Abstract: A central location receives calls from remotely located job applicants and handles said calls including transmitting messages to applicants and receiving information from applicants over an electronic telecommunication link, automatically and directly. The system provides for real time applicant involvement while permitting applicants to initiate a job application procedure at a time and location selected by the applicant. Preferably calls are handled by a software engine which can identically process any of a plurality of script files containing both provisions for messages sent to and received from applicants and logic flow or branch records, all of which are preferably end-user configurable.

Abstract: A one-way or single-channel communication network utilizing electromagnetic radiation signals of a fixed single or narrow-band frequency in free air space consists of a plurality of transmitters and a central receiver in which each message is encoded in a wave train and is tagged with a sender identity (ID). The central receiver, which can be a single unit or a plurality of units connected in cascade, detects the messages in the free air space and send them along to a central processing unit (CPU) for message handling.

Abstract: A music apparatus is communicable with a supervisory computer through a network for remotely training a user in matching with a skill level. In the music apparatus, an instrument is manually operable by the user for generating a performance. A monitor displays a lesson score in matching with the skill level so that the user is prompted to render the displayed lesson score by operating the instrument for generating a sample performance. A processor compares event data representative of the sample performance with note data representative of the lesson score to locally execute a quantitative evaluation of the sample performance. A transmitter transmits the event data representative of the sample performance to the supervisory computer through the network so that the supervisory computer can work to remotely provide a qualitative evaluation of the sample performance according to the event data to thereby arrange instruction data.

Abstract: An evaluation based learning system (EBLS) is provided which is used by authors, teachers, students and education administrators for the development of courses, the teaching of courses, the studying of courses and the administration of information and data relevant to the courses. The EBLS provides an efficient authoring, teaching and learning environment wherein a database of questions and answers are linked to a textbook to facilitate the learning and evaluation process of students studying a textbook.

Abstract: A network system for computer aided instruction, comprises a main computer with a repository for storing courseware, a network of servers connected to the main computer, a number of local area networks, each connected to a server, and each comprising a number of interconnected workstations, a distributed delivery system responsive to a student's request for a course, operable to search the network for a server where the requested course resides, and operable to retrieve the course from the repository, and an authoring system distributed over the workstation, the servers and the main computer, and operable to transfer courses from a workstation to the repository, and a course management system distributed over the workstation, the servers and the main computer, and operable to manage course enrollment and to monitor student performance at said servers, and further operable to transfer information concerning course enrollment from said servers to said main computer.

Abstract: A learning system is provided which includes a plurality of student units for use by a plurality of students and a teacher unit for use by a teacher. The learning system includes a computer for use also by the teacher that operates to control each of the student units using a roster file with data on each student, and which also gives the teacher access to all of the information contained within the roster file. The computer is operable to display a window of information that includes a seating assignment diagram that represents a pictorial arrangement of the students within the class. Identification information on each student may be provided in the seating assignment diagram at locations that correspond to the respective student represented in the pictorial arrangement. Further information on each student may further be accessed by the teacher from the seating assignment diagram, as desired.

Abstract: A learning system is provided which includes a plurality of student units for use by students, a teacher unit for use by a teacher, and a plurality of master storage devices that store information reproduced by the student units. The learning system includes a computer for use also by the teacher that operates to control each of the student units. The computer also provides the feature of student tape auto compile in which the student units are controlled to record student responses/answers, selected student units are controlled to reproduce the respective recorded information in a predetermined format, and the master unit(s) is controlled to record the information output by the selected student units. Various user selections during student tape auto compile include which student recordings to be compiled, the compiling format (e.g., sequential by student, sequential by question number), amount of student recording time, and which master units are to be used during compiling.

Abstract: An interactive learning system has an interactive control unit that displays competition or quiz questions in multiple-choice or other format. Students using the system enter answer choices on a wireless keypad. A base station connected to the interactive control unit receives answer choices from and communicates with the wireless keypads. The interactive control unit keeps track of the scores for all users, and scores of different groups of users (i.e., classes).A receiver connected to the interactive control unit receives content for competitions by satellite broadcast. The competitions are then stored for later use. The system can conduct competitions from those that have been stored or broadcast, or from those that can be created by individual teachers. Previously broadcast and stored competitions can be played simultaneously by a plurality of remote locations, in a "live competition" setting.

