Abstract: A smart musical instrument system may include a musical instrument, a first sensor, a second sensor, a processor device, and a reminder device. The first sensor may be configured to obtain first performance data reflecting operations of the musical instrument. The may be second sensor configured to receive second performance data associated with hand posture of a user of the smart instrument system. The processor device may be in communication with the first sensor and the second sensor, and may be configured to generate feedback based on at least one of the first performance data or the second performance data. The reminder device may be configured to deliver the feedback to the user.

Abstract: The system allows training and qualification of a user performing a skill-related training exercise involving body motion in a workspace. A training environment is selected through a computer apparatus, and variables, parameters and controls of the training environment and the training exercise are adjusted. Use of an input device by the user is monitored. The 3D angles and spatial coordinates of reference points related to the input device are monitored through a detection device. A simulated 3D dynamic environment reflecting effects caused by actions performed by the user on objects is computed in real time as a function of the training environment selected. Images of the simulated 3D dynamic environment in real time are generated on a display device viewable by the user as a function of a computed organ of vision-object relation. Data indicative of the actions performed by the user and the effects of the actions are recorded and user qualification is set as a function of the recorded data.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for teaching music to one or more students. The instructor's manual operation of a musical instrument controls in real-time the illumination of guide lamps on each student's musical instrument. This allows the students to visually connect the note to be played with the instructor's verbal instruction and then play the visually indicated note without having to look up at the instructor or a distant display. In another embodiment, the instructor's manual operation of his musical instrument provides a score display of the played note on each student's musical instrument. The students can visually connect the played note with the musical notation on the score display. Remote teaching over a communication network is also described as well as a removable interface for the musical instrument to assist in teaching and use of the instrument.

Abstract: A finger detector is worn on a finger of a player. When a key on a keyboard is pressed down, a pressure sensor of the finger detector sends a pressure detection signal to a PC main body, and the finger used to press down the key is detected based on the signal. When it is determined that an improper finger is used to press down the key, a beep sound is generated from a speaker.

Abstract: A data-entry device having manually operable input means arranged in zones for operation by corresponding fingers of a user. The device includes means for color coding such that each zone is assigned a color and successive zones display colors ordered according to their relative positions within a spectrum-ordered color pattern. In one embodiment the device includes a keyboard, such as for a computer or typewriter, wherein the keys of the keyboard are color-coded according to a spectrum-ordered color pattern. The invention also provides a method of color coding a data-entry device.

Abstract: An error feedback system for use in correcting habitual keyboarding errors makes use of a set of markers for the keys that are mis-keyed. Each marker has an indicating side which can be identified by a user by feel and an adhering side which allows the marker to be adhered to the top surface of the key. The indicating side provides immediate feedback about a keyboarding error so that the error is not reinforced and repeat errors are minimized.

Abstract: An apparatus for teaching efficient typing comprises a glove (10) having a wristband (14), a backhand section (16) adjacent the wristband, a plurality of finger sleeves (18) adjacent the backhand section and having an opening at a distal end for exposing a fingertip, and a plurality of visually different finger codes (28) extending from said finger sleeves toward said wristband, and a keyboard (12) bearing key codes that visually correspond to the finger codes.

Abstract: An improved opaque computer keyboard cover (10) which covers only the three- or four alpha-numeric rows of the keyboard (12). Function and format keys (12) are not covered which provides a one-size-fits-all design. This configuration eliminates the need to order from 3000 various keyboard cover sizes. This cover is for use in keyboarding instruction and prevents peeking to accelerate user memorization. This cover can also be imprinted with a language option layout or Dvorak keyboard layout thus fully conforming the keyboard layout to one of the 60 or so languages available in the computer operating system keyboard preference options.

Abstract: Educational devices using process-oriented methods are disclosed to prepare pre-school/school children, and teenagers for keyboarding. The devices include dual sets of hand/digit/phalange representations with indicia mounted thereon to provide pictorial and/or alphanumeric representations of a keyboard of arbitrary form and content. Such representations with indicia are adaptive to the growth and development, and preferences of the learner whether in the form of wearable devices embodied as gloves/digit-portions/rings, or non-wearable devices embodied as software-generated screen-displayed images, or as hardware implementations spanning planar and three-dimensional structures.

Abstract: Educational devices using process-oriented educational methods are disclosed to prepare pre-school children, school children, and teenagers for keyboarding. The devices include sets of gloves and indicia applied to the fingers of the gloves to provide pictorial and alphanumeric representations of the computer keyboard. The visual and tactile memorization of the glove images are complemented by auditory and associative memorization provided by a story-telling educational method. Synergistic use of the gloves in the context of supervised story-telling also trains the pre-school children to develop and practice both lateral and vertical thinking skills.sup.1-2, thus preparing them for coping creatively with the inherent hardware/software limitations of computers. The memorization of the alphanumeric representation of the computer keyboard is reinforced through synergistic use of the gloves in a variety of activities including learning the alphabet, learning word-spelling, and learning languages.

