Abstract: The experience of parachute flight is simulated including parachute release and malfunctions. The parachutist trainee is suspended in a harness and a control line provided for the parachutist to operate. The parachutist's actions are sensed by an action sensor actuated by the control line. Force and position sensors sense position and force factors effected by the parachutist. The parachutist's head motion can be tracked by a head mounted sensor. The outputs of the sensors are converted to digital signals which are fed to a computer. The computer is programmed with a mathematical and logical model of parachute dynamics and environmental factors. The computational results are displayed to the parachutist on a monitor or on a head mounted display, the scene viewed containing a variety of three dimensional representations of objects on the ground such as buildings vegetation roads, etc.

Abstract: Described herein is a collaborative drawing device having a support surface configured to support a drawing medium for drawing thereupon by a human user. The drawing device includes a printer that prints prepared graphics on the drawing medium and a scanner that scans documents that have been printed, drawn by hand, and annotated by hand.

Abstract: A medical teaching apparatus enables medical students, physicians, and surgeons to hone their skills of examination and surgical procedures upon the human ear. This includes the tympanic membrane and also some structures of the human middle ear such as the malleus, the incus, and the stapes bones. The apparatus is in the form of a "book" like structure including two generally rectangular plates which can be joined by a hinge. When the book sections are closed one upon the other, abutting surfaces mate to sandwich a sheet of film therebetween that simulates a patient's tympanic membrane. Each of the sections has correspondingly sized and shaped openings through which a surgeon can insert an examination instrument or different types of surgical probes and instruments. One of the book sections carries an insert plug that reproduces structure of the patient's middle ear.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an instructional method based on the concept that as a student learns to perform a mental task consisting of a set of elements or steps, whether conceptual or concrete, the student develops a distinct mental connection or path for every element related to the primary mental task being learned. For example, as a student learns to type a particular key on a keyboard, (the primary mental task), the student develops a distinct mental impression for every typing key logically associated with the first key. In other words, a distinct connection or path is defined as a link between two or more elements, one key being a primary element, the other being a related key connected to the primary key by a logical mental step. The present method is also useful for learning a musical instrument, a foreign language, mathematics, test taking skills, and the like logical though processes.

Abstract: This invention relates to an adaptor for use with a a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training mannequin. The adaptor has a top layer, a conductor and an adhesive. An additional backing layer may be provided. This invention is also directed to methods of modifying a CPR mannequin through application of an adaptor having communicating conductive areas.

Abstract: A screen saver provides that questions and answers are displayed to a user while in a foreground screen saver mode. Scores may be kept track of, and users may customize the database, or select different sets of data to use.

Abstract: A method for constructing a physical scale model of a structure includes creating a computer model of a structure using a structure design program run on a personal computer, printing out views of the interior and exterior walls of the structure on adhesive-backed paper, affixing the pieces of paper bearing the printed views of the structure to pieces of rigid stock such as cardboard or foam core to create walls, then cutting or trimming the pieces as necessary and assembling them to form the three-dimensional scale model of the structure. A kit for practicing the method contains computer software for allowing a user to custom design a building, a supply of printer-compatible adhesive-backed paper, and a supply of rigid stock of the proper thickness to represent the scale thickness of the walls of the structure.

Abstract: A device which directly displays a steady state sinusoidal wave by positioning a scrolling pattern of alternating stripes (40 and 42) behind a flexible linear body comprising a vibrating rod (36) or string (50). The stripes (40 and 42) cover the outer surface of a moving body, which can be a rotating cylinder (20), spinning disk (74), or traveling belt (94) and are drawn perpendicular to the vibrating rod (36) or string (50). One set of stripes (40) is of a tonality that visually blends with the tonality of the vibrating element, and the alternate set of stripes (42) is of a tonality which contrasts with that of the vibrating element. Each respective stripe, therefore, either obscures or accentuates the segment of the vibrating element which is between it and the viewer. The viewer sees a solid wavy line in the form of a sinusoidal wave by observing the vibrating element with the stripes scrolling behind it.

Abstract: A system and method of use to help a person to stop or modify an adverse habitual health-related behavior, e.g., smoking, weight control, stress management, etc., by following a calculated regimen to commence on a day to be selected by the person. The system comprises a computer and a series of customized visually perceptible messages establishing a customized regimen to aid the person to stop or modify the adverse habitual health-related behavior. The computer is arranged to receive personal information about the person and which is relevant to the behavior and makes use of expert system software to provide the customized messages in response thereto. The customized messages are in the form of a daily sequence measured relative to day selected by the person for the regimen to begin. Each of the messages is arranged to be read by the person in sequence on a daily basis and includes respective numerical indicia representing the number of days from the selected day to the day of said message.

Abstract: A computer toy for infants that promotes normal speech development by facilitating the infant's experimentation with babbles and other elementary sounds. Additionally, the toy provides an enriched environment for language learning by prompting the infant with a repertoire of verbal sounds including phonemes, syllables, and simple spoken words. The toy includes a microphone input device for detecting vocalizations by an infant and an audiovisual output device for providing feedback to the infant including the immediate playback of the infant's own vocalizations, and a control means for transforming detected vocalizations into instructions for use by the audiovisual output device.

