Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~~'~~ 31~.
EDUCATIONAL & LIFE SKILLS ORGANIZER/MEMORY AID
SPECIFICATION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention pertains to devices that provide
cognitively-impaired people with a compensatory assistance
apparatus. In particular, the invention pertains to a
graphically interactive computer system that allows the person,
having the impairment, to read and respond to lessons,
schedules, etc., while permitting access to an instructor for
supervision purposes and access to a remotely-located
storage/servicing entity via a modem line. In addition, this
invention is applicable to the general population of people
having a cognitive impairment by providing them with life skill
organization and memory aids.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Providing the cognitively-impaired person with an easy
and fun way of learning and organizing tasks relies on the use
of orthosis (the correction of mental or physical distortion)
devices rather than prosthesis (replacement of missing body
parts) devices. In other words, the learning disabled person
is provided with prompts, cues, or other indicia which minimize
or simplify a particular mental or physical distortion
experienced by the person in order to facilitate the person's
response to a particular task without the use of medical devices
coupled to the person.
Desk-top personal computers provide the ideal
technologic opportunity for implementation of an assistive
device to enable cognitively or physically disabled students to
accomplish an unlimited number of tasks. Examples of this are
the software packages provided by Laureate Learning Systems,
Inc., of Winooski, Vermont. Laureate Learning Systems, Inc.
provide talking software that allows the disabled student to
develop abilities, develop language skills, treat aphasia (a
total or partial loss of the power of using or understanding
words, usually caused by brain damage or injury) and traumatic
brain injury, and reading difficulties. Any computer system
2 ~.'~ ~ ~~ ~ :~
2
having a keyboard, mouse and/or touch-screen can support these
software packages.
Other exemplary software packages dedicated to the
development of learning disabled students is provided in the
TECH-NJ Technology. Educators, & Children with Disabilities-New
Jersev, Spring 1994, Vol. 5, No. 1.
The closest art available is a specially designed
cognitive orthotic software system sold under the trademark
"Essential Steps" by the Assignee of the present invention.
This software system provides users with acquired brain injury
and other cognitive impairments a comprehensive, easy-to-use
computer that, among other things: manages time, schedules
appointments and activities, budgets and manages money, provides
a daily journal in an easily reviewable format, logs and reviews
telephone calls and maintains a personal telephone directory.
This system uses on-screen cues and directions, guided
sequences, single keystroke functions, arousal alert, voice
output for cueing and voice input for responding. However, this
system, among other things, is not designed for assisting
cognitively impaired students with school-related activities,
allows the student only a limited number (and a limited size)
of files to save, and does not allow the student to partition
tasks into steps having their own completion dates. Finally,
this system does not use a graphical user interface for
simplifying the user response to avoid having the user memorize
command strings.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is the general object of this
invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.
It is an object of this invention to provide a
compensatory assistive device for persons with cognitive
impairment (including but not limited to traumatic brain injury,
stroke, electrocution, anoxia, mental retardation, dementia,
amnesia, and learning disabilities), and/or physical
disabilities (such as cerebral palsy).
It is yet another object of this invention to provide
an easy-to-use computer orthotic software system that eliminates
3
the need for the disabled person to memorize command strings
(e. g., to boot the system, print documents) and storage
hierarchies (e. g., directories, files).
It is still yet a further object of this invention to
provide an easy-to-use computer orthotic software system that
can be easily modified thereby allowing customization for the
varied and specific needs of the disabled person.
It is even yet a further object of this invention to
provide an easy-to-use computer orthotic software system that
is operable on a standard personal computer which can be used
in a network, in a notebook computer, and/or linked by modem for
support and backup.
It is another object of this invention to provide a
computer orthotic software system having highly simplified
functions with on-screen instructions and cues, consistent
screen design, single "click" selection with pointing devices
and use of color associations.
It is yet a further object of this invention to
provide an organized and structured money manager for direct use
by people with a cognitive impairment without the need for
assistance.
It is even yet a further object of this invention to
provide an organized and structured directory and telephone log
for direct use by people with a cognitive impairment without the
need for assistance.
It is still a further object of this invention to
provide an organized and structured scheduler for direct use by
people with a cognitive impairment without the need for
assistance.
It is still another object of this invention to
provide an organized and structured writer for direct use by
people with a cognitive impairment without the need for
assistance.
SUN~IARY OF THE INVENTION
These and other objects of the instant invention are
achieved by providing a compensatory assistive apparatus for a
user (e. g., a student, an employee, a patient, etc.) with
~~'~~ 3~~
4
cognitive impairment (including but not limited to traumatic
brain injury, stroke, electrocution, anoxia, mental retardation,
dementia, amnesia, and learning disabilities), and/or physical
disabilities (such as cerebral palsy) which allows the user to
make entries and files therein. The apparatus comprises a first
computer having a monitor and a graphical user interface that
displays only one application on the monitor at any time. The
graphical user interface requires the exiting of the application
before entering another application. Within each application
that is displayed on the monitor there is a predetermined number
of user prompts and working information at predetermined
locations on the monitor using predetermined colors. The
graphical user interface uses a movable pointer which the
graphical user interface restricts in displacement in all
directions in the displayed application so that the movable
pointer always remains in the view of the user. Furthermore, the
graphical user interface displays a guidance icon that
graphically instructs the user what the user must do to respond.
In addition, the graphical user interface automatically saves
all files and entries created by the user to the first computer
without user intervention. The graphical user interface further
comprises a money manager module that permits the user to manage
bank accounts (e. g., to record deposit/withdraw transactional
information regarding, and to balance, checking accounts and
savings accounts as well as for writing checks or simply viewing
the balance of checking and savings accounts, etc.). The
apparatus has an input means for inputting data to the first
computer and for controlling the pointer. The apparatus also
has an output means for outputting data from the first computer.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of
this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes
better understood by reference to the following detailed
description when considered in connection with the accompanying
drawings wherein:
Fig. 1 is a figure layout of Figs. 1A-lE;
5
Fig. lA-1E is a block diagram of the Main Menu of
the
Educational
&
Life
Skills
Organizer/Memory
Aid;
Fig. 2A-2B is a block diagram of the Maintenance Menu
of the ucational
Ed &
Life
Skills
Organizer/Memory
Aid;
Fig. 3 is the Main Menu;
Fig. 4 is the Directory module;
Figs.5-15 shown the New subfunction of the Names
function;
Fig. 16 is the Delete subfunction;
Figs.17-18 is the Phone#'s function:
Figs.19-20 is the Family & Others function;
Fig. 21 is the Directions function;
Fig. 22 is the Memo function;
Fig. 23-25 is the Occasions function;
Fig. 26 is the Money Manager module;
Fig. 27 is the Checking Ledger;
Figs.28-36 is the guided sequence for check writing:
Figs.37-39 is the Withdrawal subfunction of the
Checking Ledger;
Figs.39A-39D is the Deposit subfunction of the
Checking Ledger;
Fig. 40 is the Print subfunction of the Checking
Ledger;
Figs. 41-42 is the History subfunction of the Checking
Ledger;
Figs. 43-47 is the Balance sub function of the Checking
function;
Fig. 48 is the Savings function of the Money Manager;
Fig. 49 is the Savings Ledger;
Fig. 50-52 is the Withdrawal subfunction of the
Savings Ledger;
Fig. 53 is the Closed Accounts function;
Fig. 53A is the Closed Checking Accounts Ledger;
Fig. 53B is the Closed Savings Accounts Ledger;
Figs. 54-57 is the Phone Log module:
Figs. 57A-57H is the New subfunction of the
Appointments function;
6
Figs. 58-60 is the Modify subfunction of the
Appointments function;
Fig. 61 is the Maintenance Menu screen for the
Scheduler;
Figs. 62-63 is the To Do List function of the
Scheduler module;
Fig. 64 is the Writer function of the Writing module;
Fig. 65 is the Tools module of the present invention;
Fig. 65A is the Options portion of the
Modules of the Maintenance Menu;
Fig. 66-73 is the Maintenance Menu for the various
modules;
Figs. 74-100 constitute the flow chart for the
Directory module;
Figs. 101-131 constitute the flow chart for the Money
Manager module;
Figs. 132-135 constitute the flow chart for the Phone
Log module;
Figs. 136-150 constitute the flow chart for the
Scheduler module;
Figs. 151-155 constitute the flow chart for the Writer
function in the Writing module;
Figs. 156-159 constitute the flow chart for the
Information Station module;
Figs. 160-161 are the flow charts for the Time/Date
function and Repair function of the Tools module;
Fig. 162 is the flow chart for the Options function
in the Modules of the Maintenance Menu;
Figs. 163-177 constitute the flow chart for the
Accounts option of the Maintenance Menu:
Figs. 178-186 constitute the flow chart for the Guided
Sequence option of the Maintenance Menu; and
Figs. 187-190 constitute the flow chart for the Events
option of the Maintenance Menu.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now in detail to the various figures of the
drawing wherein like reference characters refer to like parts,
CA 02175511 1999-03-24
7
there is shown at 220 in Figs. lA-lE, the Educational & Life
Skills Organizer/Memory Aid of the present invention. The
Educational & Life Skills Organizer/Memory Aid 220 is
supported by the same apparatus disclosed in Fig. 1 (and its
corresponding text) of Canadian Patent Application Serial No.