Abstract: A system for determining the performance of a user responding to a call includes a processor, a memory, and an interface. The system presents stored audible and textual information to a user to simulate a call, and generates scores to determine the performance of the user in responding to the calls.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for scoring nonobjective assessment materials by displaying images of the assessment materials or of text in lieu of images on a computer screen, for scoring by a human scorer. A digitized image of the assessment material may be captured by scanning an assessment form and storing the image in an electronic file. The stored digitized image or other data is displayed to the scorer and a score entered by the scorer is stored. In disclosed embodiments, the apparatus provides for scoring by multiple scorers on a network located at a single, central site; scoring by multiple scorers on a network remote from the central site; and scoring by one or more individual scorers remote from the central site. Apparatus and methods are disclosed for controlling and controlling access to assessment materials; for matching the qualifications of the scorers to the assessment materials made available to them for scoring; and for evaluating the performance of the scorers.

Abstract: The invention concerns computer-assisted education, in which a school curriculum is stored in computer repositories. A learning profile is maintained for every student, which indicates the student's capabilities, preferred learning style, and progress. Based on the profile, an Intelligent Administrator (IA) selects appropriate material for presentation to the student during each learning session. The IA then assesses whether the student has mastered the material. If not, the material is presented in a different way. If repeated different presentations fail to instill mastery, the IA establishes a video conference between the student and a professor.

Abstract: The present invention is an electronic teaching system containing two principal components: a projection frame and a hand-held remote unit. The projection frame mediates the electronic test and holds a transparency on an overhead projector so that the transparency may be projected for an entire class to view. Typically the transparency features a series of questions and possible answers to the questions. The projection frame asks the questions and displays the results of the testing process. In a preferred embodiment the projection frame bears a series of pointers, one for each question. When a given question is asked, the corresponding pointer becomes illuminated. Students participate in the test by matching the correct answer to the appropriate question. The students use the second component of the present invention, the hand-held remote unit which bears a keyboard, to answer the question currently being asked by the projection frame.

Abstract: An interactive instructional system includes a microprocessor-controlled base station for use by an instructor and/or a computer and a plurality of input devices each for use by a student. The base station and input devices communicate over a communication link or network employing wires, optical fibers, radio links, infrared links or the like. Each input device is in the form of a multiple keyswitch operated device which the student may operate to respond to a question posed by the instructor, computer or base station during a lecture. Each input device is also provided with an identifier code. Responses by the student are transmitted to the base station in messages, each of which further includes an identifier code thereby identifying the answering device or student.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an interactive computer-assisted, multi-media biofeedback system which displays a user's physiological data as a colored aura driving a computer video game or program. The system includes: (1) a personal computer processing unit with a color video monitor, (2) software programs to digitally generate a color aura portrait, alterable in real-time in response to the changes of measured physiological variables of the user, (3) a video game Biostick which measures the user's physiological variables and input control devices such as a mouse or keyboard, (4) audio components for auditory feedback, and (5) remote communications devices. Software may consist of competitive or educational exercises or adventures which are interactive with the user's physical skills of controlling a joystick and controlling the physiological variables as represented by the aura measured through the Biostick.

Abstract: A supervisory control system for a networked multimedia computing system permits a teacher or network administrator to quickly and easily update system software on selected destination workstations with the system software currently residing on the master workstation. In one mode of operation, only basic system software is updated, while user-defined preferences are unchanged. In a second mode of operation, both the system software and all user-controlled settings are replaced, to permit the remote workstations to be configured in a desired manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for training and certifying a user to perform a task. The system includes an input device, output device and a controller. The controller receives input data from the input device and controls the output displayed on the output device. A supervisor interprets the input data, determines the control data to be sent to the output device and determines log data to be sent to a data storage. A comparator determines if certain log data meets or exceeds a preset limit data to determine certifiability of a user. The system presents a user with a pretest, a module containing instructions, information about a certain portion of the task to be performed, as well as mini-simulations and a variety of questions. A full simulation is presented to the user to apply everything that was learned by the user during that certain module. The system then presents a post-test and, through the comparator, determines if the user is certifiable.

Abstract: A remotely operable teaching system includes hardware for interfacing with the public telephone network and for accepting incoming telephone calls. The computer system accepts personal identification codes from calling students and allows the students to access predetermined portions of pre-recorded educational material stored in the computer system. The system generates reports of the incoming telephone calls which provide information about the use of the stored educational material by the students.

