Patent Publication Number: US-2009240667-A1

Title: System and method for acquisition and distribution of context-driven defintions

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 61/030,766 filed Feb. 22, 2008. The 61/030,766 application is incorporated by reference herein, in its entirety, for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     New vocabulary can be hard to remember. Currently, online word searches and word definitions are textual. For example, a search for the word “discombobulate” in a search engine may return results from online dictionaries and encyclopedias. However, the results will be in the form of textual definitions that lack context and/or nuance. 
     Additionally, words that sound alike may have different spellings and different meanings (homonyms). Textual definitions of homonyms often fail to provide a useful context to allow a student or other user to learn when to use a particular homonym. 
     What would be useful is a system and method for acquiring and distributing context-driven definitions that convey not only a literal meaning of a word or term but an audio-visual representation or presentation of the word that imparts context and nuance. 
     SUMMARY 
     A definition exchange system receives context-driven definitions from any number of content providers and provides access to the context-driven definitions to any number of users. 
     In an embodiment, the user inputs a word into the definition exchange system that the user would like to learn more about. 
     In another embodiment, the user is sent study words electronically. By way of example and not as a limitation, one or more study words may be sent via e-mail, IM, or SMS. In an embodiment, the study words are selected and sent in a particular order as part of a study plan. In yet another embodiment, the user is presented with one or more tests to evaluate the user&#39;s comprehension and retention of the study words. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating the logical components of a definition exchange system according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating the logical components of a user computing device. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating the logical components of a definition distribution center according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating the logical components of a contributor computing device. 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating a flow of user experience of a definition exchange system according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating functional components of a personal computer. 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating functional components of a wireless device. 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating functional components of a server. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
     In an embodiment, a definition exchange system comprises a distribution center that acquires context-driven definitions from any number of content providers and provides access to the context-driven definitions to any number of users. 
     In an embodiment, the user inputs a word into the definition exchange system that the user would like to learn more about. 
     In another embodiment, the user is sent study words electronically. By way of example and not as a limitation, one or more study words may be sent via e-mail, IM, or SMS. In an embodiment, the study words are selected and sent in a particular order as part of a study plan. In yet another embodiment, the user is presented with one or more tests to evaluate the user&#39;s comprehension and retention of the study words. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating the logical components of a definition exchange system according to an embodiment. 
     A definition exchange system  100  comprises a user computing device  200 , a contributor computing device  400 , and a definition distribution center  300  interconnected via a network  10 . 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating selected systems of the user computing device  200 . The user computing device comprises an input device  202 , a display  204 , an audio system  206 , a network interface  208 , a memory  210 , and a storage system  212  under control of a processor  230 . By way of illustration and not as a limitation, the computing device  200  may be a desk top computer, laptop computer, a PDA, or a cell phone. 
     The user computing device  200  communicates over a network  10  via the network interface  208  to the definition distribution center  300 . In an embodiment, the network  10  is the Internet but this is not meant as a limitation. The network  10  may be wired or wireless, a private network, a local area network or a wide area network, or a combination of these elements. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating the logical components of a definition distribution center according to an embodiment. The definition distribution center  300  comprises a display and audio generator  315 , a network interface  318 , a query processor  320 , a user-provided content filter  325 , a textual datastore  330 , an audio datastore  340 , a video datastore  350 , and a user profile datastore  370 . 
     In an embodiment, a user presents a word query to the network interface  318  via the network  10 . The query is generated by the user computing device  200  in response to user input from the input device  202  (see,  FIG. 2 ). The user may select a word at random or in response to receipt of one or more study words. The query processor  320  accesses the textual datastore  330  to obtain a written definition of the word presented in the query. 
     This definition is received by the query processor  320  and provided to the display and audio generator  315 . The display and audio generator  315  receives the textual data and converts into a form that can be displayed by user computing device  200  (see,  FIG. 2 ). The display is returned to the user computing device  200  via the network  10  and displayed on the display  204  (see,  FIG. 2 ). 
     The query processor  320  also accesses the audio datastore  340  to obtain aurally presented information about the word and provides the information to the display and audio generator  315 . The display and audio generator  315  receives the audio data and converts it into a form that can be processed by the audio system  206  of user computing device  200  (see,  FIG. 2 ). The converted audio data is returned to the user computing device  200  via the network  10  (see,  FIG. 2 ). By way of illustration and not as a limitation, the aurally presented information may be a pronunciation of the word spoken by a native speaker, a primary definition, and one or more alternative definitions. The spoken information may further comprise the grammatical attributes of the word and the etymology of the word. In an embodiment, the extent of the verbal information provided in response to the query may be user determined and conveyed in the query. 
