Patent Publication Number: US-2007122787-A1

Title: Method and apparatus for stimulating a response

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/596,748, filed on Oct. 18, 2006, of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an apparatus comprising a three-dimensional object covered with a plurality of stimuli, wherein the stimuli relate to a category of topics or subjects, and a method of using the object.  
      2. Description of the Related Art  
      Teachers and evaluators of persons with learning disabilities, emotional disturbance, and/or communication impairments, such as, for example, autism, continually need new, innovative methods and materials to maintain the attention of a person with a learning disability to facilitate learning by that person. Often the focus of such teaching is three-fold: expanding receptive and expressive vocabulary skills, promoting efficient word finding abilities, and organizing and analyzing ideas into effective verbal expression. Thus, there is a need for an innovative method of teaching of persons with learning disabilities, emotional disturbances, and/or communication impairments.  
     SUMMARY  
      An embodiment of the present invention includes an apparatus, comprising a three-dimensional object, wherein the three-dimensional object includes a plurality of segments, and a plurality of stimuli, wherein at least one stimulus is applied to at least one segment of the plurality of segments.  
      Another embodiment of the present invention includes a method, comprising providing a three-dimensional object, wherein the three-dimensional object comprises a plurality of segments and a plurality of stimuli, wherein at least one stimulus is applied to at least one segment, transferring the three-dimensional object between a plurality of persons, wherein at least one person of the plurality stops transferring at a specific moment, holding the three-dimensional object, and responding to the at least one stimulus. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      So the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention may be understood in more detail, a more particular description of the embodiments of the present invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the present invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments, in which:  
       FIG. 1  is perspective view of an apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  presents a method of using the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      Embodiments of the present invention include an apparatus comprising a three-dimensional shape covered with a plurality of stimuli.  
       FIG. 1  presents an apparatus  100  comprising a plurality of segments  102  and a plurality of stimuli  104 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus  100  may comprise any shaped three-dimensional object, including, but not limited to, a three-dimensional polygonal object with a plurality of segments. The apparatus  100  may be made of any material or combination of materials, such as polymeric materials, rubber, plastic, and the like. Embodiments of the present invention include three-dimensional objects, such as a sphere, a cube, a pyramid, a polyhedron, an icosahedron, a truncated icosahedron, and the like. In  FIG. 1 , the apparatus  100  is a truncated icosahedron with thirty-two segments  102  comprising twenty hexagonal segments  116  and twelve pentagonal segments  114 .  
      The plurality of stimuli  104  may be applied to the plurality of segments  102 , wherein each segment  102  is substantially flat. The plurality of stimuli  104  may be applied using a permanent adhesive, a reusable adhesive, VELCRO, and the like. In another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus  100  may have a plurality of stimuli  104  embossed on a plurality of segments  102 . In yet another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus  100  may have a plurality of stimuli  104  permanently printed onto a plurality of segments  102 . In another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus  100  may have a plurality of segments  102  and a plurality of stimuli  104 , where one or more stimuli  104  are embossed onto each segment  102 . In yet another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus  100  comprises a plurality of segments  102 , wherein the plurality of segments are made of an erasable printing material, such that a plurality of stimuli  104  may be written or drawn onto the plurality of segments  102 , and then erased at a later time to apply a different plurality of stimuli.  
      As shown in  FIG. 1 , the plurality of stimuli  104  may include a group of words, such as, for example, nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and the like, to be used as a learning tool, for example, in an environmental environment. The plurality of stimuli  104  may include any group of text or graphics, such as, for example, words, such as word  106  in  FIG. 1 , letters, actions, names, pictures, colors, numbers, shapes, commercial brand names, and the like. An embodiment of the present invention includes an apparatus  100  with a stimulus  108  that identifies the category of the plurality of stimuli  104  applied to the apparatus  100 .  
      The apparatus  100  also may include at least one flap  110 , wherein the flap  110  is attached to the apparatus  100  at an edge  112  of one or more of the segments  102 . In  FIG. 1 , the flap  110  identifies the apparatus  100  by listing the number of segments  102  and the intended use of the apparatus  100 , such as to toss and “catch” the apparatus  100 . In another embodiment, an apparatus  100  comprising a plurality of segments  102  and a plurality of stimuli  104  includes a plurality of flaps  110 , where each flap  110  substantially covers a stimulus  104  applied to each segment  102 . A first side of the flap  110  may adhere to an associated segment  102 , where an associated segment is a segment  102  connected to the flap  110  along an edge  112  of the segment  102 . A second side of the flap  110  facing the associated segment  102  may comprise an interrogatory stimulus that poses a question, where the interrogatory stimulus is related to a stimulus  104  applied to the associated segment  102 , such that the stimulus  104  includes an answer to the interrogatory stimulus. The interrogatory stimulus may include a verbal question, a picture, or a combination of both.  
