Computer assisted coaching method

Abstract

A computerized method is provided for helping students in acquiring and developing the ability to perform an art or skill. This is done in an interactive sequence wherein responses made by a student to inquiries and directives are digitized and compared with hidden idealized parameters and with previous responses, and an evaluation is communicated to the student with encouragements.

We claim: 
     
       1. A computerized coaching method for teaching a student to acquire and develop an artistic skill by using a computer, said teaching method comprising the steps of: generating a set of random numbers defining the attributes of an ideal figure and storing the random numbers;   communicating the attributes of the ideal figure to a student;   inviting the student to draw a trial figure conforming to the communicated attributes in quest of the ideal figure;   generating the attributes of the trial figure based on the response of the student;   making a comparison of the attributes of the ideal figure with the attributes of the trial figure; and   verbally and numerically communicating instructions to the student for correcting the trial figure so that it conforms to the ideal figure.   
     
     
       2. A teaching method according to claim 1 wherein the attributes of the ideal figure are generated in a digital form and the trial figure is generated in graphic form and further comprising the steps of converting the digital form to a verbal and numerical form for communication to the student and coverting the graphic form to a digital form, whereby the comparison is effected digitally. 
     
     
       3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the ideal figure is an ideal line and the random numbers comprise a first set of numbers corresponding to a center point of the ideal line, a second number corresponding to a length of the ideal line, and a third number corresponding to an angular orientation of the ideal line. 
     
     
       4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the step of verbally and numerically communicating instructions to the student comprises the step of employing a CRT display for visual communication to the student. 
     
     
       5. A method according to claim 4 comprising the step of making an audible communication to the student. 
     
     
       6. A method according to claim 3, wherein the step of generating the attributes of trial figure comprising the step of generating a first set of numbers corresponding to a center point of the trial line, a second number corresponding to a length of the trial line, and a third number corresponding to an angular orientation of the trial line. 
     
     
       7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the step of making a comparison comprises the step of comparing the trial line with the ideal line by calculating the difference between the respective center points of the trial line and the ideal line. 
     
     
       8. A method according to claim 7 comprising the step of comparing the trial line with the ideal line by calculating the difference between their respective lengths. 
     
     
       9. A method according to claim 8 comprising the step of comparing the trial line with the ideal line by calculating the difference between their respective angular orientations. 
     
     
       10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the step of making a comparison further comprises the step of determining an overall error based on the comparison of the respective center points, lengths and angular orientations of the trial and ideal lines and communicating the overall error to the student. 
     
     
       11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of generating the trail figure comprises the step of employing a graphics tablet for use by the student in drawing the trial figure. 
     
     
       12. A computerized coaching method for teaching a student to acquire and develop an artistic skill by using a computer, said method of teaching a student comprising the steps of: generating a predetermined center location, a predetermined length and a predetermined orientation, as three attributes of an ideal line that is hidden from the student, wherein the step of generating the three attributes of the ideal line comprises the steps of inviting an instructor to draw the ideal line and determining the center location, length and orientation of the ideal line drawn by the instructor;   communicating said three attributes to the student in verbal and numerical terms;   inviting the student to attempt to draw a trial line that has said three attributes:   determining the center location, length and orientation of the trial line drawn by the student;   comparing the center location of the trial line with the center location of the ideal line;   comparing the length of the trial line with the length of the ideal line;   comparing the orientation of the trial line with the orientation of the ideal line; and   instructing the student in verbal and numerical terms to relocate the center of a succeeding trial line to make its location correct, to draw the succeeding trial line to make its length correct and to reorient the succeeding trial line to make its orientation correct. .Iadd.   
     
