Abstract: The invention provides a system and method, for an optical communication network to compensate impairments in the network, using electronic dispersion compensation, said system comprising optical means comprising two or more optical-to-electrical converters for generating at least two electrical signals, comprising amplitude and instantaneous frequency of a received distorted optical signal, and an electrical circuit adapted to perform a full-field reconstruction of the received distorted optical signal using said electrical signals. The system is characterised by a dispersive transmission line circuit with compensation parameters updated at a selected rate to process said full-field reconstructed signal and compensate for coarse chromatic dispersion; and an adaptive electronic equalization circuit with compensation parameters updated at a rate faster than those in the said dispersive transmission line circuit to provide a fine impairment compensation of said reconstructed signals.

Abstract: There is provided an optical network system in which optical signals modulated by each of at least two modulation methods are wavelength-division-multiplexed and transferred, including: an optical transmitter configured to transmit first optical signals modulated by each of at least two modulation methods; an add-drop multiplexer configured to drop second optical signals from wavelength-division-multiplexed optical signals transferred in the optical network system, and add the first optical signals to the wavelength-division-multiplexed optical signals; an optical receiver configured to demodulate the second optical signals corresponding to each of at least two modulation methods; and a controller configured to control wavelengths of the first optical signals, the second optical signals and the wavelength-division-multiplexed optical signals so as to rearrange wavelengths of the first optical signals, the second optical signals and the wavelength-division-multiplexed optical signals so that optical signals mo

Abstract: In a first aspect, the invention includes a radio frequency photonic transceiver, comprising: a radio frequency receiver; a radio frequency photonic transmitter; and a switch between the input of the radio frequency photonic receiver and the output of the radio frequency photonic transmitter. In a second aspect, the invention includes an apparatus, comprising: a radio frequency photonic receiver; a radio frequency photonic transmitter; and a switch between the input of the radio frequency photonic receiver and the output of the radio frequency photonic transmitter. In a third aspect, the invention includes a radio frequency, photonic transceiver, comprising: means for generating a radio frequency modulated optical signal; a radio frequency photonic transmitter; and means for switching between the input of the radio frequency photonic receiver and the output of the radio frequency photonic transmitter.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and a vehicle are disclosed to enable wireless optical communications. A wireless optical transceiver includes transmitter light source configured to transmit a first optical signal at a first wavelength via a first ball lens to generate a distributed first optical signal. The distributed first optical signal is configured to be received by a remote receiver via a first line-of-sight transmission. A detector is configured to receive a focused second optical signal at a second wavelength via a second ball lens. A controller is operably coupled to the light source and to the detector. The controller is configured to receive outgoing data and to generate a first electrical signal configured to modulate the first optical signal to transmit the outgoing data. The controller also is configured to receive a second electrical signal from the detector and to demodulate the second electrical signal to generate incoming data.

Abstract: An optical and/or optoelectrical transceiver and system are disclosed that enable parallel transmission of data and management signals via an optical fiber without affecting data signal transmissions transmitted on the optical fiber. Furthermore, the present transceiver and system provide a fault diagnosis function for an optical fiber link. The transceiver and system generally comprise an interface, an intersecting transmission management unit, a driver, a management signal driving unit, an optical transmitter, an optical receiver, an amplifier, a management signal recovery unit, a management unit, and optionally, a power supply unit.

Abstract: An optical receiving apparatus with frame synchronization technology which makes it easy to activate a frame synchronization established state even if bit errors are produced over a transmission link. The apparatus includes: an optoelectrical converting circuit; a pre-stage synchronizing word detecting circuit; a decoder; a post-stage frame synchronization detecting circuit; and a receiver frame synchronization display output circuit.

Abstract: An optoelectronic device can implement an intelligent transmitter module (“ITM”), rather than a conventional TOSA, for the transmission of optical data signals. The ITM can include an optical transmitter, a CDR and driver IC, and a microcontroller and/or linear amplifier. Space available in the optoelectronic device due to using an ITM rather than a TOSA and PCB-bound CDR, driver, microcontroller, and/or linear amplifier can be used for the inclusion of one or more electronic and/or optical components. Electronic components that can be included in a device with an ITM include: an FPGA, a DSP, a memory chip, a digital diagnostic IC, a video IC, a wireless interface, and an RF interface. Optical components that can be included in a device with an ITM include: a VOA, an SOA, a MUX, a DEMUX, a polarization controller, and an optical power monitoring device.