      The apparatus  100  may be designed to be any size, with any number of segments  102  and any number of stimuli  104 . For example, an embodiment of the present invention may include an apparatus  100  with about  6  stimuli  104  for use as a learning apparatus for young children. In another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus  100  with about  64  stimuli may be used as a learning tool for older children. One of ordinary skill in the art would readily recognize that the scope of the invention encompasses embodiments with varying numbers of stimuli.  
      An embodiment of the present invention includes an apparatus  100  in the shape of a three-dimensional polyhedron with a plurality of segments  102  and a plurality of stimuli  104 , wherein the polyhedron is a size between about 4.0 inches to about 6.0 inches in diameter. The apparatus  100  of this embodiment may be used for transferring between a plurality of children. Another embodiment of the present invention includes an apparatus  100  comprising a three-dimensional polyhedron that is a size about 2.0 feet to about 4.0 feet in diameter. The apparatus of this embodiment may be used for displaying in a place of business, such as a restaurant, where each stimulus is related to an article of business. For example, an apparatus for a restaurant may be covered with a plurality of stimuli, wherein each stimulus is a particular item on the restaurant&#39;s menu. Another embodiment of the present invention includes an apparatus  100  sized substantially similar to a hot-air balloon, wherein the apparatus  100  comprises a plurality of segments  102  and a plurality of stimuli  104  applied to the segments. The apparatus of this embodiment may be used for promotional purposes, such as, for example, at a car dealership, where the stimuli comprise different makes and models of automobiles. One of ordinary skill in the art would readily recognize that the scope of the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but may encompass other embodiments where the apparatus may be used.  
      A method of using the apparatus  100  is described in  FIG. 2 . The apparatus  100  may be used in an educational environment to teach students words. A method  200  begins at step  202  and proceeds to step  204  where an individual, such as an evaluator of the student or group of students, provides the apparatus  100 , herein referred to as a “ball,” to the student or group of students.  
      In step  206 , the evaluator may transfer the ball  100  between a number of persons, such as the group of students, wherein transferring the ball  100  includes, but is not limited to, passing, tossing, rolling, kicking, and the like, or any combination thereof. The group of students transfers the ball  100  between themselves until the evaluator says “Stop,” in step  208 . An aspect of the embodiment includes the group of persons transferring the ball  100  for a predetermined number of times before the evaluator says “Stop” to halt the transfer. Another embodiment of the present invention includes a method of transferring the ball  100  between a group of persons while setting a timing device, such as an hourglass device, or a stopwatch, for example, wherein the timing device runs continuously during the transfer of the ball  100  until the timing device is halted at a specific moment.  
      In step  210 , the student holding the ball  100  stops transferring the ball. In step  212 , the student holding the ball  100  then responds to the stimulus  104  placed in a predetermined position relative to the student, such as under his or her right thumb. At step  212 , the student responds to the stimulus  104  by articulating the word on the particular segment  102  under his or her right thumb. At step  214 , the student may choose to either continue transferring the ball  100  to repeat the method  200 , or to end the method  200  at step  216 . Instructions for using the apparatus  100  may be included with the apparatus  100 , such as an instructional booklet or pamphlet. The method  200  may be used to develop a person&#39;s verbal skills, for example, with autistic children, who may have difficulty speaking. Another embodiment of the present invention includes a method  200  of using an apparatus  100 , wherein a person or student must use the word under his or her finger in a sentence.  
      In another embodiment of the present invention, a method of using the apparatus  100  includes transferring the apparatus  100  between an evaluator and one student. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method of using the apparatus  100  includes the evaluator using a visual command to stop the transfer of the apparatus  100 , for example, between students with hearing problems. The student holding the apparatus  100  then may respond to the stimulus  106  under any finger he or she chooses, such as, for example, his or her left thumb.  
      In yet another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus  100  may be transferred between a plurality of persons while music is playing. When a break in the music occurs, the person holding the apparatus  100  may respond to a stimulus located in a predetermined position relative to the person, such as beneath the person&#39;s left or right thumb.  
