Abstract: A word processor optimized for students taking notes automatically opens the correct document for each course according to a class schedule. It makes digital audio or video recordings of classes and establishes various kinds of links between the notes being taken and the point in the recording at the time the notes were taken. A special microphone is optimized for distance and reduced interference. After permitting the word processor to break the silence, any incomplete notes can be completed by using the links to quickly find the portion of the recording relevant to the incomplete notes. The search is improved by providing configurable preplay times based on the type of link and by playing back the recording at increased speed with pitch correction. Transcription of part of the recording is facilitated by playing this part in a series of short overlapping segments and transcribing each segment before playing the next.

Abstract: A method of playing a game that has a puzzle and a conforming device. The puzzle includes ciphertext indicia and a number of designated spaces corresponding with the ciphertext for displaying a developing solution. The ciphertext is a message encrypted according to some substitutional and/or transpositional encipherment scheme. At each stage of solving, the ciphertext and developing solution show what has been correctly solved and what remains to be solved. The conforming device verifies the correctness of correct guesses and corrects incorrect guesses without prejudicing future guesses. There are manifold types of messages, encipherment schemes, developing solutions and conforming devices. Some puzzles and conforming devices are made by a computerized method. The game can be played by one player or several players in competition. It can be played using a game board or other apparatus or by using a computer with an interactive computer program. To solve a puzzle, a puzzle solver first forms a guess-pair.

Abstract: A software crossword puzzle design tool is provided. It provides a menu-driven user interface with various editing functions allowing the user to specify details of the crossword puzzle desired, such as the size, pattern, and inclusion of certain theme words. The unsolved puzzle is constructed automatically by a computer assigning letters to cells one cell at a time. After each assignment, the affected wordslots are compared to a lexicon of words to determine what letters of the alphabet may potentially be assigned to each of the remaining unassigned cells. If any unassigned cell becomes unassignable, some assignments must be reversed and others tried. Special data structures for the lexicon and fast methods of accessing the lexicon are disclosed. Clues can be assigned to the puzzle automatically or manually, and then the unsolved puzzle can be printed.

Abstract: A game apparatus including a puzzle and a conforming device. The puzzle includes ciphertext indicia and a number of designated spaces corresponding with the ciphertext for displaying a developing solution. The ciphertext is a message encrypted according to some substitutional and/or transpositional encipherment scheme. At each stage of solving, the ciphertext and developing solution show what has been correctly solved and what remains to be solved. The conforming device verifies the correctness of correct guesses and corrects incorrect guesses without prejudicing future guesses. There are manifold types of messages, encipherment schemes, developing solutions and conforming devices. Some puzzles and conforming devices are made by a computerized method. The game can be played by one player or several players in competition. It can be played using a game board or other apparatus or by using a computer with an interactive computer program. To solve a puzzle, a puzzle solver first forms a guess-pair.

Abstract: A rearview mirror wiper system for use on a truck, bus, passenger car or similar vehicles. The basic system can be supplied as original equipment on a vehicle or as a replacement for a wiperless original equipment rearview mirror. The wiper system fits in any number of aesthetically pleasing enclosures that are harmonious with the overall vehicle design. It is further characterized by a low profile vertically oriented armless wiper assembly that wipes from side to side, an electric power control that regularly reverses polarity, and an assembly of pulleys and a cable that imparts motion to a wiper blade. At each end of the wiper blade's range of travel is a switch that cuts off electric power until the power control changes polarity. If two rearview mirror wipers are installed on one vehicle, a common power control assures the left and right wiper motions are synchronized.

Abstract: A game apparatus including a puzzle and a conforming means. The puzzle includes ciphertext indicia and a number of designated spaces corresponding with the ciphertext for displaying a developing solution. The ciphertext is a message encrypted according to some substitutional and/or transpositional encipherment scheme. At each stage of solving, the ciphertext and developing solution show what has been correctly solved and what remains to be solved. The conforming means verifies the correctness of correct guesses and corrects incorrect guesses without prejudicing future guesses. Manifold types of messages, encipherment schemes, developing solutions and conforming means are disclosed, as well as a computerized method of making some puzzles and conforming means. The game can be played by one player or several players in competition. To solve a puzzle, a puzzle solver first forms a guess-pair. Typically, a guess-pair is a plain character and a cipher character that could be the plain character's substitute.

Abstract: A kit, structure, and method for displaying pictures of related individuals or couples in a family tree according to actual family relationships The kit has at least one picture holder in the shape of a heart and several in the shape of leaves One or more branches are provided to connect the picture holders according to a structure suggested by family relationships. A heart shape around a picture represents marriage. A branch is extended from the heart shape if the marriage produced children. For each child of the marriage, a leaf picture holder is connected to the branch as if "growing" from it by a leafstalk. The marriage of a child is represented by an additional branch "grafted" into the child's leaf picture holder and an additional heart-shaped picture holder on that additional branch. If the child had children from this marriage, the additional branch extends beyond the additional heart and has additional leaf picture holders "growing" from it. This pattern continues for as many generations as desired.

Abstract: A rear view mirror wiper accessory to be removably attached to the rear view mirror of a truck, bus, or similar vehicle, characterized by: a low profile vertically oriented armless wiper assembly that wipes from side to side, an electric power control that regularly reverses polarity and can be located in the truck's cab or otherwise away from the accessory, and an assembly of pulleys and a cable that imparts motion to a wiper blade. At each end of the wiper blade's range of travel is a switch that cuts off electric power until the power control changes polarity. The wiper accessory has means to hold it in place during installation and removal so it can be moved from vehicle to vehicle without requiring readjustment of the vehicles' rear view mirror(s). A low cost bidirectional motor and gear train make the accessory economical.