Abstract: A system for enhancing reading performance operates on a network-connected server with software executing from a non-transitory medium at the server providing an interactive interface for a user connected to the server via a browser link. There is a data repository coupled to the server. The interactive interface provides a word search exercise for the user for improving the user's reading performance, displays a passage comprising a first number of words and a search list with a second number of words that each appear at least once in the passage, the second number smaller than the first number, and when the user clicks on every word in the passage for a word that appears in the search list, that word is indicated in the list as found, until all the words in the search list have been indicated as found.

Abstract: This invention is a method of analyzing and preparing electronic text in such a way as to set values for each word in terms of recognizability, comprehensibility, and parts of speech for later emphasis and marking for printing or display on an electronic device. When used on electronic display devices it further employs methods which permit the user to limit eye movement by displaying such text one or a few words at a time. This invention also enhances the ability of small electronic devices to display textual information by providing a method of display which is more suitable for small display areas. The invention is made up of two sections. The first analyzes the text to be displayed and grades each word in such a way as to substantially anticipate the difficulty in understanding each word the reader will have when it subsequently is displayed.

Abstract: An automatic reading system provides a system and methods of evaluating a user's reading skills while the user is reading out loud. The automatic reading system adjusts text of an electronic book as the user is reading to increase or decrease a level profile of the electronic book. The automatic reading system also provides reading recommendations, feedback, and marketing data.

Abstract: A diagnostic system and method for evaluating one or more phonological awareness, phonological processing and reading skills of an individual to detect phonological awareness, phonological processing and reading skill deficiencies in the individual so that the risk of developing a reading deficiency is reduced and existing reading deficiencies are remediated. The system may use graphical games to test the individual's ability in a plurality of different phonological awareness, phonological processing and reading skills. The system may use speech recognition technology to interact with the tests.

Abstract: A system for generating video pictures including various images. The system defines a target number of video images eligible for display, identifies target display positions for the images and selects various basic images from game memory. A number of change candidates is selected from among the basic images eligible for display and a change option is selected for each change candidate. The selected change options are executed to define a number of changed images, which may then be displayed with a number of the basic images to define the video pictures. The display system may be advantageously employed to generate pictures in a video game in which points are awarded for identifying the changed images.

Abstract: A method for instructing the reading impaired by coding into thought forms words without pictures. Each word without a picture is coded onto a sheet. Each coding sheet has a word printed in large letters in a shadowed lower case and in a standard type face. The sheet also contains a definition of the word, several sample sentences with the word in it, and a picture scene enacting one of the sentences or suggesting an application of the word. The sheet is used as a tool enabling a student to convert the word into a retrievable thought form.

Abstract: A teaching aid for increasing the reading efficiency of a dyslexic. The teaching aid comprises a transparent sheet of material having a plurality of horizontal color gradient that is placed over an area of text to be read. Preferably, each color gradient covers a single line of text. When the color gradient covers the text area, a less distracting environment is created and allows the dyslexic reader to more readily focus and concentrate on the lines of text.

Abstract: A method for instructing and aiding disabled readers by dividing multi-syllabic words in a passage into their single syllable components and placing a dot above the vowel, vowel diphthong, or vowel digraph which contributes to the distinctive sound of that syllable. Word division is accomplished by placing an extra half-space between the letters of adjacent syllables to prevent confusion between syllables and separate words. This method can be supplemented or reinforced by the use of audio tapes and text material without the divisions and markings.

Abstract: A method of teaching children with reading and speaking dysfunctions. The inventive method utilizes a deck of cards upon which are imprinted on the faces of the cards selected letters of the alphabet and selected combinations of letters of the alphabet. The child is taught to utilize the cards in accordance with prescribed rules to form words and to pronounce the words formed. This therapeutic and diagnostic teaching method is presented to the child in a game format which stimulates interest and a will to succeed.