     In another embodiment, the textual information and the aurally presented information may be coordinated by the query processor  320  so that the display of the textual information and the presentation of the verbal information are choreographed to enhance the presentation to the user. Thus, the textual display and the aurally presented information may be synchronized so that the pronunciation corresponds to the display of the word. 
     The query processor  320  also accesses the video datastore  350  and provides the information to the display and audio generator  315 . The display and audio generator  315  receives the video data and converts it into a form that can be processed by the display system  204  of user computing device  200  (see,  FIG. 2 ). The converted video data is returned to the user computing device  200  via the network  10  (see,  FIG. 2 ). 
     The video datastore  350  comprises storage for an operator-provided content  355  and a contributor-provided content  360 . In an embodiment, the operator-provided content storage  355  comprises video presentations of words that are prepared by or for the operator of the definition exchange system  100 . By way of illustration and not as a limitation, an operator may use trained actors, entertainers, educators, linguists, animators and/or announcers to present a video comprising a definition of the word and a sentence in which the word is used. The objective of the operator-provided content is to provide a user a memory aid or mnemonic so that the word is more easily remembered. 
     The contributor-provided content storage  360  comprises video presentations of words prepared by contributors and uploaded to the definition distribution center  300 . Those contributors may be members of a definition exchange system community and may be polled via emails, for example, to provide their own visual presentation of words that the system operator will want to have available on-line to all users. Various incentives can be provided to encourage this type of community input. In an embodiment, the contributor-provided content  360  is processed before storage by the user-provided content filter  325 . 
     In this embodiment, the audio and video uploaded to the definition distribution system  300  is evaluated for particular words or images prior to transfer to user-provided content storage  360 . Optionally, the results of the review by the content filter  325  may be sent to a reviewer terminal for evaluation by one or more reviewers. The reviewers may overrule the content filter  325  and allow content to pass to the user-provided content storage  360  or deny the storage of the user provided content. In an alternate embodiment, the user provided content filter  325  is not used and all user-provided content is directed to the reviewer terminal  365  for evaluation. In an additional embodiment, other users may provide the review and allow content to pass to storage either in combination with user-provided content filter and reviewers or on their own. 
     In an embodiment, video content that is stored in the video datastore  350  is alphabetically catalogued such that the audio-visual presentation may be appended to the textual definition to which it pertains. The users of the site will be able to search for a word definition and access both operator and contributor-provided audio-visual presentation interpretations. If a word has not been visually defined then users may be encouraged to join the community and interact by uploading their own definition. 
     In an embodiment, the logical components of a definition exchange system  100  are configured for use as a tool in an educational setting. The user computing device  200  (described in detail above in reference to  FIG. 2 ) is associated with a user identifier. The user identifier may be conveyed in the word query generated by the user computing device  200 . The user identifier may be used to access the user profile datastore  370 . 
     The user profile datastore  370  comprises identifying information of a user and user preferences and entitlements. By way of illustration and not as a limitation, user identifying information may include the user&#39;s age, education level, native language, foreign language comprehension level, school affiliation, course enrollment, e-mail information, and other information. The user preferences may include screen color, word size, video format, verbal information level, and similar information. The user entitlements may include descriptors that determine words that the user is permitted to access, whether the user is permitted to access operator provided content and user-provider content, and whether the user is entitled to upload user-provided content. 
     In an embodiment, a user registers with the definition distribution center  300 . The user may create his or her “Member Page.” The Member Page allows the registered user to manage audio-visual presentations, track favorite content presenters, and interact with the community. 
     In this embodiment, the query processor  320  accesses the user profile datastore  370  prior to accessing other datastores to determine any limitations on the user&#39;s word queries. If the query processor  320  determines that the user is entitled to submit a query for a proffered word, the query processor  320  then accesses the textual datastore  330 , the audio datastore  340 , and the video datastore  350  as previously described. 