Abstract: A computerized teaching system is described including an interactive group communication system, wherein students interact with a teacher and the teacher can obtain quantitative reports on student performance without preprogrammed lessons and where a lesson program can be constructed from the responses of the students. The teaching system may be spread over a large geographic area comprising a multiplicity of learning centers with a multiplicity of students at each center, wherein the students interact with a teacher who is remotely located from one or more learning centers.

Abstract: There is disclosed an affordable method and system of fully automating the instruction of a plurality of students which incorporates the use of a single CPU in conjunction with student questioning, responding and information feedback devices and which no longer relies upon the ability, mindset or even presence of a classroom teacher. The method further includes a fully-automated directly-integrated marks, records, reports and lesson management system.

Abstract: An automated classroom which integrates sources of video instructional materials, such as TV, CATV, VCR, video disk players, closed circuit TV, and the like, with sources of computer-based instructional materials is disclosed. Modulated video sources are converted to baseband and applied, along with baseband video sources, to a multichannel modulator or headend. The headend drives a local video network (LVN) which couples to a plurality of student workstations and to an instructor workstation. In addition a local area network (LAN) couples to the student workstations, the instructor workstation, and to a file server. Each of the instructor and student workstations includes a computer, a monitor control unit (MCU), a video display, and an audio transducer. The workstation computers couple to the LAN and the workstation MCU's couple to the LVN.

Abstract: An electronic communication system and method of utilizing same for telephonically exchanging between teacher and parent information regarding student homework assignments, attendance, classroom behavior, and academic performance. During the school day each teacher carries a small, portable terminal (1) which not only accepts manually entered numeric data, but also produces digital audio recordings of voiced homework assignments, announcements, and comments made by the teacher. Upon leaving at the end of the day, the teacher returns the remote terminal to a centrally located storage rack (2). The system's central computer (3), electronically connected to the rack, then extracts data from the newly inserted terminal. The numeric and audio information thus gathered from a multiplicity of such terminals is organized by the computer and made telephonically available to participating parents.

Abstract: A computerized teaching system is described, which comprises an interactive group communication system, wherein students in a first group interact with a teacher in Social Mode, and, in some case, while students in a second group proceed with work in Independent Mode.

Abstract: A large number of keys arranged in a matrix are provided on the keyboard (KB) of a host computer. Of these keys, keys (K10, . . . , K15, . . . ), located at positions corresponding to Learning terminals in a classroom, are assigned to the respective learning terminals.

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: In a group education system of the type having a teacher console and a plurality of terminals at seat positions assignable for student use, a display apparatus includes a display screen adapted to display a seating pattern which corresponds to the seating arrangement of terminals within the classroom. The displayed pattern is created by designating certain areas of the display screen to correspond to seat positions actually assigned for student use, and identifying symbols may be displayed in each of these areas. The display apparatus also includes pattern selecting keys for reordering the designated areas to correspond to a selected on of a plurality of predetermined patterns. In an information display made of the apparatus, actuation of a switch corresponding to a respective one of these areas causes the display of information related to the student occupying the corresponding seat in the classroom.

Abstract: A software-independent network which enables interconnection at video and keyboard level between one master computer and several slave computers, and is compatible with computers using either digital or analog video output. Hardware includes a master control box, and a plurality of switching circuits (one serving each slave computer) all of which are connected in cascade to the master control box by a single multicore cable; both master and slave units are interfaced with the relative computers via their standard VDU and keyboard connectors. Video images can be sent back and forth between instructor and students, the instructor can edit the screen of a student selected, or the student can edit the master screen, and a copy of the video image under scrutiny can be broadcast to all the students.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of teaching rote facts by the use of a computer network and the required software with the following functions:(1) Student interest is maintained by engaging the students in a competative game. Each student has access to a computer terminal with which to input the correct answer to a question posed by a master computer. The master computer keeps score and handicaps the faster players so that the slower players always have a chance to win occasionally and therefore their interest is maintained.(2) To further promote learning the correct answer is displayed after the first student inputs an answer to the question.(3) The handicap of each student is recorded and is accessable only to the teacher for evaluating the students.(4) Scores are automatically recorded for future evaluation by the teacher.

Abstract: An electronic game device for randomly selecting the player or players to participate in each round of a game. The device preferably has a control module, a plurality of output stations, one output station associated with each player. When the device is initiated, a controller randomly provides a signal to one or more selected output stations to indicate that the player associated with a selected station has been selected to participate in that round of the game.

