Abstract: A system is provided for recording and evaluating audience responses, for example, answers given to questions posed in television quiz shows. Responses are sensed using, for example, a membrane switch array, and timing information is generated by a timer. Data identifying responses and associated timing information is stored in a memory for later recall. When the responses are recalled, the associated timing information can be used to verify that a quiz-show participant made the response within the time period allowed according to the rules of the quiz.

Abstract: A method of teaching reading is provided in which symbols to be read are presented to the student. A mirror image of a reader reading the symbols is presented to aid the student's understanding of visible reading correlations. The method may be presented using electronic devices, such as a video tape recorder and a monitor, or using a "transparent flash card" in which a piece of transparent material has a display of symbols to be read and an area for viewing the reader and teacher.

Abstract: An audio-visual dummy including a rigid anthropomorphic structure with, instead of a head, a monitor for delivering an audiovisual message. The monitor is connected to a message reader system. The rigid structures can be placed on a base. The base includes a storage space. The power cords to the monitor are positioned in the lower part of the monitor so as to be concealed from observers. The rigid structure is made of a plastic or resinous material.

Abstract: The Personal Video Tutor invention is a new educational presentation procedure which promotes the mechanization of the educational process through the use of video display devices. It involves the simultaneous and constant display of the instructor/tutor's visage, superimposed in a readily discernable way, over and along with the display of the educational material which is to be assimilated or learned by the student. The instructor/tutor's "live" image is captured and positioned so as to create the sensation that the student is being individually tutored in a non-threatening, conversational manner. The image may be scalably enlarged or reduced and position anywhere on the display.

Abstract: A helicopter flight simulator having improvements in visual cues and modeling. The unique visual cues include terrain following shadows and hazing, the latter approximating a set of atmospheric conditions. The unique modeling features include a user selectable zoom, horizontal and vertical ground avoidance, and an autorotation model.

Abstract: The invented computer simulation playback method includes the steps of recording commands entered during use of a simulation, operating the simulation with the recorded commands and allowing new commands to be entered at any point during the step of operating the simulation with the recorded commands. More specifically, the invented method runs a simulation on a computer system that includes a user input device and a visual display. Images are shown on the display and the person using the simulation enters commands through the user input device. The commands affect the images shown on the visual display and are recorded in the sequence that they were entered. The method then runs the simulation again and automatically enters the recorded commands in the same sequence that they were recorded so that substantially the same images that were produced when the commands were initially entered are displayed again. During that step, new commands can be entered.

Abstract: An interactive learning system used for learning an application program, such as a word processing program, provides three basic types of instruction including interactive audiovisual lessons, reference information, and practice in using the actual application program being learned. The reference information may include relatively detailed reference information, relatively brief reference information, and customized reference information generated via an electronic clipboard. The subject matter of the application program is subdivided into different subject matter areas or units, and the user of the system may select to receive lessons relating to any of the units. The interactive learning system provides three learning paths, one of which comprises completing all of the lessons in a unit and then using the features of the actual application program relating to the unit that was just completed to reinforce the instruction received by the user.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for building a help function in the form of a tutorial that physically demonstrates to an end user the function that the end user wants to understand. The invention includes a script language that includes tags or commands that the information developer can use in demonstrating the application program and providing tutorial information to the user. The system includes an interpreter that interprets the script language.

Abstract: A virtual reality flight control system displays to the pilot the image of a scene surrounding a vehicle or pod having six degrees of freedom of acceleration or velocity control by the pilot and traveling through inertial space, the image itself including a superimposed figure providing the pilot an instant reference of orientation consisting of superimposed sets of geometric figures whose relative orientations provide the pilot an instantaneous feel or sense of orientation changes with respect to some fixed coordinate system. They include a first set of geometric figures whose orientations are fixed to the pilot's vehicle and a second set of geometric figures whose orientations are fixed with respect to a fixed or interstellar coordinate system.

Abstract: Method and system for reducing illiteracy of individuals accompanied by improvements in functionality utilizing computer technology to integrate multi-sensory stimuli for synthesis of individualized instruction, evaluation, and prescription for advancement of communications skills. The method is employed to, for instance, advance a learner from status as a nonreader to being a skilled user of a language to express ideas and concepts.