Abstract: User-actuated systems for retrieving and presenting information on a particular subject and/or information employable in a learn while doing mode on the performance of a specified task. The systems include a laser-readable, encoded, data storage device; a player for retrieving data from the storage device; and a screen on which the retrieved information can be displayed. Onboard controls allow the system user to reach the information of concern, to repeat the presentation of that information, and to otherwise navigate through the available choices in a fashion which best meets his or her needs. An optional remote control allows the system user to accomplish the same functions, while being freed from the location of the system module.

Abstract: A simulator (10) for use by veterinary students in developing manual palpation skills comprises a canine body (12) with internal artificial organs (30-40) connected to feedback devices (60-70) controlled by switches (46-56).

Abstract: A person's mastery of a body of knowledge is determined by having the person write objective questions for a test that is given to a group of test takers. The results of the test are then analyzed to determine how well the person's questions discriminated between those who did well on the test and those who did poorly. The better the questions discriminate, the more mastery the person has of the body of knowledge. In a learning situation, a cycle of study, writing questions, analyzing the results, and determining mastery may be repeated until the desired degree of mastery is reached. The technique may be used for individuals or groups and both the question writers and the test takers may work in teams. Question writers may also be test takers, and the evaluation of a question writer may reflect both the extent to which his or her questions discriminate and his or her performance on the test.

Abstract: An improved method of developing and testing the degree of a student's ability to mentally image a task requiring a motor response. Line diagrams symbolizing objects or maps of actions are presented with instructions that invoke mental images of objects and motor response actions. The students ability to respond to the mental image is measured, recorded and shown to the student only after the response is complete.

Abstract: An interactive system and method for assisting people in achieving and learning to achieve self-determined, measurable goals over time collects data from a user on the user's progress toward achieving the goals. Metrics are computed from the data which gauge the user's progress towards achieving the goals, and performance feedback is provided to the user. Additional information may be collected from the user regarding their estimate of the likelihood of achieving the goals, and a separate computation may be made of an objective estimate of the user's likelihood of achieving the goals. Random or scheduled, positive or negative psychological reinforcement may also be provided to the user. Preferably, a computer-based system is employed for implementing the method in which a computer system receives and stores all of the collected information, computes the metrics and generates the performance feedback in the form of a progress report.

Abstract: On-line health education includes displaying composites of personalized health content and patient-selected entertainment. Suitable sources of entertainment include generally available web pages and television programs. Composites are spatial (for page displays) or temporal (for image sequence displays). Health content is customized to health and personal situations of individual patients, and replaces advertisements. Composites are generated on a central server in communication with an entertainment server and a health server. Amenable diseases or behaviors include diabetes, asthma, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, eating disorders, HIV, mental health disorders, smoking, and alcohol and drug abuse.

Abstract: A simulator includes a base plate, a platform, a plurality of actuators, each of the actuators having a hydraulic cylinder, a sensor, a servo valve and a pair of universal joints, and a weight supporting actuator including a pressure sensor and designed to support a specific weight of the platform and the substance thereon. The sensors and the pressure sensor sense the variation of length and weight imposed on each of the hydraulic cylinders, respectively. The servo valve selectively passes a high pressure fluid to an upper and a lower portions of the cylinder and the pair of universal joints have a three degrees of freedom to allow the platform to have six degrees of freedom. A controller controls the servo valve of both actuators to vary the length of each of the hydraulic cylinders thereof, thereby lessening the load imposed on the actuators.

Abstract: A computer-aided-educational method and system that consider a student's concentration level when teaching the student. The system monitors automatically more than once the student's concentration-sensitive behavior while the student is working on the study materials. Through monitoring the student's volitional or involuntary behavior, the system provides an indication on the student's concentration level. Based on the indication, the system could react accordingly. Reactions include, for example, providing rewards, punishments, and stimulation, or changing the study materials. The system can also react by asking the student a question to stimulate the student or to assess the student's understanding level. Based on the student's response, the system may change to more appropriate study materials, or presentation style.

Abstract: A four-pan algebra balance includes an imbalance correction mechanism for maintaining a balance beam in a horizontal equilibrium position unless the imbalance between the two sides of the device exceeds a predetermined amount. The balance includes a base, an upright stand mounted to, and extending substantially vertically from the base, a crossbar mounted to an upper end of the stand so as to extend substantially horizontally and the balance beam pivotally coupled to a midpoint of the stand. A first weight receptacle subassembly including two pans is coupled to a first end of the crossbar and a first end of the balance beam and a second weight receptacle subassembly including two pans is coupled to a second end of the crossbar and a second end of the balance beam. A visual indicator provides an indication of the relative equality of the first and second weight receptacle subassemblies.

Abstract: A tutorial device and method for teaching and learning how to determine a calculated drug dosage and/or unit conversions. The device includes a data entry device for entering data; a device for determining a calculated drug dosage in response to the entered data; and a display device for displaying the calculated drug dosage or unit conversion and for displaying the technique used for calculating the appropriate dosage. The data entry device allows the user to enter a proposed solution. The device would then indicate if the proposed solution is appropriate for determining the calculated drug dosage or unit conversion and supply a hint if the proposed solution is incorrect. The hint being something other than displaying the correct solution or next step.