Abstract: An individual can be presented with information which could provide such individual with an improved understanding of how people with different personality types and levels of consciousness could perceive and address disruptive events. This presentation of information can be in the form of a computer game in which a player can guide an avatar through increasing levels of consciousness, observing how the avatar perceives and addresses disruptive events at each level. Such a computer game can include multiple avatars representing different personality types, and can be configured so that the player would use avatars representing each personality type in the course of completing the game.

Abstract: An educational recommender system and a method are provided. The method includes receiving a request to recommend a course of action related to a plurality of current students; accessing a computer database storing student data that corresponds to the plurality of current students; clustering in a computer process the plurality of current students into at least two clusters based at least on granular assessment data associated with student data corresponding to respective current students; and outputting the results of the clustering to a user. The granular assessment data includes a result of an assessment administered to respective students of the plurality of current students, and each assessment includes a plurality of questions for assessing one of the current students. The associated result includes an independent evaluation of each respective question of the plurality of questions.

Abstract: A system (2) for facilitating responsible behavior by an entity comprising an identification means (32) for identifying the entity, a facility (4) for verifying the identification means and facilitating pursuit of the behavior, a storage means (18) coupled to be in communication with the facility (4) for storing information related to the pursuit of the behavior by the entity, a modeler module (24) for comparing the information related to the pursuit of the behavior by the entity with a behavior model to determine a category of behavior of the entity and a resolver module (22) for determining one or more actions to be initiated in relation to the entity and their pursuit of the behavior such as initiating a change to one or more operating parameters of the facility (4) in response to the activation of one or more limits, blocks or triggers related to the entity.

Abstract: A method and system for customizing an automated essay scoring system are disclosed. Relative weights may be assigned to a plurality of features for a plurality of benchmark essay responses. Based on the relative weights, automated scores may be determined for one or more first essay responses to a first prompt. The automated scores may be scaled based on one or more scoring standards for the first prompt. A scaled automated score may be assigned for a second essay response to the first prompt based on the scaled automated scores for the one or more first essay responses.

Abstract: An computer item banking system for standards-based assessments has test items used in standards-based assessments wherein a plurality of item specifications are developed using a specification building feature to create new, edit, move, and delete specifications and to assign specifications to one or more standards; a plurality of test items are constructed and edited using a test building feature to specify the type of item being constructed, points available for the item, and the type of bank to which the item is assigned; bank types include agency-wide assessments including benchmark tests and end-of-course examinations, and formative assessments such as classroom quizzes. The system includes means for certification of test items and preventing use of uncertified test items to be used in agency-wide assessments under construction.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include initiating, at a gaming machine, an analysis mode of a wagering game training tool associated with a wagering game, and determining when a player has played a predefined number of rounds of the wagering game. The operations can also include determining a skill level associated with the player for one or more areas of skill associated with the wagering game based, at least in part, on the predefined number of rounds played by the player. The operations can further include identifying an area of skill associated with the wagering game where the skill level associated with the player is less than a predefined skill level, and initiating a training mode of the wagering game training tool to improve the skill level associated with the player in the identified area of skill.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention provides for realistic, live on live with webcams, interactive, golf lessons from a golf professional who is located at a distance from the golfer. The lesson experience is enhanced by providing tools to the professional for annotating the lesson both verbally and visually, as well as by providing for the recording of the lesson and later playback of same, with enhanced synchronization of audio/visual data streams.

Abstract: The real time learning system and method provides a self learning environment to learn language or subjects faster and easier using textual content obtained in real time. The system is a computer-aided and management educational system that includes a real-time content processing module, a learning management Module, a content management database, an exercise generator module with Dictionaries, Picture Media, Music Libraries, Life Management and a User block. The system transforms any Real Time textual information into learning content and implements user learning exercises. Learning exercises are automatically created as multiple choice tests, filling blanks, quizzes, puzzles, crosswords, etc. from this learning content in real-time, based on a teacher or student online request for information.

Abstract: A celestial weapons orientation measuring system. The system includes a miniature celestial direction detection device. The device includes an inclinometer, a camera for imaging at least one celestial object and a processor programmed with a celestial catalog providing known positions at specific times of at least one celestial object and algorithms for automatically calculating target direction information based on the inclination of the system as measured by the inclinometer and the known positions of the celestial object as provided by the celestial catalog and as imaged by the camera. Similar to the training technique discussed in the background section, the pretend enemy wears a GPS detector and transmitter, and a computer system is preferably provided which determines when a trigger-pull results in a “casualty”.