2,210,886, filed on January 17, 1996. As such, reference
numbers between 1-84 refer to those items disclosed in co-
pending Canadian Application No. 2,210,886. It should be
noted that the Educational & Life Skills Organizer/Memory Aid
220 comprises the Educational Organizer 20 of co-pending
Canadian Application No. 2,210,886 with the addition of a
Directory Module 222, a Money Manager Module 224, a Time
(Scheduler) Module 226, a Writing Module 228 and a Phone Log
Module 230 and an Information Station Module 231.
The Educational & Life Skills Organizer/Memory Aid
220 (Figs. lA-lE) is a multi-subject organizer appropriate
for the person having the cognitive impairment, i.e., the
primary user (hereinafter known simply as "the user"), who
is able to read and record in written language. In addition,
the Educational & Life Skills Organizer/Memory Aid 220 is
also designed for use by secondary users, i.e., the teacher,
therapist, supervisor, parent, spouse, or companion who
programs the higher level functions; and the tertiary users,
i.e., the providers/administrators. As will also be
discussed later, a Maintenance Menu 232 (Figs. 2A-2B) is
provided for use by only the secondary and the tertiary users
for controlling the operation of the Educational & Life
Skills Organizer/Memory Aid 220 at every station; the primary
users have no access to the Maintenance Menu 232.
As with the Educational Organizer 20 of co-pending
Canadian Application No. 2,210,886, the Educational & Life
Skills Organizer/Memory Aid 220 comprises software (Figs. 74-
190) that provides for controlling the monitor display (or
screen) 12, thereby providing the disabled user with the
effective yet easy-to-use visual cues and/or even audio cues.
This software modifies the graphical user interface to permit
the user to use only simple responses (e. g., a single click
CA 02175511 1999-03-24
8
of the mouse 7) without confusing the user. Therefore, it
within the broadest scope of the present invention to include
all of the graphical user interface (GUI) modifications
disclosed in co-pending Canadian Application No. 2,210,886
(e. g., limited pointer 60 travel, screen 12 layout, color
press buttons, the use of color in general, the prevention
of opening a second window within an already-opened window,
guidance icon 64, Information Help Text Box 68, etc.) which
greatly assists the disabled user in using the Educational
& Life Skills Organizer/Memory Aid 220. As such, the
discussion of these GUI modifications are also not repeated
here.
In particular, as shown in Fig . 3 , the primary user
has the choice of selecting options for School 24, Journals
26, Tools 28, Shut Down 29, Directory 222, Money Manager 224,
Time (hereinafter known as the "Scheduler") 226, Writing 228
and Phone Log 230. Since the School option 24, Journals
option 26, Tools option 28 and the Shut Down option 29 are
the subject matter of co-pending Canadian Application No.
2,210,886, their respective operations are not discussed
herein. In addition, although the Tools option 28 is subject
matter of co-pending Canadian Application No. 2,210,886, the
Tools option 28 of the present invention now includes a
Time/Date subfunction 234 and a Repair subfunction 236 (Fig.
lA), to be discussed later.
The Directory Module 222, Money Module 224,
Scheduler Module 226, Writing Module 228 and Phone Log Module
230 can be installed/uninstalled through the Maintenance Menu
232 (Figs. 2A-2B), as described in co-pending Canadian
Application No. 2,210,886. The option settings that are
available in the Directory Module 222, Money Module 224,
Scheduler Module 226, Writing Module 228 and the Phone Log
Module 230 are configured in the Maintenance Menu 232.
Each of these modules comprises at least one
function that is depicted in the screen display 12 to the
user as a "file folder". Therefore, any subsequent reference
to the phrase "file folder" or "folder" corresponds to the
CA 02175511 1999-03-24
9
indicated function. Each function comprises at least one
subfunction that is depicted to the user as a labeled colored
button in the lower right of the screen display 12. The user
can move directly to any one of the file folders when the
tabs of those file folders are visible, as shown in Fig. 4.
All subsequent references to the monitor display (or screen)
12 heretofore implies the usual display of the Educational
Organizer 20 of co-pending Canadian Application No.
2,210,886, e.g., the user's name and the name of the
currently-selected module in the upper left, time/date
information in the upper right, a guidance icon 64,
instruction box 66 and information help text box 68 at the
bottom of the screen, and subfunction selection buttons (of
different colors) at the bottom, in addition to the new
subject matter of the present application.
It should also be noted that many of the figures
in the present application depict the display screens) 12
that appear when a certain function or subfunction is
operative; these display screen (s) 12 are exemplary only and,
therefore, the content of the display screens 12 depicted in
the accompanying figures may vary from function to function
or from subfunction to subfunction. As such, the time/date
information in the upper right of every screen display 12
should be considered.
As shown in Fig. 4, the Directory Module 222 (Figs.
74-100) is a stand-alone module comprising a Name function 238,
Phone Number function 240, Family & Other function 242,
Directions function 244, a Memo function 246 and an Occasions
function 248. These functions permit the storage of particular
information regarding persons' name/address (Name function 238),
phone numbers (Phone Number function 240), relationship (Family
& Others function 242), home/business directions (Directions
244), general information (Memo function 246) and special
occasions (Occasions function 248). The Directory Module 222
also serves as a data base for Phone Log Module 230, the Money
Manager Module 224 and the Scheduler Module 226.
CA 02175511 1999-03-24
9a
Upon entry into the Directory Module 222 (Fig. 4) , the
default display is the "Names" folder, which is split into an
upper portion 250A and a lower portion 250B, with the tabs of
the other file folders visible. In the upper portion 250A is a
list of names and/or identifying information. Insofar as the
impaired user has difficulty recalling names, the identifier in
the list in the upper portion 250A can be nick name (e. g.,
Slim), profession (e. g., My lawyer), or any personally
meaningful descriptor (e. g., that dope who makes me laugh when
to
I go to the dentist) . In the lower portion 250B is the person's
given name (e.g. , Cal Jenkins) and, under the designator of Home
Address or Work Address, the appropriate address. The
functionality available from this screen 12, as displayed in the
subfunctions at the bottom, is the ability to create new entries
into the directory, to modify or delete existing entries, to
print the information about the selected individual, and Exit
to the Main Menu (Fig. 3).
To create a new entry in the Directory, the user
clicks on "New" subfunction button (Fig. 4) which brings the
user to the screen 12 shown in Fig. 5. The user selects
"Personal" "Business" or "Both" from a box with radio bullets,
as instructed by the instruction box 66 to "Pick type of name",
and then is stepped through the data entry process. As shown
in Fig. 6, first, the user is prompted with "Enter last name"
(e. g., Tappet) in a "Last Name" field with the "Enter" key icon
64/instruction box 66; if the user does not enter any text in
the "Last Name" field, the user cannot progress to the next
step. Next, as shown in Fig. 7, the user is prompted with "Enter
first name" (e.g., Clyde) into a "First Name" field with the
same structure. Then, as shown in Fig. 8, "Enter list name" for
the nickname or other designation (e. g., mechanic); in this
"List Name" field, the real name is displayed with a distinctive
color background block (e. g., sky blue) so that if the user
wishes, he/she can press the "Enter" key and use the real name
on the list. With the first keystroke, however, the entire
block disappears as the user types in the presumably more
personally meaningful designator. Again, the ENTER key icon 64
guides the user to the next step of entering a home address into
a "Home Address" field (or for further user clarity, that field
may be labeled "Home Street" ), with directions of "Type first
line of home address" and the "Enter" icon 64 (Fig. 9). As
shown in Fig. 10, a second address line appears in the "Home
Address" field, allowing for lengthier street addresses or
suite/apartment numbers and accompanied with the "Enter" key in
the guidance icon 64. Then the ensuing steps are to "Enter home
city" into a "Home City" field (Fig. 11), "Enter home state" in
11
a "Home State" field (Fig. 12, and in which the letters are
automatically capitalized), "Enter home zip code" in a Home Zip
Code field (Fig. 13), "Enter home country" in a "Home Country"
field (Fig. 14, and which the home country of the user, as
preset by the secondary user into the Maintenance Menu 232, is
entered automatically as the default and which can be changed
by the user entering a different country: there is no need for
the user to erase the default entry). Furthermore, the
secondary user can also associate a bank account with a
particular person in the Directory: using the Maintenance Menu
232, the secondary user presets the bank account number so that
the account number is automatically displayed in the "Account
#" field as shown in Fig. 15. At this point the user can either
press the "Enter" key or point/click on the "Complete"
subfunction button at the bottom of the screen 12.
