Abstract: A cosimulation system formed from a hierarchy of simulation objects. Each simulation object, other than the root object, is coupled to a respective parent simulation object by a respective, individual parent-child binding. Each parent-child binding defines a source in the respective parent simulation object for each input signal associated with the respective child simulation object, and also specifies a destination in the parent simulation object for each output signal generated by the child simulation object. Synchronization of simulation objects is handled on an individual parent-child basis, rather than a global basis. Each of the simulation objects has an interface for communicating with its respective children and parent simulation objects. These interfaces all use the same predefined protocol, and send messages to each other via a common protocol communications medium.

Abstract: A preference detecting apparatus causes a test subject to play a game displayed on a display unit. Images of arbitrary objects are displayed at arbitrary timings on different display units surrounding the display unit for displaying the game. Since the test subject plays the game displayed on the display unit, time pressure is applied on the test subject. Accordingly. arbitrariness is eliminated, and an object image on which the test subject initially focused the attention is determined as a preference.

Abstract: A learning method to enhance long-term retention of a large number of learned facts or principles. The method presents items to a User repeatedly and, depending on the recall of the User, the time between presentations of a properly recalled item increases. Items being presented for the first time and those presented a subsequent time before being properly answered are designated Unseen Items and O-Level Items, respectively. During each Session, a raw score is assigned to the item (related to the User's ability of recall with the item). When its raw score becomes sufficiently high, the item is considered a P-Level Item, after which it is presented less frequently and the rate of presentation continually decreases as the User demonstrates that he or she knows the correct response for the particular P-Level Item. The number of Sessions that are skipped before the particular P-Level item is re-presented to the User is based on the User's Level L in recalling the correct answer to the item.

Abstract: An electronic talking book and method of operation thereof. The electronic talking book includes a book unit that has a front cover, a back cover and a spline cover. The book unit further includes a number of modular core sheets, where each of the modular core sheets has a laminated leaf that includes a front side and an electronic side that has at least one visual image. The electronic talking book also includes an audio recording/playback apparatus, where the audio recording/playback apparatus includes an audio input means for receiving audible utterances associated with a selected one of the visual images. An audio output means is also provided for playing back the audible utterances when the associated visual image is selected for personalizing the audio presentation of the visual images. In a related embodiment, the electronic talking book further includes a storage device for storing the received audible utterances and a playback device for audio reproduction of the stored audible utterances.

Abstract: An interactive query server system, comprising a database storing a plurality of query sections, each section including parameters defining a relation with other query sections. The query server is adapted to: Generate, based on the parameters, query sequence sets, each set having at least one query section; Transmit a query sequence set as a logical unit to a client system; Receive responses of a user to the query sequence set from the client system; and Process the received responses to produce an output. The host may transmit information defining at least one of the sections to the client system, which are presented to the user for receipt of responses. The responses are then transmitted to the query server. The query server processes the received information and produces an output based on the processed information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a solution to a given problem comprising the steps of receiving a request for a solution to a known problem, accessing a first set of data comprising a plurality of template solutions to problems, accessing a second set of data comprising a plurality of problem variable value sets, interfacing the first set of data and the second set of data for generating a solution to the problem, and transmitting the solution over a computer network.

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 having a graphical user interface for use also by the teacher that operates to control each of the student units. The graphical user interface allows the computer to control all functions of the learning system, including the easy coupling of student and class data to specific interface/input devices, the random assignment of students to various groups, allowing a particular formed group can act as a model to all other students not in the group, and the synchronized control of the learning system hardware and a personal computer/RGB/mouse switching network.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring user-defined instructions between a home video game and a corresponding arcade video game comprises the home video game, the arcade video game, and a memory device. The home and arcade video games each include a control unit, a user controller, and a display. The user controller and the display are connected to the control unit. The control unit executes a game program to create a visual representation on the display. The user controller is operated by a user to cause the control unit to vary the visual representation on the display. The memory device is capable of being connected to the control unit of each of the home and arcade video games. To transfer the user-defined instructions between the home and arcade video games, the memory device is first connected to the control unit of one of the home and arcade video games.

Abstract: Apparatus utilizing electrical activity of the brain to control a series of low-stimuli educational exercises displayed on a computer monitor to increase the following. educational components: time on-task, visual tracking, short-term memory, visual discriminatory processing, auditory discriminatory processing, and focus. The exercises are governed by real-time analysis of the focus and processing states of the user. Specific relative exercise performance data are collected and recorded from the use of each of the educational components to demonstrate improvement over time of the user in each of the sited educational components.

Abstract: An apparatus for demonstrating changes in motion with respect to time. Two arrays of equally spaced photoresistors and light-emitting diodes are placed on two parallel straight line arrays. Rails upon which an object moves are placed parallel to the arrays. A laser is attached to the object. At any moment of time during the motion of the object, the laser illuminates one or two adjacent photoresistors. Each photoresistor in a line of elements is connected to a first input of a logic AND gate, to whose second input clock pulses are conducted and whose output is connected through a logic flip-flop element to the light-emitting diode. The apparatus provides for demonstration of a motion development in time by conveying a visual demonstration of path sections or intervals traversed by the object in equal time intervals to thereby make possible a picture of whether the motion is steady or accelerated.

