US20020081559A1 - System and method for remote education using a memory card - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is a system and method for allowing an individual to view a program remotely. In the preferred embodiment, the invention is used as a healthcare education system. The system comprises a file server which is coupled to a database storing the educational programs. A remote interface coupled to the file server allows an administrator to assign educational programs to an individual. The remote interface also includes a memory card writer which records the individual identification code and the address of the file server on this memory card. Then, the individual may take the memory card with them. When the individual places the memory card in the memory card reader of a multimedia processor, the processor uses the file server address to automatically connect to the file server. The file server receives the individual identification code from the processor, retrieves the corresponding educational program from the database, and sends the program to the processor to be displayed. After the individual has watched the educational program, completion data in the form of the date and time the program was watched and/or the individual's response, is sent from the multimedia processor to the file server. The completion data can then be viewed by the administrator on a report screen.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/119,546 filed on Jul. 20, 1998, which is a continuation-in-part of the co-pending application Ser. No. 08/953,883 filed on Oct. 20, 1997, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 08/757,129 filed on Dec. 3, 1996, which is now U.S. Pat. No. 6,144,837 issued on Nov. 7, 2000, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 08/334,643 filed on Nov. 4, 1994, which is now U.S. Pat. No. 5,601,435 issued on Feb. 11, 1997.[0001]
• This application is also a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 08/958,786, which is now U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,310, issued on Jun. 22, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/857,187, filed May 15, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,603 which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/247,716, filed May 23, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,571, issued on Oct. 21, 1997.[0002]
• All of the above applications are herein incorporated by reference.[0003]
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention generally relates to remote education systems. More particularly, this present invention relates to a system and method of remote health education in which an individual is provided with a memory card capable of being placed in a multimedia processor to automatically access selected educational health programs.[0004]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• One of the biggest problems many healthcare providers face is their patients' lack of knowledge. Patients may lack knowledge on basic preventative measures, such as why they should exercise, eat right, and not smoke. Patients may also lack knowledge on conditions or diseases they do have, such as how to measure their blood glucose levels if they are diabetic. This lack of knowledge is a problem for healthcare providers because patients who do not know how to take care of themselves are ill more frequently. Thus, they tend to visit their doctors more often and also tend to incur additional costs for hospital stays or laboratory tests. This results in greater fees for the patient, his or her insurance company, and often the taxpayers.[0005]
• An example of this problem is seen in some diabetes patients. Diabetic patients must regularly receive insulin shots and adhere to a specific diet in order to control their blood glucose levels. Unfortunately, some diabetic patients do not understand all the reasons why they should have regular insulin shots or why they should or should not eat certain foods. In addition, many diabetic patients are unaware of the health consequences should they deviate from their treatment plan. As a result, uninformed patients usually become sicker and require more medical treatment when compared to patients who understand all aspects of their diseases. Sicker patients require more healthcare, which is expensive and time-consuming for healthcare professionals, insurance companies, and the patients themselves.[0006]
• One way to solve this problem is to increase the amount of education patients receive about their lifestyle choices and/or their diseases. When patients know what is required to stay healthy, they are less likely to become ill and require treatment. In addition, if patients understand the health problems that will result from not taking care of themselves, they will be more likely to follow their prescribed treatments. Presently, forms of health education range from pamphlets in a doctor's office to radio announcements and television shows. Paper-based educational materials such as pamphlets are cheap and easy to both produce and distribute. Unfortunately, pamphlets or articles are limited to words and pictures and are usually quite boring, which makes it less likely that patients read them. Radio announcements and television shows are more lively and entertaining, but they indiscriminately broadcast to the general public. Accordingly, these radio announcements and television show cannot be customized to a particular patient.[0007]
