Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for providing multimedia-based entertainment activities to be provided to a user that is under the age of 60 months. These activities may be based on each user's profile. Multimedia-based activities are highlighted and are presented to the user using, preferably, hand held, touch screen enabled devices. Data for the multimedia-based entertainment activities may be stored on the device or on remote servers with the data being downloaded as necessary.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for providing a learning diagnosis structure which quantifies each learner's profile and provides relevant activities based on each learner's profile. As well, an analysis of the learner's progress relative to a comparable group of learners is provided. Should the learner be lagging behind the performance of the comparable group, suitable activities are selected and presented to the learner to bolster the learner's performance. Included are assessments of the areas in which the learner is lagging, and the provision of learning material which have been mapped to a learner's specific profile and educational progress.

Abstract: A device which has both educational and entertainment purposes. The device has a housing which allows multiple instances of the device to be stacked together. The device has a CPU, memory, storage, and a wireless module which allows communications with a base computer. The device also has a flat touch screen which serves as the user interface. The touch screen also serves as the video display for the device. Each device is approximately the size of a conventional building block. Variants include having some sides equipped with protuberance and some sides are equipped with voids. The protuberances of one device is constructed and arranged to interlockingly mate with the voids of another device. The device may be used in conjunction with multiple types of applications which have both educational and entertainment uses. The device may be used to receive images, data, commands, etc. from the base computer and the device may be used in conjunction with other similar devices.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices relating to an educational system for children as young as a few months old. The system has different modules which are geared towards different educational aims. Each module teaches a different educational area with the areas ranging from science, math, history, social interaction. The system provides a structured approach such that the child user is tasked with a single module to be completed per month. At the end of a predetermined period, a test module may be completed with assistance from an adult to test the child's retention of the lessons. The various lessons are structured as playful, fun activities with colorful icons, fun sounds, and varying degrees of complexity.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for providing digital content for educational and entertainment purposes. Learner computing devices for use by learners are networked with an educator computing device and a database server. Parameter input from the educator computing device is received at each of the learner computing devices and an activity is presented by the learner computing device to the learner. The activity's parameters are determined by the parameters received from the educator computing device. Data regarding the learner's performance in the activity is gathered and sent as a database entry to a database. A server then retrieves and processes the data and the processed data is sent to the educator computing device. The processed data displays whether the learner requires further instructions or more attention from the educator. Each learner computing device may be used with multiple learners.

Abstract: A handle for a computing device having a touch screen, wherein the handle is affixed to the computing device, and the handle is made of material that is suitable for gripping by an infant and the handle is of a specific size range such that the handle is capable of being gripped by an infant.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring and improving a young child's mental abilities on a tablet computer. A user of the tablet computer is prompted for the child's age and, based on the age, the expected performance or abilities of the child are provided. The child can be assessed using a number of activities whereby the child identifies and/or matches various objects. The assessment can be done by timing the activity to completion, determining how many errors/tries were needed to complete the activity, or any other number of assessment techniques. The child's performance is then compared against expected metrics for children of a similar age. The activities can range from games that involve identifying everyday objects to the introduction of mathematical concepts and numbers to identifying and/or matching animals.

Abstract: A device which has both educational and entertainment purposes. The device has a housing which allows multiple instances of the device to be stacked together. The device has a CPU, memory, storage, and a wireless module which allows communications with a base computer. The device also has a flat touch screen which serves as the user interface. The touch screen also serves as the video display for the device. Each device is approximately the size of a conventional building block. Variants include having some sides equipped with protuberance and some sides are equipped with voids. The protuberances of one device is constructed and arranged to interlockingly mate with the voids of another device. The device may be used in conjunction with multiple types of applications which have both educational and entertainment uses. The device may be used to receive images, data, commands, etc. from the base computer and the device may be used in conjunction with other similar devices.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing age appropriate activities to infant users. The age of the infant user is first determined and, based on the age, activities are presented to the infant user. Younger infant users will be presented with simpler and easier to understand activities requiring less manual dexterity and comprehension skills while older infant users will be presented with more complex tasks which may require more involved comprehension skills. These activities are presented by way of a touch screen user interface for ease of use by the infant user. Also disclosed are methods and systems for exposing the infant user to a variety of languages at an early age. These methods and systems may be incorporated as activities for older infant users.

Abstract: Methods and software applications targeted to and for use by infant users. Various activities are presented to infant users through a touch-screen based monitor and, depending on the input entered by infant users, emotionally positive or emotionally negative indications are presented to the infant user. The emotionally positive indications are designed to reinforce desirable results caused by the infant user's input while the emotionally negative indications are designed to discourage undesirable result from the infant user's input. Various environments and activities based on these environments and areas are provided to the infant user by way of the monitor.

