Abstract: In certain implementations, creation of an educational test may be facilitated based on prior performance with individual test questions. A user input indicating a subject matter for a test, one or more question categories related to the subject matter, and a questionee group for which the test is intended may be received. A plurality of questions may be obtained based on the user input. For each question of the plurality of questions, a question performance metric value associated with the question (that is calculated based on prior performance of one or more questionees with the question) may be obtained. A test performance metric value associated with the test may be calculated based on the question performance metric values associated with at least some questions of the plurality of questions. The at least some questions and the test performance metric value may be provided for presentation on a user interface.

Abstract: Provided are a method of on online test and an online test server for simply evaluating idea creation skills. A test is conducted online, in which a number of examinees are prompted to repeat a task of choosing a situation setting involving 5W1H from a plurality of options describing ideas corresponding to the situation setting as many times as possible within a time limit, and total scores are calculated for answers of the examinees by assigning weight according to predetermined criteria, thereby evaluating an innovation ability, such as an ability to create a lot of valuable ideas, an ability to create a variety of valuable ideas, or an ability to create rare valuable ideas.

Abstract: A web application facilitates live on-line academic competition between teams and individuals based on multiple choice or fill-in-the-blank questions and fosters academic competition between students and schools. Using the software application, a team's Coach may enter his/her team in a league of regular competition, schedule a single competition with another team, or organize a competition between the team's members by dividing the team into multiple teams. The test environment provides the experience of competing over test questions, including a scoreboard that keeps track of progress with respect to the test time and the opponent. Students of comparable abilities on competing teams are matched using a matching algorithm that matches the students based on past test performance and the like.

Abstract: A plurality of substantially simultaneous inputs are associated with one or more applications, wherein it is determined if the plurality of inputs includes unacceptable inputs and wherein unacceptable inputs are ignored.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems are described for bumping a mobile device, such as a smart phone, against a fixed poster board display at a store to initiate a download of coupons, advertisements, or other benefits to the mobile device. Products can be rated by a user's up/down bump or other bump patterns. Using accelerometer-based inertial measurements, multiple users can control multiple mouse cursors on a large display with their mobile devices in order to select information to be downloaded to their mobile devices. The multiple users can bump the display in order to select their items simultaneously.

Abstract: One or more wireless speaker units can be distributed through a room, such as a classroom. One or more instructor units can communicate with the speaker unit via base station. Audio pathways can selectively be provided between speaker units, between speaker units and instructor units and between instructor units. A remote control can be used to control the available audio pathways.

Abstract: A method/apparatus/system for educational intervention based on a response metric is disclosed. The notice is generated in response to the collection of user and question data, the sending of questions, the receipt of answers, the evaluation of the correctness of the answers, the generation of a response metric, the comparison of the response metric to a threshold, and the generation of the report or notice. The response metric can be reflect the scatter, randomness, and/or slope of student provided answer data, and can be a fractal dimension.

Abstract: A computer implementable system for establishing and managing visual images presenting a choice, and for presenting a voting functionality which may be implemented over the internet for example. The system may be linked to unrelated internet sites such as social networks for source material for the images, for displaying the images and voting functionality, and for displaying voting results. The system may be directly accessed from websites such as social network accounts, and may be structured to present the choice and voting functionality selectively to remote participants. A lightbox for generating suitable images from the internet may be provided.

Abstract: A question item comprising: textual, visual or auditory subject matter; a query or instruction pertaining to the subject matter; and a representation of a response mechanism for receiving a user response to the query or instruction, may be retrieved from a data store. The subject matter, query or instruction and response mechanism may be presented in a presentation sequence, wherein a presentation duration of each of the subject matter, query or instruction and response mechanism is controlled by user input. Based on the user input, a presentation duration of each of the subject matter, query or instruction, and response mechanism may be determined. Each of the three presentation durations may be stored. A completion time may be determined based on one or more of the presentation durations and may be stored along with response accuracy, for use in calculating a user competency measure for the question item.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of providing sets of user comments as answers to a question includes receiving a question from a user. The question includes information posted by the user on a website. The computer-implemented method also includes constructing a query from the question. Further, the computer-implemented method includes analyzing the query. Furthermore, the computer-implemented method includes extracting the sets of user comments related to the question from a database. Moreover, the computer-implemented method includes rendering the sets of user comments as answers to the question.

Abstract: A method and system for determining an answerer is disclosed. The method includes: receiving a question from an asker; obtaining history answering statistics information of each online answerer, where an online answerer is a user with a label which represents that the user is available to answer a question; and determining from all online answerers at least one answerer for the question according to the history answering statistics information of each online answerer. With the method and system, an answerer which is available and suitable to answer a question can be determined for the question, and thus the question can be more likely to be answered quickly and correctly.