Once the user has entered data in the last data field
(and has, therefore, completed data entry) in the "New"
subfunction, the user selects the "Complete" subfunction button,
(or in the alternative, hits the "Enter" key). This saves all
of the entered data and returns the user to the Names folder 238
(Fig. 4). At any time during data entry, the user can return
to the Names folder 238 (Fig. 4) by selecting the "Cancel"
subfunction button and at the same time eliminate all the
previous data entries made up to that point in time. However,
it should be noted that the "Complete" subfunction button (Fig.
15 ) appears in the screen 12 only after the user has entered
data in all of the data fields.
After selecting the "Complete" subfunction button, the entry is
then displayed in alphabetical order, according to the List Name
(which may be different than the given name) in the Names folder
238 (Fig. 4). All entered data are preserved unaltered, except
for the specific change and saving data is always automatic, as
throughout the system 220.
Alternatively, if the user wishes to make a change in
a completed entry (Fig. 4) he/she can select the desired entry
from the list in the upper portion 250A (at which time it is
highlighted as shown in Fig. 4) , point/click on the "Modify"
12
subfunction button at the bottom of the screen 12, and be
presented with the entire listing (i.e., all of the previously
entered data) for change. The user then follows the "Enter"
guidance icon 64/instruction box 66 directions to complete a
guided sequence similar to the one just described with regard
to the "New" subfunction.
To remove an entry from the list as shown in Fig. 4,
the user selects the entry from the list and then points/clicks
on the "Delete" subfunction button. A full display of the
directory entry (Fig. 16) is shown, with a red box at the bottom
including a warning that Delete will erase everything and a
question whether the user wants to erase. A "Yes" and "No"
button appear inside the red box and the user is prevented from
exiting that red box until one of the two buttons is selected.
By default the pointer 60 is on the "No" button and must be
intentionally shifted to the "Yes" button to complete deletion.
If the "No" button is selected, the user is returned to the
original screen 12 (Fig. 4) with the particular entry intact.
If the "Yes" button is selected, the user is returned to the
original screen 12 screen (Fig. 4) with the particular entry
deleted from the list of names in the upper portion 250A.
It should be noted that everywhere throughout the
Educational & Life Skills Organizer/Memory Aid 220, selection
of the Delete subfunction button results in the red box display
with a warning and the verification requirement of selecting a
"Yes" or "No" button before any further action can be taken.
The "Print" subfunction button provides a printout of
the selected name and address.
The second file folder (function), Phone #'s file
folder 240 (Fig. 17), displays the telephone numbers
corresponding to the person whose name was selected in the
"Names" file folder 238 prior to selecting the "Phone #'s"
folder 240. At the top of the folder 240, a heading is
displayed (e.g., "Telephone numbers for: Green, Bill"). As in
the Names folder 238, the Phone #'s folder 240 also includes
subfunction buttons: "New", "Modify", "Delete," "Print" and
"Exit". If the user selects the "New" subfunction button, the
13
user is brought to the display screen 12 shown in Fig. 18 in
which the user can select the type of phone number from the
available radio bullets: Home, Work, Cellular, Beeper or Fax.
After selection of the particular radio button the user is
permitted to enter a phone number in a "Phone Number" field.
By default (i.e., as preset by the secondary user in the "Home"
information in the Maintenance Menu 232) the area code inside
the "Phone Number" field is that of the user's home area code.
After the user types in the phone number, the area code is
highlighted; this block can be overwritten by simply typing the
changed area code. When done, the user hits the "Enter" key and
the user is presented with the an "Extension/PIN/Additional
Dialing Info" field in order to "Enter additional dialing
information, such as extension or PIN codes" . At the end of
data entry in the Phone #'s folder 240, the user is presented
with either the "Complete" subfunction button or the "Cancel"
subfunction button that operate as discussed earlier with
respect to the Names folder 238. The user is returned to the
Phone #'s folder 238 (Fig. 17), with list of phone numbers) in
an upper portion 254A and the corresponding
Extension/PIN/Additional Dialing Information in a lower portion
254B. The "Modify," "Delete," "Print," and "Exit" subfunction
buttons operate in the same fashion as for the Names folder 238,
described previously.
It should be noted that either the Names folder 238
or the Phone #'s folder 240 may include a field (not shown) for
the user to record a person's E-mail address.
The third file folder, Family & Others folder 242, is
shown in Fig. 19 comprising an upper portion 256A (for listing
a name) and a lower portion 256B (for displaying personal
notes). This folder 242 provides a database for the user
regarding relationships of the user, such as: parent; spouse;
child; sibling: friend: secretary: associate: employer:
employee; other. The user can add a new entry to this folder
242 by selecting the New subfunction button in a similar manner
as discussed with regard to the Names folder 238 under the
guidance of the icon 64/instruction box 66. In particular, as
14
shown in Fig. 20, the user selects one of the radio buttons in
accordance with the particular relationship (although not shown
in Fig. 20, a plurality of relationships may be included in
addition to the ones shown in Fig. 20, e.g., "Employer"). The
user is guided through entering the person's name in a "Name"
field; if no name is entered in the "Name" field the sequence
cannot progress. After entering a name, the user is then guided
into entering any personal notes into a "Personal Notes" field
reserved for that information. This is a scrolling field, so
the user has plenty of space for entering unlimited desired data
in this location. As previously discussed, the "Cancel"
subfunction button is always available to the user, although the
"Complete" subfunction button is only available to the user
after all the data entries have been provided.
The fourth file folder 244, Directions file folder,
is shown in Fig. 21 which also comprises an upper portion 258A
and a lower portion 258B. In the upper area 258A, the user
selects "Home", "Work" or "Other" by pointing/clicking. Once
selected, the text entry cursor 260 is automatically activated
in the lower portion 258B, where the user can type the
directions to a particular location. Thereafter, any time the
user wants directions, he/she can select the desired location
and find directions in the lower portion 258B. The "Print"
subfunction button provides a printout of the selected
directions.
The fifth file folder, Memo file folder 246, is shown
in Fig. 22 and comprises a blank field 252 for the user to enter
whatever data he/she wishes to associate with a person in the
Names file folder 238. By selecting the "Print" subfunction
button, the user can print a hardcopy of that data.
The sixth file folder, Occasions file folder 248, is
shown in Fig. 23. The Occasions function follows a similar
format as the earlier functions. In addition, in the Occasions
function, when the user points/clicks the "New" subfunction
button, a calendar screen, as shown in Fig. 24, is displayed.
The user selects the month and year, and then the day of a
special occasion. The next screen (Fig. 25) then displays the
15
selected individual's name (from the Name file folder 238), the
date selected from the calendar, and provides a one line
"Occasion" field for the user to describe the occasion. As with
the previous functions, the Occasion file folder 248 comprises
New, Modify, Delete, Print and Exit subfunctions buttons.
The Money Manager module 224 (Figs. 101-131) provides
the user with the ability to record funds entered and withdrawn
from savings and checking accounts. The Money Manager module
224 (Fig. 26) comprises a Checking function 262, Savings
function 264, Budgeting function 266 and Closed Accounts
function 268. When the user selects the Money Manager option
224 (Fig. 3) from the Main Menu the default function is the
Checking file folder 262 (Fig. 26) with the tabs of other file
folders: Savings file folder 264, Budgeting file folder 266 and
Closed Accounts file folder 268 visible.