Abstract: A system and method for remote delivery of software-based simulated training and certification for technicians/operators involved in the management of programmers, programmer-IMD interface and related procedures is disclosed. Preferably a web-based expert data center directs the software-based simulated training and certification which is remotely imported to a programmer. The programmer or equivalent device is coupled to the web-based expert data center via preferably one of many data communication systems. A set of skill-based training activities corresponding to a plurality of software applications on the programmer is accessible from the programmer. The operator issues a training request from the programmer to the expert data center for a specific software application. The expert data center builds a simulated training module based on the operator's request, and returns the training module to the programmer.

Abstract: A method of grading an essay using an automated essay scoring system is provided. The method comprises the automated steps of (a) parsing the essay to produce parsed text, wherein the parsed text is a syntactic representation of the essay, (b) using the parsed text to create a vector of syntactic features derived from the essay, (c) using the parsed text to create a vector of rhetorical features derived from the essay, (d) creating a first score feature derived from the essay, (e) creating a second score feature derived from the essay, and (f) processing the vector of syntactic features, the vector of rhetorical features, the first score feature, and the second score feature to generate a score for the essay.

Abstract: An imaging system includes two sets of cameras: a first set for capturing optical mark or optical character recognition data and a second set for capturing visual images. Full visual images of pages containing answers to open-ended questions are retained and are retrievable by a reader such that an area of interest wherein the answer is expected is displayed, but the remaining area is also available for viewing. The system permits the alignment of a page based upon edge detection if the page contains only an open-ended answer, obviating the need for timing tracks. Hardware and software elements cooperate to store the image temporarily in a server having a response time commensurate with the scanner. The image is then processed with the use of high-performance index imaging for optical storage and retrieval, and then routed to a long-term storage device.

Abstract: A method of teaching reading comprehension includes presenting a reading passage to a user, asking the user a question relating to the reading passage, and receiving an answer from the user. The method indicates to the user that the answer is an incorrect type of answer to the question if the question tests the user's ability to identify information from the passage and the answer uses information that is not from the passage. Also, the method indicates to the user that the answer is an incorrect type of answer to the question if the question tests the user's ability to infer a conclusion from the passage and the answer uses specific information from the passage. A computer system for improving a user's performance on reading tests includes a memory, a test module and a review module. Software embodied in a computer-readable medium and written material provide other implementations to improve a user's performance on reading tests.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for teaching thinking skills. A user can be provided with information and then presented with questions and examples which enable the user to investigate the usefulness of the information and analyze its content, meaning, and point of view. The questions and examples are designed to develop thinking skills in the user, permitting the user to simultaneously learn the information while acquiring skills in thinking.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for providing online language instruction to a student. A student client computer logs into a host system to commence an instruction session. The host assigns an instructor to the instruction session. A scene is simultaneously displayed on a student client computer and a client computer operated by the assigned instructor. A voice communication link is also provided. A predetermined lesson plan can be executed during the instruction session. The lesson plan can be selected according to a student profile stored on the host system. Study goals can also be listed on the computer operated by the instructor. Completion of a study goal can also be stored in the student profile. The student profile can be used to determine a next study goal for a particular student. The scene can be an interactive scene manipulated via the student client computer or via the client computer operated by the instructor.

Abstract: An electronic performance support system is provided for creating individualized courses of instruction to each user. An authoring mechanism is used to create at least one knowledge base relating to a particular topic. An assessment mechanism evaluates each user's knowledge on a particular topic and devises a course of instruction based on the assessed knowledgeability of each user. After interacting with the assessment mechanism, each user navigates through a corresponding, individualized course of instruction. Each individualized course of instruction includes data items selected from a learning mechanism and a research library. The system may include a communication medium through which users are able to communicate with each other.

Abstract: A computer based interactive method and apparatus for teaching vocabulary words. In particular, a vocabulary game aimed at preparing children for the SAT. The invention is also applicable to other vocabulary words for children and adults of all ages and learning levels, as well as teaching subjects and concepts other than vocabulary. The vocabulary game comprises a synonym matching game which provides audio and visual reinforcement of words, their definitions, and dialogue that uses the word, and requires the user to physically interact (i.e. select words, approve word choices, and the like). Reinforcement of vocabulary words is enhanced through the use of various support materials, including support tests, index cards containing phrases using the vocabulary words, and mnemonic aids.

Abstract: A system which contains a plurality of examinee systems connected over the Internet to an exam distribution server. The exam distribution server connects to an exam database system which contains a plurality of exam questions that have been approved by one or more exam question approvers. The exam database system may store a plurality of potential exam questions for each of a plurality of sections of the examination, including a section for web search and evaluation, a section for general computing concepts, a web page design section, a section for using presentation software, a section relating to spreadsheets and word processing, and a section relating to legal and ethical issues. An exam administrator system then generates an exam through an exam generation module that selects a predetermined number of questions in each of the predetermined sections of the examination and presents the proposed exam to the exam administration system.

Abstract: A portable, programmable karaoke unit that is flexible in its use. Data may be stored and retrieved in compressed digital data format from an internal memory or a removable storage medium. The unit is operable by remote control and transmits audio data over radio frequencies. It may display visual data on an internal or external display. Data can be downloaded for storage from external sources such as a digital system or the Internet.