     In an embodiment, the information and content stored in the textual datastore  330 , the audio datastore  340 , and the video datastore  350  are rated to indicate the appropriateness of the information and content for a given audience. Thus, textual, audio and video content can be identified as appropriate for students in specific grades, specific age groups and by other demographic filters. Similarly, textual, audio and video content may be identified as appropriate for users having a specific knowledge of the language in which the word is to be defined. The query processor  320  selects the content from the various datastores that is appropriate to the use based on the user&#39;s profile and sends that to the user in response to the query. 
     It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various sites having definitions of desired words in one language can be linked to definition distribution centers in other languages thereby allowing audio, visual and text definitions in multiple languages to be displayed for a user to enhance the learning experience. 
     In an embodiment, a user&#39;s profile limits the user&#39;s access to operator-provided content  355 . In another embodiment, the contributor-provided content  360  is rated and is provided to the user based on the user&#39;s profile. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating selected systems of the contributor computing device  400 . The contributor computing device comprises an input device  402 , a display  404 , an audio system  406 , a network interface  408 , a memory  410 , and a storage system  412  under control of a processor  430 . The contributor computing device  400  further comprises audio-video processing application  420 . The audio-video processing application  420  is stored in memory  410  and executed by the processor  430  to provide the contributor computing device the capability of producing audio, video and multimedia files. 
     By way of illustration and not as a limitation, the contributor computing device  400  may be a desk top computer, laptop computer, a PDA, or a cell phone. 
     The contributor computing device  400  communicates over a network  10  via the network interface  408  to the network interface  318  of the definition distribution center  300 . In an embodiment, the network  10  is the Internet but this is not meant as a limitation. The network  10  may be wired or wireless, a private network, a local area network or a wide area network, or a combination of these elements. The network interface  318  interacts with video datastore  350  to permit contributor-provided content to be stored in the video datastore  350  as described above. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a flow of a user experience according to an embodiment. A query for a word is sent from a user and received at the definition exchange system  500 . The word is presented to the user visually as text and aurally  505  in the form of a narrator&#39;s pronunciation of the word that is played through a user computing device ( FIG. 2 ,  200 ). For example, if the query is for the word “discombobulate,” a pronunciation of the word discombobulate will be heard by the user while the word is displayed on the user computing device. 
     The grammatical classification of the word is presented to the user visually as text and aurally  510  in the form of a narrator&#39;s reading of the classification that is played through the user computing device ( FIG. 2 ,  200 ). For example, if the query is for the word “discombobulate,” the words “transitive verb” will be heard by the user while the words are displayed on the computing device  200  (see,  FIG. 2 ). 
     The definition of the word is presented to the user visually as text and aurally  515  in the form of a narrator&#39;s reading of the definition that is played through the user computing device ( FIG. 2 ,  200 ). For example, if the query is for the word “discombobulate,” the words “to throw into a state of confusion” will be heard by the user while the same words are displayed on the computing device. 
     An audio-visual interpretation of the word may also be presented to the user  520 . The audio-visual presentation defines what the word means in a context that may be entertaining, topical, revealing, insightful, comic, or profound. For example, if the query is for the word “discombobulate,” the audio-visual interpretation might be, “Ask a weather forecaster to explain the weather and he may become discombobulated.” 
     After the audio visual presentation, the word and definition may be presented aurally to the user  525  again. It should be noted that a visual confirmation may take place if it is deemed necessary for the learning experience. 
     In another embodiment, individuals may collectively participate to create a language and to contribute to a collective pool of produced and user-generated audio-visual presentation definition exchange system definitions. 
     In another embodiment, user computing device  200  (see,  FIG. 2 ) is configured to operate a client application. Using this client application, a user may check the meaning of a word written on any webpage. By way of an example and not as a limitation, a user using the client application may designate a word on a webpage via a “mouse click.” The “click” causes a pop-up window to appear displaying the meaning of the word as stored in the textual datastore  330  of definition distribution center  300 . In addition to the text data, the pop-up window may provide an indication if a video definition is available giving the user the option to view that video presentation of the requested word. 
     While the capability of the definition exchange system  100  has been disclosed with respect to user computing device  200  (see,  FIG. 2 ), those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the system can be embodied in a manner that is useful to mobile devices. For example, cell phones, PDA&#39;s and other mobile devices may all perform the functions of user computing device  200 . 
     The input mechanism for designating a word to be defined should also not be interpreted as limited to keystroke input. It is well within the capabilities of the art to apply speech processing as an input means. Thus a user can speak a term, have that term recognized, and subsequently have a text, audio and/or audio-visual presentation of the word definition given to the user in any desired language. 