      In an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus  100  may be used to promote a business a specific retailer. For example, an apparatus  100  may have a plurality of segments  102  and a plurality of stimuli  104 , wherein each segment has a stimulus applied that identifies a specific candy or candy bar, for example, HERSHEY&#39;S KISSES, made by The Hershey Company. A method may include a plurality of persons transferring the apparatus  100  between one another and identifying the specific candy item when a person is left holding the apparatus  100 .  
      Another embodiment of the present invention includes an apparatus  100  with a plurality of segments  102  and a plurality of stimuli  104 , wherein the plurality of stimuli  104  include facts and pictures of a vacation destination to assist vacationers in determining where to visit during their vacation, or to be purchased as a souvenir of their vacation.  
      In another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus  100  may comprise a three-dimensional shape with a plurality of segments  102  and a plurality of stimuli  104 , where each stimulus  104  is applied to each of the segments and each stimulus  104  comprises an action to be performed, for example, “Hop up and down ten times,” or “find an item that begins with ‘M’” for a learning apparatus  100 . An embodiment of the present invention includes a method  200  of transferring an apparatus  100  between a plurality of persons while listening to music. When a break in the music occurs, the person holding the apparatus  100  must perform the action on the stimulus under at least one of the person&#39;s fingers. This method  200  is useful in a game setting, such as in a bar or nightclub, for example.  
      Another embodiment of the present invention includes a virtual apparatus  100  comprising a plurality of segments  102  and a plurality of stimuli  104 , using a computer with a central processing unit, support circuits, and a computer-readable memory. The computer-readable storage medium may comprise computer code including modules to provide the virtual apparatus  100 . The virtual apparatus  100  may have any number of segments  102  and any number of stimuli  106 , and any category of stimuli  104  that may be modified by one or more users of the virtual apparatus  100 . A method of using the visual apparatus  100  includes a user clicking a computer softkey or hardkey to set the virtual apparatus  100  into motion, such as, for example, a spinning motion, a bouncing and spinning motion, and the like. At a random moment, the user clicks on a hard key or softkey to halt the motion of the virtual apparatus  100 . The user then may select a stimulus to respond to, using a hardkey or softkey, or the user may be prompted by the computer code to respond to a predetermined stimulus. Methods of using the virtual apparatus include, but are not limited to, using the virtual apparatus  100  as a learning device, or as a gaming device by the user, including an online gaming device to be utilized by multiple users.  
      The following example shows by way of illustration, and not by way of limitation, the practice of embodiments of this invention.  
     EXAMPLE 1  
      In this example, a truncated icosahedron with a plurality of stimuli of category names was manufactured for a group of autistic children. The children were permitted the students to transfer, pass, roll or toss the ball as appropriate to each other. The evaluator would then randomly say, “Stop. Look under your right thumb.” The child holding the icosahedron then would read aloud the category name and state a predetermined number of items that fall within that category. The children displayed improved learning behaviors students including an increased alertness and more focused attention span. Variations on the number, type and speed of responses were utilized and found equally effective for stimulating improved learning behaviors including less disruptions, more focus on each other, and better recall of answers presented. The children identified this activity as play even though more learning occurred then during a traditional academic lesson. The use of a plurality of stimuli applied to a plurality of segments on an apparatus provides for improved identification of which stimulus to respond to.  
      Exemplary embodiments of an apparatus with a plurality of segments and a plurality of stimuli to be used in an educational environment include categories of stimuli that include, but are not limited to, English or foreign language stimuli, such as, parts of speech, sentence formation, grammatical formulation, vocabulary, reading skills, and speech and pronunciation, science and math stimuli, such as, numbers, equations, formulas, facts and concepts, symbols, and abbreviations, and history stimuli, such as, historical facts and dates, geography, world leaders, states and countries, flags, landmarks, and other historical stimuli. Apparatuses for use in teaching persons with special needs, such as learning disabilities, dyslexia, memory impairments such as Alzheimer&#39;s disease patients, hearing impairments, sight impairments, speech impairments, emotional disturbances, and the like may include a plurality of stimuli including, but not limited to, Braille stimuli, visual, and/or tactile stimuli, such as emotions and feelings stimuli, pictorial stimuli, and the like, audible stimuli, such as stimuli that “speaks,” and electronic and/or illuminated stimuli, for example, to assist in the teaching of a person with visual impairment. Other embodiments include an apparatus comprising a plurality of segments and a plurality of stimuli, wherein the plurality of stimuli include therapeutic categories, such as, for example, physical therapy, emotional therapy, cognitive therapy, and the like.  
      While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the present invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, where the scope thereof is determined by the following claims.