• Due to technological advances, patients can now be educated using CD-ROMs, the Internet, and multimedia processors. U.S. Pat. No. 5,307,263 by the present inventor discloses a modular, microprocessor-based health monitoring system. The hand-held unit has a display screen, a control button pad, interchangeable program cartridges, and sensors for monitoring a variety of healthcare data. The program cartridges include motivational and educational material related to use of the device, including step-by-step instructions. Acquired data may be transmitted to a data management unit via an interface cable, or to a clearing house via telephone lines. A program cartridge for monitoring glucose levels and a glucose sensor is disclosed for the purpose of caring for children with diabetes.[0008]
• U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,597,307 and 5,624,265 by Redford and Stern describe an educational system and apparatus aimed at children which also uses a multimedia processor. This invention comprises a remote control located in a book or other printed publication. A child reads the book while watching the display generated by the multimedia processor, and then press the buttons in the remote control book to alter what he sees.[0009]
• None of these prior art education systems allow an individual to automatically access assigned educational programs remotely. These inventions described above provide general educational programs which are not tailored to the specific needs of an individual. These systems do not allow a healthcare provider or teacher to easily custom-design an educational program to be viewed by the individual. Further, none of these systems provide confirmation that the individual completed the educational program. Finally, none of these systems provide a patient or individual access to an unlimited number of educational programs.[0010]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention comprises a system and method for remote education using a memory card. This system preferably comprises a database, a file server, a remote interface, a memory card writer, a display unit, a multimedia processor, and a card reader. The file server acts as a central hub of the system, because it is preferably coupled to the database, the remote interface, and the multimedia processor. Accordingly, these three components are capable of being located a long distance from one another. The database preferably stores a plurality of educational programs. Preferably, the remote interface allows an administrator, such as a healthcare provider or educator, to assign a particular educational program to an individual. The identification code of the individual and a pointer referring to the assigned educational program are preferably stored on memory means of the file server. Preferably, by using the memory card writer, the administrator is capable of recording the individual's identification code and the address of the file server onto the memory card.[0011]
• After the administrator assigns the particular educational program to the individual, the memory card can be given to the individual. When the individual wishes to view the assigned educational program, the individual simply places the card in the card reader. Preferably, the memory card reader is coupled to or located within the multimedia processor, which in turn is coupled to the file server. Upon receiving the memory card, the multimedia processor preferably sends the individual's identification code to the file server. Preferably, the file server then calls up the assigned educational program from the database. The content of the educational program is sent to the multimedia processor and displayed on a display unit for the individual.[0012]
• Preferably, the file server is notified when the individual has completed the educational program. Completion data includes the date and time the individual watched the educational program. Further, the completion data can also include responses made by the individual to the educational program. Preferably, the file server records the completion data and then sends the completion data to the remote interface for the administrator to review.[0013]
• In the preferred embodiment of the remote education system, the file server is a web server, the remote interface is an interactive web page, and the communication link is the Internet. An administrator preferably assigns an educational program to the individual by entering the assignment information onto the web page. Preferably, the assignment information is sent to the web server. When the individual places the memory card into the card reader, the multimedia processor preferably sends the individual's identification code to the web server, which in turn, preferably calls up the educational program from the database. In the preferred embodiment, the database comprises one or more web servers, which allows the administrator to assign to the individual an unlimited amount of material.[0014]
• In the preferred embodiment, the memory card is a plastic card with a magnetic information strip, similar to an ordinary credit card. The magnetic strip preferably contains the individual's identification code and the location of the file server. In another embodiment, the memory card comprises a circuit. The circuit preferably contains the individual's identification code and the location of the file server.[0015]