Before a discussion of either the Checking function
262 or the Savings function 264, it should be noted that upon
the user's selection of either of these two functions, the
Checking function 262 and the Savings function 264 determine
whether any automatic deposits or withdrawals are active in
their respective accounts. As will be discussed below,
automatic transactions are those transactions that are pre-
arranged and are entered through the Maintenance Menu 232. If
either of these functions 262 or 264 finds any automatic
transactions active, the next screen (not shown) displays the
transaction information (e.g., amount and description) for the
automatic deposit or withdrawal, name of bank and bank contact,
and two subfunction buttons, "Call" and "Skip". If the "Skip"
subfunction button is selected, the user by-passes the
confirmation step and enters into the respective account as if
no reminder had been given. If, on the other hand, the user
selects the "Call" subfunction button, the bank is automatically
dialed so that the user can confirm the transaction. The user
is then prompted, "Has this deposit (or withdrawal) been applied
to your account?" The user is then presented with "Yes" and
"No" subfunction buttons. If the user selects the "Yes"
subfunction button, the amount is entered into (or debited from)
16
the account: if the "No" subfunction button is selected, the
Checking function 262 and the Savings function 264 consider that
selection as if the "Skip" subfunction button were selected
previously.
The Checking file folder 262 (Fig. 26) comprises an
upper portion 270A and a lower portion 270B. The upper portion
270A comprises a list of banks) where checking accounts exist
for the user: the bank data are entered via the Maintenance Menu
232 by the secondary user. The lower portion 2708 comprises a
list of the names) on the account, the type of account (e. g.,
Primary Checking) and the available balance. All of these
particulars are entered by the secondary user through the
Maintenance Menu 232, except for the balance which is provided
by the Checking function software for the running account. The
subfunction buttons available in the Checking file folder are:
"Select", "Balance", "Print" and "Exit". Selecting the "Print"
subfunction prints out the particulars about the selected
account.
To perform any checking transaction, the user
points/clicks on the bank account in the upper portion 270A (as
instructed by the message in the instruction box 66), and then
points/clicks on the "Select" subfunction button. Activation of
the "Select" subfunction causes a Checking Ledger (Fig. 27)
screen to be displayed. The Checking Ledger screen also
comprises an upper portion 271A and a lower portion 2718. The
upper portion 271A displays the account number, running balance,
and a chart of transactions organized chronologically, with the
most recent being at the top. Information in the first column
concerns the type of transaction that occurred, whether it was
a deposit, withdrawal (e.g., service charge) or withdraw by
check (indicated by a check number) . The second column displays
the transaction date while the third column displays the amount
involved in the transaction. The account balance is displayed
in the fourth column. The lower portion 2718 in the Checking
Ledger display (Fig. 27) contains information about the type of
transaction, e.g., Withdraw or Deposit, and a memo written by
the user regarding the transaction. For example, if a deposit
2~~~~~~
17
was previously made, the lower portion 271B displays information
that a deposit was made by MAC, Mail, Teller, Interest or Other
and also includes a memo regarding that deposit. If a withdraw
was previously made, the lower portion 270B displays that a
withdraw was made by MAC, Cash, Service Charge or Other. When
a check number, as it appears in the upper portion 271A, is
selected by the user, the lower portion 271B indicates that the
Withdraw type was by check and also includes the payee of that
check number (Fig. 27).
The Checking Ledger display (Fig. 27) includes the
following subfunctions at the bottom of the screen: "Check",
"Deposit", "Withdrawal", "Exit", "Modify", "Void" and "Print".
It should be noted that selection of the Exit subfunction button
in the Checking Ledger screen returns the user to the Checking
file folder 262.
To write a check (Figs. 28-36) , the user points/clicks
on the "Check" subfunction. The next screen (Fig. 28) has "Date
of Check" (current date) at the top, a name listing field 261
displaying all names from the Names file folder 238, and a
single line "Name of pay to if not in directory" field beneath
the name listing field 261 to permit the user to enter any name
which is not in the Names file folder 238, as would occur when
the user has to make a one-time payment rather than a planned
recurring payment, (e.g., a monthly water bill). After the
payee's name is entered, the next screen (Fig. 29) displays the
"Date of the Check" (which it should be noted is automatically
controlled by the Checking file folder 262 so that no back-
dating can be done), a "Pay To," field and a "Check Amount"
field. The user is then instructed by the instruction box 66
of the guidance icon 64 to "Enter the amount of the check." If
the person hits "Enter" key before entering the amount, a
message appears on the screen, accompanied by an audible
warning, e.g., a bell, alerting the user that the check amount
must be greater than zero. The user can still enter an amount
and, following the instruction of the Enter icon 64, progress
to the next screen. It should also be noted that if the user
attempts to write a check for more than is in his/her account,
18
a prompt is displayed, as shown in Fig. 30, which warns the user
that such an entered amount will overdraw on the account and
requires that the user enter a lower monetary value. The next
screen (Fig. 31) is the same as the last with the check number,
in the "Check Number" field, having a blocked appearance (i.e.,
white numbers in a black rectangle within the "Check Number"
field) ; if the check number is correct, the user presses the
"Enter" key: if the check number needs to be corrected, the user
can enter the correction. After hitting the "Enter" key, the
next screen (Fig. 32) is a display of all that came before, plus
a "Notes" field (Fig. 32) for writing a memo of information
about this check (this information is printed on the face of the
check). Once the memo is done, the user points/clicks on the
"Complete" subfunction button at the bottom of the screen and
the user is brought to the next screen: if the user selects the
"Cancel" button the user is returned to the Checking Ledger
screen (Fig. 27). As the user points/clicks on the "Continue"
button the system 220 records the check information and moves
the user into the guided sequences for check writing (Fig. 33-
36). These guided sequences are set and modified by the
secondary user (therapist) through the Maintenance Menu 232
(Fig. 72). The guided sequence screens have a bold
instructional field (e. g., a yellow color on a maroon-colored
background) and any number of customized steps can be programmed
by the secondary user to assist the primary user in actually
preparing the check until that check is dropped into a mailbox.
For example, Step 1 of a guided sequence is "Put check in
printer. Match the red lines." (Fig. 33). It should be noted
that the checks for use with this system 220 are customized to
cue the user so that they go into the printer properly, are
printed right side up, and can be reliably inserted into an
envelope with the address showing.
During use of the guided steps, the user must
point/click on the subfunction buttons "OK" or "Void" : selection
of the OK button moves the user to the next screen: selection
of the Void button converts any already-entered data listed in
the Checking Ledger into a voided entry, which is in italics
2~~~ ~~~
19
(see Fig. 27, the entry for check no. 106) and light grey (a
distinctly different appearance) in the Checking Ledger display
(Fig. 27). If the Void subfunction button is selected by the
user at this point in the sequence (i.e., the check is already
printed), the user is instructed to take the check from the
printer and tear it up. If the OK subfunction button is
selected, the message given is "Printing - Please wait" (Fig.
34). The next screen (Fig. 35) is similar to the previous
screen but the guided sequence message is "Get check from
printer." Again, the Void button is available and follows the
sequence described above. The selection of the OK button moves
the user through the various steps, which (as mentioned above)
can be modified through the Maintenance Menu 232 (Fig. 72) by
the therapist who may change the wording, add steps or eliminate
steps. A typical guided sequence might direct the user through
signing the check (with OK/Void subfunction buttons available
throughout); "Tear off receipt": "File bill and receipt": "Put
check into the envelope, " and instructing the user to select the
OK button when the check is placed into envelope; or
alternatively, assuring that when an envelope insert is to be
used that it is placed properly in the envelope so that the
addressee' address is clearly visible through a window in the
envelope): "Seal envelope"~ "Stamp envelope": "Mail check" (Fig.
36) . At any point in the guided sequence, the user can void the
transaction. When the user completes the guided sequence of
preparing a check, the user is returned to the Checking Ledger
display (Fig. 27).
