Abstract: In a karaoke system, a central terminal and a plurality of karaoke terminals are connected by a coaxial cable. A polling modem modulates a polling signal to a predetermined channel signal and transmits it to a karaoke terminal and also receives a response signal (signal for responding as to whether a song has been requested) transmitted from the karaoke terminal in response to the polling signal. When a song is requested, the data transmission control portion retrieves the karaoke song data of the requested song from the memory, modulates it via the data transmission modem into an alternating current signal that differs from the channel of the polling signal, and transmits it to the karaoke terminal.

Abstract: A method for managing resolvers of test answers to maintain consistent and efficient test scoring of the answers. The method monitors test resolver performance in order to provide feedback. By tracking a resolver's scoring rate to compile performance data, the method monitors efficiency and optionally recommends break times and provides the resolver with diversionary activities during breaks.

Abstract: A method for managing resolvers of test answers to maintain consistent and efficient scoring of test answers. The method routes test answers to resolvers based on classifications of resolvers and persons who generated the test answers. Monitoring and selecting resolvers based on classifications promotes fair and consist scoring of test answers.

Abstract: A motion-base ride simulator includes a passenger cabin which is carried by a plurality of actuators within a limited operating envelope. During operation of the ride the movements of the passenger cabin simulate G-forces associated with an audio-visual presentation to the passengers within the cabin. The combination of sight, sound, and feeling (i.e., G-forces) provides the passengers of the ride with a sense of riding on a vehicle, such as a racing car or rocket ship. In order to facilitate one or both of passenger ingress and egress of the cabin, the motion base is so associated with a stationary passenger platform that the passenger cabin may be moved to a passenger access position immediately adjacent to but not touching an adjacent edge of this platform. In this passenger access position of the cabin passengers may enter into or leave from the passenger cabin without use of a movable passenger platform.

Abstract: One embodiment of an autostart driver in the host device detects insertion of a storage media into a peripheral, searches for a file of a predetermined name in the storage media and automatically starts an application listed in instructions in the file. Another embodiment of the autostart driver looks for a file of the predetermined name in the host devices' permanently installed storage media prior to searching in the inserted storage media. When a previously inserted removable storage media is removed from the peripheral, the autostart driver ends the started application, restores the operator interface screens to a state existing prior to insertion and releases portions of random access memory that were used by the ended application. In one embodiment the autostart driver can automatically copy a new version of autostart driver software or other new software, such as word processors into the permanently installed storage media.

Abstract: A method for increasing the speed at which test answers are processed. The method receives electronic representations of test answers and organizes the test answers into separate groupings. The method next displays a particular grouping of test answers to a test resolver so that the resolver can score the test answers. In displaying the answers, the method uses a matrix of cells and displays one test answer in each of the cells. The test resolver can thus simultaneously view multiple test answers, which facilitates efficient scoring of the answers.

Abstract: A simulation system which can provide a realistic quasi-experience of operating a conveyance.An output information collecting device 3 is provided with a conveyance model 20 which operates according to the operation information accepted from outside. The conveyance model 20 comprises a television camera 30 which shoots the surrounding scenery and a accelerometer 40 which detects the acceleration. A simulator body 4 is provided with a cockpit device 50, a driving section 70 which changes the cockpit device, and an output section 220 which displays the picture shot by the television camera 30. The cockpit device 50 includes an input section for operating, 60, which accepts the operation information to operate the conveyance model 20. A driving section 70 changes the cockpit device 50 based on the information of acceleration informed by the accelerometer 40.

Abstract: An exercise device includes a base part adapted to rest on a floor or another surface. The device includes a first upwardly extending part extending upwardly from the base part and, spaced apart upon the base part, a second upwardly extending part is provided. A lever frame, for supporting a person thereon, is pivoted by way of a pivotation mechanism relative to the first upwardly extending part. An engagement device is provided to act on the second upwardly extending part at a position higher than the lever frame so as to allow a person supported on the lever frame to engage with the engagement device to pivot the lever frame upwardly by way of the pivotation mechanism against the force of the person's weight acting on the lever frame and to thereby lift the person supported on the lever frame.

Abstract: An algorithm training system for training a learner in the computer algorithm is provided. The system has a display device for selectively displaying information including flow-chart symbols and flow-lines. Instruction for an algorithm are entered into the computer from the keyboard or by the mouse operation. The system creates a desired flow-chart using the flow-chart symbols and flow-lines being shown on the display device in accordance with the instructions entered. The algorithm expressed by the resulting flow-chart is verified and its result is also shown on the display device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for aiding foreign language instruction, comprising a language instruction program that runs on a multimedia computer. The language instruction program uses a story to teach the foreign language by displaying selected frames about the story and dialog balloons that include phrases in the foreign language associated with the frames. Translations of the phrases are also displayed. As a further aid, a pronunciation guide displays an animated representation of a person's lips as the correct enunciation of selected words in the foreign language.

