Computer apparatus and methods supporting different categories of users

Abstract

The computer apparatus and methods of the preferred embodiment uses computer technology in a unique way to motivate children to devote more time to educational and cultural enrichment. In the preferred embodiment, educational material is provided at a child's local computer under control of a central computer system connected to it over a computer network. On completing a particular educational task, the child is rewarded with a certain number of points. Points that the child accumulates are stored centrally, and at least some of the points can be redeemed towards the purchase of goods and services offered through the system of the preferred embodiment by its commercial participants. The purchasing transactions are also administered by the central computer. Parents, preferably, use the system to support their children's purchasing activity financially and to select content available for presentation to the child. In other embodiments, the disclosed apparatus and methods can be used for purposes unrelated to education of children, and distribution of functionality between the central and local computers may be different, including wholly local implementations.

1 - 28 . (canceled)  
     
     
         29 . A central computer system comprising: 
 memory storing a database;    a communication software module providing communication with local computers of users over the Internet;    a software module storing account information of first users, including electronically stored information enabling the first users to gain access to the central computer system using the Internet;    a software module that indicates to such first user which information is accessible to the first user, including such information available on at least one third party computer system, which is not a part of the central computer system;    a software module that electronically enables the first user to access, using the Internet, information selected by the first user including such information available at the at least one third party computer system;    a software module that stores data representing a reward available to the first user as result of first user's interaction, using the Internet, with such information accessed by the first user;    a software module enabling the first user to obtain an item of value, which may be a product or a service, in accordance with the data representing a reward; and    a software module enabling the second user to provide financing for at least some of the items of value obtainable by the first user.    
     
     
         30 . The central computer system of  claim 29  further comprising a software module providing secure communication to the first users account information.  
     
     
         31 . The central computer system of  claim 29 , wherein the communication with local computers is over a wireless communications network.  
     
     
         32 . The central computer system of  claim 29  wherein the second user proactively designates information to which the first user should have access to.  
     
     
         33 . The central computer system of  claim 29  further comprising a software module controlling display of advertising to the first user.  
     
     
         34 . The central computer system of  claim 29  further comprising a software module displaying values of such items of value in reward points.  
     
     
         35 . The central computer system of  claim 29  further comprising a software module adjusting data representing the reward after the first user has obtained an item of value.  
     
     
         36 . The method of electronically providing advertisement to a second user interacting over the Internet with a first computer system comprising one or more computers comprising: 
 enabling a first user to access first user's account on the first computer system;    enabling the first user to identify one or more groups of advertisements for display to the second user and storing such identified groups in association with the account of the first user;    enabling the second user to locate content accessible through the first computer system; and    displaying electronically-stored content selected by the first user in conjunction with advertisement from the one or more groups of advertisements identified by the first user.    
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the content is stored on a third party computer system, which is not part of the first computer system, and the selection of the advertisement to be displayed in conjunction with displaying the content is provided by the first computer system.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36  wherein second user's access to content is at least partially financed when said advertisement is displayed in conjunction with content displayed from the third party computer system.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 36  further comprising providing e-mail capability for users of the first computer system.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the content is stored on the first computer system and the selection of the advertisement to be displayed in conjunction with displaying the content is provided by the first computer system.  
     
     
         41 . At least one computer system electronically communicating with local computers of users using Internet, comprising: 
 software module enabling a parent user to establish a parent account, comprising electronically-stored parent data, using interaction over Internet;    software module enabling the parent user to access the parent account using interaction over the Internet;    software module enabling the parent user to establish a child account, comprising electronically-stored child data, using interaction over the Internet;    software module enabling the parent user to proactively designate preferences associated with the child account using interaction over the Internet;    software module enabling the child user to access the child account using interaction over the Internet;    software module enabling the parent user to supply financing for activities associated with the child account using interaction over the Internet; and    software module enabling the parent user to monitor activities associated with the child account using interaction over the Internet.    
     
     
         42 . The at least one computer system of  claim 41  wherein the software module enabling the parent user to finance activities includes software module enabling financing at predetermined periods.  
     
     
         43 . The at least one computer system of  claim 41  wherein the preferences include preferences on spending amounts.  
     
     
         44 . The at least one computer system of  claim 41  wherein the preferences include preferences for products or services that may be available to the child user through the use of the child account.  
     
     
         45 . The at least one computer system of  claim 41  further comprising electronically-stored educational content.