The Checking Ledger display (Fig. 27) also permits
through subfunction selection buttons the ability to "Deposit",
"Withdraw", "Print", "History" and "Exit". In addition, it
should be noted that two other subfunction buttons are
available, namely, "Modify" and "Void" (not shown). However,
their respective availability to the user depends on the
transaction. Since, in Fig. 27, an already-voided check
(indicated by the italicized form of the check no. 106 and its
dull color) has been highlighted by the user, both the "Modify"
and the "Void" subfunction buttons are not available to the user
20
(since voided transactions can be neither modified nor voided)
and, as such, do not appear in the Checking Ledger display of
Fig . 2 7 . I f , on the other hand , check no . 114 ( i . a . , a non-
italicized, active check entered into the Checking Ledger) were
selected (i.e., highlighted) by the user, a "Void" subfunction
button would appear in Fig. 27 in addition to the "Check",
"Deposit", "Withdrawal", "Exit", "Print" and "History"
subfunction buttons; this permits the user to void an active
check, but he/she cannot modify (e.g. , change the amount, change
the payee, etc.) that check since there is no "Modify"
subfunction button. With respect to any other active (i.e., not
previously voided and displayed in a non-italicized font)
transaction, both the "Modify" and "Void" subfunction buttons
are available to the user in the Checking Ledger.
Figs. 37-39 depict the selection of the "Withdraw"
subfunction button and the screen displayed for entry of a
withdraw due to a service charge rather than a withdraw by
check, as previously discussed.
To make a deposit, the user points/clicks on the
"Deposit" subfunction button (Fig. 27) and enters a first
Deposit screen (Fig. 39A), with account number and balance at
the top. A display of radio buttons offers a selection of
deposit types including: MAC; Mailed; Teller; Interest: Other.
After the user points/clicks on the deposit type, a Calendar
screen (Fig. 39B) appears (with future days in a dull color,
past weekdays in a white color, and past weekends in bright
color, e.g., magenta), with instructions to "Pick transaction
date" . The user can only point to Present and Past transactions
and, as such, the future dates are blanked out. The pointer is
automatically positioned on the current date (i.e., the date as
it appears in the upper right of the screen display 12), which
is visually distinct because of color. After selecting the
appropriate date, the user is automatically brought to the next
screen (Fig. 39C), which instructs the user to "Enter Amount"
in an "Amount" field. If no amount is entered and the "Enter"
key is pressed, the "Amount must be greater than zero" message
appears. The user must type in a monetary amount: if no decimal
21
is manually entered by the user, hitting the "Enter" key
automatically inserts a decimal point with zero change (e. g.,
$##.00). The next screen (Fig. 39D) includes a "Notes" field,
as in the check writing section, with the message to "Enter
notes for transaction" for entering notes related to the
deposit. As discussed previously, "Complete" and "Cancel"
subfunction buttons are available at the bottom right of the
screen. If the user selects the "Complete" button the deposit
is recorded in the Checking Ledger (Fig. 27) and the user is
returned to the Checking Ledger screen (Fig. 27). As discussed
previously, selection of the "Cancel" subfunction button
prevents entry of all previous data up to that point and returns
the user to the Checking Ledger screen (Fig. 27).
Automatic deposits (e. g., a social security check-
direct deposit) are set up in the Maintenance Menu 232, for the
specific date, with record of the funding source. On the
designated date the user receives a message indicating that an
Automatic Deposit should have occurred. Upon attempting any
checking transaction, the first screen indicates that a deposit
has occurred and prompts the user to contact his bank, with the
name and phone number of the bank contact person. When the
deposit is confirmed, the user points/clicks the "Yes"
subfunction button and the deposit is entered into the Checking
Ledger (Fig. 27). If the "No" subfunction button is selected
by the user, then the user is permitted to proceed into the
Checking file folder 262 and a reminder cue re-occurs upon each
subsequent entry into the Checking file folder 262 until the
user indicates confirmation of the deposit.
As stated earlier, selection of the "Modify"
subfunction in the Checking Ledger screen (Fig. 27) permits the
user to change deposits and withdrawals only, but is not
available for checks recorded in the Checking Ledger: this
ensures that the user cannot modify any check already prepared
and sent.
Selection of the "Void" subfunction in the Checking
Ledger screen (Fig. 27) permits the user to void a transaction
entry, that has not been previously voided. Once all of the
22
associated data is displayed to the user (e.g., account #,
account balance, check #~ payee, date of check, amount of check
and the notes associated with that check), the user is then
asked if he/she wants to void the withdrawal by selecting either
a Yes or No subfunction button. If the Yes subfunction button
is selected, the user is returned to the Checking Ledger screen
(Fig. 27) where all of the check data for that entry appears in
italicized form in the Checking Ledger screen (Fig. 27). If the
No subfunction button is selected, the user is returned to the
Checking Ledger screen (Fig. 27) with the check entry intact.
Selection of the "Print" subfunction in the Checking
Ledger screen (Fig. 27) brings the user to a print control
screen (Fig. 40) for generating a printout of transactions
regarding the selected account for a particular time period
requested by the user.
Selection of the "History" subfunction in the Checking
Ledger screen (Fig. 27) brings the user to a screen (Fig. 41)
comprising a list of payees (e.g., vendors who are listed in the
Names file folder 238) of previous checks and instructing the
user to select one of the listed names. Once the user selects
a desired payee by highlighting that desired name, the user
selects a View (presently "Ledger") subfunction button (Fig.
41) , the user is brought to a payee ledger screen (Fig. 42) that
lists all of the checks that the user has issued to that
particular payee by date and amount. The user can return to the
list of payees (Fig. 41) by selecting the Names subfunction
button. The selection of the Cancel subfunction button in
either of these screens (Figs. 41 and 42) returns the user to
the Checking Ledger screen (Fig. 27).
Selection of the "Balance" subfunction in the Checking
Ledger screen (Fig. 27) provides a check-off system for cleared
checks, as follows: a screen (Fig. 43) comes up with account
number, balance and calendar (Fig. 44) with future dates
appearing to the user as being dull in color to limit the user
to only checks already drawn; the user is then instructed to
select an end date for account balancing next, a screen is
displayed which contains the account number, the balance, the
~~7~~~~
23
end date, check number, vendor paid, date of check, amount of
check and memo note (Fig. 44). In a red box below the memo
field, the user is then asked whether the check has been cleared
by the bank and is required to select either a "Yes" or "No"
subfunction button. If the "Yes" subfunction button is
selected, the cleared check is listed in the Checking Ledger
(Fig. 27); if the "No" subfunction button is selected, the
subject check is not listed in the Checking Ledger (Fig. 27).
The next check entry automatically comes onto the screen and the
"Yes/No" process proceeds until there are no more checks in the
targeted time interval. If an out-of-balance determination is
made by the Balance subfunction, the user is informed of the
out-of-balance amount as shown in Fig. 46; the user is then
asked if he/she wants to re-do the balance. If the user chooses
not to re-balance, the user is brought to another screen (Fig.
47) which instructs him/her to contact their respective support
person. If a balanced account is achieved, then the user is
informed that "All open transactions have been viewed" and must
confirm this by pointing/clicking on the "Continue" subfunction
button. Selecting the "Continue" button returns the user to the
Checking Ledger (Fig. 27) . This version of the "Balance" module
is hereinafter known as the basic version of Balance.
An alternative Balance module (hereinafter known as
the reconciliation version of Balance) comprises a more complete
method of reconciling the account. In particular, the user
checks off cleared checks and is then stepped through the same
process for confirming deposits, and for entering interest and
bank charges. When all entries within the designated time are
completed, the user is given a message that the account is
balanced, accompanied by a musical cue or auditory tone (e. g.,
first measure of Hallelujah Chorus: old mechanical cash register
sound). If the reconciliation is not successful, the user is
offered the opportunity to retry. If the user decides to retry,
the process is repeated from the very first step. If the user
decides not to retry, he is instructed to contact his
clinician/support person for user assistance (Fig. 47). In the
Maintenance Menu 232 the clinicians are able to select either
24
the basic version of the Balance module or the more extensive
reconciliation version. The clinicians may choose to begin with
the basic version and then progress to the reconciliation
version, as an intervention strategy.
It should be noted that a Balance Reminder prompt 263
appears on the Main Menu (Fig. 4) whenever an checking account
has not been balanced by the user within a predetermined time
(e. g., 30 days). The prompt informs the user of the particular
checking account number. The secondary user programs this
prompt via the Maintenance Menu 232.
The Savings file folder 264, shown in Fig. 48,
comprises an upper portion 272A and a lower portion 272B. The
upper portion 272A comprises a list of banks) where savings
accounts exist for the user: the bank data are entered via the
Maintenance Menu 232 by the secondary user. The lower portion
272B comprises a list of the names) on the account, the type
of account (e. g., Primary Savings) and the available balance.
