Copyright Notice

[0001] Portions of the disclosure of this patent document contain material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile

reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to computer games and more

particularly to mathematical computer games. Background

[0003] Learning trigonometric functions can be a daunting task. Not all students are mathematically inclined and some may need more practice and more demonstration in order to comprehend it.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

[0004] FIGS. 1A-C show schematic block diagrams of various computer systems. [0005] FIGS. 2A-C illustrate a first exemplary user interface.

[0006] FIGS. 3A-C illustrate a second exemplary user interface.

[0007] FIGS. 4A-J illustrate a third exemplary user interface.

[0008] FIG. 5 shows a high level flow diagram of displaying a user interface. [0009] FIG. 6 shows a schematic data record.

[0010] FIG. 7A shows a high level flow diagram of user selects an active cell in a matrix.

[0011] FIG. 7B shows a high level flow diagram of drawing a triangle.

[0012] FIG. 8 shows a high level flow diagram of a user selects a trigonometric function.

[0013] FIG. 9 shows a high level flow diagram of a user selects an angle.

[0014] FIG. 10 shows a high level flow diagram of a user selects an edge. [0015] FIG. 11 illustrates a fourth exemplary user interface.

Detailed Description

[0016] Various computers, devices, apparatuses or systems are know in the art such as a personal computer shown in FIG. 1A and a hand held device 110 shown in

FIG. IB, having a touch screen 112. FIG. 1A shows a processor 100 connected to a memory 102, a display 106, and to user input devices such as a mouse 104 and a keyboard 108. Hand held devices usually have also a speaker. Client server, or cloud, shown in FIG. 1C where implementation or execution is divided or distributed between two or more computers. Many other types of computers are available such as wearable, smart TV, game consoles and computers that contain multiple processors such as CPUs and GPUs and multiple cores. A memory can be for example a computer readable medium, storage, storage medium, non-transitory memory or medium, magnetic or optical disk, SSD, RAM or hard drive.

[0017] Alternative input devices are also known such as voice recognition, voice activation, handwriting recognition, gesture control, tilt control, visually detecting touchless input, projected touch screen, brain-controlled interfaces, hinge gestures and finger band gesture-tracking ring.

[0018] Various embodiments of computer devices and computer programs are described. In one embodiment FIGS. 2A-C illustrate an exemplary user interface 200. A matrix, table or grid 210 of one row containing cells or data fields displays a

trigonometric equation, question, sentence, statement or expression 212. The equation 212 has a function cell 214 displaying a trigonometric function name, an angle cell 216 displaying an angle name or letter and a fraction or ratio cell 218 with a place for a first edge name or letter and a second edge name.

[0019] Alongside the matrix 210 a right-triangle or right-angled triangle drawing, picture or image 240 is displayed. The triangle drawing 240 is made of visual elements, such as edges, sides or lines, edges can have also an attached label showing edge’s letter or name. Elements can also be angles denoted by labels, letters or names. Angles can further be denoted by an enclosing arc. Elements can also be a function name 248, in this example“cos”.

[0020] The equation 212 and the triangle 240 can represent or reflect each other or correspond with each other. The angle name 216 displayed in the equation 212 is being marked, emphasized or highlighted in the drawing. In this example the element“a” 242 is marked by a bold text and the enclosing arc is in thick line.

[0021] Cells in matrix 210 are editable. In FIG. 2B the user entered“a” in the upper or left side 219 of the fraction. Consequently edge 244 in the drawing was marked by a thick line and the letter“a” in bold text.

[0022] In FIG. 2C the user solved or completed the equation by entering“e” in the lower or right side 220 of the fraction. Consequently the respective edge 246 labeled“e” was marked. Upon success an“OK” feedback such as message 250 is given to the user and the function name 248 showing“cos” was also marked in bold.

[0023] Therefore, as the user completes or solves an equation, the respective visual elements are marked and the user can visually observe what edges and what angle are used in a denoted trigonometric function.