Abstract: A system and method for generating and presenting a lesson plan comprising audiovisual materials to a classroom. The system enables the automatic connection of audiovisual output signals from one or more audiovisual resources to classroom monitors in accordance with a predetermined sequence called a "lesson plan." The lesson plan includes labels for identifying selected ones of the audiovisual resources, and control commands for controlling the selected audiovisual resources. At a scheduled date and time, the lesson plan is loaded into the system and processed to automatically connect the output signals from selected audiovisual resources to specified monitors, and also to control the playback of the resources.The system also includes a software program for generating the lesson plan and saving it for a future presentation. To assist with the generation and presentation, a database of available materials and a scheduling program are also provided.

Abstract: A method for teaching microsurgical operation techniques, the teacher demonstrating the operation technique to be taught on an operation model, whereby the operation field is observed by the teacher through a microscope and recorded by at least one video camera, whose signals are presented by a monitor or by a video projector on a large screen projector. For instructing several students, a multiple student-station laboratory is provided whereby for each student a like operation model with a microscope, and at least one video camera are arranged, and the signals generated from the video camera are transmitted to a distributor, which presents the signals of each video camera from each student station on a multiple field monitor, which is observed by the teacher and whereby there is furthermore means for oral communication between the student and the teacher.

Abstract: A driver training system for a user of a simulated vehicle. The system includes input devices for controlling the simulated vehicle, a video display having three dimensional graphics, a computer, modeling software for determining position information based on the input devices, atmospheric effects software to simulate time-of-day and weather conditions, and realistic operating feedback software for simulating on the input devices the feedback normally experienced with operating the vehicle. One aspect of the preferred embodiment is a system including a low frequency speaker mounted on an enclosure adjacent to the simulation user's seat through which road feel cues such as hitting an object are transmitted to the user in response to signals received from the computer. Another aspect of the invention is the a system for simulating the feel to the user of anti-lock brakes on a brake pedal in response to signals received the computer.

Abstract: A driver training system for a user of a simulated vehicle. The system includes input devices for controlling the simulated vehicle, a video display having three-dimensional graphics, modeling software for determining position information based on the input devices, atmospheric effects software to simulate time-of-day and weather conditions, and recursive training software to display a previous route through an environment simultaneously with a present route through the environment together with associated performance data. Another aspect of the recursive training software replays either the previous route or present route and controls one of the input devices to provide "hands-on" feedback to the user. The user then incrementally and recursively maximizes parameters associated with vehicle operation skill. The driver training system may be embodied as a vehicle simulator.

Abstract: In an apparatus having a video display and display-synchronizing motion mechanism, various images can be easily selected and displayed, and a seat or the like is moved in synchronism with motions in the images, so that a person can enjoy the images as if real. An information select unit specifies a desired one of a plurality of video/motion information pieces recorded on a storage medium, and an information read unit reads the specified video/movement information. Images formed by video information contained in the readout video/motion information are displayed on a display device, and the seat or the like is moved in synchronism with the images on the basis of motion information contained therein. A monitor unit monitors the readout video/motion information, and stops a read operation of the information read unit when the apparatus malfunctions.

Abstract: A driver training system for a user of a simulated vehicle. The system includes input devices for controlling the simulated vehicle, a video display having three-dimensional graphics, modeling software for determining position information based on the input devices, and recursive training software to display a previous route through an environment simultaneously with a present route through the environment. The user then incrementally and recursively maximizes parameters associated with vehicle operation skill. In addition, a present user may compete with one or more previous users by having previously recorded routes played back on the video display simultaneously with the route of the present user. The driver training system may be embodied as an arcade game.

Abstract: An electronic library which comprises a user interface such as a computer screen, a speaker, a mouse and/or a keyboard; a processor for handling communication with the user and for responding to user requests; and a data store. The data store maintains scanned segments of video data, audio data, or both, and translated replicas of the scanned segments. Searching for specific data is performed by perusing through the translated replicas, but the information that is provided to the user is primarily the scanned segments themselves. The translated versions contain the immediately translatable version of the displayable information and processed information that forms various aggregations of the displayable information. This processing imposes a syntactically logical structure on the displayable information.