Abstract: A medical training and simulation system includes a plurality of inanimate objects, each being associated with an identification tag which stores an identification code which uniquely identifies an associated object. A database stores information of the objects. A reader reads a respective identification code of a selected object. An information retrieving processor retrieves the stored information which corresponds to the read identification code of the selected object. A device reproduces at least a portion of the retrieved information of the selected object.

Abstract: The invention includes a system for, a method for, and a method of doing business including dispensing samples. These include a sample card distributor 4; a machine-readable label 3 incorporated in a sample card 2, a machine-readable label writer 6 for writing data associated with a product 5 onto the machine-readable label 3, and a device for distributing samples 7 which includes a machine-readable label reader 9 for reading the machine-readable label 3; a database 12 containing sample information; means for packaging and distributing samples 14; and a processor 11 for receiving data from the machine-readable label reader 9, obtaining sample information from the database 12, and directing the means for packaging and distributing samples 14 to package and distribute at least one sample.

Abstract: There is disclosed a video playback device for playing back a recorded television program in time-compressed mode on a display screen coupled to the video playback device. The video playback device comprises: 1) a disk storage system for storing the recorded television program as a plurality of audio-video segments; and 2) a fast playback controller for determining a limited time period during which the recorded television program must be played back and further capable of using at least one priority value associated with each of the plurality of audio-video segments to identify selected ones of the plurality of audio-video segments capable of being sequentially played-back during the limited time period.

Abstract: There is disclosed a video playback device for playing back a recorded television program in time-compressed mode on a display screen coupled to the video playback device. The video playback device comprises: 1) a disk storage system for storing the recorded television program as a plurality of audio-video segments; and 2) a fast playback controller for determining a limited time period during which the recorded television program must be played back and further capable of using at least one priority value associated with each of the plurality of audio-video segments to identify selected ones of the plurality of audio-video segments capable of being sequentially played-back during the limited time period.