Abstract: An attention-focusing device (10) supplies sets of prompting signals for a plurality of related self-improvement regimens, and has a housing (12) of a structural form that fits within a closed hand, allows convenient portability, and camouflages use and purpose of device (10). The device has a visual sender (20) embedded within the housing (12) to shield the signal from direct observation by non-users, and an incurvate surface (22) formed in the housing (12) to further shield the visual sender (20) and provide a structural surface for kinesthetic contact.

Abstract: A method and device to simulate travel is disclosed. A user may simulate a travel, which can be for either business or for pleasure, before the user actually travels. By simulating the travel before hand, a measure of predictability is introduced for the user during the actual travel. The travel simulation may simulate conditions such as the weather and traffic patterns for cars, trains, buses, planes, and the like. The conditions are dynamically adjusted in response to the user's inputs. The travel may be simulated for individuals who are not able to take an actual trip due to health and or other reasons.

Abstract: A system and a method for providing an interface to and customizing an interactive application for one or more players is provided. The interactive game of the presently preferred embodiment is played in a wireless environment using a mobile station as a user interface with commands entered via a keyboard or via voice. The game is tracked and controlled using a game center and a game server, which is typically at a location remote from the mobile station. Communication between the game server and the mobile station is typically performed using a base station connected to a telecommunications network. The game server executes a software application, which runs a game center. Individual games are managed within the context of this application.

Abstract: A system provides medical training over a network. The system receives a medical topic indication, retrieves at least one graphical user interface related to the medical topic, and provides the retrieved graphical user interface over the network to a user.

Abstract: An inference rule for determining a category is generated from a set of correct answer cases registered to a database, and the category of an unknown case is inferred. When a user determines whether or not an inference result is correct and inputs a determination result, the determined unknown case is registered to the database as a new correct answer case. By repeating such a process, correct answer cases are accumulated.

Abstract: A printed book has associated therewith certain electronically stored data in the form of a glossary of words appearing in the printed text. The electronic data is preferably stored in a remotely accessible server. A graphical user interface is provided for controlling access to the data stored in the server. When the reader of the book wishes to access data associated with a portion of the text, the reader uses a computer pointing device to select or manipulate indicia on the graphical user interface corresponding to the visual cue in the book. The server retrieves the appropriate glossary entry which is then presented on the reader's computer.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for educating an individual with the skills necessary to perform a new job, as well as providing the individual with practical work experience by providing the individual with work to perform, where the work is capable of being performed by someone having the individual's skill level.

Abstract: An interactive education system is described for teaching patient care to a user. The system comprises a patient simulator, as well as a virtual instrument for use with the patient simulator in performing patient care activities. The systems also includes means for sensing an interaction between the virtual instrument and the simulator, and means for providing feedback to the user regarding the interaction between the virtual instrument and the simulator. In a first embodiment, the simulator and virtual instrument are tangible objects, and in a second embodiment, the simulator and virtual instrument are software-generated objects.

Abstract: A human sized manikin for the training of auscultation comprising a core body formed of resin foam that has speakers coupled to a living body sound reproducing apparatus and is covered by an imitation skin on the outside of the core body. Recesses are formed on the core body corresponding to sites to be auscultated, a sound reflector with a concaved surface is attached to the outside of each speaker, and this speaker with a reflector is fitted in each recess and supported by the core separately.

Abstract: A method of and system of creating, delivering, and administering training materials, The system permits rapid development of large amounts of interactive content without requiring authoring experts. The content is deliverable via a client-server or Application Service Provider environment, such as the Internet. Content teaches skills necessary to perform a job. The system provides administrative management of the lerning process. In one embodiment, the invention teaches a set of skills by exposing candidates to enough realistic examples for them to begin recognizing the patterns involved, and by allowing them to participate in simulations of the environment. Embodiments of the invention employ a conversational technique for teaching particular skills, simulating an apprentice-mentor relationship. Some embodiments allow for evaluating the learner's proficiency or understanding of the content.

Abstract: A method for inferring mental representations by successive comparison of items is disclosed. The method incorporates the steps of (a) presenting a series of N items to a participant; (b) asking the participant to compare each pair of items, where each item is compared with its immediate neighbour, except for the items at the two extremes which are compared to one another, so that each item is used in a pair twice, and N comparisons are done; (c) ordering the items by matrix iteration in order to obtain a new sequence of items; elaborating a new list of N/2 paired items, on the basis of immediate neighbours, taking each item only once; (e) asking the participant to compare each pair of items elaborated in step (d); (f) integrating the responses of steps (a) to (e) into a matrix; and (f) finally ordering the items based on the matrix obtained in step (f). The present invention is particularly useful for surveying purposes, among others.