• It is an object of the present invention to provide an individual with a remote education system which can be accessed from the individual's home. It is another object of the invention to provide a remote education system which displays educational programs for an individual. It is another object of the present invention to provide interactive educational programs. Another object of the invention is to provide a remote education system comprising a memory card containing an individual's identification code and the locations of educational programs for the individual to view. It is another object of the present invention to provide confirmation that an individual has completed an educational program. It is another object of the invention to provide a remote education system through a network or computers such as the Internet. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a remote healthcare education system for patients. It is another object of the present invention to allow a healthcare provider to assign educational programs for a patient by using a memory card.[0016]
• These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent after consideration of the following description and the accompanying drawings.[0017]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the remote education system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.[0018]
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the components of the preferred embodiment, according to FIG. 1.[0019]
• FIG. 3 is a sample program assignment screen of the preferred embodiment.[0020]
• FIG. 4 is a sample report screen of the preferred embodiment.[0021]
• FIG. 5 is a sample interactive educational program of the preferred embodiment.[0022]
• FIG. 6A is a flow chart illustrating the steps executed by the preferred embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1.[0023]
• FIG. 6B is a continuation of the flow chart of FIG. 6A.[0024]
• FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating the steps executed by the preferred embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1.[0025]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• The present invention provides a system and method for remotely educating an individual using a memory card. In the preferred embodiment, the present invention is used to distribute custom-designed health education programs to patients. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the healthcare industry. The system and method of the invention may be used for any type of remote education application in any field.[0026]
• The preferred embodiment of the system is shown in FIG. 1. The[0027]system110 comprises afile server112, which is coupled bycommunication links138,130, and140 to aremote interface114, adatabase148 preferably containing educational programs, and amultimedia processor124. Thefile server112 is preferably a world wide web server, theremote interface114 is preferably a web page, and thecommunication links138 and130 are preferably the Internet. Theremote interface114 preferably includes adisplay116 and akeyboard120, which an administrator preferably utilizes to assign an educational program to an individual. Theremote interface114 is also preferably coupled to amemory card writer118. Preferably, thememory card writer118 records the individual's identification code and the location of thefile server112 on amemory card122. Preferably, the location offile server112 is in the form of a uniform resource locator, or URL.
• The communication link[0028]140 from thefile server112 to themultimedia processor124 is preferably the Internet. However, thefile server112 and themultimedia processor124 are also capable of contacting each other via wireless communication networks, cellular networks, telephone networks, or any other suitable network. Themultimedia processor124 is also preferably connected by acommunication link132 to adisplay128, which is used to display educational programs to the individual. Preferably, thecommunication link132 is any suitable connection means. Preferably, thedisplay128 is a standard audiovisual display, such as a television.
• The[0029]multimedia processor124 is preferably coupled to amemory card reader126. When thememory card122 is placed in thememory card reader126, the assignment information is sent to thefile server112. Preferably, thefile server112 then retrieves the assigned educational program from thedatabase148. The assigned educational program is then preferably sent throughcommunication link140 to themultimedia processor124 and preferably shown on thedisplay128. In addition, themultimedia processor124 also preferably comprises expansion ports to support additional user interfaces and devices, such as keyboards and trackballs, as well as add-on circuits for enhanced sound, video, or processing performance (not shown).
