US-20260127693-A1 - Incentivized Youth Education System

US20260127693A1US 20260127693 A1US20260127693 A1US 20260127693A1US-20260127693-A1

Abstract

An incentivizing program has youth participants enrolling into a multi-stage, incentive-based program designed to encourage prosocial choices and avoidance of serious legal trouble. Each enrolled youth is issued a secure, restricted use, handheld program device configured to present interactive missions covering a wide range of life-lesson content. Progression through age- or stage-based missions is tracked and logged on a per-participant basis, with completion events and compliance with program requirements triggering deposits into a restricted-use success account or trust. In certain embodiments, the handheld program device collects multi-modal signals indicative of a participant's state during missions and communicates summarized results to a resilience scoring service that computes a resilience score in view of contextual risk indicators. An incentive-account management engine adjusts contributions to the success account as a function of the resilience score and program policies, thereby linking in-program performance and permitted-use funds supporting life pursuits outside of criminal activity.

Inventors

Mark B. Barron

Assignees

CONSUMERON, LLC

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20260105

Claims (20)

1 . A method for incentivized youth participation in a multi-stage behavior-shaping learning program comprising: providing a dedicated, handheld program device configured for use by a qualified youth, the handheld program device being specifically configured to present interactive mission content in stages and to restrict access to non-program functions; verifying an identity of the youth for use of the handheld program device by at least one of fingerprint, eye scan, facial recognition, code input or voice recognition; monitoring a progression of the youth through a first interactive mission stage on the handheld program device; upon verifying when the youth has completed the first interactive mission stage and compliance with one or more other program requirements, causing a contribution to be made to a restricted-use program account established for the benefit of the youth; and repeating the monitoring and contributing for at least a second interactive mission stage of the program, such that contributions to the restricted-use program account accumulate over multiple stages while the youth avoids disqualifying noncompliance entanglements.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising evaluating the youth for qualification into the program based on at least two of: age; status as underprivileged; and absence of a significant juvenile record.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the stages of the program correspond to at least three age or life stages, and the mission content presented at a particular stage is tailored to the particular stage.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first interactive mission stage is directed to instilling respect for others and their property, and the second interactive mission stage is directed to peer pressure, bullying, gangs and dangers of substance abuse.
5 . The method of claim 4 , further comprising repeating the monitoring and contributing for a third interactive mission stage directed to planning future life pursuits outside of criminal activity.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the restricted-use program account comprises a trust or other financial instrument that is not made fully available to the youth until the youth reaches a predetermined age and satisfies final program completion criteria.
7 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising permitting disbursements from the restricted-use program account prior to the youth satisfying the final program completion, with the disbursements being limited to: job training; licensure or certification; residential expenses; food; and long-term investing.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the handheld program device constitutes a computing controller pre-programmed with and configured for use specifically in performing the interactive mission stages of the multi-stage behavior-shaping learning program.
9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising, during presentation of one of the first and second mission stages on the handheld program device: obtaining multi-modal sensor data from a plurality of sensors of the handheld program device, the multi-modal sensor data comprising at least one physiological signal and at least one of audio data or image data; and generating, from the multi-modal sensor data, a state vector indicative of a state of the youth during the one of the first and second mission stages.
10 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising locally transforming the multi-modal sensor data into the state vector on the handheld program device and discarding at least a portion of raw biometric or raw audio data after such transformation.
11 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising adapting at least one subsequent mission segment based, at least in part, on the state vector and a history of mission choices of the youth.
12 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising transmitting, from the handheld program device to a remote scoring service, an event summary comprising an identifier of the youth, mission completion information, and at least a portion of the state vector.
13 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising, at the scoring service: combining the event summary with profile data associated with the youth and with contextual risk indicators associated with a geographic region of the youth; and computing a resilience score for the youth based at least on the event summary and the contextual risk indicators.
14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising adjusting a rate, frequency, or allocation of contributions to the restricted-use program account in accordance with one or more programmable funding rules that depend at least in part on the resilience score.
15 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing, on the dedicated handheld program device, a confidential reporting interface configured to allow the youth to submit a report regarding suspicious, threatening, or illegal activity observed by the youth.
16 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising: forming, in response to input received via the confidential reporting interface, a structured tip message including at least one of a narrative description, a selected category of concern, and time or location metadata; and transmitting the structured tip message to at least one designated authority or program triage center via a secure communication channel.
17 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising controlling access to identity information associated with the youth such that the structured tip message is delivered to the designated authority in anonymized or pseudonymized form, while preserving the ability of authorized program personnel to associate the structured tip message with a corresponding program record for internal evaluation.
18 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising treating verified, non-frivolous confidential reports as a positive factor in analytics associated with the youth's participation in the behavior-shaping program, and treating repeated knowingly false reports as a negative factor, in each case in accordance with program policy.
