Abstract: A first set of subconditions is obtained. Approximate matching of the first set of subconditions against a plurality of sets of subconditions is performed. A second set of subconditions among the plurality of sets of subconditions is accessed, wherein a representation of a subcondition in the first set and/or the second set of subconditions comprises a value having one of a plurality of states, and wherein the plurality of states comprises a state of “don't care”. The first set of subconditions is approximately matched against the second set of subconditions. The first set of subconditions is compared against the second set of subconditions. A matching criterion is determined to be met based on a result of the matching. Information indicating that the second set of subconditions is at least an approximate match for the first set of subconditions is output.

Abstract: Mechanisms (including systems, methods, and media) for identifying and scoring assignment answers are provided, the mechanisms comprising: receiving a definition of an assignment having a plurality of questions; identifying correct answers to the questions; receiving student answers to the questions for a student; creating equivalent answers to one of the correct answers and the student answers; comparing the equivalent answers to the other of the correct answers and the student answers; and determining a grade on the assignment for the student based on the comparing the equivalent answers to the other of the correct answers and the student answers.

Abstract: Disclosure relates to a method of sharing a session key between wireless communication terminals using a variable-length authentication code. The method includes: generating a public key by using an own private key; generating a message including the public key and a first random number and encoding the message using an own secret key to exchange an encrypted message with the other terminal; decoding the encrypted message of the other terminal by receiving a secret key of the other terminal; generating an authentication code by calculating the first random number and a second random number included in the decoded message; obtaining a medium value from the authenticated code; and generating a session key by using a public key included in the decoded message of the other terminal.

Abstract: An electronic system for providing assistance in teaching includes a teaching computer, a plurality of wireless tablets, a docking station arranged to receive the plurality of wireless tablets, a class configuration circuit, an educational content definition circuit, an educational session creation circuit, and an educational session management circuit. Also provided are a method performed by the system, a computer program for performing the above-specified method, and a storage medium including such a computer program.

Abstract: In the preferred embodiment, a student is able to talk to a pre-recorded actor displayed on a workstation/computer and have the pre-recorded actor respond directly and precisely to the things that the learner is saying, resulting in a fluid and challenging practice conversation without the use of artificial intelligence. A second user (partner) observes the first user (student) either directly or via videoconference or other means and monitors his interaction with the simulated user/actor in the pre-recorded video displayed on the first user's computer screen. The partner has access to an interface that allows her to direct the simulated user/actor by interpreting the first user's communications and selecting among presented options. These options direct the simulated user/actor to respond to the first user's communication in a convincing and helpful manner.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for delivering instructional information and include displaying instructional information on several visual displays prior to a triggering event and displaying the instructional information in an instructional varying display pattern on the at least three visual displays after the triggering event so a person viewing the instructional varying display pattern is unable to detect a repeatable pattern. Also included is displaying background information on each display not displaying instructional information. The background information is displayed with a background varying display pattern so a person is unable to detect a repeatable pattern.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method comprising electronically providing content to a user via a display on a learning apparatus wherein the content comprises a plurality of stationary image elements and a plurality of removable image elements at a plurality of locations on the display, detecting when a user shakes the learning apparatus, wherein the removable image elements move away from the plurality of locations, receiving an indication that one or more of the image elements has been selected by a user, and determining a location of placement of the one or more image elements by the user.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system for visually modeling architectures or system designs are described. A method may comprise providing an architectural model having a plurality of elements of one or more types. The method may further comprise providing a platform for a user to develop a non-software code query relating to the elements of the model. The method may also comprise executing the developed query to extract one or more of the plurality of elements from the model. The method may additionally comprise populating a diagram with the extracted one or more of the plurality of elements.

Abstract: A display control device includes a question managing unit, a question image preparing unit, a page managing unit, and an image overlay unit. The question managing unit assigns identification information to question information and manages the question information. The question information includes a question detail of a question asked with an image displayed on a display specified and a question object page. The question image preparing unit prepares a question image based on the question information. The page managing unit manages, when receiving a display request of the question, a display order and display time of the question object page to be displayed based on the identification information. The image overlay unit prepares an overlay image including the question image superimposed over the specified image. The page managing unit causes the overlay image to be displayed on the display through switching according to the display order and the display time.

Abstract: Systems and methods which provide for learning, particularly learning in a professional school environment, that allow for interactive question and answer study sessions in the form of learning tutorials and test preparation modules which can be used in conjunction with traditional classroom learning techniques or other learning techniques and provide for improved interactivity and presentation compared to traditional systems.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus of objectively testing the low contrast performance of an imaging system. Images of a uniform phantom and images of a low contrast detectability phantom are reconstructed. Thereafter, a group of pixels from an image of the uniform phantom are removed and replaced with a group of pixels from an image of the LCD phantom. A user or test observer is then prompted to identify which quadrant of the first phantom image contains a group of pixels from the LCD phantom. An accuracy of a user response is then determined and conveyed to the user. The present invention is applicable with a number of imaging modalities including computer tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, PET, ultrasound, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for verifying and editing optically imaged responses received from a response provider.

