Abstract: A method of dynamically establishing an auto-advance interval of a refreshable braille display. The method involves the step of establishing a default auto-advance value, during which a full line of braille characters remains displayed on the braille display prior to being replaced by the next line. The method further involves determining whether a current line of braille characters ends with a blank cell or a used cell and calculating the current auto-advance interval based on the number of used cells in the current line. The next line of braille characters is output after the current auto-advance interval has lapsed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented adaptive group training method a computer accessing a virtual system and initiating a group training exercise for training a trainee group comprising one or more trainees, the group training exercise including one or more challenges to the virtual system, each of the one or more challenges including a pre-defined sequence of one or more injectable events; the computer controlling subsequent execution of the group training exercise comprising injecting the injectable events; and the computer evaluating performance of the trainee group during the subsequent execution of the group training exercise, including analyzing actions taken by the trainee group in response to each of the injections, and attributing one or more of the actions taken to a trainee.

Abstract: An emotion identification device includes: a first detection unit which detects a central nervous system reaction of a user; a second detection unit which detects an autonomic nervous system reaction of the user; and an identification unit which identifies aggressiveness in anger of the user based on the central nervous system reaction and the autonomic nervous system reaction.

Abstract: A method for teaching a person, such as a child, to read aloud is disclosed. The method is implemented as a voice activated, visual software application that provides a visual display of a story as the person reads the words of the story. The method provides pronunciation assistance to the person, which in the software includes a simulated “teacher” that helps the person with assistance in reading the story. The method progresses through a sequence of story passages which together represent the entire story. The method progresses to each story passage upon successful completion of the current story passage by the person reading the story, such that the method will not allow the visual story to progress for the reader if a word is not read correctly out loud.

Abstract: Provided is an information processing apparatus including a processing unit configured to evaluate an evaluation target on a basis of target data regarding the evaluation target acquired from blockchain data circulated on a peer-to-peer network.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with instruction production are described. In one example, a system can comprise a difference component that makes an identification of a difference between an actual action of a user and a standard action for the user. The system also can comprise an instruction component that produces an instruction to instruct the user to change from the action of the user to the standard action for the user, where production of the instruction is based, at least in part, on the difference. The system further can comprise a non-transitory computer-readable medium configured to retain the instruction. Additionally, the system can comprise an output component configured to cause disclosure of the instruction.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for providing training to a surfer. The method involves highlighting the critical elements of the surfing region, enabling a surfer to comprehend complex dynamic environments, (such as barrells), better understand what expert surfers do in such environments, and then progressing such maneuvers from the mind to the physical environment as actual performance. The apparatus comprises a sensory cue generator capable of delivering cues that enable a surfer to visualize maneuvers in their mind, practice in virtual/augmented reality, and the physical environment in artificially and naturally generated surfing conditions. The sensory cues are delivered dynamically to the surfer, in an intuitive fashion correlated with the surfing visualizations, simulations or environments, prompting the surfer to deploy correct surfing maneuvers, greatly reducing the learning curve and progressing physical and mental performance as never before.

Abstract: A computing device for enhancing communications is disclosed. The computing device includes a memory configured to store data, a video camera configured to receive video input data, and a microphone configured to receive audio input data. The computing device also includes a processor that is configured to analyze the received video input data, the received audio input data, and the data stored in the memory. The computing device further includes a visual display device that is configured to output a visual display based on the processor analysis, and a speaker output device that is configured to output an audio signal based on the processor analysis.

Abstract: A system for characterizing manual welding exercises and providing valuable training to welders that includes components for generating, capturing, and processing data. The data generating component further includes a fixture, workpiece, at least one calibration devices each having at least two point markers integral therewith, and a welding tool. The data capturing component further includes an imaging system for capturing images of the point markers and the data processing component is operative to receive information from the data capturing component and perform various position and orientation calculations.

Abstract: A novel electronic language education system device is configured to define, instruct, analyze, and evaluate martial arts movements as characters of a particular language. In one embodiment, the novel electronic language education system includes a martial arts movement linguistic symbolization module and a martial arts movement-to-language character evaluation module that are executed on a CPU and a memory unit of the novel electronic language education system. Preferably, the system further incorporates a visual detection sensor, a gyroscopic sensor, a human limb movement sensor, and/or another sensor to enable capturing and analysis of a martial arts movement routine to create, match, and/or evaluate a digital symbolic key representing the martial arts movement routine, which is digitally paired with a character of the particular language.