• As shown in FIG. 1,[0030]input device134 comprises numerous momentarycontact push buttons136 which are preferably used by the individual to control and respond to the assigned educational program. These pushbuttons136 preferably represent control functions, such as “on” and “off”, as well as numbers, letters, or various commands, such as “yes” and “no”. Alternatively, thesepush buttons136 may be replaced by switches, keys, a touch sensitive display screen, or any other data input device. Theinput device134 is preferably a standard wireless communication means which sends command signals to themultimedia processor124 for processing and execution. However, any communication means may be utilized which allows theinput device134 to communicate with themultimedia processor124.
• For clarity of illustration, only one database and only one multimedia processor are shown in FIG. 1. It is to be understood that[0031]system110 may include any number of databases for storing any number of educational programs, and any number of multimedia processors for use by any number of individuals.
• FIG. 2 shows a detailed block diagram of the preferred embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 1. The[0032]server112 preferably includes ageneral software application142 which is used create apatient database144 and a patient table146. Preferably, thesoftware application142 is also capable of programming thefile server112 to carry out standard commands such as receiving, saving, and transmitting information. Thepatient database144 is preferably coupled to thedatabase148 containing the educational programs. Alternatively, thepatient database144 can also contain pointers to thedatabase148 containing the educational programs. The advantage of utilizing the pointers is that they allow the healthcare provider to assign any number of the educational programs within thedatabase148 to the individual, as long as the educational programs within thedatabase148 are capable of being transmitted to themultimedia processor124 and shown on the display28. Thus, suitable forms of educational programs within thedatabase148 preferably include photos, videos, animation, static web pages, interactive web pages, etc. Preferably, the patient table146, which is stored in the memory of thefile server112, lists the patients, their identification codes, and educational programs within thedatabase148 which have been assigned to them.
• Preferably, the patient table[0033]146 is generated by information entered into anassignment screen150 of theremote interface114. Thisassignment screen150, which is illustrated in FIG. 3, preferably lists available educational programs within thedatabase148, each with acorresponding check box166, and patients, also each with acorresponding check box168. The administrator preferably brings up theassignment screen150 on thedisplay116 of theremote interface114. The administrator preferably selects acheck box168 for a patient and then preferably selects acheck box166 corresponding to educational program within thedatabase148 to be assigned to the patient. More than one educational program within thedatabase148 may be assigned to each patient. In addition, more than one patient may be assigned the same educational program within thedatabase148. The administrator then preferably selects an ASSIGNPROGRAM button170, which preferably stores the assignment in the patient table146. Theassignment screen150 also preferably includes aDELETE PROGRAM button172, which allows the administrator to erase the assignment.
• Preferably, new listings of patients and educational programs within the[0034]database148 are easily created by the administrator by clicking on an ADDNEW PATIENT button174 or an ADDNEW PROGRAM button176, respectively.
• Preferably, when the ADD[0035]NEW PATIENT button174 button is selected, a new field is added to the patient category, and the administrator then types in a name of a new patient. Likewise, when the ADDNEW PROGRAM button176 is selected, a new field is preferably added to the program category, and the administrator then preferably types in a name of the new educational program within thedatabase148. Preferably, after pressing either the ADDNEW PATIENT button174 or the ADDNEW PROGRAM button176, the administrator finally saves the addition by clicking on a SAVENEW LISTING button178. The new listings are preferably then saved in the patient table146.
• In the preferred embodiment, the[0036]remote interface114 is a web page. Thus, using thekeyboard120, as shown in FIG. 1, the administrator preferably creates customized educational programs in the form of static or interactive web pages for patients. The administrator creates the web page using a scripting language such as HTML or Java, and then stores it on thepatient database144. These web pages can be accessed by themultimedia processor124 in the same manner as the above mentioned educational programs within thedatabase148.
• Referring to FIG. 2 again, the[0037]remote interface114 also preferably comprises areport screen152 which is preferably shown ondisplay116. Thereport screen152, as illustrated in FIG. 4, preferably informs the administrator when the patient has completed watching the assigned educational program within thedatabase148 and/or a program score. Specific techniques for writing report generator programs to display data in this manner are well known in the art.
• The program score is generally determined by evaluating patient responses to an interactive educational program, such as an interactive web page. FIG. 5 shows a sample educational program which includes questions for the patient to answer preferably using the[0038]input device134.