Abstract: Educational devices using process-oriented educational methods are disclosed to prepare pre-school children, school children, and teenagers for keyboarding. The devices include sets of gloves and indicia applied to the fingers of the gloves to provide pictorial and alphanumeric representations of the computer keyboard. The visual and tactile memorization of the glove images are complemented by auditory and associative memorization provided by a story-telling educational method. Synergistic use of the gloves in the context of supervised story-telling also trains the pre-school children to develop and practice both lateral and vertical thinking skills.sup.1-2, thus preparing them for coping creatively with the inherent hardware/software limitations of computers. The memorization of the alphanumeric representation of the computer keyboard is reinforced through synergistic use of the gloves in a variety of activities including learning the alphabet, learning word-spelling, and learning languages.

Abstract: Educational devices using process-oriented educational methods are disclosed to prepare pre-school children, school children, and teenagers for keyboarding. The devices include sets of gloves and indicia applied to the fingers of the gloves to provide pictorial and alphanumeric representations of the computer keyboard. The visual and tactile memorization of the glove images are complemented by auditory and associative memorization provided by a story-telling educational method. Synergistic use of the gloves in the context of supervised story-telling also trains the pre-school children to develop and practise both lateral and vertical thinking skills, thus preparing them for coping creatively with the inherent hardware/software limitations of computers. The memorization of the alphanumeric representation of the computer keyboard is reinforced through synergistic use of the gloves in a variety of activities including learning the alphabet, learning word-spelling, and learning languages.

Abstract: Educational devices using process-oriented educational methods are disclosed to prepare pre-school children, school children, and teenagers for keyboarding. The devices include sets of gloves and indicia applied to the fingers of the gloves to provide pictorial and alphanumeric representations of the computer keyboard. The visual and tactile memorization of the glove images are complemented by auditory and associative memorization provided by a story-telling educational method. Synergistic use of the gloves in the context of supervised story-telling also trains the pre-school children to develop and practise both lateral and vertical thinking skills.sup.1-2, thus preparing them for coping creatively with the inherent hardware/software limitations of computers. The memorization of the alphanumeric representation of the computer keyboard is reinforced through synergistic use of the gloves in a variety of activities including learning the alphabet, learning word-spelling, and learning languages.

Abstract: A color-coded method and apparatus of learning to type is disclosed having three sets of flash cards which teach the location of keyboard symbols and the appropriate finger to employ a given symbol by the use of a predetermined sector-color-coded keyboard. The invention also includes adhesive backed colored appliques matching the sector-color-coding which can be removably applied to the fingers or another support to provide a means for initial learning of the method prior to practicing the method. Finally, the keyboard is covered with the color appliques according to the predetermined sector color code and a look-away image of the predetermined sector-color-coded keyboard is provided to prevent the user from looking at the keyboard while typing. This system can also be applied to other multiple finger actuated input devices.

Abstract: A keyboard instruction system (10) is disclosed which uses a left hand finger guide (12) and a right hand finger guide (14). The finger guides have a color coding for each finger on the hands and the character representing the home key that each finger is to be used for in touch typing. Overlays, bearing large, highly visible key symbols are placed on the keys of the keyboard in colors corresponding to the color coding of the finger guides so that it is clear which keys each finger should be used for.

Abstract: A doll construction is disclosed wherein fingerprints are provided for each doll, with a different set of fingerprints for each doll, and with a record being provided for recording fingerprint data and other information concerning the characteristics of each doll. A similar record of information is maintained for the child owning the doll. A listing of safety rules is also provided for use by the parents and the child. The doll construction is provided as a means of encouraging parents to fingerprint their children and to educate them by teaching them the safety rules, thus avoiding having the child become missing from his or her family. In one embodiment, a code is selected for the fingerprints of each doll, utilizing letters such as an"O", a "U" and an inverted "U" with such code letters being provided on each of the fingers and thumb of the doll in the position which would be for the fingerprints of a real person.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with an improvement of a tooth brush for keeping users' decayed teeth and gingival portion in a hygeine and healthy condition comprising a grip portion of a tooth brush shank to be held between their thumb and first finger with respect to their lower jaw and upper jaw, which shank being formed intermediate thereof in an opposedly inclined shape so as to enable them to cleanly brush their tooth especially cased with gold and also whole gingival surface area by a finger massage operation. The invention further involves a construction wherein the grip portion of tooth brush shank is provided rearwardly with a projection which is adapted to press against the gingival portions thereby enabling users to perceive the seat of gingivitis at an earlier stage by feeling pain when the projection is applied to their gingival portion.

Abstract: A typewriter instruction device is provided wherein the student has small ferromagnetic tips at the ends of his fingers while the typewriter keys have electromagnets which attract the student's correct finger when an instruction to type a certain key is given. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, permanent magnets are employed at the fingertips with alternating polarities on adjacent fingertips, while the electromagnets have reversed alternating polarities, so that the correct finger is not only attracted to the proper key but adjacent fingers are actually repelled.