Abstract:
A method for educating a patient through a collaborative network is provided. The patient is authenticated with a username and a password. A request is received by a server for entry to a repository for educational design activities. Each of educational design activities includes exemplar design configurations and material lists and is configured to include photographs and written texts for other patients who have completed the associated educational design activity. A hypertext document is transmitted to the client computer—which includes the education design activities. The hypertext document is configured to be displayed through a browsing application on the client computer. A request is received by the server from the client computer for access to a selected education design activity, and access is provided to a design engine for the selected educational design activity. A design file created by the patient is then stored using the design engine.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/342,571, entitled “Method and System for Collaborative Learning,” filed on May 27, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The invention relates generally to a method and system for educating and, more particularly, to a collaborative system for educating child patients confined to a hospital. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Child illness (such as childhood cancers) can have a defining and significant impact on the well-being of the patients. This is not just limited to the physical health, but mental health as well. Children in these situations—who are usually bedridden and/or hospital bound—are typically isolated in that their daily interactions do not include the normal socialization with other children of the same age. This type of isolation can lead to a number of problems including depression and loss of education. This is not an entirely new problem; it is, in fact, quite well-known. And, there have been attempts to curb the problems—at least from an educational perspective. 
         [0004]    Probably the most significant development is a cart developed at Vanderbilt University—called “Makerspace.” An example of the Makerspace  100  can be seen in  FIG. 1 . As shown, this cart  100  is a shared workstation. This cart is a mobile creation station—thanks to the casters  110 —which includes two separate computers (i.e., a table  102  and desktop  104 ) which allows the children to gain access to educational materials. It also includes a three dimensional (3D) printer  106  and a number of drawers  108  for storage of education items (e.g., electronics). This allows the children full access to materials to help alleviate many of the educational boundaries imposed by hospitalization, and the totality of this system can be seen in the Dissertation of Gokul Krishnan, dated December 2015 from Vanderbilt University and hereby incorporated by reference. 
         [0005]    While the Makerspace  100  is a step in the right direction, it remains incomplete. It does help hospital-bound children stay on the same educational curve as other healthy children, but it does not help alleviate any issues with socialization or isolation. Makerspace  100  is also lacking in that it does not provide any type of peer-based collaborative atmosphere to help motivate hospital-bound children. 
         [0006]    Therefore, there is a need for a collaborative educational system and method to allow ill children to both socialized and learn. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    An embodiment of the present invention, accordingly, provides a method for educating a patient through a collaborative network. The method comprising: authenticating the patient with a username and a password, wherein the username and password are registered by way of an authentication number provided through a hospital entry process such that the authentication number ensures the authenticity of the patient and ensures that patient information is gapped to ensure privacy; receiving a request by a server from a client computer for entry to a repository for a plurality of educational design activities, wherein each of the plurality of educational design activities includes exemplar design configurations and material lists, and wherein each of the plurality of educational design activities is configured to include photographs and written texts for other patients who have completed the associated educational design activity; transmitting a hypertext document to the client computer that includes the plurality of education design activities, wherein the hypertext document is configured to be displayed through a browsing application on the client computer; receiving a request by the server from the client computer for access to a selected education design activity; providing access to a design engine for the selected educational design activity; and storing a design file created by the patient using the design engine. 
         [0008]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the step of authenticating further comprises creating a secure socket layer (SSL) session. 
         [0009]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the design engine is a computer aided design (CAD) engine is stored remotely from the client computer and accessed through the browsing application on the client computer. 
         [0010]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the CAD file further comprise a plurality of CAD files. 
         [0011]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the CAD engine is stored remotely from the client computer and accessed through the browsing application on the client computer. 
         [0012]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the design file further comprises a CAD file, and wherein the method further comprises: transmitting the design file to a shared workstation, wherein the shared workstation includes a vinyl cutting machine; and generating vinyl shapes based at least in part on the CAD file 
         [0013]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the design file further comprises a CAD file, and wherein the method further comprises: transmitting the design file to a shared workstation, wherein the shared workstation includes a three-dimensional (3D) printer; and printing a component on the 3D printer based at least in part on the CAD file. 