Abstract: The principles of the present invention provide for a plastic ROSA that has a metallic EMI shroud covering a portion of the plastic ROSA. The combination of the plastic ROSA and the EMI shroud provides the unexpected result of having EMI shielding substantially similar to a metal ROSA.

Abstract: An apparatus for transmitting data for visible light communication sets up the pulse width control step of pulse width modulation (PWM) in a unit time interval, modulates each symbol of VLC source data input into a PWM signal in accordance with the pulse width control step, generates a visible light modulation signal by controlling the turn-on time or turn-off time of a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) in response to the PWM signal, and transmits the visible light modulation signal.

Abstract: A burst mode laser transmitter includes a burst mode laser diode and a controller having an input for receiving an RF data signal. The controller includes a triggering arrangement and a modulation arrangement. The triggering arrangement is configured to bias the laser diode to an on-state bias level when an RF data signal is present at the input to the controller and to an off-state bias level when no RF data signal is present at the input to the controller. The modulation arrangement is configured to modulate the on-state bias level at which the laser diode is biased with the RF data signal only when the RF data signal is present at the input of the controller.

Abstract: A photoelectric encoder includes a scale; a detector; alight application section; a pair of origin signal reception sections; and a signal processing section adapted to provide the maximum value of the signal level output from the origin signal reception sections by side lobe light occurring as reflected on the origin mark as a stipulated value, provide an effective area of origin detection between the first position at which output of one of the origin signal reception sections for outputting a larger signal level than the stipulated value earlier than the relative displacement becomes a larger signal level than the stipulated value and the first position at which output of the other origin signal reception section exceeds the stipulated value and then becomes a smaller signal level than the stipulated value, and configured to generate the origin detection signal in the effective area.

Abstract: The present application discloses a method for adaptive blind equalization of a PSK signal, an equalizer and a receiver. According to embodiments as provided, a conjugate product of a current output and a precedent output of an FIR filter is calculated, an equalization coefficient is updated using the conjugate product, and then an input signal is filtered using the FIR filter with the updated equalization coefficient. The embodiments as provided is applicable to adaptive blind equalization of any phase shift keying signal including a BPSK signal.

Abstract: An information input method, apparatus and system for an associated apparatus of an imaging device are provided. The system includes a chip and an information input apparatus; the chip is adapted to store universal information, and alternative information sent by the information input apparatus; the information input apparatus is adapted to store and send to the chip the alternative information.