Abstract: A teaching device is provided for use with an overhead projector to display educational problems to a group of students. The solutions to the problems are selectively concealed and revealed by the teacher through the use of a solution cover. A plurality of embodiments is provided disclosing different methods of moving the solution cover between concealing and revealing positions. The teaching device is adaptable for use with different types of overhead projectors as needed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for verifying and editing optically imaged responses received from a response provider.

Abstract: A child care monitoring network integrates a centralized information dissemination system with live streaming video to increase parental involvement with child care workers and improve child care worker training, including provision for enabling parents to monitor their children during the workday over the Internet and for providing live training demonstrations during off-hours. A local area network connects video cameras to a multi-media computer for digitizing and compressing the video feed and supplying it to a regional broadcast server capable of delivering multiple broadcast video streams to parent subscribers either through direct Internet connections, or over a secured network connected to the Internet via a firewall. A pre-recorded video library and server may be provided in addition to the live video broadcast server for providing information and instruction to both parents seeking child care and to child care providers.

Abstract: With respect to a play equipment for staging an entertainment show, for example inside a television studio, it is suggested that specific areas of the monitor wall (2) be assigned to the individual players to permit a more dynamic dramatic scene layout of the entertainment show. A control device (10) which is electrically connected to the mechanically operated switches (3) is designed such that upon activation of a mechanically operated switch (3) by the player reacting first, an optical signal (e.g. signaling color) is displayed in an area of the monitor wall (2) that is assigned to the respective player.

Abstract: A system for matching users in response to user selections from sets of sensory stimuli. The system provides a first sensory stimulus set to a user including a plurality of stimuli and stores an identifier that identifies the user's response to the stimulus. The system then generates a user data string that includes an identifier for each of the sensory stimuli selected by the user in each of the plurality of sensory stimulus sets and sums the number of sensory stimuli selected by a selected user and another user to provide a match value. The match value is compared to a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for controlling educational and amusement use of a television. The apparatus includes a switch for switching an output between an amusement input and an educational input. The output is coupled to a television input. A measuring device measures the amusement input when it is switched to the output. A controller device controls switching of the educational input to the output when the measuring device measures a predetermined value for the amusement input and the, controller keeps score of a user's responses to the educational material displayed on the television and controls switching of the amusement input to the output when the user attains a predetermined score. In a specific embodiment the measuring device includes a timer for measuring the time the amusement input is switched to the output and the controller switches the educational input to the output when the timer measures a predetermined time.

Abstract: An interactive electronic classroom system for enabling teachers to teach students concepts and to receive immediate feedback regarding how well the students have learned the concepts. Structure is provided for enabling students to proceed in lockstep or at their own pace through exercises and quizzes, responding electronically to questions asked, the teacher being able to receive the responses, and to interpret a readout, in histogram or other graphic display form, of student responses. In a preferred embodiment, a central computer using an IBM AT (tm) compatible system is employed, together with a plurality of student computers which range from simple devices to full fledged personal computers. Optical peripheral hardware, such as VCRs or other recording/reproducing devices, may be used to provide lessons to students in association with the computer network.

Abstract: Educational apparatus for use with an overhead projector has a transparent grid with horizontal and vertical indices for projecting a grid onto a wall screen. A plurality of removable cover pieces, keyed to the grid, cover up grid segments whereby when the transparent grid has pictorial material a student, or player, may project a particular grid segment by picking up the cover piece on that segment.

Abstract: Instructional devices include information, such as a map, instructions, or any other visually discernable type of information is formed on one surface and is physically and spatially related to information on a second surface, and in one embodiment, the first surface is a map of the world and a second surface is an antipodal map of the world reversed by 180.degree.. By making a mark on the first surface, a Mark-Thru is produced at the corresponding point on the second surface. This concept is shown as applied to anaglyphs on which the information is projected on surfaces and on examinations or tests in which examination questions of multiple-choice type are formed on a first surface and the Mark-Thru indicates the correctness of answer on the second surface.

Abstract: An improved audio-visual machine for projecting visual information segments carried by a transparency holder in an audio-visual cartridge, and for reproducing corresponding narrative and control information recorded on a movable storage medium carried by the cartridge, is disclosed. The teaching machine includes an optical system which incorporates a movable focusing lens which is mounted on a very long lever arm. The lever arm is pivoted at one end and is adjustably mounted on a threaded post at the other end to permit motion of the lens toward and away from the transparency for focusing while still permitting maintenance of the focus across the entire width of the transparency. A drive mechanism is provided to selectively align specified visual segments with the optical system. The movable storage medium is movable independently of the transparency holder, and a transducer for reproducing audio frequency signals from the storage medium is provided.

Abstract: An improved audio-visual apparatus for projecting visual information segments carried by a transparency holder in an audio-visual cartridge, and for reproducing corresponding narrative and control information recorded on a movable storage medium carried by the cartridge. The apparatus includes an optical projector for projecting a selected one of the visual information segments onto a screen and a first drive mechanism for supporting the holder and selectively driving it to align specified visual segments with the optical projector. A second drive mechanism supporting the storage medium and selectively moving it independently of the holder to permit reproduction of recorded information is provided, and a playback device is mounted in operative relationship with the storage medium to produce signals corresponding to the stored information.