         [0014]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the CAD file is stored remotely from the client computer. 
         [0015]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the browsing application is a web browser. 
         [0016]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the client computer is located on the shared workstation. 
         [0017]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the client computer is a tablet. 
         [0018]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the password associated with an authentication code the patient. 
         [0019]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a system for collaboratively educating a patient is provided. The system comprising: a server that is adapted to serve a plurality of client computers, wherein each client computer is associated with at least one patient, wherein the server has a computer program product embodied thereon, and wherein the computer program includes: computer code for authenticating a first patient from the plurality of patients on a first client computer of the plurality of client computers with a first username and a password, wherein the username and password are registered by way of an authentication number provided through a hospital entry process such that the authentication number ensures the authenticity of the patient and that ensures that patient information is gapped to ensure privacy; computer code for receiving a request by the server from first client computer for entry to a repository for a plurality of educational design activities, wherein each of the plurality of educational design activities includes exemplar design configurations and material lists, and wherein each of the plurality of educational design activities is configured to include photographs and written texts for other patients who have completed the associated educational design activity; computer code for transmitting a hypertext document to the first client computer that includes the plurality of education design activities, wherein the hypertext document is configured to be displayed through a browsing application on the first client computer; computer code for receiving a request by the server from the first client computer for access to a selected education design activity; computer code for providing access to a design engine for the selected educational design activity; and computer code for storing a design file created by the first patient using the design engine; and a shared workstation that is configured to receive control instructions from the server, wherein the workstation includes a 3D printer that is configured to generate components in response to design data supplied by the server, wherein the design data includes the design file. 
         [0020]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method for educating a patient through a collaborative network is provided. The method comprising: receiving a request for access by an activity server over a switched packet network to a webpage from a web browser resident on a client computer associated with the patient; transmitting a first hypertext document to the client computer over the switched packet network, wherein the first hypertext document includes entry boxes for a username and password, and wherein the username and password are associated with an authentication number provided through a hospital entry process such that the authentication number ensures the authenticity of the patient and ensures that patient information is gapped to ensure privacy; authenticating the patient with the username and the password through the use of an authentication server so as to use an SSL session; transmitting a second hypertext document to the client computer, wherein the second hypertext document, when rendered on the web browser resident on the client computer, includes a banner with a plurality of selection buttons, wherein a first selection button from the plurality of selection includes permits access a repository for a plurality of education design activities; receiving a request by the activity server from the client computer for entry to the repository, wherein each of the plurality of educational design activities includes exemplar design configurations and material lists, and wherein each of the plurality of educational design activities is configured to include photographs and written texts for other patients who have completed the associated educational design activity; receiving a request by the server from the client computer for access to a selected education design activity; providing access to a CAD engine for the selected educational design activity, wherein the CAD engine operates remotely from the client computer, and wherein the CAD engine is configured to be manipulated through the web browser; and storing a design file created by the patient using the design engine at a location remote from the client computer. 
         [0021]    The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  is an example of a prior art cart shared workstation; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an example of a collaborative system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is flow diagrams depicting an example operation of the system of  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 4-8  are block diagrams of rendered hypertext documents corresponding to the operation of the system of  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    Refer now to the drawings wherein depicted elements are, for the sake of clarity, not necessarily shown to scale and wherein like or similar elements are designated by the same reference numeral through the several views. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a block diagram of an example of a collaborative education system  200  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention can be seen. As shown, content for the collaborative system  200  is generally delivered by the activity server  202  (which may be comprised of multiple servers at one or various locations). Service of content (e.g., webpages and hypertext documents) is generally provided through well-known switched packet networks  212  (like the Internet). In operation, the client computer  206  makes requests for content from the activity server  202  over this switched packet network  212 . For the sake of simplicity, only one client computer  206  is depicted, but there can be multiple client computers  206 —which may be simultaneously served by server  202 . Additionally, there may be an activity cart  204  (which is similar in structure and operation to the cart  100  of  FIG. 1 ) may access the server  202  as well. 