Abstract: The Wireless Internet Classroom Environment (WICE) is a system comprising a Personal Computer and a number of tablet computers, plus the software programs that form tools that allow schools to fully digitalize their classrooms. This system can create a completely electronic and paperless learning environment which still incorporates the experience of face to face learning and hands-on activities. There are two software functions to the WICE. The teacher would install the “server” software on the Teacher-PC which has internet access and WiFi tethering capabilities. The students would install the “client” software on their Personal Digital Assistant (Student-PDA) devices, or tablet computers which have WiFi terminal capabilities. The Teacher-PC and Student-PDAs together form a wireless classroom learning environment where the teacher can deliver the class materials electronically while maintaining control and engagement of all students.

Abstract: A game device provides a question to a plurality of players. The game device counts the number of players each having provided an answer to the question or each having provided a correct answer to the question. When the counted number of players reaches a predetermined number of players, a predetermined time limit is set. The game device measures an elapsed time from when the time limit has been set (i.e., a correct answer elapsed time), and stops accepting an answer to the question when the correct answer elapsed time reaches the time limit.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for providing a multi-player game system using standard consumer electronics equipment. For example, a system for playing multi-player games on a DVD player and other standard consumer electronics equipment receives commands from player remote controls in response to prompts from a game being played on the DVD player and other standard consumer electronics equipment. An electronic control mechanism determines which of the player remote controls first responds to the prompt. If necessary, the electronic control mechanism translates commands from the remote controls to commands compatible with and understandable by the DVD player and other standard consumer electronics equipment. A transmitter then sends the commands to the DVD player and other standard consumer electronics equipment. Based on those commands, the game proceeds until completed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for allowing an email request to be sent to a group of recipients which requires one person to accept the request or task. Obtaining notification of the acceptance and completion status of the task is accomplished solely through exchanged emails, without the use of standalone tracking or modification to the underlying email system functionality. One responder emails are sent to a group of recipients, and when an accepting recipient accepts the request, the sender and non-accepting recipients are notified via email that the request has been accepted. Similarly, emails can be sent to the sender and non-accepting recipients that the request has been completed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a wireless learning system that includes a master control unit and a plurality of trigger units. Each trigger unit is able to wirelessly communicate with the master control unit and the other trigger units. Each trigger unit further includes at least one trigger switch and can provide an indication when that trigger unit is the first one of the trigger units to have its trigger switch actuated.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for computerized training, monitoring, certification or re-certification of human raters in clinical trials. The invention provides an interactive computerized interview that can be compared scores obtained by human raters to monitor and train clinical raters on a continuing basis in order to reduce rater drift and variance during clinical trials. Remediation can be automatically flagged or provided to improve a deviating rater's performance. Computerized assessment of symptom severity is provided without the need for human clinical raters. The system and method enable screening of prospective patients for inclusion or exclusion from a clinical trial by automatically obtaining computerized ratings of symptom severity.

Abstract: A wireless response system includes a base unit and a plurality of handheld response units communicating with the base unit over a wireless communication link. The base unit sends polling commands to the response units over the wireless communication. The response units send the response data to the base unit over the wireless communication link in response to the polling signals. The response data is entered in the respective response units by a user.

Abstract: A wireless lockout apparatus, a system and a method for using the same are provided for receiving wireless signals from individual transmitters. When a first signal has a code that matches a reference code in a decoder, the decoder locks out subsequent signals and only allows the first transmitted signal to be routed through the processor. The processor determines which contestant sent the signal by interpreting the coded signal and indicates audibly and/or visually to which contestant the signal corresponded. A master transmitter has a bonus button and a reset button. The bonus button indicates a bonus question condition in a particular game. The reset button unlocks the decoder and allows the system to receive contestants' signals transmitted wirelessly.

Abstract: A portable device for selecting a member of a group at random, or, at the desire of the operator, for selecting each member of the group exactly once in random order, i.e., in random sequence. The device can also select members in sequence, without randomizing the order. The device stores multiple groups in its electronic memory so that the operator can use the device as an aid in several different settings, e.g., in the case of a teacher using the device with different classes of students.

Abstract: The present invention is an electronic teaching system containing two principal components: a projection frame and a hand-held remote unit. The projection frame mediates the electronic test and holds a transparency on an overhead projector so that the transparency may be projected for an entire class to view. Typically the transparency features a series of questions and possible answers to the questions. The projection frame asks the questions and displays the results of the testing process. In a preferred embodiment the projection frame bears a series of pointers, one for each question. When a given question is asked, the corresponding pointer becomes illuminated. Students participate in the test by matching the correct answer to the appropriate question. The students use the second component of the present invention, the hand-held remote unit which bears a keyboard, to answer the question currently being asked by the projection frame.

