Apparatus and method for providing serious game

Abstract

A serious game providing apparatus comprises a content providing unit that provides at least one of a multiple number of serious game contents for cognitive ability measurement and development to a user terminal of a registered user; and an assessment processing unit that provides cognitive ability assessment data corresponding to the registered user based on a result of at least one time performance of the multiple number of serious game contents.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A serious game providing apparatus comprising:
 a content providing unit that provides at least one of a multiple number of serious game contents for cognitive ability measurement and development to a user terminal of a registered user; and   an assessment processing unit that provides cognitive ability assessment data corresponding to the registered user based on a result of at least one time performance of the multiple number of serious game contents,   wherein the multiple number of serious game contents corresponds to at least one of a multiple number of functions classified from the cognitive ability, and the multiple number of functions includes a memory function involved in memorizing information, a psycho-motor function involved in a connection between a brain and a neuromuscle, an attention function involved in selectively concentrating on a target, an executive function involved in getting used to conditions and controlling an execution, and an emotion function involved in controlling emotional factors.   
     
     
         2 . The serious game providing apparatus of  claim 1 ,
 wherein each of the multiple number of serious game contents includes two or more different levels of difficulty and a randomly combined measurement level from two or more different levels of difficulty, and   the content providing unit includes:   a development module configured to provide development content data that execute at least one of the multiple number of serious game contents by respective levels;   a measurement module configured to provide measurement content data that execute all of the multiple number of serious game contents by the measurement level;   a performance check module configured to generate game performance data based on a performance result of the registered user for at least one serious game content executed by the respective levels according to the development content data or based on a performance result of the registered user for the multiple number of serious game contents executed by the respective measurement levels according to the measurement content data; and   a content control module configured to allow the user terminal of the registered user to access the measurement module or the development module depending on whether there are the cognitive ability assessment data corresponding to the registered user or not.   
     
     
         3 . The serious game providing apparatus of  claim 2 ,
 wherein the content control module determines whether there are the cognitive ability assessment data corresponding to the registered user or not based on an access record of the registered user, and   if it is confirmed that the cognitive ability assessment data do not exist, the user terminal of the registered user is allowed to access the measurement module.   
     
     
         4 . The serious game providing apparatus of  claim 3 ,
 wherein if it is confirmed that the cognitive ability assessment data exist, the content control module selects the at least one serious game content and respective development levels of the different levels of difficulty for the at least one serious game content based on the cognitive ability assessment data and provides a selection program according to the selection result, and   if the user terminal's acceptance of the selection program is received, first control data corresponding to the selection program are transferred to the development module, and   if the first control data are received, the development module arranges the at least one selected serious game content in order based on the selection program or in a random order regardless of the selection program by a request of the user terminal and provides first development data that execute the at least one serious game content by the respective selected development levels.   
     
     
         5 . The serious game providing apparatus of  claim 4 ,
 wherein if the user terminal's refusal of the selection program is received,   the content control module provides a content list that shows two or more available serious game contents among the multiple number of serious game contents and receives game selection data that select the at least one serious game content based on the content list from the user terminal, or   the content control module receives, from the user terminal, acceptance of a game recommendation message that recommends at least one serious game content selected by another user terminal instead of the user terminal, and   the content control module suggests at least one development levels of the two or more different levels of difficulty for the at least one selected serious game content based on the cognitive ability assessment data.   
     
     
         6 . The serious game providing apparatus of  claim 5 ,
 wherein if the user terminal's acceptance of the at least one suggested level is received, the content control module transfers second control data corresponding to the at least one selected serious game content and the accepted level to the development module, and   if the second control data are received, the development module provides second development content data that execute the at least one selected serious game content by the respective accepted development levels.   
     
     
         7 . The serious game providing apparatus of  claim 6 ,
 wherein if the user terminal's refusal of the at least one suggested level is received, the content control module provides a level list that shows two or more selectable development levels of the two or more different levels of difficulty for the at least one selected serious game content, and   if level selection data that select a level for the at least one selected serious game content based on the level list are received from the user terminal, third control data corresponding to the at least one selected serious game content and the level selection data are transferred to the development module, and   if the third control data are received, the development module provides third development content data that execute the at least one selected serious game content by the respective development levels selected by the user terminal.   
     
     
         8 . The serious game providing apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a user interface that receives an access request from each user terminal via a network and by using an access record of each registered user, a user terminal of the registered user among the user terminals is allowed to access the content control module; and   an information management unit that stores an access record corresponding to each registered user, the cognitive ability assessment data, and the multiple number of serious game contents.   
     
