Abstract: A modem is adapted to accommodate a call waiting feature so that a user can select to continue an ongoing call or accept an incoming call. The modem detects a call waiting signal and generates a call waiting message. Where a call waiting signal is preceded by a loss of carrier, the modem detects the loss of carrier and then detects the presence of energy in a call progress band indicating that a new call is waiting. The modem can be selectably programmed to process the call waiting signal or to provide a call waiting message to a communications software package that can process the call waiting signal. The modem, in conjunction with the communications of software package, responds to the call waiting signal by asking whether the user wants to answer the incoming call or continue with the ongoing communication. The modem generates a programmable default response if the user does not respond within a prescribed time.

Abstract: An electronic learning device (10) for teaching how to tell time is provided. A student provides input to the device, in a preferred embodiment, by a plurality of keys (14) which select the learning activity and its difficulty level. In certain activities, the device (10) request (visually and/or auditorily) the student to engage in a randomly selected time-identification problem. The student's response is compared with the correct response, and the information concerning the appropriateness of the response is provided to the student. In the case of erroneous response, the correct response can be presented to the student both orally and visually. A speech synthesizer (38) (and/or analog and/or digital display) serves to generate a request to the student concerning time identification problems, and comments on the appropriateness of the student's response.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for decoding coded information such as may be provided by a printed bar code. The coded information is segmented into a plurality of words, each having more bits than the number of bits appearing in the corresponding decoded word. The bits of each coded word are subdivided into at least two partial coded words. Each of these partial coded words is then decoded and the decoded versions for all the partial coded words combined so as to yield the decoded word. In the preferred embodiment the method of combination is summation of the decoded partial coded words.

Abstract: The present invention is an electronic learning aid which employs a scanning device for reading printed coded indicia which includes random number modes. A first random number mode provides a flat distribution random number in accordance to a range command. This mode is actuated by scanning coded indicia, firstly, a random number generation command and secondly, a range command. The apparatus then generates a random number from a set of numbers, this set of numbers being determined by the range command. This random number is then employed to select a response which is provided to the user by a speech synthesizer speaking one or more words of human language. In a second embodiment, the random number command enables generation of a random number from among a set in which the probability of selecting one member of the set is different from the probability of selecting other members of the set. This mode could be employed to simulate the number of spots turned upon tossing of two or more dice.

Abstract: The electronic learning aid of the present invention includes a scanning instrument for reading coded indicia which control the sound generated by the apparatus. In accordance with the present invention the coded indicia may be arranged to indicate a sub-part of nonspoken sound to be recalled from speech memory within the apparatus. In addition, a repeat command may also be entered via the scanning instrument. Upon entry of a repeat command, which includes a number indicating the number of repeats to be performed, the electronic learning aid repeatively generates sound corresponding to the stored element of nonspoken sound. This invention advantageously enables such an electronic learning aid to generate relatively long sound effects from short coded indicia.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic learning aid having modes of operation to provide an interesting and effective learning experience to a student. In the preferred embodiment, inputs to the learning aid are effected via scanning of a bar code on a page by the student. In a first mode, the student is audibly directed to place depicted objects on the page in some specific sequence, as by alphabetical order of the first letter of the names of the objects. The student selects items in the sequence by scanning bar code associated with each item and the system audibly informs him of his progress in correctly identifying times of the sequence. In a second mode the student upon scanning the bar code associated with a depicted object is audibly directed to spell the name of that object. The system audibly informs him of his progress.