Abstract: A computer-aided-educational system and method for rewarding a student when the student attains a milestone in a subject. The subject is divided into line-items with at least one line-item being more difficult than another line-item. In one embodiment, the system includes a milestone setter, a performance analyzer, a reward determinator and a reward generator. The milestone setter sets a number of milestones, with each milestone being related to a line-item, and with an instructor providing inputs to the milestone setter to set each line-item that has a milestone to be reached. In one embodiment, at least one such line-item reflects the student's understanding in the subject. The performance analyzer coupled to the milestone setter determines whether the student has reached a milestone. The reward determinator coupled to the performance analyzer determines a reward for the student if the performance analyzer indicates that the student has reached a milestone. The reward can depend on the student's preference.

Abstract: An electronic sound and music making device includes a memory that stores a plurality of sound segments, such as musical notes, animal noises, etc., a keypad having a series of keys, each of each indicates and is associated with a different one of the stored sound segments, and a set of visual indications, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), that indicate when different ones of the sound segments are being played. The device repeats a programmable sequence of, for example, four of the stored sound segments to form a song while, simultaneously turning on different ones of the LEDs to indicate the different sound segments being played. The keypad enables a user to specify the identity and the order of the sound segments to be played and allows a user to substitute any of the sound segments stored in the memory with the sound segments being played so as to produce a new or different song.

Abstract: A coupling strip for connecting a plurality of balloons in adjacent sequential position to one another in fascial and inexpensive manner consisting of an elongate flexible strip, made from plastic, cloth or other lightweight flexible material and in which the length thereof is determined by the number of sequential adjacent balloons one wishes to couple together for decorative or for any other purpose of notice and in which the width thereof is sufficient only to carry an aperture between the edges, the coupling strip consisting of a sequence of such apertures, spaced from one another substantially throughout the length of the coupling strip, for receiving the neck of a balloon. The apertures may be spaced at any desired distance from one another so as to facilitate insertion of a balloon neck in either a budding relation to an adjacent balloon or at any desired distance therefrom throughout the length of the coupling strip.

Abstract: In an interactive on-line system, a registration management system mounted on a server 10 includes a teaching affairs management system which registers information on teaching subjects, teaching schedules and teachers, and a reservation management system includes a lecture booking system which provides a trainee of the information registered in the teaching affairs management system in an on-line state when the trainee books a lecture and manages the information on the teaching subject, teaching schedule and teacher selected by the trainee. According to the registration management system, the booking state of lectures or the like inputted from the terminal of each user and such service resources as the teaching subject, teaching schedule or the like which can be supplied to users are easily managed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simulating reverberation signals in a multipath onar system is provided. The invention includes an input means for providing a plurality of simulated sonar system parameters. A defining means is joined to the input means to establish a plurality of eigenray parameters with terms corresponding to at least one of the simulated sonar parameters. A reverberation means is joined to the defining means for extrapolating said defined eigenray parameters responsive to the simulated sonar parameters to produce output signals simulating reverberation in the multipath sonar system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for producing an output simulating a tipath sonar system. An input means produces signals corresponding to sonar system parameters. A generator means is jointed to the input means to generate a plurality of eigenray parameters in response to the input signals. A processing means combines the generated eigenray parameters from the generate means with sonar system parameters from the input means to produce output signals. A report means is provided for generating reports simulating the response of a mulitpath sonar system to the output signals from the processing means.

Abstract: A learning apparatus for use with a computer comprising a set of tactile flash cards, each individual card having a tactilely perceptible pattern embossed on a surface of the card and two electrically connected contacts at a unique set of discrete spaced positions on the card with a preselected correspondence between the tactilely perceptible pattern on the surface of the card and the selected positions of the contacts, and a tactile flash card reader capable of sensing the positions of the contacts on a card and controlling the computer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simulating the output of a multipath sonar sys. An eigenray module generates a plurality of eigenrays having terms that correspond with simulated parameters of a sonar system. A processing unit combines the eigenrays responsive to the simulated parameters to provide output signals that correspond with the output signals of a multipath sonar system. These signals may include one or more of the following types: lofargrams, autocorrelation coefficients, reverberation, and cross-correlations coefficients. The apparatus can also include a report generator for generating a display from the output signals.

Abstract: A weapons training range provides a simulated weapons use scenario including return fire. A microprocessor selects branches from a multi-branch program and causes an image projector to project subscenarios on a display screen visible to a participant. In response to the subscenarios, the participant fires at projected threats. Return fire simulators positioned behind the display screen return fire toward the participant. Obstructions are placed in the weapons range to provide cover for the participant. A video camera and X-Y position sensor identify the X-Y location of the participant and try to detect exposed portions of the participant. Based upon the identified X-Y location and any detected exposed portions, the microprocessor aims the return fire simulators to provide simulated return fire. To simulate real world aiming, the microprocessor induces time-based and response-based aiming errors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for producing simulated autocorrelation coefficients of a multipath sonar system. An input means produces signals simulating sonar system parameters including total spectral density and erage pressure. A defining means produces a plurality of eigenrays with terms corresponding to these simulated system parameters. The present invention provides an autocorrelation means for interpolating the defined plurality of simulated sonar parameters to produce simulated autocorrelation coefficient output signals.