Abstract: An electronic school teaching system includes a data collection computer, teacher's computers and a student's electronic and test units. The data collection computer is located in the school's administration office and connected to a plurality of teacher's computers located in a corresponding plurality of school rooms, and a plurality of student's read and test units are connectable to each of the teacher's computers. The data collection computer receives student related data including textbook updates to the teacher's computers. The teacher's computers are connectable to the student's read and test units for writing homework assignments, tests, and grades and reading student identification, homework, and test information. The student's read and test units include electronic textbook memory modules, one for each course, and a memory module for receiving the homework assignments, an open book size housing for a display, keyboard, and microprocessor. The display shows left and right pages of the textbook.

Abstract: A student response system which centrally processes student response data received from a plurality of classrooms. The system includes a main controller coupled to an instructors's terminal in each of the classrooms. The system also includes a plurality of student response keypads in each of the classrooms as well as a plurality of student data controllers associated with each of the classrooms wherein each student data controller is coupled to a group of keypads to accumulate data therefrom. The main controller is responsive to commands from an instructor's terminal to control each of the student data controllers in the instructor's classroom to accumulate data from the keypads in a particular manner for transmission to the main controller which then processes the data. The student response system may be operated in a Sign-On mode, Test mode, Survey mode or Student Election mode and may further be used to generate seating charts for each of the classrooms.

Abstract: A teaching system comprising student and teacher computer stations which are serially connected in a closed loop circuit. Each student computer and the teacher station comprises a computer device having an associated video monitor connectable thereto via an interface unit. A teacher controller device is provided at the teacher control station and has an output connected to the interface units to transmit an information network signal thereto to condition the interface units to place its associated student computer station to a preselected mode. A keyboard is associated with the controller device at the teacher control station for selecting the mode. A visual display on the controller indicates the selected mode to the teacher.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus for training devices has control switches for selecting audio signals output from a plurality of respective training devices arranged in columns and rows and for obtaining an output signal to be monitored, scanning direction selectors actuable for selecting a scanning direction from the directions of the columns and rows, respectively, and coordinate step advancing devices operable in one of the column and row directions in response to actuation of the respective scanning direction selector for causing the control switches to successively select one-by-one the audio signals output from the training devices which are successively arranged in the selected column or row scanning direction.

Abstract: A system for simultaneously interactively training a plurality of students at student stations which may be remote from one another is described. A videodisc player capable of accessing any portion of a videodisc on which has been recorded instructional materials is coupled to a television monitor at each student station. Each student station also comprises a microcomputer into which the student inputs his or her response to the situations presented on the television monitor by the videodisc player. In one embodiment, selected video signals from the videodisc on the videodisc player are digitized and stored in a computer memory. These stored video signals may represent simulated outcomes corresponding to the reponses of the students.

Abstract: A video entertainment system includes a central station (10) that is connected to a plurality of remote display terminals (12) through a data link (14). Each of the display units (12) has a display (16), a currency receptacle (18) for receiving currency to activate the system and a currency dispenser (20) to provide a reward to the player. The players at each of the remote display terminals (12) are presented with an identical query or situation, instructions on how to respond to that query or situation and various select subjective responses. All of the players then individually select a response which is then transmitted to the central station (10). These responses are then analyzed and the proper winning selected response determined by some algorithm that compares all responses or set of responses. All of the remote terminals are provided with information regarding which response was the proper response.

Abstract: A video disc program branching system comprising multiple programs frequency multiplexed on a video disc and co-located substantially in the same portion of the disc wherein branching is achieved by designating specific ones of said multiple programs through frequency band selection.

Abstract: A multi-modal automated educational and entertainment device having improved functional versatility and which requires relational positioning of input data by the user which corresponds to required manual operations and procedures. The device comprises a tablet having a non-relational section for input of control or predefined information and at least one relational section for input of data, a stylus for activating the non-relational and relational sections of the tablet, a microcomputer logic unit for processing signals from the non-relational and relational sections of the tablet, and a memory unit for storing programs and data base for determining the accuracy or inaccuracy of the signals provided the microcomputer logic unit. Visual and audio outputs can also be provided for operator reinforcement and a power source for activating the device. A sequence of steps for operating the multi-modal automated educational and entertainment device under the control of stored programs is also provided.

Abstract: A method for training technicians to diagnose certain induced electronic faults using an internal combustion on a test stand engine capable of having faults inserted into electronic circuits. The faults are inserted into the engine by the instructor using switches concealed from the trainee. While the engine is operating the trainee, using diagnostic equipment, the trainee attempts to locate the electrical fault using a combination of observing symptoms and signal tracing.