Abstract: An electronic education service module identifies a target education topic for a user and obtains user profile information associated with the user from a database communicatively coupled to the electronic education service. A plurality of tasks to provide the target education topic are identified based on the identified target education topic and the obtained user profile information. Execution of actions by application service providing modules, other than the electronic education service, to carry out the identified tasks is requested to provide the target education topic to the user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a simulator for training in arthroscopic surgery on a joint of a simulated patient, comprising: a data processing unit (1); viewing means (2) for viewing the simulation exercise; a working platform (12); a human anatomy model (9) with arthroscopic portals (3) through which the user inserts the simulated arthroscopic instrument (10); two haptic devices (5a, 5b) arranged around the model (9) with a mobile member (6a, 6b), the end of which is provided with a guide (8a, 8b) for guiding the instrument that is inserted into the arthroscopic portals (3) during a simulated surgical procedure, each haptic device (5a, 5b) including means for synchronization with the control unit (1) and means for determining the position and orientation of the mobile members (6a, 6b); and a simulated arthroscopic camera (7). The data processing unit (1) is configured to send simulated images, as would be seen in a real operation, from the arthroscopic camera (7) to the viewing means (2) in real time.

Abstract: The system automatically personalizes the assignment of problems to students in learning situations to enable every student to learn as efficiently and effectively as possible. Students are continuously tracked on their individual learning curve so that both they and their teachers can immediately see their progress and growth, and assess their need for additional support or instruction. Further, the system can immediately grade each exercise and provide instant feedback to both students and teachers without burdening the teacher with the grading of homework. Still further, the system incorporates a teacher settable mastery level control and a student learning efficiency meter that returns the “locus of control” over learning back to the student to enhance their concentration and motivate effective, efficient learning by enabling them to do just the number of problems that it takes to reach mastery of the topic or lesson.

Abstract: A machine tool control simulator for a machine tool control having a plurality of first user-actuatable devices and a first display screen is disclosed. The machine tool control simulator may include a console and a laptop computer. The console may include a plurality of second user-actuatable devices each corresponding to a respective one of the first user-actuatable devices, and having a layout substantially similar to a layout of the first user-actuatable devices. The laptop computer includes a keyboard and an attached second display screen. The keyboard may be placed between a tabletop and the second user-actuatable devices. The computer receives user inputs from the second user actuatable devices and displays images on the second display screen to simulate images that would be displayed on the first display screen of the machine tool control in response to the user inputs.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided relating to delivering audio content for an interactive electronic book system, including a book with a plurality of pages with overlaying magnets affixed thereto, a magnetic sensor, a temperature sensor, a speaker, a computer with calibration and temperature compensation data stored in non-volatile memory, and audio content related to the pages of the book, such that the computer determines which page the book is open to and causes the speaker to deliver audio content related to the open page. Apparatus and methods are provided for calibrating an electronic book system including temperature compensation steps.

Abstract: A human torso phantom and its construction, wherein the phantom mimics respiratory and cardiac cycles in a human allowing acquisition of medical imaging data under conditions simulating patient cardiac and respiratory motion.

Abstract: A learning management system provides e-learning to call center agents. Agents can receive training provided in various training formats, which are characterized as fixed-time, flex-time, human-initiated, or system-initiated. A training process flow illustrates how the various training formats can be provided using processes involving agent selection, registration, scheduling, content delivery, and post-training reporting. A modular system provides the training flow and coordinates the function of various call center components to provide training in a seamless and integrated manner using existing call center scheduling systems, such as workflow management components.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an interactive education application is provided. The application receives preferences from the user and retrieves media assets, where the application assembles the media assets and other content into a personalized lesson. In addition, the application provides messaging features between the user and other users relating to the personalized lesson.

Abstract: An apparatus for simulating an image-guided procedure. The system comprises an input for receiving a three-dimensional (3D) medical image depicting an organ of a patient, a model generation unit for generating a 3D anatomical model of the organ according to the 3D medical image, and a simulating unit for simulating a planned image-guided procedure on the patient, according to the 3D anatomical model.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method, system, and computer product for complete and comprehensive education competency and compliance management method and system for institutions and organizations. The embodiments of the present invention disclose a method whereby a sponsoring organization or institution need only provide secure access to the hosting organizations content delivery for ease of capture, organization of and reporting on the entire educational program. The sponsoring organization is able to direct employees to educational activities required to be completed based on the compliance requirements for their role in the organization. The hosting organization remains content independent to objectively provide the “best value” content for sponsoring organizations.

Abstract: A system and method for algorithmic selection of a consensus from a collection of ideas is disclosed. A group of ideas is provided to a group of participants for voting. Voting may occur in a single round or in several successive rounds, optionally until a consensus idea is chosen. Typically, the votes that are cast use discrete levels, such as “approve”, “disapprove”, “positive”, “neutral” or “negative”. For ideas that receive the same votes, a differentiator may be the time spent casting the vote. A relatively long evaluation time may signal some internal conflict in the mind of the participant, when compared with a relatively short evaluation time, which may signal no such conflict. The evaluation time may be combined with the rating of the participant to form a weighted rating. Consequently, a short evaluation time of a positive rating may yield a more positive weighted rating, while a short evaluation time of a negative rating may yield a more negative weighted rating.