     
       13.  A computerized coaching method for teaching a student a skill using a computer, said computerized coaching method comprising the steps of: generating first quantitative attributes of a graphical representation of an idealized task to be performed;   communicating said idealized task to a student;   entering into said computer information representing a student's attempt at performing said task;   generating second attributes based on a graphical representation of said student's attempt;   comparing said first attributes with said second attributes;   generating quantitative corrective instructions based on said comparing for a next attempt at performing said task that more closely conforms to said idealized task if a previous attempt at the task does not substantially conform to the idealized task; and   communicating said quantitative corrective instructions to the student. .Iaddend..Iadd.14. The method of claim 13, wherein said first attributes and said second attributes are geometric quantities corresponding to said graphical representations of said idealized task and attempted task,   
     
     
        respectively. .Iaddend..Iadd.15.  The method of claim 14, wherein said 
     
     
        first attributes comprise location information. .Iaddend..Iadd.16.  The method of claim 14, wherein said first attributes comprise length information. .Iaddend..Iadd.17. The method of claim 14, wherein said first attributes comprise width information. .Iaddend..Iadd.18. The method of claim 14, wherein said first attributes comprise height information. .Iaddend..Iadd.19. The method of claim 14, wherein said first attributes comprise angular orientation information. .Iaddend..Iadd.20. The method of claim 13, wherein said specifications are in the form of one or more audio messages. .Iaddend..Iadd.21. The method of claim 13, wherein said specifications are displayed in the form of textual information. .Iaddend..Iadd.22. The method of claim 13, wherein said specifications are displayed as graphical information. .Iaddend..Iadd.23. The method of claim 13, wherein said specifications are displayed numerical quantities. .Iaddend..Iadd.24. The method of claim 13, wherein said quantitative corrective instructions are geometric quantities. .Iaddend..Iadd.25. The method of claim 13, wherein said quantitative corrective instructions are displayed in the form of textual information. .Iaddend..Iadd.26. The method of claim 13, wherein said quantitative corrective instructions are displayed numerical quantities. .Iaddend..Iadd.27. The method of claim 13, wherein said quantitative corrective instructions are displayed as graphical information. .Iaddend..Iadd.28. The method of claim 13, wherein said quantitative corrective instructions are communicated with audible 
     
     
        sound code. .Iaddend..Iadd.29.  The method of claim 13, wherein said quantitative corrective instructions are communicated verbally via 
     
     
        loudspeaker. .Iaddend..Iadd.30.  A computerized coaching method according to claim 13, wherein said task involves a physical skill. .Iaddend..Iadd.31. A computerized coaching method according to claim 13, wherein said task involves an artistic skill. .Iaddend..Iadd.32. A computerized coaching method according to claim 13, wherein said task 
     
     
        involves a musical skill. .Iaddend..Iadd.33.  A computerized coaching system for teaching a student a skill by using a computer, said computerized coaching system comprising: means for storing first quantitative attributes of a graphical representation of an idealized task to be performed;   means for communicating said idealized task to a student;   means for entering into said computer information representing a student's attempt at performing said task;   means for generating second attributes based on a graphical representation of said student's attempt;   means for comparing said first attributes with said second attributes;   means for generating quantitative corrective instructions based on said comparing for a next attempt at performing said task to more closely conform to said idealized task if said student's attempt at performing the task does not substantially conform to said idealized task; and   means for communicating said quantitative corrective instructions to the   
     
     
        student. .Iaddend..Iadd.34.  A computerized coaching system of claim 33, wherein said means for entering comprises a keyboard. .Iaddend..Iadd.35. A computerized coaching system of claim 33, wherein said means for entering comprises a graphics tablet. .Iaddend..Iadd.36. A computerized coaching system of claim 33, wherein said means for entering comprises a light pen and a display screen. .Iaddend..Iadd.37. A computerized coaching system of claim 33, wherein said means for entering comprises a computer mouse. .Iaddend..Iadd.38. A computerized coaching system of claim 33, wherein said means for entering comprises a microphone. .Iaddend..Iadd.39. A computerized coaching system of claim 33, wherein said means for entering 
     
     
        comprises a video camera. .Iaddend..Iadd.40.  A computerized coaching system according to claim 33, wherein said task involves a physical skill. .Iaddend..Iadd.41. A computerized coaching system according to claim 33, wherein said task involves an artistic skill. .Iaddend..Iadd.42. A computerized coaching system according to claim 33, wherein said task involves a musical skill. .Iaddend.