• The[0039]memory card writer118 is preferably coupled to theremote interface114. Thememory card writer118 preferably encodes information onto a magnetic strip or circuit. The process of storing information on a magnetic strip or circuit is well known in the art. Thememory card122 preferably contains apatient identification code156 and afile server address154.
• As shown in FIG. 2, the[0040]multimedia processor124 also preferably comprises a memory means160, a memory card reader126 a central processing unit (CPU)158, amodem164, and anaudiovisual display128. Thememory card reader126, memory means160,modem164, andaudiovisual display128 are all preferably coupled to theCPU158. Preferably, themultimedia processor124 couples to thefile server112 via themodem164 and the communication link40, which is preferably a telephone cable. Preferably, themultimedia processor124 is programmed to automatically dial out using themodem164 whenever thememory card122 is placed in thememory card reader126.
• Preferably, the[0041]memory card reader126 comprises means for detecting and interpreting the information stored on thememory card122. In the preferred embodiment, thememory card reader126 is a magnetic strip reader. When the patient places thememory card122 into thememory card reader126, the information is preferably sent to theCPU158 and then to the memory means160. Preferably, the information is then sent to thefile server112 via themodem164.
• The memory means[0042]160 of themultimedia processor124 preferably stores program instructions on how to connect to thefile server112 and how to transmit thepatient identification code156. In addition, the memory means160 preferably receives and stores the assigned educational programs within thedatabase148 from thefile server112. When the content of these educational programs within thedatabase148 is sent to themultimedia processor124 from thefile server112, the memory means160 preferably translates the content of the educational programs within thedatabase148 into audiovisual signals to be shown on thedisplay128.
• FIGS. 6A and 6B show a flowchart illustrating the steps carried out by the[0043]server112 in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Instep202, thefile server112 first preferably asks if the administrator would like to create a new assignment. Creating a new assignment preferably entails either adding a new patient to the patient table146 or assigning a new educational program within thedatabase148 to a patient. If the administrator decides to create a new assignment, the information is preferably stored in the patient table146, as shown instep204. Instep206, the new assignment information consisting of thepatient identification code156 and thefile server address154 is also preferably recorded on thememory card122 by thememory card writer118, and then given to the patient. If the administrator does not need to create a new assignment, she preferably moves directly fromstep202 to step208.
• After the patient returns home, he preferably places the[0044]memory card122 into thememory card reader126 which is preferably coupled to themultimedia processor124. Preferably, thefile server address154 on thememory card122 allows themultimedia processor124 to locate and couple to thefile server112 instep208. Thepatient identification code156 is preferably then sent over instep210. Instep212, thefile server112 then preferably finds the educational program within thedatabase148 assigned to patient in the patient table146. The pointer in thedatabase144 then retrieves the educational program within thedatabase148. If the educational program is located in a remote database, it is sent through thefile server112 to themultimedia processor124, as shown instep214. Preferably, the memory means160 of themultimedia processor124 then interprets and translates the content of theeducational program148 into audiovisual signals to be shown on thedisplay128.
• After the patient finishes watching the assigned[0045]educational program148, a set of completion data comprising the time, date, and/or patient responses are preferably sent from themultimedia processor124 to thefile server112 instep216. Step218 preferably scores the patient responses to determine a program score. Step220 then preferably records the set of completion data in the patient table146 of thefile server112.
• If the administrator wishes to view the set of completion data belonging to a particular patient, she preferably requests a patient report, as shown in[0046]step222. Step222 preferably occurs after the patient has watched and responded to theeducational program148 instep220, or at any time afterstep208 if there is no remote connection. Preferably, thefile server122 retrieves the patient completion data from the patient table146,step224, and then shows it in the form of thereport screen152 on thedisplay116 instep226. Thereport screen152 as illustrated in FIG. 4 shows an exemplary display of the students, the assigned program, the set of completion data, and the program score.
