage (hard disk drive)  27  as necessary. 
     The display device  21  preferably comprises an SVGA monitor for providing a display of high quality images. 
     The textual input device  28  can be, for example, a standard QWERTY-type alphanumeric keyboard, with function keys, through which the system user may both input alphanumeric text for processing and/or display by the computer  22  and select certain functions and operations for computer execution. The graphical input device  29  can be either a joystick, mouse, trackball, or other pointing device as desired, to provide the computer user with a pointing and selecting device for on-screen selection of options and features in a well known manner (commonly referred to in the art as a “point-and-click” operation). It will, of course, be understood that other types of input devices may be used. For example, the display device  21  may further include a touch screen capability. In addition, an audio system may be used for audible input with the addition of speech recognition functionality to the processor  23 . 
     The processor  23  controls operation of the present system, including controlling all communications by and between the personal computer  22  and the textual input device  28 , the graphical input device  29 , the display device  21  and the modem  30 . The personal computer  22  operates according to a system operation program downloaded from either the floppy disc  31  or the mass storage (hard disk drive)  27  to the RAM  25 . The user of the system controls the functioning and execution of the system operation program, and therefore the operation of the system, by providing commands input via the textual and graphical inputs  28  and  29 , respectively. 
     The operation of the system of the present invention will be described in connection with its preferred embodiment as a chemical information maintenance tool. It will, of course, be understood that the disclosed functionality provided by the system of the present invention may be equally applicable to and appropriate for other educational and skill training exercises. 
     The program according to the present invention is stored in a floppy disk  31 , and this floppy disk is loaded into the floppy disk drive  24 , thereby operating the personal computer  22 . The program may also be stored on mass storage (hard disk drive)  27  or the semiconductor memory such as ROM and the like, instead of the floppy disk. 
     In order to use the present system, the user must first create a text file with a text editor, or access a text file which was previously created. Next the user converts the text file into a text file for “fill-in-the-blanks” question program as shown in FIG.  5 . In the method shown in FIG. 5, the process is started at step  50 , and at step  51  a text file is opened with a text editor. At step  52 , key words for the fill-in-the-blanks portion are selected, and surrounded with square brackets as shown. The text file is then stored in an appropriate storage device at step  53 , and the text editor is closed at step  54 . Step  55 , therefore, indicates the completion of the conversion of the text file for the fill-in-the-blanks portion. 
     FIG. 1 is a example of the text file converted according to this invention. As you see, the user must only insert “[” and “]” to bracket the information element, such as a numeric, word, phrase or sentence, using a conventional text editor. If the user wants to display not only text but also images, the user inserts a symbol such as “@” into the text file to determine the position and size of the rectangle image area, and writes the image file name in the rectangle image area as shown in FIG.  6 . Then, a user creates the image file specified in the image area in the text file with a graphics editor, and stores it in the same folder as the text file is stored. In FIG. 1, therefore, the square brackets that are mentioned in step  52  are shown as brackets  11 , and the @ portions for the images are shown as item  12 . 
     Image files, such as icon files, bitmap files and jpeg (.jpg) files, contain rectangle image data. In order to determine the position and size of a rectangle image area in a text file, it is sufficient to specify the upper left and lower right corner of the rectangle area. Referring to FIG. 6, step  60  initiates the image file processing portion of the invention. At step  61 , a text file is opened with a text editor, and at step  62 , the @ symbols  12  are placed at the upper left and lower right comers of a rectangle area where the images are sought to be displayed. The image is shown as a cloud  14  in FIGS. 2 and 3. At step  63 , the image file names are written in the selected image area, so that the appropriate image file is placed in the selected image location. The text file is closed at step  64 , and the text editor is closed at step  65 . At step  66 , a graphics editor is opened, and the image files, if not already created, are created within the graphics editor. If the image files have already been created, steps  67 - 69  are unnecessary. After the image files are created at step  67 , however, the files are then stored at step  68 , the graphics editor is closed at step  69 , and the process is finished at step  70 . 
     FIG. 7 shows the flow chart/block diagram of a method performed by the system. After storing the above text file, and image files if necessary, the user starts the present system program at step  80 . The system program retrieves the list of text files stored in the storage medium, and shows a file selection window containing the list of text files. The user selects the converted text file at step  81  with the graphical input device  29  (point-and-click) or textual input device  28 . 