Abstract: A remote user can define one or more zone based driver/vehicle behavior definitions. Current vehicle location is analyzed at the vehicle or remotely to determine if the vehicle is approaching or has arrived at a location for which a zone based driver/vehicle behavior has been defined. For zone based driver behavior definitions, a display in the vehicle automatically displays the zone based driver behavior definition to the driver. In some embodiments driver compliance is tracked and non-compliance is reported to the remote user. For zone based vehicle behavior definitions, a vehicle controller at the vehicle responsible for controlling the defined behavior is reprogrammed to impose the defined behavior (no regeneration at location, max speed at location, no idle over 2 minutes at location, etc.). Once the vehicle has left the zone, the controller programming reverts to its prior state, and/or zone based driver behavior definition is no longer displayed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for augmentative and alternative communication that provide language communication facilitation and language acquisition enablement. In one embodiment, an AAC apparatus includes a user i/o device, an auditory output device and a microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor presents PICS buttons that are mapped to corresponding words to a user via the i/o device and accepts input via selection of the PICS buttons. In response to selection of a PICS button, the corresponding word is displayed to the user in a speech text box and produces a sound of the word via the auditory output device. The microprocessor further identifies and displays a subsequent set PICS buttons in dependence on the selected PICS button. The subsequent set PICS buttons may also be identified in dependence on word order, grammar rules, statistical and context analyses, and the like to increase navigation speed and to enable the user to learn language skills.

Abstract: An answer evaluation system has an answer tablet, having a plurality of perforations forming a grid, wherein a peg is insertable into any perforation. In an embodiment the answer table and pegs are opaque, while perforations allow light to flow through. Further, the answer tablet may be positioned upon an enclosure designed to receive the answer tablet. The enclosure is adapted to direct light through a translucent cover positioned over an aperture of the enclosure. The enclosure houses a light source in communication with a power source. Further, a test evaluation system has a camera for receiving an image and an evaluation system for evaluating the image from the camera. A method of scoring includes a test-taker placing an answer peg into the perforations of the answer tablet, and a system evaluating and matching answers from a test taker to an answer key.

Abstract: A fitness achievement definition may define a fitness achievement using trigger information and one or more achievement rules. The fitness achievement may be earnable by a user of a user device by meeting the requirements of the fitness achievement. The fitness achievement definition may be stored on a user device that includes an application that collects data including fitness data. Detection of a trigger event corresponding to the trigger information and evaluation of the achievement rules may be managed by the user device. In some examples, a fitness communication relating to the fitness achievement may be presented at the user device.

Abstract: A wearable device and a method for monitoring eating are provided. The wearable device is wearable on an arm of a user and includes: an acceleration sensor, used to acquire acceleration information of the arm of the user; a processing unit connected to the acceleration sensor, used to calculate times of eating performed by the user in a predetermined duration based on the acceleration information and obtain an eating frequency of the user; a comparing unit connected to the processing unit, used to compare the eating frequency with a reference frequency and generate a first alarming signal if determining through comparison that the eating frequency is equal to or larger than the reference frequency; and an alarm connected to the comparing unit, used to alarm upon reception of the first alarming signal.

Abstract: A method of gesture selection of displayed content on a general user interface is provided. The method includes steps of: determining a gesture initiation location when a user pushes down on the general user interface, determining a continuous arc by movement of the user across the general user interface, determining a completed continuous arc of the continuous arc by connecting the gesture initiation location with a gesture end location when the user lifts off of the general user interface, determining a selection area based on an inner area of the completed continuous arc, and storing data from objects of interest encompassed in the selection area.

Abstract: A method includes calibrating a first path of a joint of a workpiece of a welding system relative to a component, determining a first set of welding parameters of a welding torch based at least in part on a tracked position and a tracked orientation of the welding torch along the first path of the joint during a first live-arc welding operation, calibrating a second path of the joint of the workpiece relative to the component, determining a second set of welding parameters of the welding torch based at least in part the tracked position and orientation of the welding torch along the second path of the joint during a second live-arc welding operation, and displaying at least one of the first and second sets of welding parameters on a display. The second path is disposed at least partially over the first path.

Abstract: According to an aspect, an online education platform may be configured to provide an online course over a network to a plurality of computing devices. The online course may provide education content in which learners view and interact with the education content. The online education platform may include an online course analyzer to determine performance data associated with learners' engagement with the education content including an engagement metric indicating a level of engagement of the learners with the education content during a session of the online course, and provide the performance data via an instructor dashboard. The online course analyzer may include a content editor configured to edit the education content based on the performance data including changing at least a portion of the education content based on the performance data before a completion of the online course.

Abstract: A welding training system includes a welding training software having a first training mode configured to simulate a welding arc and a second training mode configured to use a live welding arc. The welding training system is configured to block welding power flow between a welding power supply and a welding torch while the welding training software is in the first training mode. The welding training system is also configured to enable the welding power to flow between the welding power supply and the welding torch while the welding training software is in the second training mode.

Abstract: Embodiments can provide dynamic assessment by an expert system software (ESS) module. The ESS module may determine a minimum set of diagnostic questions to identify a student's strengths and/or weaknesses for a given subject matter. Each diagnostic question may be a unique question variant generated from a dynamic question template. The ESS module may automatically and dynamically build a personal lesson plan that includes lessons on topics of the subject matter that the student has not mastered. The ESS module may dynamically modify the personal lesson plan to change a lesson and/or add lesson(s) considered by the ESS module as necessary for the student to master the subject matter. Given the ESS module's knowledge on various components of a question such as equation(s) used to produce a correct answer to the question, the ESS module may generate image(s), customized hint(s), customized explanation(s), and/or examine student solutions in step-by-step fashion.