All of these particulars are entered by the secondary user
through the Maintenance Menu 232, except for the balance which
is provided by the Savings function software for the running
account. The subfunction buttons available in the Savings file
folder 264 are: "Select", "Balance", "Print" and "Exit".
To perform any savings transaction, the user
points/clicks on the bank account in the upper portion 272A (as
instructed by the message in the instruction box 66), and then
points/clicks on the "Select" subfunction button. Activation of
the "Select" subfunction causes a Savings Ledger (Fig. 49)
screen to be displayed. The Savings Ledger screen (Fig. 49)
also comprises an upper portion 273A and a lower portion 273B.
The upper portion 273A displays the account number, running
balance, and a chart of transactions organized chronologically,
with the most recent being at the top. Information in the first
column concerns the type of transaction that occurred, whether
it was a deposit, withdrawal (e. g. , service charge) . The second
column displays the transaction date while the third column
displays the amount involved in the transaction. The account
balance is displayed in the fourth column. The lower portion
25
273B in the Savings Ledger display (Fig. 49) contains
information about the type of transaction, e.g., Withdraw or
Deposit, and a memo written by the user regarding the
transaction. For example, if a deposit was previously made, the
lower portion 273B displays information that a deposit was made
by MAC, Mail, Teller, Interest or Other and also includes a memo
regarding that deposit. If a withdraw was previously made, the
lower portion 273B displays that a withdraw was made by MAC,
Cash, Service Charge or Other.
The Savings Ledger display (Fig. 49) includes the
following subfunctions at the bottom of the screen: "Deposit",
"Withdrawal", "Modify", "Void" "Print" and "Exit". It should
be noted that selection of the Exit subfunction button in the
Savings Ledger screen returns the user to the Savings file
folder 264. Figs. 50-52 depict the selection of the "Withdraw"
subfunction button and the screen displayed for entry of a
withdraw due to a service charge, as previously discussed.
Selection of the "Print" subfunction in the Savings
Ledger screen (Fig. 49) operates similar to the "Print"
subfunction for the Checking Ledger (Fig. 40) to generate a
printout of a the selected savings account's transactions over
a user-requested period of time.
Selection of the "Modify" and "Void" subfunction
buttons permit the user to correct ( "Modify" ) or cancel ( "Void" )
any deposit or withdrawal except for any deposit or withdrawal
that has been previously voided.
The "Closed Accounts" file folder 266, as shown in
Fig. 53, also comprises a upper portion 274A and a lower portion
274B. The upper portion 274A comprises a list of banks) where
closed checkings and savings accounts existed for the user. The
Closed Accounts file folder 266 is a file folder where closed
bank accounts (checking and savings) are archived. This is
accomplished through the Maintenance Menu 232. Archived
accounts can be reviewed and printed on a Closed Account Ledger
(e. g., a Closed Checking Account Ledger Fig. 53A and a Closed
Savings Account Ledger Fig. 53B), but no changes to any of the
archived account entries is permitted. In fact, the only
2 ~.'~ ii ..~~ ~ ~.
26
subfunction buttons available in the Closed Accounts file folder
266 are: "Select", "Print" and "Exit". Selecting the "Select"
button brings the user to either the Closed Checking Account
Ledger (Fig. 53A) or the Closed Savings Account Ledger (Fig.
53B). Both of these ledgers have only "Print" and "Exit"
subfunction buttons; only the Closed Checking Account Ledger has
a "History" subfunction button which is similar to the "History"
subfunction described previously with regard to the Checking
Ledger (Fig. 41) . Selecting the "Print" button in the Closed
Accounts Ledger provides the user with a printout of the
selected archived account; selecting the "Exit" button in the
Closed Accounts Ledger brings the user back to the Closed
Accounts file folder 266 (Fig. 53).
The "Budgeting" file folder 268 is the last file
folder of the Money Manager 224. The "Budgeting" file folder 268
is a relational data base which is set up in the Maintenance
Menu 232 by the therapist, who labels categories for budgeting,
assigns amounts for each category in relation to a selected time
framework (e.g., $350.00/months for food; $2000.00/year for
Christmas) and specifies any vendors where the expenditures are
specific to the budgeted area (e.g., ACME for food) . In the
Budgeting file folder 268 appears a listing of the categories
and displays the available balance for the month. The displayed
balance, generally available in the Checking file folder 262,
has the budgeted amounts already deducted. In addition, the
budget balance for a particular category is displayed when the
user selects a vendor from that category in the Checking file
folder 262. Although a person can always write a check as if
the name were not on a vendor on the directory list, there must
be a conscious decision to "get around" the structure and
support of the Budgeting file folder 268.
The Phone Log module 230 (Figs. 132-135) is for the
recording of phone conversation content, with automatic dialing
for outgoing calls. By pointing/clicking on the Phone Log icon
on the Main Menu ( Fig . 1 ) , the user enters the Telephone Log
file folder (Fig. 54). As with the other previously described
modules, the Phone Log module (Fig. 54) comprises an upper
27
portion 276A and a lower portion 276B with listings of all
entered phone contacts listed by List Name with Given Name, the
date and time of the call, and whether the call was "incoming"
or "outgoing" . In the lower portion 276B notes, taken about the
phone call, are stored. Previously loaded listings can be
selected by the user pointing/clicking on a desired listing in
the upper portion 276A while the corresponding memo appears in
the lower portion 276B (Fig. 54). The available subfunction
buttons at the bottom of the screen are: "New", "Modify",
"Delete", "By Name", "Print", and "Exit".
When the user selects the "New" subfunction button,
the user is brought to a screen comprising a box of two radio
buttons, one for "Incoming", one for "Outgoing" calls (Fig. 55) .
If the user selects the "Incoming" radio button, the next screen
(Fig. 55) presented to the user is the Names file folder 238
List names with Given names. As shown in Fig. 55, a "Name of
caller if not in directory" field is also available beneath this
name listing for user entry per the instruction "Pick name of
caller or enter new name" and then pressing the "Enter" key, as
instructed by the guidance icon 64 in the instruction box 66.
After selection/entry of a name, the user is brought to a screen
(Fig. 56) that permits the user to enter the phone number of the
person in a "Phone # if not in directory" field: the area code
has a blocked appearance (i.e., white numbers in a black
rectangle within the "Phone # if not in directory" field)
indicating the default number: if the phone number is correct,
the user presses the "Enter" key: if the phone number needs to
be corrected, the user can enter the correction and there is no
need for the user to erase the default entry. Both displays in
Fig. 55 and 56 comprise a "Cancel" subfunction button that
eliminates all of the user's manually-entered data and returns
him/her to Phone Log screen (Fig. 54) if selected. After that
is accomplished, the user is brought to the next screen (Fig.
57) that includes a "Notes" field for entering notes about the
phone conversation (as instructed by the instruction box 66
"Enter notes for phone call") and also displays the previously
entered/selected information of the incoming/outgoing choice,
~~.'~~~~1
28
name of caller, and date/time of the call. The subfunction
buttons at the bottom of the screen (Fig. 57) include a "Dial"
subfunction as well as the "Complete" and "Cancel" subfunction
buttons. Selection of the "Dial" subfunction by the user
activates the user's modem line 13 to call up the selected
person for a telephone conversation and cues the user to pick
up the telephone receiver. Selection of the "Complete"
subfunction button by the user records the entry and returns the
user to the Phone Log screen (Fig. 54); selection of the
"Cancel" button also returns the user to screen (Fig. 54) with
no change. The latest recorded entry is saved automatically and
is always at the top of the list (chronological order) in the
Phone Log (Fig. 54). The "Modify", "Delete", "Print" and
"Exit" subfunction buttons (Fig. 54) work the same as in all the
other previously discussed modules. The "By Name" subfunction
button displays the list of telephone log entries according to
name (in alphabetical order), rather than by chronological
order, so that the user can search all contacts with a
particular individual without scrolling backwards in time for
years. Once the "By Name" subfunction button is selected, the
listings displayed are in alphabetical order. A "By Date"
subfunction button appears at the bottom of the screen, thereby
allowing the user to return to the chronological listing should
the "By Date" subfunction button be selected. In other words,
the "By Name" and "By Date" subfunction buttons are toggled.
