Abstract: The invention is a method and system that provides for efficiently incentivising and rewarding employees for their successful use of a training system or other employer defined metrics by utilizing Smartcard® cards and You Did It Right® cards. Successful demonstration of training and performance metrics is rewarded through such rewards as gift cards or discount coupons redeemable for goods and/or services at retail/service centers.

Abstract: A method for playing a music game. The game is played by having each player move along a game path that includes a plurality of spaces, each of which is associated with a key signature. Each player advances along the path when he or she correctly identifies the elements of music structures. A random or pseudorandom event generator may be used to select the music structure elements and an event verifier may be used to correct the construction of the music structures. Each player may earn royalties play money in the course of a game.

Abstract: Arc welding simulations that provide simulation of virtual destructive and non-destructive testing and inspection of virtual weldments for training purposes. The virtual testing simulations may be performed on virtual weldments created using a virtual reality welding simulator system (e.g., a virtual reality arc welding (VRAW) system). The virtual inspection simulations may be performed on “pre-canned” (i.e. pre-defined) virtual weldments or using virtual weldments created using a virtual reality welding simulator system. In general, virtual testing may be performed using a virtual reality welding simulator system (e.g., a virtual reality arc welding (VRAW) system), and virtual inspection may be performed using a standalone virtual weldment inspection (VWI) system or using a virtual reality welding simulator system (e.g., a virtual reality arc welding (VRAW) system).

Abstract: A method for the electronic publication and distribution of customized educational materials comprises an educator compiling a set of customized educational course materials from selected segments of educational works stored in an educational materials database of available materials (150-180), and indexing the set of customized educational course materials in an electronic database where it is available for purchase in an electronic format by students (270, 277). Copyright infringement is discouraged by providing the educator the option of electronic testing and grading of only those students that have purchased the educational materials. Hence, only such students are eligible to receive a grade in the class (265, 280). The customized educational course materials are easily updated without the publisher incurring traditional printing and distribution costs, simultaneously reducing the time to market for new editions of educational materials.

Abstract: A system and method for manipulating an environment to create a tactical combat scenario requires the coordinated implementation of various actions. One requires detonating an explosion simulator to create a smoke cloud with pseudo shrapnel. Another requires activating a sound enhancer, and yet another involves making a fire-ball. The combined result of these concerted actions is a perception of a single explosive event. Importantly, personnel can be within approximately one foot of any action without suffering a significant injury.

Abstract: The invention relates to a virtual OP simulator (10) for training for minimal-invasive operations, in particular for endourological interventions, having a simulation calculator unit (12), at least one instrument (40), at least one instrument input unit (30) for picking up the instrument (40), with the instrument input unit (30) allowing and recording movement of the instrument (40) in a predetermined number of degrees of freedom, and a force feedback unit (60) which is associated with the instrument input unit (30) and applies variable forces to the instrument (40) directly or indirectly via the instrument input unit (30).

Abstract: A gun-resembling apparatus having a gunstock and a barrel, a sight aligned with the barrel, a trigger mounted along the gunstock, and image capturing features for capturing targeted images via operating the trigger and safety features incorporated with the image capturing features to teach the student proper gun-handling procedures. The device includes a camera to capture image(s) in a sight line of the barrel. The image(s) are displayed on a display screen for viewing and editing. The device also incorporates a safety switch having a safe and fire position, the camera being prohibited from operating in the safe position and being allowed to operate in the fire position. An alert signal may sound through a speaker if the trigger is not operated after a predetermined time of the safety switch being in the fire position. An image storage device may also be used.

Abstract: Interactive electronic training systems and methods are described herein. Certain embodiments provide preprogrammed video, audio, and/or textual presentations of training materials which provide information related to skills/information to be trained. A scenario including real or animated actors is presented, simulating an interaction. The training system presents related queries for the trainee who audibly responds. The training system stores a score based in part on a comparison of the trainee's response with an answer stored in training system memory. Optionally, the scores are substantially immediately presented by the system to the trainee.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to interactive training, and in particular, to methods and systems for computerized interactive skill training. An example embodiment provides a method and system for providing skill training using a computerized system. The computerized system receives a selection of a first training subject. Several related training components can be invoked, such as reading, watching, performing, and/or reviewing components. In addition, a scored challenge session is provided, wherein a training challenge is provided to a user via a terminal, optionally in video form.

Abstract: A method for training a user in a medical procedure utilizes an interactive computer system with a virtual representation of at least one organ and at least one instrument. The representation of surface area parts of the virtual organ to be treated are covered with a graphical identification marker. The computer system includes a table stored in memory comprising situations arising within the medical procedure predefined through positions of the instrument(s), positions of the organ(s), the logical sequence of steps to be executed within the medical procedure, different aspect values for the graphical identification markers and assessment values for the situation. Upon interaction of the user with the organ and the instrument, graphical identification markers change their aspect according to the stored value in the table for the predefined situation and the corresponding assessment value is stored in a history log table within the computer system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for etiologic-based breath simulation and/or ventilator test platforms that provide operator-configurable breathing patterns, patient respiratory muscular effort waveform characteristics and patient parameter values. According to one embodiment, multiple respiratory muscle effort waveform specifications, each of which have associated therewith one or more waveform parameters, are provided for use by a breathing effort generator. The waveform specifications include (i) a specification based upon an empirical model that approximates clinically-observed, patient-generated muscle pressures, (ii) a specification based on configurable etiology-driven templates and/or (iii) a specification based on a configurable piecewise trajectory template. A waveform engine of the breathing effort generator is configured in accordance with a selected waveform specification and corresponding waveform parameter values.