Abstract: In a new printer, a toner cartridge is mounted in the state where there is no toner in a reserve tank, and toner of the amount of filling toner D therein is supplied with the amount of full accommodation toner E for filling up the reserve tank by a toner supply mechanism. The toner of the amount of remaining surplus toner F remains in the toner cartridge. The amount of toner consumption G is measured by a dot counter during a printing execution. In the case where a toner density sensor detects a toner decreasing, the toner is supplied to a developing unit from the reserve tank. When it becomes G>F, it display-informs a user of “toner cartridge exchange is allowed”. Hereby, it enables to exchange the toner cartridge without stopping operation of the main body of the image forming apparatus using a two-component developer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that is capable of reducing a sequential variation of graininess and keeping imaging quality. An exposure unit exposes the photoconductor to a light beam to form an electrostatic latent image. A development unit develops the electrostatic latent image with a toner. A change unit changes a height of toner image by changing an exposure spot area of the light beam on the photoconductor. A formation unit forms test patterns corresponding to different exposure spot areas on a recording sheet. A read unit reads the test patterns. A control unit detects graininess of each test pattern based on information about the test patterns read by the read unit, determines an exposure spot area where the graininess becomes good relatively, and controls the height of toner image on the photoconductor by setting the exposure spot area determined so as to be an exposure spot area for image formation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit including a developing device, a toner cartridge to supply toner to the developing device, a toner remaining amount sensor to detect a toner remaining amount in the developing device, a toner use amount detection mechanism to detect a parameter value for obtaining a use amount of toner, a first memory which is provided in the toner cartridge and to which a threshold of the parameter indicating a near empty state is previously inputted, and a control mechanism which determines necessity of a forcible toner supply operation based on a comparison between the detected parameter value and the threshold, and the toner remaining amount detected by the toner remaining amount sensor, and controls the image forming unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a development unit which develops an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier to form a visible image and includes an input unit adapted to accept input of a print job, an analysis unit adapted to analyze the print job, and a prediction unit adapted to predict, based on an analysis result by the analysis unit, a consumption amount of a developing material for printing the print job.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fixing device that can interrupt power supply to the resistive heat layer more reliably than the conventional technology, for example, at occurrence of abnormality. Electrodes 52a and 52b are provided on a circumferential surface of a fixing roller that includes a resistive heat layer that generates heat by receiving power supply, and power is supplied to the resistive heat layer when power supplying electrodes 54a and 54b that are electrically connected to an electric power source 55 are slidingly in contact with the electrodes 52a and 52b. An insulating tape 522a is attached on the electrode 52a, and the drive controller 59 rotates a motor 58 until the electrode 52a and the insulating tape 522a are in contact with each other, so that power supply to the resistive heat layer is interrupted.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member, a developing device for developing with toner an electrostatic image formed on the photosensitive member, a temperature/humidity sensor, and a storing portion for storing environmental information. In addition, a controller controls an image forming condition so that when a second temperature/humidity environment, measured by the temperature/humidity sensor, is different from a first temperature/humidity environment and when the image forming condition is changed to a second image forming condition different from a first image forming condition, a change amount of the image forming condition when the developing device is driven before the image forming condition is changed is larger than a change amount of the image forming condition when the developing device is not driven before the image forming condition is changed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an imaging unit, a fixing unit, a first thermometer, and a controller. The imaging unit forms a toner image on a recording medium conveyed along a media conveyance path. The fixing device is disposed downstream from the imaging unit along the media conveyance path to fix the toner image in place on the recording medium. The fixing device includes a fuser roller, a heat roller, an endless, fuser belt, and a pressure roller. The fuser roller has a cylindrical core of metal. The pressure roller presses against the fuser roller via the fuser belt to form a fixing nip therebetween. The first thermometer detects a first temperature at the cylindrical core of the fuser roller. The controller controls conveyance of the recording medium through the fixing nip according to the first temperature.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is capable of more directly solving a problem of unevenly formed line images. The image forming apparatus includes a rotatable photosensitive member, a light emission unit configured to emit a laser beam based on image information, and a transfer unit configured to transfer a toner image developed on the photosensitive member. The image forming apparatus acquires variable speed information, which indicates a variable rotation speed of the photosensitive member. In addition, the image forming apparatus executes image position correction on the image information based on the acquired variable speed information.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing member, a pressing member, a heating member, a movement mechanism, and a control unit. The fixing member fixes a toner image onto a recording material. The pressing member is pressed against an outer circumferential surface of the fixing member to form a fixing pressure part between the pressing member and the fixing member. The heating member heats the outer circumferential surface of the fixing member. The movement mechanism moves the heating member to contact with and be apart from the fixing member. The control unit controls the movement mechanism to move the heating member relatively apart from the fixing member after a predetermined time elapses after a trailing end of a recording material in a transport direction thereof passes through the fixing pressure part each time when a recording material passes through the fixing pressure part.

Abstract: An image heating device includes a rotatable member, an opposing member for forming a nip, between itself and the rotatable member, in which recording paper on which an image is carried is to be nip conveyed and heated, and a heater contacting the rotatable member's outer surface and including a belt, a first roller stretching the belt at an upstream side of the rotatable member with respect to a rotational direction of the rotatable member, a second roller downstream of the first roller, and first and second heating portions for heating the first and second rollers to first and second target temperatures, respectively. The device also includes a heating control portion for controlling the heater, and a portion for executing an operation in a control mode in which the second target temperature is set so as to be lower than the first target temperature.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided that can achieve a reduction in size while ensuring the necessary cooling performance. The image forming apparatus includes in an apparatus main body thereof: an image carrier; a developing device disposed to oppose the image carrier; a cooling fan; and a cooling duct flowing cool air from the cooling fan to at least the image carrier and the developing device, in which the cooling duct includes an image-carrier cooling duct that flows cool air to the image carrier; and a developing-device cooling duct that flows cool air to the developing device, and the image-carrier cooling duct and the developing-device cooling duct are disposed abreast front to back inside of the apparatus main body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a drum for bearing a toner image; a rotatable belt onto which the toner image is to be transferred from the drum; a primary transfer member for primary transferring the toner image from the drum onto the belt; a secondary transfer member for secondary transferring the toner image from the belt onto a transfer material; and a charging member for electrically charging toner remaining on the belt. The image forming apparatus is capable of executing a belt cleaning mode in which the toner remaining on the belt is electrically charged, and a charging member cleaning mode in which the toner is transferred from the charging member onto the belt and then onto the drum. When the charging member cleaning mode is executed, the charging member is moved at least once from a belt separation position or away from a belt contact position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a chassis having an opening, a cover, photosensitive members, an intermediate transfer belt, a primary-transfer member, a secondary-transfer roller, a cleaner device, a waste toner container, which is movable along a predetermined direction to be removably installed in the chassis through the opening and stores residual toner, a connector, and a feed roller, which is arranged within the feeding path to feed the recording sheet in the feeding path. The feed roller is arranged in a position to at least partially fall within a vertical range of the waste toner container and to be aligned with the waste toner container along an axial direction of the second feed roller.