         [0029]    One particularly significant issue in a healthcare environment is privacy of patient data as required by statute. Essentially, the hospital generally needs to limit access to ensure that “authentic” patients have access to the educational system  200  while ensuring patient information is “gapped.” In other words, the hospital network  210  uses the same switched packet network  212  to access the authentication server  202  so as to provide authentication numbers for authentic patients. That way, there is an association between the authentic patients and the usernames and passwords without direct access to patient information (e.g., separate databases)—“gapping” the patient information. An example operation  300  of this system  200  is then in  FIG. 3  below with example page rendering shown in  FIGS. 4-8 . 
         [0030]    Typically, when a patient is admitted to the hospital (step  302 ), the parent and patient receive a welcome packet and activity kit (step  304 ). These welcome materials include uniform resource locators (URLs) or web addresses for the collaborative site along with an authentication code. The authentication code can be generated by the hospital network  210  or included as part of kit materials provided to the hospital and is typically single use. Alternatively, an application may be provided for download to a mobile device (e.g., tablet or smartphone) instead of or in conjunction with a URL. Additionally, access to the network  200  can also be limited to IP addresses available from within the hospital to ensure integrity of the system  200  and for security reasons. Alternatively, parents of the child patients may be permitted access from IP address outside the hospital. 
         [0031]    At the first access to the system  200  (either through a URL on a browser or through an app for example), the patient can create an account through registration (in steps  306  and  308 ). The patient will first enter the authentication code, and, once the authentication code is verified, the patient is prompted for a username and password—at which point the authentication code is destroyed. The username and password will then allow the patient to establish a session (step  316 ) with the network  200 . Typically, the sessions are encrypted (again for security and privacy reason) using—for example—secure socket layer (SSL) sessions via OpenSSL and employing an authentication server  208 . After the initial session, the patient can terminate the session (step  312 ) or continue on. 
         [0032]    One advantage of the system  200  is that it is typically not resource limited. With prior cart systems (e.g., system  100 ), there was a single shared workstation—meaning that access to educational resources was limited in time so that many patients could not use it concurrently. With network  200 , a patient may use his or her own equipment (client computer  206 ) for access and use the activity cart  204  when available. This means that a patient can simply access resources while the activity cart  204  is occupied. 
         [0033]    When a patient opens an authentication session (step  316 ), a page  400 - 1  to  400 - 5  is rendered or loaded in step  318  for access to the content available from the activity server  202 . Typically, this is accomplished through a web browser or app resident on the client computer  206  (e.g., child&#39;s tablet, smartphone, personal computer (PC), or laptop) making requests for access to content. Based on these requests from the browser or app, the server  202  typically provides hypertext documents (e.g., interactive graphical user interfaces) rendered in the browser or app. As shown in the example of  FIGS. 4-8 , there is a banner  402  located at the top of the rendered hypertext document that has various buttons such that the resident browser or app can request access to various content items. 
         [0034]    Typically, there are two types of content that are accessed (in step  320 ): dynamic and static. Static content—which is loaded in step  322 —generally constitutes basic web content like images, text, and video. Dynamic content—which is loaded in step  324 —is active content; in other words, an application is either launched remotely and controller through the browser or app or is loaded locally—which interacts with the server  202 . Examples of the types of applications include computer aided design (CAD) or electronic modeling (e.g., SPICE modeling software). Design files (e.g., CAD files) can then be generated from the launched application by the patient in step  326  and stored either locally or remotely in step  328 . Once complete, the server  202  can transmit the design files (e.g., CAD files) to the 3D printer or vinyl slicer on the activity cart  204  to generate components. 