Abstract: Systems, method, and programs evaluate a driving condition of a vehicle in accordance with road characteristic information that is included in map data, acquire evaluation information that includes an evaluation result based on the evaluation, and store the evaluation information. The systems, methods, and programs acquire update data to change the road characteristic information included in the map data, update the map data, and analyze the evaluation result for the evaluation information acquired during the period between the time when a road characteristic is modified and the time when the map data is updated, based on the changed road characteristic information included in the updated map data.

Abstract: A tissue mimicking phantom is disclosed, in which the tissue-mimicking phantom comprises: at least an upper gelatin layer, each configured with at least a sunken area; at least a lower gelatin layer, each disposed beneath the at least one upper gelatin layer while being configured with at least a microchannel network having blood-mimicking fluid flowing therein; and at least a micro-heater. By the use of the sunken area of the at least one upper gelatin layer to simulate shapes and depths of different trauma wounds, the healing of anyone of the trauma wounds can be accessed clinically through a physical properties test while subjecting the trauma wound under different negative pressures and different dressings.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to interactive training, and in particular, to methods and systems for computerized interactive skill training. An example embodiment provides a method and system for providing skill training using a computerized system. The computerized system receives a selection of a first training subject. A training challenge related to the first training subject is accessed from computer readable memory. The training challenge is provided to a user via a terminal, optionally in verbal form. A first score related to the correctness and/or completeness of a verbalized challenge response provided by the user is stored in memory. A second score related to how quickly the trainee provided the verbalized challenge response is stored in memory. A third challenge score related to the confidence and/or style with which the trainee verbalized the challenge response is stored in memory.

Abstract: The present invention is related to interactive training. In one embodiment, a training system presents a stored scenario to a user via a terminal. The user is provided with the ability to intervene and stop the pre-recorded scenario to identify an error in handling the situation presented in the scenario and/or an opportunity presented in the scenario. Once the user has intervened, the user can be presented with a question regarding the opportunity and/or error. The user is scored based in part on the number of errors and/or opportunities that the user identified and optionally on the user's response to the question.

Abstract: A mathematics game for playing by a plurality of players using different types of dice, including a first set with predetermined numeric values provided thereon; a second set with “+” or “?” symbols provided thereon (representing positive or negative); and a third set with different mathematical function symbols provided on the respective faces. The game includes a score card provided for each player. The score card includes a region for entering number values corresponding to a throw of the first type of dice; a region for entering “+”/“?” values corresponding to a throw of the second type of dice; a region for entering mathematical functions corresponding to a throw of the third type of dice; a region for entering a mathematical equation based on information in the above regions; and a region for entering a cumulative score of the respective player.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for delivering instructional information and include displaying instructional information on several visual displays prior to a triggering event and displaying the instructional information in an instructional varying display pattern on the at least three visual displays after the triggering event so a person viewing the instructional varying display pattern is unable to detect a repeatable pattern. Also included is displaying background information on each display not displaying instructional information. The background information is displayed with a background varying display pattern so a person is unable to detect a repeatable pattern.

Abstract: An interface device and method for interfacing instruments to a medical procedure simulation system serve to interface peripherals in the form of mock medical instruments to the medical procedure simulation system computer to enable simulation of medical procedures. The interface device includes a housing having a mock bodily region of interest to facilitate insertion of a mock instrument, such as an endoscope tube, into the interface device. The mock bodily region of interest may be pivotable to simulate various patient orientations. The instrument is engaged by a capture mechanism in order to measure rotational and translational motion of the instrument. An actuator is disposed within the interface device to provide force feedback to the instrument. The measured motion is provided to the computer system to reflect instrument motion on the display during the simulation. Alternatively, the interface device may be configured to accommodate instrument assemblies having a plurality of nested instruments (e.g.

Abstract: A teaching and learning method and system (143, 145, 147, 148, 152) communicates exercises, including URL's of Web pages and questions related thereto. Each exercise is distributed by the teacher's computer (143), synchronously, or downloaded by a student computer (147), asynchronously. An indicator (129) used on the Web page of one computer can be viewed on the same Web page displayed on the other computers. Responses are processed by the response server (145) and by comparison and evaluation logic, and displayed contemporaneously on the teacher's computer, together with scoring information (105, 106) and with URL's (107) associated with links used on each student computer. Scores are awarded automatically, or arbitrarily by clicking on the screen (105) of the teacher's computer. A feedback signal (80) may appear on the student computer with each keystroke to indicate its correctness. Responses selected on the teacher's computer may viewed on the student computers or on a Class Display (171).

Abstract: An presentation generator is disclosed for generating presentations for interacting with a user on a personal topic of, e.g., the user's selection, wherein the presentations assist the user in obtaining a greater awareness of his/her motivations and/or behaviors relating to the topic. In one embodiment, the presentation generator generates and presents to the user textual observations, questions, and/or statements for the user's consideration. Such presentations use and/or are consistent with textual descriptions obtained from: (a) the results of one or more personality/motivation test results, and (b) user inputs, e.g., regarding the selected topic together with his/her confidence in the validity of such inputs.