Apparatus Awarding Playtime Proportional to Test Results

Abstract

An apparatus for awarding playtime credit proportional to positive performance on educational testing. The apparatus records correct answers to academic questions, such as math, as credits towards time allowed on an attached electronic play device. The amount of time earned or awarded is determined by the number of correct answers provided in response to displayed questions.

1 . An apparatus for awarding playtime proportional to positive educational activity, comprising:
 a user interface comprising a first processor, an input device, and an output device, and a first communication device; and   a power controller base station in communication with the user interface via a second communication device for receiving signals from the user interface indicating amount of playtime available for the power controller base station to provide power to an electronic device, said power controller base station comprising a second processor, an AC input, an AC to DC converter, and an AC power supply outlet under the control of the processor.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an electronic play device that is powered by an AC power source, said electronic play device having a power supply cord connected to the AC power supply outlet of the power controller base station.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the electronic play device is a video game. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the electronic play device is a computer. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the electronic play device is a television. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and the second communication devises include a wireless communication device. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said user interface including a microcontroller. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said user interface including a subject matter source for storing educational questions and answers. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said user interface including a random question generator for randomly selecting a question to be displayed on the output device of the user interface. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said user interface including a credit accumulator for recording total amount of educational questions answered correctly by a user, and a value tracker for multiplying number of total credits by a time value assigned to each credit to calculate playtime available to the user. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said power controller base station including a relay under control of the second processor for providing and terminating AC power to the AC power supply outlet. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the relay includes a MOSFET. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the user interface communicates to the power controller base station over an electrical wire connected between the user interface and the power controller base station. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the input and output device is a touch screen. 
     
     
         15 . A method for awarding playtime proportional to positive performance answering educational questions, said method comprising the steps of:
 offering a question to be answered correctly;   inputting a correct answer to the question;   storing a credit for each question answered correctly;   multiplying number of stored credits by a time value assigned to each credit; and   providing power to an electronic device for a time period proportional to accumulated number of credits.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of:
 inquiring if user desires to earn more credits.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of:
 terminating AC power provided to an AC outlet after the time period proportional to the number credits runs out.   
     
     
         18 . A lockbox, comprising:
 a box having a lid;   an electronic lock for keeping the lid closed on the box, and the lock capable of being opened electronically;   a power strip inside the box having at least one power outlet;   a power cord extending outside the box for providing electrical power to the power strip when the power cord is plugged into an electrical socket; and   a user interface comprising a first processor, an input device, and an output device, wherein the user interface is electrically connected to the electronic lock send a release signal to electronic lock when predetermined number of correct answers are entered in the input devise in response to questions displayed on the output devise.   
     
     
         19 . The lockbox of  claim 18 , said user interface including a subject matter source for storing educational questions and answers, and a credit accumulator for recording total amount of educational questions answered correctly by a user. 
     
     
         20 . The lockbox of  claim 19 , said user interface including a random question generator for randomly selecting a question to be displayed on the output device of the user interface.