19 . A method for incentivized youth participation in a multi-stage behavior-shaping learning program comprising: enrolling a qualified youth into the program based at least on age criteria and an assessment of community risk factors, and issuing to the youth a dedicated handheld program device configured to execute only program-approved applications and content; verifying identity of the youth for use of the handheld program device by at least one of fingerprint, facial recognition, code input or voice recognition; presenting, on the handheld program device, a sequence of behavior-shaping missions associated with multiple stages of the program, the missions being configured to model decisions relating to conflict, property, peer pressure, or exposure to criminal activity; obtaining, during presentation of at least some of the missions, multi-modal sensor data from a plurality of sensors of the handheld program device, the multi-modal sensor data comprising at least one physiological signal and at least one of audio or image data; deriving, by a local processing module of the handheld program device, a time-varying state vector from the multi-modal sensor data, and discarding at least a portion of raw biometric or raw audio data after derivation of the state vector so that such raw data is not transmitted off the handheld program device; forming, on the handheld program device, an event summary comprising an identifier of the youth, mission progression information, selected mission options, and at least a compressed representation of the state vector, and transmitting the event summary to a remote resilience scoring service; at the resilience scoring service, combining the event summary with (i) stored profile data associated with the youth and (ii) contextual risk indicators derived from external data feeds associated with a geographic region of the youth, and computing a resilience score for the youth based at least on the event summary and the contextual risk indicators; maintaining, by an incentive-account management engine, a restricted-use program account associated with the youth, the restricted-use program account being limited to expenditures within one or more program-approved categories; and adjusting contributions to the restricted-use program account in accordance with one or more programmable funding rules that depend jointly on the resilience score and at least one of the contextual risk indicators, such that contributions are increased when the resilience score improves in the presence of elevated contextual risk and are reduced or suspended when the resilience score declines below a threshold or the youth incurs a disqualifying legal entanglement.
20 . A system for administering a multi-stage incentivized youth program, comprising: a handheld program device configured for use by a qualified youth and being specifically configured to present interactive mission content in stages and to restrict access to non-program functions, the handheld program device comprising: a display and input interface configured to present interactive missions and receive user input; at least one identity verification component configured to authenticate the youth; a plurality of sensors including at least one physiological sensor and at least one of a microphone or camera; and a local processing module configured to derive a state vector from signals obtained from the plurality of sensors; a monitoring unit configured to follow a progression of the youth through missions presented utilizing the handheld program device; a resilience scoring service in communication with the handheld program device and configured to receive event summaries including mission progression information and at least a portion of the state vector, and to compute a resilience score for the youth; and an incentive-account management engine configured to maintain a restricted-use program account for the youth and to adjust contributions to the restricted-use program account as a function of the resilience score and program policy.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 19/030,545 entitled “Incentivized Youth Education System”, filed Jan. 17, 2025, pending, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/622,173 , filed Jan. 18, 2024. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention pertains to the field of education and, more specifically, to implementing a system for the behavioral shaping of youths, particularly underprivileged youths, through a series of fact based life lessons or missions. If successfully completed by a youth at various stages of life while the youth avoids any serious legal trouble, the youth is entitled to receive a success fund for further education or other specified life pursuit purposes. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is well recognized that individuals who grow up in underprivileged circumstances, whether in low income inner cities or poor rural areas, experience hardships and live under conditions which are simply not found or perhaps even fathomable by those who grow up in more prosperous regions. Many times, the hardships and conditions lead to temptations resulting in youths engaging in illegal activities which actually compounds the problem by further limiting possible future life opportunities. Many such illegal activities can result in prison time and a prison record. The experiences of prison and the resulting record can haunt individuals for the rest of their lives. Not only is any given incarceration a liability for the individual, but to society as a whole. Although the exact number is not known, it is seemingly accepted that the cost of corrections in the United States is over $80 billion a year. However, this amount truly underestimates the real cost as it does not take into account related costs, such as social costs to affected family members and communities. Without a doubt, a system which incentivizes underprivileged youths through education to remain on the right side of the law, enabling them to stay out of prison and become proud contributors to society, would provide benefits to not only the youths themselves, but their families, communities and society in general. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is concerned with providing a system which enables underprivileged youths to obtain important and pinpointed education geared toward real life lessons and leading the youths to avoid legal troubles while growing up. At the same time, the system is designed to incentivize the youths on this path throughout their young years, resulting in the youths earning predetermined success funds which can be used to further the lives of the youths while also benefitting society as a whole. In accordance with certain embodiments of the invention, the system is designed to supplement the education accorded youths through the public school system and includes a series of age specific life education lessons for accepted individuals. Initially, a parent or legal guardian of an individual would need to apply to the program. To qualify, the individual must be of a beginning age group, such as between 5-10 years of age. In addition, eligibility requirements need to be met to appropriately ensure that the youth is considered as underprivileged, such as children of families below the poverty line, on welfare, or the like. Once accepted, the youth will be issued a dedicated computing device, such as a tablet or gaming console, with the youth having sole access through fingerprint, eye scan, facial recognition or the like verification techniques and the device being individually registered and certified. Although the educational materials may be pre-loaded on the device, the device may provide for restricted access to the internet to enable the education materials to be readily obtained through an authorized web portal to be downloaded and updated, as needed. In certain embodiments, there is a minimum of 3-5 educational courses or missions, with each course being directed to a specific age range during the life of the youth. For instance, one course could be directed to children 5-10 years of age; another course could be directed to youths 11-16 years of age; and a further course could be directed to individuals between the ages of 17-21 years. Each course is therefore geared to the age of the youth and specifically designed to instill a life lesson based on facts, with each lesson intending to instill a meaningful impression on the youth, helping to lead the individual down a growth path of a valuable citizen. While taking the course, eye recognition or other verification techniques will assure that the individual assigned to the particular device is, in fact, taking the course, with time and date information being automatically logged. Upon completing each course while remaining free of any serious legal entanglements, the individual will be issued a certificate of completion, along with a monetary c