Abstract: An improved skill set assessment system and method is disclosed for allowing a user to assess the user's proficiency at performing a predetermined set of skills related to the user's employment position. A user may complete the skill assessment process by reviewing only a subset of skills relevant to the user's current employment position, rather than the comprehensive list of skills provided by the assessment tool. This ability to review an abbreviated list of skills is obtained by using a minimum skill set definition. Minimum skill set definitions may be defined to reflect the hierarchical structure of the organization employing the assessment system.

Abstract: A device for displaying room wall and floor covering arrangements for selection by a purchaser includes a frame assembly having display panel support members for supporting at least one display panel in a display condition, the frame assembly being configured to resemble, along with at least one supported display panel positioned in the display condition, at least one room; and at least two surface covering display panels being mutually different in at least one appearance or composition characteristic, such at least one appearance or composition characteristic including at least one of color, pattern, material, texture, and geometrical composition.

Abstract: The invention is an adjustable audible tempo device included in the handle of a golf club or within a clip-on tube attached to the golfer or a golf bag, which may be adjusted to a repetitive rhythmic audible meter, for the development of a consistent swing speed in the swinging of a golf club or a putter.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method of interactive multimedia teaching and learning, through the use of audiovisual presentations. The invention provides a computer based multimedia presentation which may include pictures, sound, graphics and text to provide a trainee with a presentation regarding the performance of an occupational skill.

Abstract: A pre-recorded video of a master's swing motion is stored as first frame sequences in computer memory. Target cues indicative of motion progress are associated with each first frame sequence. A video recording of the student performing the swing motion is stored in computer memory as second frame sequences. Reference cues indicating motion progress of the student are inserted into or associated with each student frame. The first frames are aligned with and normalized to the second frames, and then the first frames are synchronized to corresponding second frames using the target cues and the reference cues. The corresponding first and second frame pairs are superimposed, and immediately thereafter displayed to allow the student to analyze differences between his swing motion and the master's swing motion.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a three-dimensional visualization image of an object such as an organ using volume visualization techniques and exploring the image using a guided navigation system which allows the operator to travel along a flight path and to adjust the view to a particular portion of the image of interest in order, for example, to identify polyps, cysts or other abnormal features in the visualized organ. An electronic biopsy can also be performed on an identified growth or mass in the visualized object. Virtual colonoscopy can be enhanced by electronically removing residual stool, fluid and non-colonic tissue from the image of the colon, by employing bowel preparation followed by image segmentation operations. Methods are also employed for virtually expanding regions of colon collapse using image segmentation results.

Abstract: An interactive education system for teaching patient care to a user is described. The system comprises a patient simulator; a virtual instrument for use with the patient simulator in performing patient care activities; means for sensing an interaction between the virtual instrument and the simulator, and means for providing feedback to the user regarding the interaction between the virtual instrument and the simulator.

Abstract: This invention provides various systems and methods for providing an individual with improved emotional awareness and self-mastery. The systems and methods allow an individual to recall a situation in which the he or she experienced negative emotions. Then, the individual is able to analyze the recalled situation to identify specific negative emotions (specifically “flight” or “fight” emotions) experienced during the particular situation. Once the individual has identified specific negative emotions that were experienced during the particular situation, the systems and methods of this invention correlate each identified emotion with an underlying spiritual need. When the appropriate spiritual need(s) have been identified, the systems and methods of this invention identify at least one antidote to the spiritual need(s). The antidote(s) are then relayed to the individual for personal application.

Abstract: Method and product for increasing the awareness of one's self and for assessment and increasing decisiveness in conflict resolution in order to assist individuals who are conflicted by an intimate relationship. The method utilizes a plurality of individual statements which are each associated with one of four(4) different cells. The cells are positioned from lower to higher self awareness and decisiveness with conflict resolution being enhanced with statements falling within the cells of higher self awareness and decisiveness. Upon reviewing the individual statements and positioning such statements in appropriate locations on a template, the user becomes aware of his degree of decidedness and the quality of his decision and his level of awareness.