     
         9 . The serious game providing apparatus of  claim 2 ,
 wherein if it is confirmed by the content control module that the cognitive ability assessment data exist, the assessment processing unit updates the cognitive ability assessment data based on the game performance data, and   if it is confirmed by the content control module that the cognitive ability assessment data do not exist, the assessment processing unit generates the cognitive ability assessment data based on the game performance data based on a performance result of the registered user for the multiple number of serious game contents executed by the respective measurement level according to the measurement content data.   
     
     
         10 . The serious game providing apparatus of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the assessment processing unit includes:   a behavior analysis assessment module that combines the game performance data generated by the performance check module to generate the cognitive ability assessment data in a quantitative form;   a pattern classification module that analyzes a repeated pattern in the cognitive ability assessment data and generates pattern classification data;   a pathological data analysis module that draws any particular matter from the cognitive ability assessment data based on average of cognitive ability assessment data corresponding to the registered user and at least one of other registered users and generates pathological data based on the particular matter;   an IQ usefulness and stability assessment module that analyzes a change in the cognitive ability assessment data and generates improvement assessment data showing a level of improvement in the cognitive ability of the registered user; and   an emotion and learning motive analysis module that analyzes a difference between the cognitive ability assessment data and the average of cognitive ability assessment data and generates comparison data,   wherein at least one of the cognitive ability assessment data, the pattern classification data, the pathological data, the improvement assessment data, and the comparison data are provided to the user terminal through a result display window displaying at least one of numerical values, diagrams, and an opinion of an expert.   
     
     
         11 . The serious game providing apparatus of  claim 1 ,
 wherein a serious game content corresponding to the memory function is carried out to memorize at least one target such as a word, a number or an image, and the at least one target is displayed for a task showing time, a question window that randomly displays at least one obstacle different from the target together with the at least one target is provided, and a task of selecting the target from the at least one obstacle and the at least one target within a time limit for selection is provided, and   a level of difficulty of the serious game content corresponding to the memory function is adjusted depending on the task showing time, the number of the targets, the number of the obstacles, and the time limit for selection, and   items for assessing the registered user for the task include the number of times of selecting the target, a response time required for selecting the target or the obstacle, and the number of times of selecting the obstacle.   
     
     
         12 . The serious game providing apparatus of  claim 1 ,
 wherein a serious game content corresponding to the memory function is carried out to memorize respective positions of a multiple number of targets such as words or numbers and an order of the multiple number of targets, and a multiple number of targets irregularly displayed on a multiple number of sections is displayed for a task showing time, a question window that displays the multiple number of sections without showing the multiple number of targets is provided, and a task of selecting the multiple number of sections in order according to a reference order of selecting the multiple number of targets within a time limit for selection is provided, and   a level of difficulty of the serious game content corresponding to the memory function is adjusted depending on the number of the targets, the task showing time, the time limit for selection, and the reference order of selecting, and   items for assessing the registered user for the task include the number of times of selecting the sections according to the reference order of selecting, the number of times of selecting the sections in order contrary to the reference order of selecting, and a response time required for selecting the sections.   
     
     
         13 . The serious game providing apparatus of  claim 1 ,
 wherein a serious game content corresponding to the memory function is carried out to memorize a position of at least one target such as a word, a number, or an image and an order of appearance of the at least one target, and tasks including at least one target and at least one obstacle different from the target are randomly arranged on a multiple number of sections for a task showing time and each task arranged in each section is provided in a random order for each task showing time, a question window that displays the multiple number of sections without showing the tasks is provided, and a task of selecting, in order, a section where the at least one target is positioned, from the multiple number of sections within a time limit for selection is provided, and   a level of difficulty of the serious game content corresponding to the memory function is adjusted depending on the number of the sections, the number of the targets, the number of the obstacles, the task showing time, the time limit for selection, and the reference order of selecting, and   items for assessing the registered user for the task include the number of times of selecting the section where the target is positioned, the number of times of selecting the section where the target is positioned according to the reference order of selecting, the number of times of selecting a section where the obstacle is positioned, and a response time required for selecting the sections.   
     