         [0035]    Turning to  FIG. 4 , an example of a rendered hypertext document or page  400 - 1  can be seen. As shown, this page  400 - 1  include the banner  402 —discussed above—with the “Challenge of the Month” button selected. This is accomplished by having the client computer  206  requests content from the server  202 —which transmits the hypertext document to the client computer  206 . As shown, this page  400 - 1  includes static content. Typically, the “Challenge of the Month” is a design competition created by the educators and issued to the patients. Considering that the system  200  is usually coupled to the Internet as its main switched packet network  212 , the challenges can be amongst children of various networked hospitals. On this page  200 - 1 , there is a video describing the challenge  404  and a textual description  406 . An example of a challenge would be to design and build a Halloween-themed room decoration such as a nightlight for a nearby medical equipment pole. Images of others patients&#39; in-progress and completed projects can be displayed in the showcase bar  408 , and a feature discussing the previous month&#39;s winner can be found in bar  410 . Archives of previous challenges can be though the archive bar  412  at the bottom of page  400 - 1 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  shows an example of a rendered page  400 - 2  for the “Gallery.” This “Gallery” is typically accessed through a request made through the banner  402  or through the archive bar  412  on page  400 - 1 . Similar to page  400 - 1 , this page  400 - 2  in this example, too, contains static content (e.g., images and text). Specifically, as shown in this example, there is a description banner  414  and the thumbnail gallery  416  of images of patients&#39; projects and text. 
         [0037]    In  FIGS. 6 and 7 , there is an example of rendered page  400 - 3  and  400 - 4  for the “Activities Library.” The “Activities Library” typically functions as a repository of design activities for the patients to attempt. Bar  418  serves as provide an overview of the page  400 - 3 . Typically, there is a description of the kits for the various activities (which would usually include design components like electronics), lists of web application, and requirements to obtain the kits (e.g., completion of other challenges). Requests can also be made for the activity carts  204  in bar  420  where the patient can include information regarding the activity and kits needed to be supplied with the activity cart. Based on an activity selected in the explanations bar  418 , an abbreviated explanation of what is involved is populated in the explanation of activity of activities bar  422 . Typically, there is an explanation regarding the types of electronics, programming, experimentation, and CAD software that would be used for the activity. There is also typically access to the “Challenge of the Month” (page  400 - 1 ) in bar  424 . 
         [0038]    From the explanation of activities bar  422 , the client computer  206  can request a detailed explanation page  400 - 4  for the activity shown. In response to this request, the server  202  can transmit the corresponding hypertext document to the client computer  206  so it can be rendered (e.g., on a web browser). As shown in the example of  FIG. 7 , there can be a title and brief description  428  and a notes and explanation section  426 . The notes and explanation section allow the patient to keep a log and notes of process. The steps bar  430  provide some step-by-step guidance from the educator/administrator, and the share bar  432  enables the patient to share images and text of the progress of the activity with others patients in the community. 
         [0039]    In the example page shown in  FIG. 8 , there is a difference between page  400 - 5  and  400 - 1  to  400 - 4  in that page  400 - 5  enables access to dynamic content. As shown in this example, a patient is able to upload content to the online community in bar  434 , search the online community in bar  436 , and review curriculum in bar  438 . More importantly, however, the software access bar  440  can enable the patient to access design software suites or application like LEGO® Digital Designer, INKSCAPE™, or AUTODESK® FUSION™. Typically, due to both license and stability reasons, the applications are launched remotely and accessed through a browser or dedicated application on the client computer  206 . The patient can manipulate to software to create design files—which again are typically stored remotely from the client computer  206 . Usually, by storing the design files (e.g. CAD files or other vector files) remotely, the server  202  can “push” component design files to the 3D printer located in the activity cart  204  (which can also be request from the software access bar  440 ). 
         [0040]    Having thus described the present invention by reference to certain of its preferred embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments disclosed are illustrative rather than limiting in nature and that a wide range of variations, modifications, changes, and substitutions are contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and, in some instances, some features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.