The Scheduler module 226 (Figs. 136-150) provides time
organization, reminders and tracking of appointments for the
user. The user selects this module in the Main Menu by
pointing/clicking on the option containing the clock with the
word "Time." As shown in Fig. 57A, the Scheduler module 226
comprises an Appointments file folder 278 and a To Do List file
folder 280, with the Appointments folder 278 being the default
display. As shown in Fig. 57A, a column of time indications,
in 15 minute intervals, appears in the left margin of the
display. The current time is always displayed second to the top
time indication, and is highlighted in a contrasting color
(e.g., green) . Time indications into the past, i.e., the 15
~~.~~~1~.
29
minute interval just prior to the current and all prior entry
time indications, appear in a dull gray color. This is to
indicate to the user that the time in the past is "used up" ; the
system 220 does not permit the user to make any appointments in
the past, although the user is permitted to browse and to print
past days and past entries. As shown in Fig. 57A, the
subfunction buttons at the bottom of the display include "New",
"Overview", "Print", "Calendar", and "Exit". Once a scheduled
appointment is entered and then re-selected, the "Modify" and
"Delete" subfunctions also appear at the bottom of the screen
(Fig. 58) with the other subfunction buttons.
To record an appointment, the user must point/click
on the "New" subfunction button and then select an Event Start
Time from the column of available times (Fig. 57B). As
discussed with other functions, a "Cancel" subfunction button
is available at the bottom of the display, should the user
change his/her mind about recording the appointment. Having
selected the time, the user is brought to the next screen (Fig.
57C) having an "Event" field available for entering an event,
as instructed in the instruction box 66. Once the event is
entered, the user is brought to the next screen (Fig. 57D) which
displays a list of names in a "Person/Vendor Search Name" field
and another "Name" field to enter a new name, if the user
desires to enter a unique person (i.e., a person not previously
listed in the Directory module 222: as discussed previously,
that list of names is particularly from the Names file folder
238 in the Directory module 222 and the user can easily select
a particular name without having to type it in). Should the
appointment involve no other person, other than the user
himself/herself, the user can select the "Skip" subfunction
(Fig. 57D) button to move to the next display. As discussed
previously, the "Cancel" subfunction button is always available
to the user to eliminate any previously entered data and to
return the user to the Scheduler screen (Fig. 57D). The next
screen (Fig. 57E) displays an "Event Length" field with time and
event and beneath a listing of available event lengths, again
in 15 minute intervals. There is only the amount of time
30
available until the next appointment. If there is not enough
time for the activity that needs to be scheduled, the user can
cancel and select another time. Otherwise, the user
points/clicks on the length of time desired to indicate "event
duration." The next screen (Fig. 57F) appears and works just
like the previous display (Fig. 57E) , but now the time selection
is for "Travel Time TO Event", again in 15 minute intervals;
"none" is the first option, however, because a person could have
an appointment in their home or office. After selecting the
travel time TO an appointment, the next screen (Fig. 57G) is the
travel time FROM an appointment. Note, if there is not enough
travel time to get to or from the desired location, the user
does not have enough time offered as an option and needs to
cancel and start over. After time, Event, Event duration,
travel time To and From are selected, the next screen (Fig. 57H)
displays all these facts in an "Event" field, beneath which is
a box with radio buttons for an Alarm. The instructions in the
instruction box 66 are "Set Alarm" and the radio buttons are for
"On" and "Off". Selecting the "Off" radio button permits the
audible alarm to be turned off selecting the "On" radio button
permits the audible alarm to be turned on. When the alarm is
turned on, an audible alarm sounds at predetermined times before
the appointment, e.g., 15 minutes prior to the appointment,
again on a random schedule and, finally, at the time of the
appointment. The audible alarm may is a sound cue (e. g., man's
or woman's voice saying you have an appointment; a rooster
crowing; chimes). In addition, a visual alarm, e.g., a red
REMINDER message field (not shown) with the appointment time,
person and event appears in the display regardless of the module
that the user is presently operating within. When the red
REMINDER message field appears, the pointer 60 is restricted to
remain within the REMINDER field only until the user
acknowledges the cue by pointing/clicking on the "Continue"
subfunction button. In the Maintenance Menu 232 the therapist
selects the sound cue, the interval for reminders (e.g., 15
minutes), and the number of repeated reminders needed for the
given user.
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After entering an appointment, the user is returned
to the Appointment file folder (Fig. 58). The newly-added
appointment is exhibited in a bright contrasting hue, with
duller adjoining time rows blocked out for travel time to and
from. Note, that the subfunction buttons "Modify" and "Delete"
are now also available since an appointment entry has now been
entered and re-selected (e.g., 1:15 pm) and, as such, can be
modified or deleted. If the user were to select the "Modify"
subfunction button, the user is brought to a screen (Fig. 59)
that displays all of the appointment data that the user can
modify.
The "Overview" subfunction button (Fig. 58) at the
bottom of the screen provides entry into a five (5) day
overview, with the Day, date and "Today" or "Future" or "Past"
(not shown; at the top of each of the five columns (Fig. 60).
The first column in the left margin of the display is the time
indications in the 15 minute intervals. Again, time in the past
is dull dray, but past appointments are visible. Current and
future appointments are indicated in colored time blocks with
the event displayed. Once the "Overview"~subfunction button is
selected, up and down arrows permit time selection, and Left -
right arrows permit movement from day to day, into the paAt or
the future. As with the "By Name" and the "By Date" sub function
buttons, the "Overview" and "Day View" subfunction buttons form
a toggle button. That is, the user can return to "Day View" by
pointing/clicking on the same subfunction button that allowed
'°Overview" (see Figs. 58 and 60) , or the user may select any
given day by clicking at the top of the column where the day,
date and Past/Today/Future designations are displayed.
When the user selects the "Day View" subfunction
button, the user is returned to the screen shown in Fig. 58. If
the user selects the "Calendar" subfunction button, the
system 220 displays a calendar, similar to the calendar
displayed in the Journal module of co-pending Canadian
Application No. 2,210,886. Days in the past are indicated
by a dull appearance whereas future weekdays are
displayed in white and future weekends are displayed in
a magenta color. Here, however, the user can move
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into the Past to review past appointments but he/she is unable
to enter new appointments in the Past. He/she is able to select
any date into the future and make an appointment for the Future .
Through the Maintenance Menu 232, secondary users
(therapists) can also enter recurring appointments which are
weekdays, weekly, monthly, etc (Fig. 61). If there is an
unanticipated conflict for the recurring appointment, the
secondary user is notified of the date and time, so that the
conflict can be rescheduled. For recurring appointments which
show automatically in the Appointment file folder 278, the user
is able to cancel a specific date. If the recurring appointment
is permanently re-scheduled or discontinued, a secondary user
has to make these changes through the Maintenance Menu 232.
(Figs. 65-66).
The "To Do List" file folder 280 (also known as "task
list") is accessed by selecting the "Time" option 226 on the
Main Menu, and then by pointing/clicking on the file folder tab
titled "To Do List". The To Do List file folder 280 (Fig. 62)
basically comprises a list of things which the person needs to
do and operates similarly, in structure and organization, to the
Homework Module of co-pending Canadian Application No.
2,210,886, with color changes to indicate deadline urgency
(e. g., green-colored text indicates approaching deadline, red-
colored text indicates imminent deadline and black-colored text
indicates past-due deadlines). The subfunction buttons
available in the "To Do List" file folder 280 include: "New"
(which utilizes a calendar as in the Appointments function or
Homework function with only the present or future dates
available from which the user can select), "Modify", "Done",
"History", "Cancel", "Print", and "Exit". One major difference
is that in the Homework module of the Educational Organizer 20
of co-pending Canadian Application No. 2, 210, 886, tasks could be
broken down into steps whereas the To Do List file folder 280 of
the present invention does not have this capability. In
particular, in the Homework module, once an assignment is
entered, the user can enter subgoals or steps. In the To Do List
file folder 280, the subgoals option is not available. Also,
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the "Sort" subfunction of the Educational Organizer 20 of co-
pending Canadian Application No. 2,210,886 is not included in
the To Do List file folder 280.
The Writing module 228 comprises a Journal file folder
282, a Secure Journal folder 284 and a Writer folder 286 (Figs.