     
         14 . The serious game providing apparatus of  claim 1 ,
 wherein a serious game content corresponding to the psycho-motor function is carried out to move hands or arms in association with information obtained with eyes, and at least one correct target and at least one incorrect target controlled by game rules and a user object moved in the control of a user are displayed on a screen and a task of moving the user object to be overlapped with the correct target while avoiding the incorrect target is provided, and   a level of difficulty of the serious game content corresponding to the psycho-motor function is adjusted depending on the respective numbers of the correct targets and the incorrect targets, an appearance interval, an appearance position, a speed of movement, and a time for keeping a movement, and   items for assessing the registered user for the task include the number of times of overlapping the user object with the correct target, and the number of times of overlapping the user object with the incorrect target.   
     
     
         15 . The serious game providing apparatus of  claim 1 ,
 wherein a serious game content corresponding to the attention function is carried out to recognize an order of a multiple number of targets such as words, numbers or images, and a question window that displays the multiple number of targets dispersed at random and a reference order of selecting the multiple number of targets are provided, and a task of selecting the multiple number of targets in the reference order of selecting within a time limit for selection, and   a level of difficulty of the serious game content corresponding to the attention function is adjusted depending on the number of the targets, the time limit for selection, and the reference order of selecting, and   items for assessing the registered user for the task include the number of times of selecting the multiple number of targets according to the reference order of selecting, the number of times of selecting the multiple number of targets in order contrary to the reference order of selecting, and a response time required for selecting the multiple number of targets.   
     
     
         16 . A serious game providing apparatus comprising:
 a content providing unit that provides at least one of a multiple number of serious game contents for cognitive ability measurement and development to a user terminal of a registered user; and   an assessment processing unit that provides cognitive ability assessment data corresponding to the registered user based on a result of at least one time performance of the multiple number of serious game contents,   wherein the at least one serious game content is contained in a selection program provided by the content providing unit according to a selection result based on the cognitive ability assessment data corresponding to the registered user, or   the at least one serious game content is selected by the user terminal based on a content list that shows two or more available serious game content from the content providing unit among the multiple number of serious game contents, or   the at least one serious game content is selected by another user terminal connected with the content providing unit instead of the user terminal.   
     
     
         17 . The serious game providing apparatus of  claim 16 ,
 wherein the multiple number of serious game contents corresponds to at least one of a multiple number of functions classified from the cognitive ability, and the multiple number of functions includes a memory function involved in memorizing information, a psycho-motor function involved in a connection between a brain and a neuromuscle, an attention function involved in selectively concentrating on a target, an executive function involved in getting used to conditions and controlling an execution, and an emotion function involved in controlling emotional factors, and   each of the multiple number of serious game contents includes two or more different levels of difficulty and a randomly combined measurement level from two or more levels.   
     
     
         18 . The serious game providing apparatus of  claim 17 ,
 wherein the content providing unit includes:   a development module configured to provide development content data that execute the at least one selected serious game content by respective levels;   a measurement module configured to provide measurement content data that execute all of the multiple number of serious game contents by the measurement level;   a performance check module configured to generate game performance data based on a performance result of the registered user for at least one serious game content executed by the respective levels according to the development content data or based on a performance result of the registered user for the multiple number of serious game contents executed by the measurement level according to the measurement content data; and   a content control module configured to allow the user terminal of the registered user to access the measurement module or the development module depending on whether there are the cognitive ability assessment data corresponding to the registered user or not,   wherein the content control module determines whether there are the cognitive ability assessment data corresponding to the registered user or not based on an access record of the registered user, and if it is confirmed that the cognitive ability assessment data do not exist, the user terminal of the registered user is allowed to access the measurement module.   
     
     
         19 . The serious game providing apparatus of  claim 18 ,
 wherein if it is confirmed that the cognitive ability assessment data exist, the content control module selects the at least one serious game content and the respective levels based on the cognitive ability assessment data and provides a selection program according to the selection result,   the development module provides a user terminal that accepts the selection program with first development content data that execute the at least one selected serious game content by the respective selected levels, and   the first development content data execute the at least one selected serious game content in order based on the selection program or in a random order regardless of the selection program by a request of the user terminal.   
     
     
         20 . The serious game providing apparatus of  claim 19 ,
 wherein the content control module provides the content list to a user terminal that refuses the selection program and receives game selection data that select the at least one serious game content based on the content list from the user terminal, or   the content control module receives, from the user terminal, acceptance of a game recommendation message that recommends at least one serious game content selected by another user terminal instead of the user terminal, and   based on the cognitive ability assessment data, the content control module suggests at least one of the two or more levels for the at least one selected serious game content, and   the development module provides a user terminal that accepts any one of the at least one suggested level with second development content data that execute the at least one selected serious game content by the accepted level, and   the development module provides a user terminal that refuses the at least one suggested level with third development content data that execute the at least ones selected serious game content by the respective levels selected by the user terminal.   
     