Abstract: A method of identifying strengths and weaknesses in a student's ability to use their sensory channels which integrates five basic processes into a series of testing procedures. First, the nature of the test is specified, either by a teacher or by a pre-programmed default stored in the memory of a computer. Second, test material suitable for use with a test of the specified nature is identified and extracted from the memory of the computer and then presented to the student using the outputs of the computer. The responses of the student through the inputs of the computer are then recorded and analyzed for patterns which are capable of being correlated with deficiencies in the sensory channels under test. Finally, procedures are recommended for remediating the deficiencies identified by analysis of the performance data.

Abstract: A multimedia product for use for use in a multimedia computer to assist a student to learn to play a given musical work previously recorded on a master recording. A method of making the product is described which ensures that multimedia representations of the work are properly synchronized to the actual tempo variations, if any, in the master recording. A method of using the product for music training is also described.

Abstract: An exercising system is provided to enable a user to obtain twice the exercise per unit time offered by a conventional jump rope. At the same time, the system of the invention provides the user with a construction as near to that of the conventional jump rope as possible. To this end, a pair of opposed mutually independent elongated tubular handles are mounted to a pair of hoop members over which the user jumps between their ends. The system is adjustable so as to accommodate a range of sizes of users and graduated indicia are provided on the hoop members to enable a user to achieve a desired size. Also, as with a conventional jump rope, the exercising system is width adjustable to the extent desired by the user.

Abstract: A method for on-line scoring is described that dynamically provides test resolvers with rules for scoring answers to particular test questions. Rules are stored which relate to procedures for scoring the test questions. When test questions and answers are displayed to a test resolver for scoring, the corresponding rules are displayed for scoring the displayed answer.

Abstract: A song program and a motion picture background image suitable for the mood of the song program are recorded on a recording medium. A video-song accompaniment apparatus employs the recording medium to reproduce the song program and the motion picture background image. The recording medium has a lead-in area, a program area and a lead-out area.

Abstract: An exercise device has a support frame and a lever arm attached to the support frame and pivotably movable between a rest position, wherein the lever arm hangs downwardly relative to the support frame, and an extended position, wherein the lever arm is pivoted upwardly from its rest position. A range of motion (ROM) block is rigidly attached to the lever arm, and pivots with the lever arm. The orientation of the ROM block relative to the lever arm can be selectively varied.A tackle is attached to the ROM block to provide an opposing force to motion of the lever arm from the rest position to the extended position. This tackle includes two pulleys that are attached to the ROM block. The tackle also includes a substantially taut cable that extends between the pulleys, and the cable is connected to a mass.

Abstract: A sound generator consists of a housing defining open first and second ends and an internal passage extending therebetween. A speaker is positioned within the housing, and a control arrangement including a circuit board is interconnected with the speaker. The circuit board is preferably located within the internal cavity, and a manually actuable switching arrangement is accessible from the exterior of the housing and interconnected with the circuit board for controlling the output therefrom to the speaker to control the sound generated by the speaker. In one form, the switches are accessible via a control portion formed on a wall of the housing, and in another form the switches are accessible through a movable shield member or sleeve mounted to the housing having an opening providing access to certain of the switches.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved flight simulation system. The system organizes data based upon a predetermined number of object types. Each scenery file is divided to separate the data for each object type. Object data is sub-divided into latitude bands of a fixed range of latitude. The system selectively analyzes the latitude band data to locate objects to be processed. For each object type, the objects within a latitude band are sorted and analyzed from west to east. The present system also includes a seeded scenery system. Various levels of seeds, each seed size referring to the size of the area covered by each seed are used. The seeded scenery system provides background scenery only when no other scenery is available to overwrite it. The system also includes a dynamic overlay management system which, when it loads a routine into memory, rewrites the line of code which called the routine to be a call directly to the location of the routine which is now in memory.

Abstract: A user friendly shooting simulating process and training system are provided to more accurately and reliably detect the impact time and location in which a projectile shot from a shotgun, rifle, pistol or other weapon, hits a moving target. Desirably, the shooting simulating process and training system can also readily display the amount by which the projectile misses the target. The target impact time is based upon the speed and directions of the target and weapon, as well as the internal and external delay time of the projectile. In the preferred form, the training system includes a microprocessor and special projectile sensing equipment, and the targets and projectiles are simulated and viewed on a virtual reality head mounted display.

Abstract: An interactive electronic graphics tablet is provided which utilizes two windows, one large window for the insertion of a standard sheet of paper or other material allowing the user to draw images on the paper and another smaller second window. A cartridge having various icons, such as animal images, is clicked into place in the smaller window. The device is configured such that the paper overlays a touch sensitive pad. The operation of the present invention allows the user to assign any cell of the drawn page corresponding to XY coordinates to particular sounds correlated to the icons in the smaller second window by touching respective locations and icons.