Abstract: A handle for a computing device having a touch screen, wherein the handle is affixed to the computing device, and the handle is made of material that is suitable for gripping by an infant and the handle is of a specific size range such that the handle is capable of being gripped by an infant.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for communicating between a host optical systems controller and an optical subcontroller. A database residing in the optical subcontroller contains multiple possible valid command identifiers which define the format of any data following the command identifiers. Each device is equipped with a copy of the database. Each command identifier can be paired with a different action for a different device based on the database mapping. These command identifiers are sent from the host to the subcontroller with each command denoting a specific action to be taken by the subcontroller. Upon receipt of the command message, the subcontroller will determine the interpretation of a command identifier contained in the command message and execute the action associated with that command identifier. The subcontroller will then send a response message back to the host controller indicating the success or failure of the action denoted by the command identifier.

Abstract: Circuits and systems for use in monitoring and adjusting an optical signal strength of an optical data transmission system. A closed feedback loop which automatically controls an optical device's output uses an analog operational amplifier based circuit instead of a conventional microprocessor that uses complex calculations. The parameters of the operational amplifier circuit are monitored and controlled by a microcontroller to provide flexible operational settings. The analog circuit containing discrete analog components is used as a power meter for measuring an optical power signal strength of an optical signal. The optical signal is tapped by an optical coupler and the signal is received by a photodetector. The output of the photodetector is received by the analog circuit which produces an intermediate signal based on the level of optical power in the optical signal. The intermediate signal is used to control an optical device.

Abstract: An architecture for use in controlling and managing optical functions and optical devices. A common microprocessor based control layer coordinates commands between optical devices and a user station. The control layer executes an operating system which handles data flow in the control layer. Generic commands from the user station causes the operating system to call specific subroutines the produce digital commands. These digital commands are then passed to a digital layer that interfaces with an analog layer. The analog layer is specifically developed to interface and work with a specific optical device. The analog layer thus directly controls the optical device including changing its settings based on input from the digital layer.

Abstract: A method and devices for individually controlling the signal strength of single or multiple optical channels. A controller module monitors the signal strength of channels and amplifies those that need amplifying while attenuating those that are too strong using the same Erbium doped fiber amplifier. A controllable compensation module receives at least one channel and, when required, can either amplify or attenuate the signal strength of the channel(s). The module can be constructed out of a single fiber with an associated pump laser. If the laser provides insufficient pumping power, the fiber acts as an attenuator. If the laser provides a higher level of pump power, the fiber acts as an amplifier.

Abstract: Circuits and systems for use in monitoring and adjusting an optical signal strength of an optical data transmission system. A closed feedback loop which automatically controls an optical device's output uses an analog operational amplifier based circuit instead of a conventional microprocessor that uses complex calculations. The parameters of the operational amplifier circuit are monitored and controlled by a microcontroller to provide flexible operational settings. The analog circuit containing discrete analog components is used as a power meter for measuring an optical power signal strength of an optical signal. The optical signal is tapped by an optical coupler and the signal is received by a photodetector. The output of the photodetector is received by the analog circuit which produces an intermediate signal based on the level of optical power in the optical signal. The intermediate signal is used to control an optical device.

Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling an optical device. In one embodiment, the optical device is directly controlled by an outside analog electrical signal. Depending on the voltage or current level of the electrical signal, the output of the optical device is changed accordingly. An operational amplifier may be used to amplify the analog electrical signal prior to the signal being received by the circuitry of the optical device. For maximum flexibility in control, a switch can be coupled to the operational amplifier so that either analog or digital control signals can be used.

Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling an optical device. In one embodiment, the optical device is directly controlled by an outside analog electrical signal. Depending on the voltage or current level of the electrical signal, the output of the optical device is changed accordingly. An operational amplifier may be used to amplify the analog electrical signal prior to the signal being received by the circuitry of the optical device. For maximum flexibility in control, a switch can be coupled to the operational amplifier so that either analog or digital control signals can be used.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for communicating between a host optical systems controller and an optical subcontroller. A database residing in the optical subcontroller contains multiple possible valid command identifiers which define the format of any data following the command identifiers. Each device is equipped with a copy of the database. Each command identifier can be paired with a different action for a different device based on the database mapping. These command identifiers are sent from the host to the subcontroller with each command denoting a specific action to be taken by the subcontroller. Upon receipt of the command message, the subcontroller will determine the interpretation of a command identifier contained in the command message and execute the action associated with that command identifier. The subcontroller will then send a response message back to the host controller indicating the success or failure of the action denoted by the command identifier.