     
         21 . A serious game providing method comprising:
 receiving an access request from at least one user terminal via a network;   providing at least one of a multiple number of serious game contents for cognitive ability measurement and development to a user terminal of a registered user among the at least one user terminal by searching an access record of each registered user;   generating game performance data based on a performance result of the registered user for the at least one provided serious game content;   updating or generating cognitive ability assessment data corresponding to the registered user based on the game performance data;   providing the updated or generated cognitive ability assessment data,   wherein the cognitive ability assessment data are based on a result of at least one time performance of the multiple number of serious game contents by the registered user, and   the multiple number of serious game contents corresponds to at least one of a multiple number of functions classified from the cognitive ability, and the multiple number of functions includes a memory function involved in memorizing information, a psycho-motor function involved in a connection between a brain and a neuromuscle, an attention function involved in selectively concentrating on a target, an executive function involved in getting used to conditions and controlling an execution, and an emotion function involved in controlling emotional factors.   
     
     
         22 . The serious game providing method of  claim 21 ,
 wherein each of the multiple number of serious game contents includes two or more different levels of difficulty and a randomly combined measurement level from two or more levels,   the providing at least one of a multiple number of serious game contents includes:   determining whether the cognitive ability assessment data corresponding to the registered user exist or not by searching an access record of the registered user;   when it is confirmed that cognitive ability assessment data exist, providing development content data that execute at least one of the multiple number of serious game contents by the respective levels; and   when it is confirmed that the cognitive ability assessment data do not exist, providing measurement content data that execute all of the multiple number of serious game contents by the measurement level.   
     
     
         23 . The serious game providing method of  claim 22 ,
 wherein the providing development content data includes:   when it is confirmed that cognitive ability assessment data, selecting the at least one serious game content and respective levels based on the confirmed cognitive ability assessment data and providing a selection program depending on the selection result;   when the user terminal's acceptance of the selection program is received, arranging at least one selected serious game content in order based on the selection program or in a random order regardless of the selection program by a request of the user terminal and providing first development content data that execute at least one arranged serious game content by the respective selected levels;   when the user terminal's refusal of the selection program is received, providing a content list showing two or more available serious game contents among the multiple number of serious game contents;   receiving the user terminal's game selection data that select the at least one serious game content based on the content list;   suggesting at least one of two or more levels contained in at least one selected serious game content according to the game selection data based on the cognitive ability assessment data;   when the user terminal's acceptance of any one of the at least suggested level is received, providing second development content data that execute the at least one selected serious game content by the accepted level; and   when the user terminal's refusal of at least one suggested level is received, providing third development content data that execute the at least one selected serious game content by respective levels selected by the user terminal.   
     
     
         24 . The serious game providing method of  claim 22 ,
 wherein the updating or generating cognitive ability assessment data corresponding to the registered user includes:   when it is confirmed that the cognitive ability assessment data exist in the determining whether the cognitive ability assessment data corresponding to the registered user exist or not, updating the cognitive ability assessment data corresponding to the registered user based on the game performance data; or   when it is confirmed that the cognitive ability assessment data do not exist in the determining whether the cognitive ability assessment data corresponding to the registered user exist or not, generating the cognitive ability assessment data corresponding to the registered user based on the game performance data.   
     
     
         25 . The serious game providing method of  claim 21 ,
 wherein the providing the updated or generated cognitive ability assessment data includes:   generating numerical data by quantitatively converting the cognitive ability assessment data;   generating pattern classification data by analyzing a repeated pattern in the cognitive ability assessment data;   generating pathological data by drawing a particular matter from the cognitive ability assessment data based on average of cognitive ability assessment data corresponding to the registered user and at least one of other registered users;   generating improvement assessment data showing a level of improvement in the cognitive ability of the registered user by analyzing a change in the cognitive ability assessment data;   generating comparison data by analyzing a difference between the cognitive ability assessment data and the average of cognitive ability assessment data; and   providing at least one of the numerical data, the pattern classification data, the pathological data, the improvement assessment data, and the comparison data to the user terminal through a result display window displaying at least one of numerical values, diagrams, and an opinion of an expert.