[0024] Yet in another embodiment, FIGS. 3A-C illustrate an exemplary user interface 300. A matrix 310 with a row equation 312 and a column equation 314 is displayed. The equations intersect or cross each other and form a common or shared cell 316. The row equation 312 is read from left to right and the column equation 314 is read top down. A right-triangle drawing 320 is displayed right to the matrix 310 and represents the row equation 312. A right-triangle drawing 330 is displayed below the matrix 310 and represents the column equation 314. Drop down list box 332 displays“? ?” and is available for user selection. In addition list box 332 can display trigonometric function names such as“sin”,“cos” and“tan”.

[0025] The goal of the game according to this embodiment is to fill all the empty cells. [0026] Triangle elements are selectable. The user can enter or input a value in a cell matrix by selecting a triangle element. The user can select a triangle element by, for example, a click of mouse 104 or a tap on touch screen 112 on, for example, a line, a label, a vertex, an arc or on the area between two lines and a vertex.

[0027] The user can begin with row equation 312 that has only one empty or blank cell 316. In FIG. 3B the user clicked on the letter 322“Q” of triangle 320. Consequently the respective cell, cell 316, displays“Q”. Further the element 322“Q” was marked by a bold text and the enclosing arc in thick line.

[0028] However cell 316 is a shared cell, that is represented by or belongs to both triangles 320 and 330. Even though the user clicked on an element in triangle 320, the angle 334“Q” in the lower triangle 330 was marked also.

[0029] Now the user can focus on column equation 314. In FIG. 3C the user clicked on drop down list box 332 and selected“sin”. Consequently the respective cell, cell 318, displays“sin”. Finally the user can press the“Check” button 340 to verify the matrix.

[0030] Therefore inputting data in an equation can lead to the completion of an intersecting equation.

[0031] Yet in another embodiment, FIGS. 4A-J illustrate an exemplary user interface 400. A matrix 410 with intersecting row equations and column equations is displayed. In this example equations begin with a function name. The goal of the game according to this embodiment is to fill all the empty cells. The cells with a hatch pattern are inactive. The other cells are active.

[0032] In FIG. 4B the user clicked on cell 416. Cell 416 is a shared cell in the intersection of row equation 412 and column equation 414. Consequently the corresponding triangle drawings where displayed. Triangle drawing 420 represents the row equation 412 and triangle drawing 430 represents the column equation 414.

Further cell 416 was marked in a thick border as the focus cell. [0033] Referring to triangle drawing 420 one can see that edges“f” and“a” are marked in accordance with cell 418. Also the drop down list box 422 shows“sin”, again in accordance with the respective cell 415 in the row equation 412.

[0034] Referring to triangle 430 one can see that edges“h” and“d” are marked in accordance with the respective cell 417 of the column equation 414. Further drop down list box 434 shows“? ?” because the respective function cell 419 is empty.

[0035] The user can complete row equation 412. In FIG. 4C the user clicked on angle 424 labeled“e”. Consequently respective cell 416 displays the letter“e”. Because cell 416 is a shared angle cell, the label 432“e” in triangle 430 was marked also. Further since triangle 420 is now solved the function name 422 was marked in bold also.

[0036] Now the user can solve the column equation 414. In FIG. 4D the user clicked on drop down list box 434 and selected“tan”. Consequently the respective cell 419 displays“tan”. Further since triangle 430 is now solved the function name 434 was marked in bold also.

[0037] In FIG. 4E the user shifted the focus by, for example, a mouse click, to cell 444. Cell 444 is not a shared cell. Consequently the lower triangle 430 was hidden because cell 444 not belong to a column equation. The triangle to the right 420 was modified or redrawn to reflect the values in row equation 442. Alternatively triangle 420 can be hidden and triangle 450 displayed instead.

[0038] Cell 444 is a fraction cell that contains two inner cells, 446 and 448. In FIG. 4E the user clicked on inner cell 446 which is the left side or upper side of the fraction.