Abstract: A developer supply container includes a cover plate mounted on an outer surface of a container body and provided with an opening corresponding to a developer supply port of the container body, which is sealed by a seal tape. The seal tape has a folded section extending through a gap between the container body and the cover plate and a through hole of the cover plate such that an end portion of the seal tape is exposed. A seal piece is mounted on an outer surface of the cover plate. On the outer surface of the container body a door member is slidably mounted. The developer supply container can prevent developer from leak out and has a good manufacturing yield rate.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus including a door 10 openable with respect to a main assembly of the image forming apparatus, a drum cartridge 8 detachably mountable to the image forming apparatus main assembly, and detachably mountable developing cartridges 4k-4y provided above the drum cartridge 8, wherein the door 10 includes a positioning urging portion 26 contacting the developing cartridges in a state in which the door 10 is closed, the door 10 includes drum cartridge mounting and demounting guides 28R and 28L for regulating the drum cartridge 8 so as to pass along a non-interference path with the positioning urging portion 26 in contact to the drum cartridge 8 when the drum cartridge 8 is demounted from the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a belt member for transferring a developed image formed on an image bearing member onto a recording material, and an opening provided to permit a cartridge including the image bearing member to enter inside of the image forming apparatus. In addition, a first guide portion guides the cartridge through the opening from a position where a bottom end portion of the image bearing member is below, with respect to a vertical direction, a transfer position where the image bearing member and the belt member contact each other when the cartridge is mounted, a second guide portion guides the cartridge from a position where the bottom end portion is below, with respect to the vertical direction, the transfer position to a position where the bottom end portion is above the transfer position, and a third guide portion guides the cartridge from the position where the bottom end portion is above, with respect to the vertical direction, the transfer position to the transfer position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording material, and detachably mounts process cartridges having photosensitive drums. The apparatus includes a main assembly, a rotatable openable member, a belt receiving an image or carrying the recording material, supporting members supporting the process cartridges at different levels and movable between drum-contacting and retracted positions, and a connecting member moving the supporting member when the openable members moves to position the supporting member at the drum-contacting position when the openable member is closed, and position the supporting member at the retracted position when the openable member is opened, and including a shaft whose axis crosses the openable member rotational axis, first connecting portions rotatably connected with respective supporting members, and a second connecting portion engaging the openable member and fixed to the shaft closer to the openable member than the first connecting portions are fixed to the shaft.

Abstract: A developing device detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, with the developing roller including an elastic roller portion and a core metal portion for supporting the roller portion, a developing device frame for rotatably supporting the developing roller, and a developer layer thickness regulating member, contacting the roller portion of the developing roller, for regulating a layer thickness of a developer carried on the developing roller.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus is provided, to which developing devices, each having an opening, and developer cartridges for respectively supplying a developing agent to the openings of the developing devices are mountable. The apparatus includes developing device shutters, each configured to open and close a respective one of the openings of the developing devices mounted to the apparatus; and a link mechanism configured to move the developing device shutters linked with each other.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus configured to form an image on a recording sheet is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a main body, a belt unit, and a pressing member configured to press the belt unit in a pressing direction crossing both a belt extending direction and an axial direction of a belt roller. A first positioning portion is disposed in the main body and a second positioning portion is disposed in the belt unit. A second positioning portion is disposed in the belt unit and configured to contact the first positioning portion to allow the belt unit to be positioned in the main body, and the pressing member is configured to press the belt unit such that the second positioning portion maintains contact with the first positioning portion.