Abstract: A video game apparatus is provided for use in conjunction with a remotely controllable audio visual playback device, such as a video cassette player. The game apparatus comprises a learning remote control which is programmed with remote control signals such as pause and restart signals for the particular audio visual playback device with which it is to be used. A plurality of hand-held switches are coupled to the remote control so that when one of the switches is actuated the audio visual playback is paused. In this way, a plurality of players may play a prerecorded question and answer type quiz game, wherein the first player to actuate his or her hand-held switch is allowed time to answer the preceding question whilst the audio visual playback is paused.

Abstract: A quiz controller for developing a time-ordered list of contestant responses. A microprocessor-based main unit is in electronic communication with one or more players interfaces. Each player interfaces may have up to eight contestant pushbuttons. The main unit includes a digital display on a front panel and a digital display on a back panel. The main unit also includes four control pushbuttons which control two timers, the contestant display, and clearing the system. The control pushbuttons also may be used to reset the parameters of the game.

Abstract: An event adjudicator (10) comprising a first event register (14) capable of registering the occurrence of each of a plurality of local events, a second event register (16) capable of registering the occurrence of one or more remote events, which local and remote events constitute a group of events, an adjudicator (12) capable of determining which event of the group of events occurred first and providing an output accordingly. An interface (16) comprising a sensor (V1, 20) arranged to sense an actuating signal from a television unit (66) and a controller (22, 24) to produce a control signal correspondent with the actuating signal.

Abstract: An electronic game apparatus having a central body from which rigid arms extend to remote switches. The arms are pivotally connected to the central body and the remote switches to allow the apparatus to be folded for storage in an upright, free-standing position. Each arm has as member a sequence of numbers by which the players can keep score.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of teaching rote facts by the use of a computer network and the required software with the following functions:(1) Student interest is maintained by engaging the students in a competative game. Each student has access to a computer terminal with which to input the correct answer to a question posed by a master computer. The master computer keeps score and handicaps the faster players so that the slower players always have a chance to win occasionally and therefore their interest is maintained.(2) To further promote learning the correct answer is displayed after the first student inputs an answer to the question.(3) The handicap of each student is recorded and is accessable only to the teacher for evaluating the students.(4) Scores are automatically recorded for future evaluation by the teacher.

Abstract: An electronic game device for randomly selecting the player or players to participate in each round of a game. The device preferably has a control module, a plurality of output stations, one output station associated with each player. When the device is initiated, a controller randomly provides a signal to one or more selected output stations to indicate that the player associated with a selected station has been selected to participate in that round of the game.

Abstract: A board game which comprises a board on which objects can be placed by participating players. An electrically powered sensor/indicator device is mounted to the board, the device incorporating electronic logic circuitry and indicator elements connected to the logic circuitry. A plurality of triggering devices are electrically connected to the logic circuitry. The triggering devices are operable by players of the game and the logic circuitry is actuatable by the triggering devices to electrically operate the indicator elements to signify a player who has first operated one of the triggering devices.

Abstract: An academic quiz controller system includes first and second pluralities of identical and interchangeable response stations (11, 12, 13, 14 and 21, 22, 23, 24) each provided with a switch (17) and an indicator light (16) activated by the switch when pressed by a contestant. The first and second pluralities of response stations are serially connected by means of three pair telephone wire (10 and 20) and modular telephone jacks to form first and second strings of response stations. A microprocessor-controlled master console (30) has a plurality of indicators (33 and 34), one for each response station, a start switch (36) and a mode switch (37). The first and second strings of response stations are connected to the master console by means of three pair telephone wire (15 and 25) and modular telephone jacks as is a judge's switch pad (40) which is used for inputting an indication as to whether an answer is right or wrong.

Abstract: A multiple remote control VCR pause switch is provided which allows any number of viewers to pause an accessory video cassette recorder to, for example, answer questions posed on the video tape. Each viewer is provided with a response switch mounted inside a cabinet. A valid first response lamp and an invalid response lamp are provided on a switch console for each response switch. The first viewer to activate his response switch pauses the VCR and causes his valid first response lamp to illuminate. Subsequent activation of any of the remaining response switches has no effect and the invalid response lamps for those response switches stay illuminated. A reset switch is provided and the rewind search may be remotely controlled.

Abstract: A teaching toy has a stop action feature which allows operators of the toy to momentarily stop the action of the toy in order for one of the operators to make a guess as to a question which is being asked by the toy. The teaching toy includes a housing with at least two operator interface members located on the housing. A control mechanism is located in the housing in association with each of the operator interface members. Each of the operator interface members are capable of independently interacting with the control mechanism such that as soon as a first of the operator interface members interacts with the control mechanism, further interaction with subsequent operator interface members is prevented. Interaction of one of the operator interface members with the control mechanism controls the output of an output mechanism which displays a card or the like utilized in a learning process.

Abstract: A game apparatus makes use of a tape recorder and a programmed microprocessor to provide a game sequence in accordance with data recorded on a magnetic tape and using message outputs in the form of a voice recording on the same magnetic tape.