     As previously described, a user may interact with a messaging system using a variety of the computing devices, including a personal computer. By way of illustration, the functionality of the computing device  200  may be implemented on a personal computer  260  illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Such a personal computer  260  typically includes a processor  261  coupled to volatile memory  262  and a large capacity nonvolatile memory, such as a disk drive  263 . The computer  260  may also include a floppy disc drive  264  and a compact disc (CD) drive  265  coupled to the processor  261 . Typically the computer device  260  will also include a pointing device such as a mouse  267 , a user input device such as a keyboard  268  and a display  269 . The computer device  260  may also include a number of connector ports coupled to the processor  261  for establishing data connections or receiving external memory devices, such as a USB or FireWire® connector sockets or other network connection circuits  266  for coupling the processor  261  to a network. In a notebook configuration, the computer housing includes the pointing device  267 , keyboard  268  and the display  269  as is well known in the computer arts. 
     As previously described, a user may interact with a messaging system using a variety of the computing devices, including mobile devices. Typical mobile devices suitable for use with the various embodiments will have in common the components illustrated in  FIG. 7 . For example, the exemplary mobile device  290  may include a processor  291  coupled to internal memory  292 , a display  293  and to a SIM  299  or similar removable memory unit. Additionally, the mobile device  290  may have an antenna  294  for sending and receiving electromagnetic radiation that is connected to a wireless data link and/or cellular telephone transceiver  295  coupled to the processor  291 . In some implementations, the transceiver  295  and portions of the processor  291  and memory  292  used for cellular telephone communications are collectively referred to as the air interface since it provides a data interface via a wireless data link. Mobile devices typically also include a key pad  296  or miniature keyboard and menu selection buttons or rocker switches  297  for receiving user inputs. 
     The processor  291  may be any programmable microprocessor, microcomputer or multiple processor chip or chips that can be configured by software instructions (applications) to perform a variety of functions, including the functions of the various embodiments described herein. In some mobile devices, multiple processors  291  may be provided, such as one processor dedicated to wireless communication functions and one processor dedicated to running other applications. Typically, software applications may be stored in the internal memory  292  before they are accessed and loaded into the processor  291 . In some mobile devices, the processor  291  may include internal memory sufficient to store the application software instructions. The internal memory of the processor may include a secure memory  298  which is not directly accessible by users or applications and that is capable of recording MDINs and SIM IDs as described in the various embodiments. As part of the processor, such a secure memory  298  may not be replaced or accessed without damaging or replacing the processor. In some mobile devices, additional memory chips (e.g., a Secure Data (SD) card) may be plugged into the device  290  and coupled to the processor  291 . In many mobile devices, the internal memory  292  may be a volatile or nonvolatile memory, such as flash memory, or a mixture of both. For the purposes of this description, a general reference to memory refers to all memory accessible by the processor  291 , including internal memory  292 , removable memory plugged into the mobile device, and memory within the processor  291  itself, including the secure memory  298 . 
     A number of the aspects described above may also be implemented with any of a variety of remote server devices, such as the server  800  illustrated in  FIG. 8 . Such a server  800  typically includes a processor  801  coupled to volatile memory  802  and a large capacity nonvolatile memory, such as a disk drive  803 . The server  800  may also include a floppy disk drive and/or a compact disc (CD) drive  806  coupled to the processor  801 . The server  800  may also include a number of connector ports  804  coupled to the processor  801  for establishing data connections with network circuits  805 . 
     The foregoing method descriptions and the process flow diagrams are provided merely as illustrative examples and are not intended to require or imply that the steps of the various embodiments must be performed in the order presented. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art the order of steps in the foregoing embodiments may be performed in any order. Further, words such as “thereafter,” “then,” “next,” etc. are not intended to limit the order of the steps; these words are simply used to guide the reader through the description of the methods. 
     The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention. 
     The hardware used to implement the various illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but, in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of the computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. Alternatively, some steps or methods may be performed by circuitry that is specific to a given function. 
     In one or more exemplary aspects, the functions described may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. The steps of a method or algorithm disclosed herein may be embodied in a processor-executable software module which may reside on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A storage media may be any available media that may be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media may comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disc storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that may be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that may be accessed by a computer. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media. Additionally, the operations of a method or algorithm may reside as one or any combination or set of codes and/or instructions on a machine readable medium and/or computer-readable medium, which may be incorporated into a computer program product. 
     The preceding description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.