[0039] In FIG. 4F the user clicked on the edge 452 labeled“c”. Consequently the inner cell 446 that is in focus displays“c” and edge“c” 452 is marked. In FIG. 4G the user changed its mind and clicked on edge“g” 454. Consequently edge“c” 452 was unmarked by changing the line from thick to thin and the letter“c” from bold to normal. Then edge“g” 454 was marked instead and cell 446 displays“g. [0040] In FIG. 4H the user clicked on inner cell 448 which is the right side of the fraction. Then the user clicked on edge 456“e”. Therefore the user completed row equation 442.

[0041] In FIG. 41 the user selected function cell 460 which is also a shared cell.

Consequently triangle drawings 470 and 480 where displayed. Then the user selected the function“cos” in drop down list box 472. Consequently cell 460 displays“cos”.

However, since cell 460 is a shared cell, drop down list box 482 in triangle drawing 480 was set also to“cos”.

[0042] Therefore the user achieved the goal of the game by filling the last empty cell 460. FIG. 4J shows the completed or solved matrix 410 after the user clicked on an inactive cell. Consequently no triangle is displayed.

[0043] Therefore, as the user solves a matrix, it can visually observe what edges and what angle are used in each trigonometric function.

[0044] FIG. 5 shows a high level flow diagram 500, that can be executed by one or more processors, of displaying user interface 200 according to some embodiments.

[0045] First processor 100 loads a program stored in memory 102 (step 510). The program can contain processor instructions and related data. According to the program, the processor 100 reads a data record that describes a matrix stored in the memory (step 512). Alternatively the processor 100 can generate dynamically a matrix and related drawings on the fly. Then the processor 100 displays on display 106 the user interface 200 (step 514), the matrix 210 (step 516) and the triangle 240 (step 518).

Then the processor 100 handles user interface events such as selecting a matrix cell or a triangle element (step 520). Upon completion processor 100 determines success and, if any, displays an“OK” message 250 (step 522).

[0046] FIG. 6 shows table 600 of a schematic data record that can be stored in memory 102 that describes by way of example the matrix 210 shown in FIGS. 2A-C and triangle drawing 240. The length of each leg or cathetus is given in pixels. However other measurements can be used such as centimeters or percentages. However according to FIG. 2A data entries 610 and 612 are not displayed and left for the user to find out.

[0047] FIG. 7A shows a high level flow diagram 700, that can be executed by one or more processors, of handling user interface 400 event that a user selects an active cell in matrix 410 according to some embodiments.

[0048] On the event that the user clicks with mouse 104 or selects otherwise an active cell in matrix 410 (step 710) the processor 100 receives user’s selection or input (step 712). Then the processor 100 marks the selected cell as the cell in focus in this example in thick border (step 714).

[0049] If the cell in focus belongs to a row equation (step 720) then the processor 100 displays the corresponding triangle right to the matrix (step 722). If the cell in focus belongs to a column equation (step 724) then the processor 100 displays the corresponding triangle below the matrix (step 726).

[0050] FIG. 7B shows a high level flow diagram 740, that can be executed by one or more processors, of drawing a triangle according to a corresponding equation as demonstrated in FIG. 2A.

[0051] First processor 100 reads triangle description from record 600 (step 742). Then the processor 100, draws or displays triangle 240 on display 106 (step 744), marks edges and angles that appear or displayed in equation 212 (step 746) and sets function name, if any, in the drop down list box 248 (step 748).

[0052] FIG. 8 shows a high level flow diagram 800, that can be executed by one or more processors, of handling user interface 400 event that a user selects a

trigonometric function as demonstrated in FIG. 41.

[0053] On the event that the user selects a function from drop down list box 472 (step 810) the processor 100 receives user’s selection or input (step 812). Then the processor 100 writes or sets the function name,“cos” in this example, in the function cell 460 of the corresponding equation (step 814). Then the processor 100 checks if the cell in focus 460 is a function cell (step 816). If yes then the processor 100 checks if the other triangle, in that example triangle 480, is displayed (step 818) that is, if the cell in focus 460 is shared. If yes then the processor 100 sets the selected function name “cos” in the other drop down list box 482 (step 820).