Abstract: A computer-aided-educational system and method to further a student's understanding in a subject through associating the subject's different areas that the student has learnt. The subject is divided into line-items and relationship-items, with each relationship-item relating two or more items. The items are separated into learnt and un-learnt elements. The invention includes the steps of (1) selecting an un-learnt element; (2) generating learning materials for the student to learn the selected element; and (3) assessing the student's learning progress in the selected element. If the assessment on the selected element is satisfactory, then the invention (1) classifies one or more relationship-items to be learnt as un-learnt elements, with each classified relationship-item relating the selected element with one or more learnt elements; and (2) re-classifies the selected element as a learnt-element. Then the invention repeats from the step of selecting an un-learnt element.

Abstract: The invention herein relates to a kind of teaching tool that allows children at play to perform simple addition, subtraction, multiplication and division arithmetical operations, learning decimal concepts and practices through experience and, furthermore, learn about year, month, day and day of the week as well as the hour, minute and second clock positions, which enables the invention herein to be an multi-functional teaching tool that combines fun with learning and the promotion of intellectual development.

Abstract: A manually operable device for holding and rotating candy, such as a sucker, that requires only one hand to hold and operate. The device has a handle portion that may be held with one hand of the user. A trigger is carried by the handle for manipulation against the bias of a spring or the like using the same hand of the user as is holding the handle. Actuation of the trigger moves a rack which in turn both rotates and linearly moves a set of gears to rotate a shaft that extends out of the handle. Attached to the end of the shaft extending out of the handle is a sucker or lollipop that is rotated as a result of actuation of the trigger. The sucker may be carried on a dish which is attached to the shaft, outside of the handle portion, for rotation with the shaft.

Abstract: The invention uses dice-like polyhedral solids (30) (32) (44) to generate randomly the lines of I Ching hexagrams. It produces outcomes according to a traditional and theoretically important frequency distribution. That distribution requires that the four line types of the I Ching system (36) (42) (38) (40) occur in a relative frequency of 1:3:5:7. The invention accomplishes this through a specific arrangement of indicia (26) (28) (46) (48) (50) on the dice. The dice are so constructed and the indicia so disposed that any roll shall yield one of the numerical results 6, 7, 8, or 9. These values correlate with the four line types, and the statistical likelihood of each possible result conforms to the theoretically ideal frequency distribution of all such results. Three dice are used in the preferred embodiment, each of a rounded, substantially tetrahedral form.

Abstract: A computer-assisted instruction system used in a method of instructing a group of students broadly includes a suite (12,14,16,18) configured to accommodate the group of students and a computer system (36) for delivery of instruction relating to an instruction curriculum to the suite (12,14,16,18). The suite (12,14,16,18) includes a group assembly area and a plurality of harbors (24). The harbors (24) are each configured to accommodate a pair of the students. The computer system (36) includes a computer (38) positioned at each harbor coupled with a network computer (40). The computers (38) are linked to permit electronic transfer of information between the harbors (24).

Abstract: A device and method for performing coronary artery grafting on a model heart. In one embodiment, a motor-operated cam displaces a surface on which a model cardiac vasculature is mounted or integrated. The active surface moves to simulate the beating of the heart during a live operation. The trainee performs the simulated procedure while the model heart pulsates.

Abstract: A simulated ammunition round (1) is characterised by a gunfire simulator (4) having a combustion chamber (28), means (21) for admitting fuel gas to the combustion chamber, ignition means (23) for igniting fuel gas in the combustion chamber to cause an explosion and an exhaust port (51) in the combustion chamber. The simulated ammunition round may comprise outlet valve means (14), e.g. a collapsible or frangible diaphragm, for closing the exhaust port and arranged to open rapidly and with audible results in response to explosive pressure rise within the combustion chamber. The simulated ammunition round may comprise means (38, 41) to enable firing of the round, the enabling means being responsive to loading of the round into the receiving chamber of a weapon.

Abstract: An interactive modular educational system. This invention provides for an interactive modular educational system comprised of a deck of visually-enhanced cards designed to allow users to learn important business-related techniques, tactics, and strategies. The cards, divided into sections based upon different business principles, utilize color schemes, similarly sounding word endings, acronyms, and clever sketches to allow the user to learn or improve upon a variety of business disciplines. The system, which can be used randomly, modularly, or sequentially, provides an easy-to-use, easy-to-understand method of learning and remembering valuable business techniques.

Abstract: A system and method which enables individuals to manipulate text retrieved by a computer in such a manner that the computer user can rapidly and accurately obtain information about the contents of a retrieved body of text without reading the text. If a computer retrieves text that is too large to display on a single computer screen, the present invention creates a map box on the computer screen. The map box is displayed along with a portion of the retrieved text. Within the map box is displayed a representation of the entire body of text. Using a screen icon, a user can point to any place in the representation of the body of text. The portion of the body of text pointed to then becomes displayed on the computer screen. Furthermore, the representation of the text in the map box can be mapped in different ways to help inform the computer user as to the contents of the body of text prior to that text being read.

Abstract: An aerial decoy comprising a fuselage having forward and aft ends. Disposed within the fuselage are a plurality of decoy discs. Rotatably connected to the forward end of the fuselage is a ram air turbine which is cooperatively engaged to the decoy discs such that the rotation of the ram air turbine facilitates the dispensation of the decoy discs from the aft end of the fuselage.