     In response to the user&#39;s selection of the text file, further execution of the system program causes the computer  22  to retrieve and load the text file at step  82 , performing sub-steps  82   a - 82   c,  if necessary and loads image files if necessary at step  83 . The bracketed portions and the positions of “[” and “]” (vertical position is the line number and horizontal position means how many characters there are before each of the brackets) are clearly in the text file and displayed as “fill-in-the-blanks” windows at step  84 , as shown in FIG.  2 . 
     Referring to FIG. I and FIG. 2, the selected portions bracketed with “[” and “]”  11  are replaced by blank boxes or blank spaces  13  and rectangle image area  12  defined by “@” is replaced by the cloud image  14 . 
     The page depth of this window is, for example,  9  lines and command buttons such as “Show” button  15 , “NextFile” button  16 , “SelectFile” button  17 , “Edit” button  18  and “End” button are displayed in the lower part of the window. 
     In response to either clicking on the “Show” button  15  with the graphical input device (point-and-click) or pushing on Shift key on the keyboard, further execution of the system program causes the computer  22  to display the answer in the first or next blank box. If answers are filled in all the blank boxes, the next page of the text file is shown. If the last page is being shown and all the blank boxes are filled in, the first page of the text file is displayed with all the answers in the all blank boxes deleted. 
     FIG. 3 is a window displaying the same window as FIG.  2 . The user must only press the Shift key on the keyboard to display answers in blank boxes, display the next page, or display the first page with deleting all the answers in the blank boxes. The system program determines what should be the next process and executes the process. 
     FIG. 8 shows how to determine the next process when the user presses the shift key. First the system program recognizes that Shift key is pressed, or other command action is taken such as the “Show” button is clicked at step  91 . If the Shift key is pressed, the system examines whether there is a blank box without an answer at step  92 . If there is at least one blank box without an answer, the system fills in the answer in the first blank box without answer at step  96 . If there is no blank box without an answer, the system examines whether there is the next page at step  93 . If there is a next page, the system displays the next page at step  97 . If there is no next page, this means that the system is displaying the last page, the system erases all the answers in all the blank boxes at step  94 , and displays the first page of the text file at step  95 . Because of this determining process, user must only press Shift key to cause the system perform desired operation. 
     In response to clicking on the “NextFile” button  16  with the graphical input device  29 , further execution of the system program causes the computer  22  to retrieve and display the next file listed in the list of the file selection window(not shown). The “NextFile” button  16  also displays which file is the next file. 
     In response to clicking on the “SelectFile” button  17  with the graphical input device  29 , further execution of the system program causes the computer  22  to display the file selection window. The user can select another file as appropriate. 
     In response to pushing a command key such as the F7 key, further execution of the system program causes the computer  22  to display all the answers in all the blank boxes. 
     In response to pushing another command key such as the F8 key, further execution of the system program causes the computer  22  to delete all the answers in all the blank boxes. 
     In response to clicking on the “Edit” button  18  with the graphical input device  29 , further execution of the system program causes the computer  22  to open the text file that is shown now with a text editor. The user edits the contents of the text file, such as adding additional comments, deleting brackets or adding brackets, and stores the text file on the storage medium. When the user closes the text editor, the present system program recognizes that the text editor was closed and retrieves and displays the edited text file. 
     In response to clicking on the “End” button  19  with the graphical input device  29 , the computer  22  will end the current learning session, close all related files, and return to the computer operating system. 
     A more detailed example of a way in which the present invention operates is as follows. As mentioned previously, characters such as square brackets are used to indicate the position of blank boxes, and to contain the answers for the blank boxes. 
     If the text file for “fill-in-the-blanks” contains only 2 sentences which are: 
     “I like [oranges] best of all fruits. 
     She is good at [skating] [of] all sports.” 
     then the program creates arrays A( 1 ), B( 1 ), C( 2 ) and D( 2 ), and their data will be: 
     A( 0 )=“I like [oranges] best of all fruits.” 
     A( 1 )=“She is good at [skating] [of] all sports.” 
     B( 0 )=“I like best of all fruits.” 
     B( 1 )=“She is good at all sports.” 
     C( 0 ).PositionY=1 (This is the line number.) 
     C( 0 ).PositionX 1 =8 (Because “[” is the 8th character.) 