• FIG. 7 is a flowchart outlining the steps involved in the processor program of[0047]multimedia processor124 in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The processor program may preferably be implemented by known software programs. The processor program preferably begins when thememory card122 is placed in thememory card reader126, as shown instep302. Preferably, thememory card reader126 scans thepatient identification code304 and thefile server address156 from thememory card122 instep304, and then sends thepatient identification code304 and thefile server address156 to theCPU158. Thefile server address156 preferably allows theCPU158 to communicate with thefile server112 via themodem164 instep306. Subsequently, thepatient identification code154 is then preferably transmitted to thefile server112 instep308. Instep310, theCPU158 preferably receives the content of assignededucational program148 via themodem164. The content is preferably converted into audiovisual signals such that the content may be shown on thedisplay128 instep312. The patient responses for the educational program within thedatabase148 is then preferably sent to theCPU158 by theinput device134. Subsequently, theCPU158 then preferably sends the program score and/or patient responses, along with other completion data, to thefile server112. The processor program ofmultimedia processor124 then preferably ends.
• The[0048]memory card reader126 of themultimedia processor124 preferably also has a writing function that is similar to thememory card writer118 of theremote interface114. This feature allows the program score to the educational program to be stored onmemory card122. The patient can then bring thememory card122 to the healthcare provider or administrator for review. Thememory card writer118 of theremote interface114 preferably also has reading capabilities. When thememory card122 is inserted into the memory card writer/reader118, the program scores are preferably downloaded into theremote interface114. By bringing thememory card122 to the healthcare provider, the patient is not required to transmit the patient responses over thecommunication link140.
• The present invention allows a healthcare provider or administrator to assign a remote educational program to a patient. The patient has the luxury of watching and responding to the program at the patient's own home and leisure. After the patient's response to the educational program, the data is then preferably transmitted to the file server and displayed for the administrator to view. Preferably, the administrator monitors whether or not the patient has watched the educational program, and can also evaluate the patient's responses to the program.[0049]
• Appendix A shows one exemplary implementation of the present invention as it applies to working with a diabetes patient through MEDTV™ over the Internet. MEDTV™ is a trademark of Raya Systems, Inc. (Mountain View, Calif.).[0050]
• Although the above description contains many specificities, these should not be[0051]145 construed as limitations on the scope of the present invention but merely details illustrating the presently preferred embodiment. Many other embodiments of the present invention are possible, as this invention can be used in any field where it is desirable to remotely educate an individual. For example, teachers may utilize the present invention to assign lessons to their students, and employers may utilize the present invention to provide additional job training for their employees.
• An alternate embodiment of the present invention allows companies to promote their products. Preprogrammed memory cards can be placed with a company's products. For example, when the consumer buys a product, he also receives the preprogrammed memory card, which contains a code identifying the product and the address of the company's consumer-product file server. When the consumer places the memory card into the memory card reader of the multimedia processor, the multimedia processor automatically connects the consumer to the company's file server. The file server preferably contains a consumer-product table which stores a list of all the company's products with corresponding pointers to relevant educational programs or advertisements. As an example, a sunblock product would have a pointer to a short video on basic sun safety, as well as an advertisement for all sunblock products made by that company.[0052]
• When the file server receives the product identification code from the multimedia processor, the file server preferably retrieves the relevant educational program or advertisement and sends the relevant portion back to the consumer's multimedia processor. The consumer may then watch the program or advertisement on the display.[0053]
• The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of the principles of construction and operation of the invention. Such reference herein to specific embodiments and details thereof is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made in the embodiment chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.[0054]
• Specifically, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the device of the present invention could be implemented in several different ways and the apparatus disclosed above is only illustrative of the preferred embodiment of the invention and is in no way a limitation. For example, it would be within the scope of the present invention to substitute various output devices in place of the displays and to substitute a floppy disk drive and a floppy diskette for the memory card reader/writer and the memory card, respectively. Further, it would be within the scope of the present invention to substitute the database for a plurality of databases linked via the Internet.[0055]