151-155). The Journal file folder 282 operates in the same
manner as the School Journal 24 of co-pending Canadian
Application No. 2,210,886; the Secure Journal file folder 284
operates in the same manner as the Personal Journal 36 of co-
pending Canadian Application No. 2,210,886 wherein a user
password must be entered before entrance into the Personal
Journal 36 is granted. As such, the Journal file folder 282 and
the Secure Journal file folder 284 are not discussed any
further. The Writer file folder 286 (Fig. 64) comprises an
upper portion 288A that lists the titles of documents created by
the user while a lower portion 288B displays the text of the
selected title in the upper portion 288A. The user has the
"New", "Modify", "Delete", "Print" and "Exit" subfunction
buttons available for working on the selected document. The
Writer file folder 286 also includes a spell checking
subfunction. As such, the Writer folder 286 operates in the
same manner as the Writer function of co-pending Canadian
Application No. 2,210,886.
The Information Station module 231 (Figs. 156-159) is
a repository for varied incidental particulars (e.g., where the
picture hooks are stored; how to feed goldfish). The
Information Station module 231 provides added structure and
organization required by the cognitively-challenged user. The
Information Station module combines the feature of the Writing
module 228 and the Telephone Log module 230. When the user
selects the Information Station module from the Main Menu
("INFO" in Fig. 3), the user is presented with a split screen
(i.e., an upper portion and a lower portion) that has the
appearance of the Writer function display screen (Fig. 64); the
"New", "Modify", "Delete", "Print" and "Exit" subfunction
buttons appear at the bottom of the Information Station 231
split screen. To enter new information into the Information
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Station module 231, the user selects the "New" subfunction
button and is prompted to enter a name (i.e., title) for this
information; the name is then added to a list, in alphabetical
order, of other information titles. The user is then presented
with another screen display that has the appearance of the
"Notes" field in the Phone Log Module (Fig. 57). The "Complete"
and "Cancel" subfunction buttons are also available to the user.
The instruction box 66 is displayed in the screen, as well as
the information help text box 68 which informs the user of the
pointer 60 location. The user then enters the Information Notes
in the "Notes" field. When done, the user selects the
"Complete" subfunction button and the entry into the Information
Station 231 is completed. As such, the user can select
information titles (in alphabetical order) in the upper portion
of the Information Station 231, with the corresponding
information text displayed in the lower portion, as is done in
the Writer function 286 and the Phone Log 230.
The Tools module 28 of the present invention has two
additional functions, "Time/Date" function 234 and "Repair"
function 236 (Fig. 65). The Time/Date function 234 (Fig. 160)
permits the user to reset the time and date displays (e. g.,
Daylight Savings Time). The Repair function 236 (Fig. 161)
permits the re-indexing of data files which provides an easy fix
to problems that may occur when the user may have exited the
system 220 improperly or where there are hard drive problems.
The Repair function 236 permits the user to easily execute a re-
index on his particular system 220 without the need for the
secondary user to be present to execute the re-indexing.
As mentioned throughout the above discussion, the
Maintenance Menu 232 (Fig. 2A-2B) provides the means for the
secondary users to program the primary users' individualized
Educational & Life Skills Organizer/Memory Aid 220. The
Maintenance Menu 232, as its predecessor Maintenance Menu 22 of
co-pending Canadian Application No. 2,210,886, can only be
accessed by the secondary users using a command known only to
them in the Main Menu (Fig. 3). The Maintenance Menu 232 of the
present invention comprises the Maintenance Menu 22 of co-
CA 02175511 1999-03-24
34a
pending Canadian Application No. 2,210,886 with the addition of
new options: Accounts option 290, Guided Sequence option 292,
and Events option 294 (Fig. 66). Furthermore, two of the
existing options, namely System 54 option and the Modules option
35
56 of the Maintenance Menu 22, now include additional functions:
the System module 54 now includes PC Anywhere Location function
296, Last Back-Up Date function 298, Days Between Back-Up
function 300 and a Communications Port function 302 ; the Modules
option 56 now includes an Options 304.
The PC Anywhere Location function 296 is used by the
Back-Up option 44 and the Service option 46 in the Tools option
28 (Fig. 1A). The Back-Up option 44 uses the PC Anywhere
Location function 296 to accomplish file transfers from/to the
user's Educational & Life Skills Organizer/Memory Aid 220 while
the Service option 46 uses the PC Anywhere Location function 296
to permit remote control of the user's Educational & Life Skills
Organizer/Memory Aid 220. The Last Back-Up Date function 298
is used by the secondary user to confirm when the primary user
conducted the last back-up. The Days Between Back-Up function
300 permits the secondary user the ability to adjust the number
of days that pass until the Back-Up Remind prompt 48 on the Main
Menu appears again. The Communications Port function 302
indicates on which port the modem hardware is to be found.
The Options 304 (Fig. 65A and Fig. 162) allows the
secondary user to enable/disable features of the different
modules, e.g., enabling the alarm in the Scheduler Module 226
to have either a male or female voice or even a rooster sound
to remind the user of an upcoming appointment.
The Accounts option 290 (Figs. 163-177) permits the
secondary user to configure the Money Manager module 224 for the
individual primary user, i.e., to create the various bank
accounts with all of the associated data, as shown in Figs. 66-
67. In addition, by selecting the "Automatics" subfunction
button as shown in Fig. 66, the secondary user can set up, for
example, the automatic deposit of a social security deposit into
the primary user's checking account (Figs. 68-69). With the
automatic deposit configuration made, the primary user's Money
Manager module 224 accounts for the deposit and automatically
prompts the user to verify that his/her bank statement reflects
that the planned automatic deposit was, in fact, made or not.
~~~~~~1:~.
36
The Guided Sequence option 292 (Figs. 178-186) permits
the secondary user to introduce guided steps into the different
modules of, and tailored to, the individual primary user in
completing a task. As an example, in Figs. 70-72, there is
shown a series of screen displays that the secondary user uses
to set up the check writing process to facilitate the primary
user from deciding to even write a check until the check is
deposited into the mailbox, discussed earlier with regard to
Figs. 33-36. It should be noted that the usefulness of the
Guided Sequence option 292 may require a different option title
so as to distinguish its use among the various modules; as such,
the phrase "Guided Sequence", as it appears in the screens 12
and the present application is exemplary only.
The Events option 294 (Figs. 187-190) permits the
secondary user to configure the Scheduler module 226 of the
individual primary user. As an example that was discussed
earlier, the Scheduler module 226 in conjunction with the
Maintenance Menu 232, permits the simultaneous entry of a
recurring event (e.g., a weekly staff meeting). Fig. 61 and
Fig. 73 are Maintenance Menu 232 screens used by the secondary
user in the Events option 294 to configure the weekly staff
meeting into the primary user's Scheduler module 226.
It should be noted that in the accompanying flow
charts, where certain functions (e. g., date and time updating
to display the date and time on every screen 12) are repeated,
these functions are excluded from the flow charts for brevity.
For example, a list search function, i. e. , where the user is
presented with a list of entries to select from (e. g., the Name
file folder name list) and can search this list by hitting one
letter key on the keyboard 4, the system 220 can advance to the
general area where the entry, that the user is seeking, is
located; since this function occurs everywhere that such a
database search is available, the flow charts do not repeat this
function for brevity. Similarly, with regard to the pointer
60 and the information help text box 68, the system 220 always
checks to see if the pointer 60 is over a "hot" area that
corresponds to a specific information help text box 68 message
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(e.g. , when the pointer 60 is on an "Exit" button, a "hot" area,
the message in the information help text box 68 indicates "Exit
to Main Menu"); hence, the flow diagram of the "check to see if
pointer is over a hot area" is also not repeated for brevity.
Furthermore, one other example of certain functions being
omitted from the flow charts for brevity is the following: where
certain sub function buttons are needed at times and not at other
times e.g. , in the Scheduler 226, if a scheduled item is not
selected by the user, there is no need to display the "Modify"
and "Delete" subfunction buttons, since there is nothing
selected that can be either modified or deleted; only when an
entry is made do the "Modify" and "Delete" subfunction buttons
appear in the screen.
It should be noted that the Educational & Life Skills
Organizer/Memory Aid 220 can be configured for the particular
user so that not every possible module is available to that
user. For example, one user may need only the Educational
Organizer 20 of co-pending Canadian Application No. 2,210,886,
another user may need only the Directory module 222 and the
Money Manager 224 and yet another user may need the Educational
Organizer 20 of co-pending Canadian Application No. 2,210,886,
the Directory module 222 and the Scheduler module 226. As such,
the Educational & Life Skills Organizer/Memory Aid 220 of the
particular user is configured to grant access only to those
modules appropriate for him/her.
Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so
fully illustrate my invention that others may, by applying
current or future knowledge, readily adopt the same for use
under various conditions of service.