     C( 0 ).PositionX 2 =16 (Because “]” is the 16th character.) 
     C( 1 ).PositionY=2 
     C( 1 ).PositionX 1 =16 (Because “[” is the 16th character.) 
     C( 1 ).PositionX 2 =24 (Because “]” is the 24th character.) 
     C( 2 ).PositionY=2 
     C( 2 ).PositionX 1 =26 
     C( 2 ).PositionX 2 =29 
     D( 0 )=“oranges” 
     D( 1 )=“skating” 
     D( 2 )=“of” 
     Because array indexes begin at 0, these arrays have two or three elements. 
     As you see, array A contains the original text, array B contains the text with bracketed portion replaced with space characters. 
     Because there are two sentences, the maximum index number is 1. 
     Array C contains information about the position of “[” and “]”, and array D contains answers. 
     Because there are 3 bracketed portions, the maximum index number is 2. 
     In order to make these arrays, the program looks for “[” first and “]” second. A programming language such as Visual Basic (tm) has an “InStr” function, which is useful for searching a character in a sentence. 
     For example, the following statement result in 2 being returned and assigned to “Result”. 
     Result=InStr(“She likes apples.”, “h”) 
     Using “InStr” function, the horizontal position of “[” result in 8, because it is the 8th character in the A( 0 ) sentence. And the answer of the first blank box begins “o” the next character of “[” and ends “s” the previous character of “]”, so it result in “oranges”. 
     As a result of these operations, the bracketed portions of the text are therefore replaced with blank boxes according to the following process: 
     (a) The system program retrieves the selected text file and stores all line of the text in an array named OrigTxt( ). 
     (b) It verifies the number of “[” is the same as that of “]”. 
     (c) It makes text with bracketed portions replaced with space characters from the text in OrigTxt( ) and stores the text in another array named ModiTxt( ). 
     (d) It stores the position of “[” and “]” in another array named PosBrkt( ). 
     (e) It stores the answers (character string between “[” and “]”) in another array named Answer( ). 
     When the system program shows the “fill-in-the-blanks” question, it uses ModiTxt( ) and PosBrkt( ). 
     When the system shows answers in the blank boxes, it uses PosBrkt( ) and Answer( ). 
     Once the blank boxes have been created, a user inputs answers to the blank boxes as follows: 
     In response to pushing F9 key, further execution of the system program causes the computer  22  to erase all the answers in all the blank boxes and display a text box just over the first blank box. After the F9 key was pushed, the system program does not show answers in the blank boxes but allows the user to input textual answer using the keyboard. In other words, to push F9 key when displaying the answers is to change modes from Display Answer Mode to Input Answer Mode. 
     The user can input an answer into the text box in Input Answer Mode. If the user wants to input an answer into the next blank box, he or she pushes the Tab key, then the text box comes just over the next blank box leaving the user-inpuffed answer in the first blank box. 
     When the user finishes inputting answers, he pushes F10 key. In response to pushing F10 key, further execution of the system program causes the computer  22  to display in the blank boxes which user-inputted answers are correct or not. If the user-inputted answer is correct, it remains in the blank box. If incorrect, the user-inputted answer disappears and the correct answer appears in the blank box in bold-type with blue-colored. 
     Pushing the F10 key in Input Answer Mode will change modes to Evaluation Mode. 
     If the user pushes the F9 key a second time in Input Answer Mode or Evaluation Mode, the system program returns to Display Answer Mode. 
     The “NextFile”, “SelectFile” and “Edit” buttons are effective only in Display Answer Mode. 
     If the user pushes the F11 key in Input Answer Mode, the system program enters Select Answer Mode. In this mode, when the user points to one of the blank boxes with mouse or input device  29 , a small list box appears just below the blank box being pointed to. This list box contains a list of answers. One of these answers is a correct answer and others are incorrect answers. The incorrect answers are correct answers of other blank boxes. When the user select an answer by clicking it, the user-selected answer appears in the blank box. When the user moves the mouse pointer away from the blank box, the list box disappears. 
     If the user pushes the F11 key again in Select Answer Mode, the system program returns to Input Answer Mode. 
     It is understood, of course, that while the forms of the invention herein shown and described include the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention, they are not intended to illustrate all possible forms thereof. It will also be understood that the words used are descriptive rather than limiting, and that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as claimed below.