Abstract: An upstream end of a guide surface of a recording material guide in the recording-material conveying direction is located on the same side as a separation belt-stretching roller with respect to an extension of the belt surface from the separation belt-stretching roller to a recessed portion formed in the belt surface by the separation assistance rollers.

Abstract: A fixing device for fixing a toner image onto a recording paper sheet includes a heating member for heating the recording paper sheet, a pressing member for applying a pressure by forming contact with the heating member, a casing accommodating the heating member and the pressing member, and provided with an exit port for discharging the recording paper sheet, and a closing portion arranged at the exit port for keeping a temperature of the casing. The closing portion has a rotation member, and an opposed member forming a nip region together with the rotation member. A separating unit for changing at least a part of the closing portion from a closed state to an open state.

Abstract: An image reading device is provided, which includes a controller configured to, when a carriage reaches a turn-around position in a moving direction, control a motor to once stop, then rotate in a second direction opposite to a first direction such that a planetary gear swings to a position separated from an output gear and that an intermediate gear moves to an engagement position to engage with the output gear, and thereafter again rotate in the first direction so as to transmit a driving force from the motor to the output gear via an input gear, a planetary gear, and the intermediate gear.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a cleaning member provided at a first side of a curved grid electrode plate that is curved in a short-side direction, the cleaning member being pressed against the curved grid electrode plate to clean the first side thereof; a receiving member provided at a second side of the curved grid electrode plate, the receiving member receiving a pressing load applied by the cleaning member; and a moving unit that moves the cleaning member and the receiving member in a long-side direction of the curved grid electrode plate. The cleaning member and the receiving member are formed such that a pressure based on the load that is applied to an end portion of the curved grid electrode plate in the short-side direction is higher than that applied to a central portion of the curved grid electrode plate in the short-side direction.

Abstract: A developing device in the embodiment includes: a developer carrier that carries a two-component developer, moves the surface, and supplies the toner to a latent image on a surface of a latent image carrier; a first conveying member that conveys the developer in a first conveying path; a second conveying member that conveys the developer in a second conveying path; and a developer passing unit that conveys upward the developer which has reached at a conveying-direction posterior end of the second conveying path and passes the developer to the first conveying path. The developer passing unit includes a plurality of pushing members that push up the developer. The developer can pass through from upper surfaces of the pushing members to lower surfaces of the pushing members.

Abstract: A development system (10) for an electrophotographic printer with multiple augers containing a development roller (11) and a first channel contains a feed auger (13) and developer, with a plurality of paddles (12) attached to the feed auger, at least some the paddles increase in size with respect to a previous paddle along a direction of developer flow (18). This arrangement of paddles ensures that a uniform layer of developer is formed on the development roller despite the volume of developer in the first channel decreasing along the length of the first channel in the direction of developer flow.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a discharge execution section for forcedly discharging toner from a developing device and forming a toner image on a photosensitive drum, in which a primary transfer roller transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum by the discharge execution section by applying, to a predetermined area part of the toner image, a first transfer bias having a predetermined transfer efficiency with respect to an intermediate transfer belt and applying, to a part excluding the predetermined area part of the toner image, a second transfer bias whose transfer efficiency is at least smaller than the predetermined transfer efficiency of the first transfer bias.

Abstract: A developer container 1 includes (i) a developer vessel 2, having a cylindrical shape, that carries and discharges toner contained therein through its first discharge opening 31 while the developer vessel 2 is being driven to rotate, and (ii) a developer supply section 3 which (a) supports the developer vessel 2 such that the developer vessel 2 can rotate, (b) temporarily stores the toner discharged from the first discharge opening 31, and (c) discharges the toner outside of the developer supply section 3 from a second discharge opening 5. The first discharge opening 31 is formed in an inclined surface 31a of an edge part of the developer vessel 2. The inclined surface 31a inclines, upstream of a direction in which the toner is carried along a shaft line L1, so as to be at angles with a surface perpendicular to the shaft line L1.

Abstract: A developer case has a main body, a cylindrical portion, and a rotating unit. The main body has a bottom wall. The cylindrical portion has a discharge port. The rotating unit is located so as to extend across the main body and the cylindrical portion, transports developer in the main body, and has a rotating shaft, a first transport member, a second transport member, and dispersing members. The rotating shaft has a first portion located in the main body and a second portion located in the cylindrical portion. The first transport member transports developer in a first transport direction from the cylindrical portion to the main body. The second transport member transports developer in a second transport direction from the main body to the cylindrical portion. The dispersing members move developer in the radial direction.