[0054] FIG. 9 shows a high level flow diagram 900, that can be executed by one or more processors, of handling user interface 400 event that a user selects an angle displayed in a triangle as shown in FIG. 4C.

[0055] On the event that the user selects the angle 424 (step 910) the processor 100 receives user’s selection or input (step 911). Then the processor 100 checks if the corresponding angle cell 416 is full, that is have a visible name in it (step 912). If yes then the processor 100 unmarks the respective angle (step 914) by, for example, changing enclosing arc from thick to thin and the letter“e” from bold to normal. Then the processor 100 writes or sets the angle name in the corresponding angle cell 416 (step 916) and marks the user selected angle 424 (step 918).

[0056] Then the processor 100 checks if the angle cell 416 is the focus cell, that is if the angle cell is shared (step 920). If yes then the processor 100 checks if the other triangle, in that example triangle 430, is displayed (step 922). If yes then the processor 100 unmarks the marked angle, if any (step 924) and marks the angle 432 that has the same name as the user selected angle (step 926).

[0057] FIG. 10 shows a high level flow diagram 1000, that can be executed by one or more processors, of handling user interface 400 event that a user selects an edge displayed in a triangle as shown in FIG. 4G.

[0058] On the event that the user selects edge 454 labeled“g” (step 1010) the processor 100 receives user’s selection or input (step 1011). Then the processor 100 checks if an inner cell of a fraction cell is in focus (step 1012). If no then the processor 100 issues an error (step 1014). Else the processor 100 moves forward to check if the inner cell in focus 446 has an edge name displayed in it (step 1016). If yes then the processor 100 unmarks the respective edge 452 labeled“c” (step 1020) and remembers its name as the“old name” (step 1018). Then the processor 100 marks the user selected edge 454 (step 1022) and writes the new edge name 454 in the focus cell 446 (step 1024).

[0059] Then the processor 100 checks if another triangle is displayed (step 1026). If yes then the processor 100 unmarks the“old name” edge in that another triangle, if any (step 1028) and marks the edge with the same name as displayed in the focus cell (step 1030).

[0060] Alternatives are contemplated. While some embodiments describe a matrix containing trigonometric equations other types of equations can be used. For example FIG. 11 shows user interface 1100 with a matrix 1110 with equations. Alongside the matrix, drawings of various geometric shapes such as circles and rectangles are displayed. The drawings are made of visual elements such as lines, angles and labels. A labels may denote an element name. The equations display elements’ names.

[0061] For each equation there is a corresponding shape drawing. For example column equation 1112 has cells of letters and operators that display the area formula“a * b = A” of rectangle 1114. Further each drawing has the same background color as the corresponding equation. For example column equation 1112 and area 1116 are displayed with blue background so the user can associate each shape to the

corresponding equation. Values in the matrix 1110 can be further hidden or deleted to form a puzzle.

[0062] Alternative input devices are contemplated, for example keyboard 108. Using keys such as the [TAB] key to shift focus between cells and visual elements and pressing [ENTER] to select a visual element. Further other ways are known for marking visual elements such as different color, texture or background.

[0063] While in some embodiments angles are described in Greek letters other ways can be used such as vertex notation such as A, B, C, or <ABC, or apostrophe signs. Apostrophe signs can be used to designate edges instead of labels. [0064] While in some embodiments an inner cell of a fraction cell must be in focus when selecting an edge other ways can be applied such as first selected edge is written in the left or upper side of the fraction cell and second selected edge is written in the right or bottom side of the fraction.

[0065] While in some embodiments a list box is displayed alongside a matrix, list boxes can be displayed inside matrix cells.

[0066] Other equations can be displayed, for example“a = (sin a) ^c b”. Also other ways are known for displaying fractions or ratios in one or more matrix cells.

[0067] One of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that alternative structures, processes, sequences, mathematical definitions and game rules described here by way of example in a none limiting manner can be implemented in many other variations. Accordingly, the scope should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.