Abstract: The invention comprises three-dimensional characters, i.e., letters and/or numerals, which have discretely colored indicia thereon to distinguish left-hand and right-hand sides of the characters, so that a student of writing and/or reading will know how to position each character to dispose the same in a correct orientation. In this, one colored indicia must always be at the left-hand side, and the other colored indicia must always be at the right-hand side. Included is a color-coded guide in which, slidably, to set the characters; the coloring of the guide complements the left- and right-hand colored indicia of the characters.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for restricting field of vision so as to provide a dyslexic reader physical means for narrowing field-of-sight concentration in order to prevent eye wander and aid in normal compensatory sight narrowing by the reader. The method comprises an obfuscation of the peripheral field of vision while concurrently focusing or providing clear viewing means in the centralized, enhanced narrow reading field. The aforesaid method is readily accomplished by use of either the pin-hole camera, consisting of a minute aperture in an eye-enveloping, obfuscating field or, more practically, a set of spectacles consisting essentially of opacified or defocusing lenses having with them a centralized clear field-of-vision lens, window or aperture which effectively accomplishes in both eyes of the dyslexic reader what the pin-hole aperture does for a single eye.

Abstract: A toy adapted to instruct young children by association. The toy teaches proper numeric, alphabetic, or color sequences and the standard left to right reading convention, by utilizing blocks that are inserted into shafts in a stand. Blocks inserted out of proper sequence will fall through the stand but passage of blocks inserted in the proper sequence will be obstructed and those blocks will not fall through but will remain supported within the stand.

Abstract: A portable viewer for reading, which has a rectangular-shaped case. The case has two sides parallel longitudinally and two sides parallel widthwise. Each side has an inner edge so that the four inner edges define a viewing slot. A sliding panel is slidably movable longitudinally between the longitudinal inner edges and has a width at least as wide as the widthwise inner edges. A shutter is slidably movable traversely between the widthwise inner edges and has a length at least as long as the longitudinal inner edges. A clear tinted lens rests on the sliding panel and can be extended beyond the end of the sliding panel into the viewing slot. A magnifying lens is provided at the top of the case in the viewing slot to distinguish the viewing field from the rest of a page. Internal illumination is provided, which also helps to distinguish the viewing field.

Abstract: A reading and spelling teaching system primarily for auditory dyslexics and visual dyslexics having a phonogram classification board with the seven categories of vowel sounds depicted, phonogram cards with the major vowel sounds of each vowel group (a, e, i, o, u), consonant cards depicting through pictures the consonant sounds and consonant blends/consonant diagraph sounds, and a teaching device in the form of a game for reinforcement of the phonograms.

Abstract: The present invention is an educational aid for the teaching of different spellings for each of at least two vowel sounds. It comprises a board marked with the common symbol for each of the vowel sounds. In a circular indentation wedge-shaped pieces are housed, each piece having a spelling for one of the vowel sounds marked thereon. One surface of each piece is colored with the color which exists around the marking of its vowel sound on the board. The other side of each piece is similarly marked but not colored.

Abstract: A teaching apparatus especially for dyslectic students of the type wherein a platen carrying the work lesson is movable between a raised position in which the indicia on the worksheet is readily traceable by a student on tracing paper positioned over a window above the platen to a lowered position where the indicia on the worksheet gradually becomes indiscernible to the student. A bellows is moved to a collapsed position in response to movement of the platen to its raised position and the bellows is operative when extended to move the platen to its lowered position. Valve means are provided to selectively control the rate at which air is allowed to move back into the collapsed bellows to thereby control the rate of extension of the bellows and the rate at which the platen returns to its lowered position.

Abstract: An instructional system is provided for training persons to more accurately interpret visually perceived stimuli. The system utilizes a kit comprised of figure pages and a set of checking cards for each figure page. The figure pages contain groups of figures in different orientations, including mirror-image relationships. Each checking card has a figure corresponding to a figure of the associated figure page. Repetitious matching of the checking cards with the figures of a given figure page fosters development of improved perception of mirror-image relationships.

Abstract: A method of and structure for improving the reading efficiency of persons with specific dyslexia. The method of effecting such improvement includes providing to the dyslexiac reading material wherein the reading matter has a brightness substantially greater than that of the background on which the reading matter is provided. In the illustrated embodiment, the ratio of the brightness of the reading matter to the background is at least approximately 10 to 1. In a preferred form, the background is black and the reading matter is white. The treatment of the reading problem is advantageously adapted for increasing the reading speed of persons with specific dyslexia.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a novel teaching apparatus for exposing and fading visual stimuli, e.g., shapes, letters, symbols and the like, and to novel methods for teaching and/or reinforcing the perpetual-motor learning process.