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Claims (24)

What is claimed is:

1. A remote education system comprising:

a. a database for storing an educational program;

b. a file server coupled to the database;

c. a remote interface coupled to the file server for assigning the educational program to an individual thereby forming an assigned program, wherein the file server includes a memory means for storing an identification code of the individual and a pointer directed to the assigned program;

d. a memory card for storing the identification code and an electronic address of the file server;

e. a display unit for displaying the assigned program;

f. a multimedia processor networked to the file server and coupled to the display unit; and

g. a card reader coupled to the multimedia processor for receiving the memory card and for reading the identification code and the electronic address stored thereon,

wherein the multimedia processor is programmed to establish a communication link to the file server, transmit the identification code to the file server, and automatically display the assigned program on the display unit, and wherein the file server is programmed to record data indicating completion of the assigned program by the individual.

2. The system according toclaim 1, further comprising a memory card writer coupled to the remoter interface for recording the identification code and the electronic address onto the memory card.

3. The system according toclaim 1, wherein the multimedia processor establishes the communication link to the file server upon insertion of the memory card into the card reader.

4. The system according toclaim 1, wherein the data indicating completion of the assigned program comprises a date and a time of completion.

5. The system according toclaim 1, wherein the data indicating completion of the assigned program comprises a program score, which is produced by evaluating a response by the individual to the assigned program, wherein the response is transmitted from the multimedia processor to the file server.

6. The system according toclaim 1, wherein the memory card further comprising a circuit for storing the identification code and the electronic address.

7. The system according toclaim 1, wherein the data indicating completion of the assigned program is reported on the remote interface.

8. The system according toclaim 1, wherein the assigned program is used to educate the individual in a healthcare program.

9. The system according toclaim 1, wherein the memory card further comprising a magnetic strip for storing the identification code and the electronic address.

10. The system according toclaim 1, wherein the file server comprises a web server, the remote interface comprises a web page for assigning the educational program to the individual, and the communication link comprises a computer network.

11. The system according toclaim 10, wherein the data indicating completion of the assigned program further comprising a start date and a start time the individual logged on to the assigned program and a stop date and a stop time the individual logged off of the assigned program.

12. The system according toclaim 10, wherein the data indicating completion of the assigned program further comprising a program score, which is produced by evaluating a response of the individual to the assigned program, wherein the response is transmitted from the multimedia processor to the file server via the computer network.

13. The system according toclaim 10, wherein the data indicating completion of the assigned program is reported on the web page of the remote interface.

14. A method for educating an individual, the method comprising the following steps:

a. providing the individual with a memory card reader, a display unit, and a multimedia processor wherein the multimedia processor is coupled to the card reader and the display unit;

b. storing an educational program on a database wherein the educational program is accessible to the individual through a file server;

c. assigning the educational program to the individual thereby forming an assigned program by storing both an identification code of the individual and a pointer directed to the assigned program in the file server;

d. recording on a memory card an electronic address of the file server and the identification code;

e. inserting the memory card into the card reader;

f. automatically establishing a communication link between the multimedia processor and the file server upon insertion of the memory card into the card reader;

g. transmitting the identification code to the file server;

h. automatically retrieving the assigned program from the database;

i. automatically displaying the assigned program on the display unit; and

j. recording, in the file server, data indicating completion of the assigned program by the individual.

15. The method according toclaim 14, wherein the step of recording the data indicating completion of the assigned program further comprising: storing in the file server a date and a time that the individual completed the assigned program.

16. The method according toclaim 14, wherein the step of recording the data indicating completion of the assigned program further comprising:

a. receiving an answer into the multimedia processor wherein the answer is made by the individual in response to the assigned program;

b. transmitting the answer from the multimedia processor to the file server;

c. evaluating the answer in the file server to generate a program score; and

d. storing the program score in the file server.

17. The method according toclaim 14, further comprising: reporting on a remote interface the data indicating completion of the assigned program.

18. The method according toclaim 14, wherein the memory card further comprising a magnetic strip for storing the identification code and the electronic address.

19. The method according toclaim 14, wherein the memory card further comprising: a circuit for storing the identification code and the electronic address.

20. The method according toclaim 14, wherein the assigned program is used to educate the individual in a healthcare program.

21. The method according toclaim 14, wherein the file server comprises a web server, a remote interface comprises a web page for assigning the assigned program to the individual, and the communication link comprises a computer network.

22. The method according toclaim 21, wherein the step of recording data indicating completion of the assigned program further comprising: storing in the file server a start date and a start time that the individual logged on to the assigned program, a stop date and a stop time that the individual logged off of the assigned program.

23. The method according toclaim 21, wherein the step of recording data indicating completion of the assigned program further comprising:

a. receiving in the multimedia processor the answer made by the individual in response to the assigned program;

b. transmitting the answer from the multimedia processor to the file server via the computer network;

c. evaluating the answer in the file server to generate a program score; and

d. storing the program score in the file server.

24. The method according toclaim 21, further comprising: reporting on the web page of the remote interface the data indicating completion of the assigned program.

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