Abstract: Aspects described herein relate to a cap for a toner cartridge. In one example, the cap may be configured to close a toner supply opening of the toner cartridge. According to one or more aspects, the cap may include a sealing or covering portion configured to cover the toner supply opening and a shaft portion for rotatably supporting a to-be-detected rotary member. The to-be-detected rotary member 56 is rotatably supported around and fitted onto the shaft portion. Therefore, even if a toner supply opening of a cartridge is provided in a sidewall of the housing on a side where the to-be-detected rotary member is provided, e.g., a left sidewall, the toner supply opening and the to-be-detected rotary member can be provided in such a manner as to overlap each other.

Abstract: A carrier removing apparatus, including: an electrode, having a plurality of openings through which a carrier passes, disposed to oppose an image carrier, and a power source to apply a voltage onto the electrode so as to separate the carrier on the image carrier from the image carrier, wherein the electrode has a surface along a surface of the image carrier.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer belt having a circumferential length not less than 2,000 mm and is driven at a linear speed not less than 350 mm/sec and an inner circumferential surface having a surface roughness Ra of from 0.2 to 0.4 ?m (JIS B0601: '01), and including a substrate layer and a high-resistivity layer having a resistivity higher than that of the substrate layer, wherein the high-resistivity layer has a surface resistivity higher than that of the substrate layer by 0.3 to 2.5 log ?/? in common logarithm value when applied with a voltage of 500 V.

Abstract: A media stripper mechanism includes a shaft, one or more first stripping members, and one or more second stripping members. The shaft extends in an axial direction thereof parallel to a rotational axis of the rotary member. Each of the one or more first stripping members is a pneumatic nozzle that has a proximal end thereof supported on the shaft, and a distal, free end opposite the proximal end thereof pointing toward the rotary member to direct compressed gas toward the nip along the rotary member for stripping the recording medium from the rotary member. Each of the one or more second stripping members is a non-contact finger that has a proximal end thereof supported on the shaft, and a distal, free end opposite the proximal end thereof pointing toward the rotary member to assist in stripping the recording medium from the rotary member without contacting the rotary member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit forming an image on a sheet transported along a transport path in a printing operation; a sheet stacking unit in which the sheet ejected at the end of the transport path is stacked; a sheet detecting unit detecting the presence or absence of the sheet in the transport path; a counting unit counting number-of-sheet data of the sheet detected by the sheet detecting unit; and a control unit controlling the printing operation in accordance with a first print request from a print instructing unit for a print job and based on a count value obtained by the counting unit. The control unit clears the count value in the absence of a next print request from the print instructing unit within a predetermined time after completion of the printing operation.

Abstract: A computer-based learning system uses knowledge points organized with a predefined multilevel arrangement. Each knowledge point has an information set which may include a knowledge content, an evaluation content and a solution content. For a given knowledge point, the learning system provides the knowledge content and evaluation content, analyzes the user's answers to the evaluation content and determines the next knowledge point to be studied by the user based on the user's answers and the predefined multilevel arrangement of the knowledge points. The learning system thus provides a different learning course for different users to achieve individualized learning. User's learning history may be recorded to facilitate reviews by the user and improve the selection of the next knowledge point. Users may provide feedbacks on knowledge contents and evaluation contents, and may even suggest their own knowledge contents and evaluation contents to improve the learning system and user participation.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method that proactively identifies a student in need at an educational institution. The system allows for the educational institution to connect with the student, gather information, and provide assistance. Student needs that may be addressed are various and include academic, social, emotional, and spiritual. Because student needs are addressed in a timely and effective manner, the present invention may be used as a tool to increase retention rates at the educational institution.

Abstract: A curriculum progression pathway analysis assesses an educational program having multiple activities defining multiple learner tracks by organizing the learners into groups based on the learner tracks and, for each learner group, calculating a baseline average score, a post-activity average score, and statistical differences between the baseline average score and the post-activity average scores. Any significant statistical differences are identified, and a report may be generated describing statistical conclusions and inferences. The invention can further provide a domain-based learner analysis for curriculum, a domain-based learner analysis for activities, and a learner retention analysis. In an application for continuing medical education the performance index test includes a clinical vignette, a set of statements which are moved to either a best practices column or a not best practices column, and an indicator for an allowable number of moves to achieve a perfect score.