摘要:
An interactive cable television system, such as a one way system, simultaneously provides both regular television programmings for one or more television reception channels and subscriber selectable multi-information television programming for a designated common one of those channels to a plurality of subscribers. Each individual subscriber having a multi-information interface network connected to the multichannel television receiver input may independently choose between reception of the regular television programming on any of the channels, including the designated common channel, and reception of the multi-information television programming which comprises a plurality of multi-information packets. Each packet comprises a plurality of simultaneously transmitted different information message signals which are related in real time and content to each other but which are transmitted at a different frequency from each other and from the associated frequencies of the television reception channels. The interface network, which includes a plurality of selection keys, converts the associated frequency of the desired information message signal in the transmitted packet to the common designated channel frequency to enable television reception thereof in accordance with the key selected. Another subscriber having the interface network may independently choose to receive either the regular television programming on that, or another channel, or a different information message signal, while subscribers not having the interface network may still receive the regular television programming. Labels for the selection keys may be visually presented on the television screen during reception of multi-information programming and may be dynamically varied in accordance with message content, such as in a decision tree or memory accumulation type of programming format.
摘要:
A real time conversational verbal interactive toy apparatus capable of providing a conversational type response to an interrogatory message from a removably insertable magnetic storage medium which comprises a plurality of coextensive multipurpose audio tracks contained in a housing includes a multipurpose selection apparatus for directly selecting one of the tracks for reproducing the selected information stored thereon, such as a multiple choice response to the interrogatory message, an insertion security apparatus operatively associated with a receptacle therein for providing an insertion condition for the inserted received magnetic storage medium housing with respect to the receptacle, the storage medium housing having a playback authorization code disposed thereon, the insertion security apparatus comprising elements responsive to this code for providing the insertion condition therefrom, and a condition responsive network operatively associated with the insertion security apparatus for controllably enabling the provision of a secure selected multiple choice playback response from the storage medium. Each track stores information in reproducible segments which are spatially related in time along the tracks and related in content to the corresponding segments on the other coextensive tracks of the plurality for providing the real time conversational type response. The condition responsive network is responsive to the provision of the insertion condition for providing the enable condition to a playback head only when the provided insertion condition corresponds solely to the playback authorization code so that only media capable of providing the aforementioned type of response may be employed.
摘要:
A voice recognition interactive conversational apparatus employs temporally related data storage tracks containing interactive conversational content. The conversational content is stored on each track in information segments. Each of the segments forms a complete message reproducible in response to the selection of the track upon which the segments are stored. Each information segment includes interrogatories having vocal responses, responsive messages, informational messages, or combinations thereof related in time and content to information contained on at least one other track. The information is stored on the tracks in a predetermined timed sequence for providing interactive conversation dependent on the verbal responses. A playback device facilitates playback of the conversational content. A track selector randomly accesses the tracks for retrieving and play back the information stored thereon via the playback device. A voice recognition controller receives vocal responses to the conversational content and causes the track selector to switch between the data storage tracks based upon the vocal responses in accordance with the interactive conversational content.
摘要:
A system for simulcasting a fully interactive program with a normal conventional program in the same standard video signal bandwidth. It allows active participation by subscribers who have interactive components connected to a television or personal computer display, as well as normal viewing of the conventional program by viewers with conventional television sets. Interactive participants are not limited to any particular reception system. Users can participate using an interactive program box connected to a standard television set or with a multimedia personal computer with an interactive board. An important feature is that interactivity is offered as an option, without any degradation or interruption in program content to users who choose not to interact or do not have the interactive components. Interactivity is personalized through the use of alternative audio responses and/or graphic displays. The interactive elements are presented to the subscriber either immediately after subscriber entry, later during the program at predetermined times, and/or at transparent "trigger points". At trigger points, program content is subtly altered to present specialized attention to each interactive subscriber viewing the displayed programming. Interactive programs viewable over the simulcast system include both live broadcasts as well as recorded programs. Interactive audio and graphics elements can be provided as part of the transmitted video signal bandwidth using efficient one way techniques or from local or external storage. The interactive innovative features are not limited to conventional cable or television broadcast or any particular transmission means or transmission format, and can be analog or digital.
摘要:
An interactive distance learning system which provides individualized and meaningful interactive responses to each student, as if the student is receiving instruction directly from a private tutor or instructor. An interactive program transmission occurs to a diverse number of facilities and locations. The primary transmission is a live lecture by the person making the presentation on the distance learning system. The live lecture is accompanied by questions to gage comprehension by students. The questions, in interrogatory form, are graphically displayed on the screen either as video or overlaying the video showing the lecturer. In addition to the interrogatory question, a set of responses, one correct, the rest incorrect, are also presented for the student choice. A complimentary suite of affirmative supportive commentary is prepared and prerecorded for the plurality of correct and incorrect responses which might be given to a question. Each response teaches, confirms and encourages the learning experience. A processor, branching codes and a memory device can be used to create a large variety of responses to provide an individual response for every student who responds to an interrogatory. A different response is created for every answer given to every question. Video or disk recordings of presentations can be prerecorded to demonstrate concepts or ideas or simply expand on lectured points and can be switched in and out of the video presentation of the live lecture as the instructor chooses. The transmitted interactive signal can be recorded for later playback and remain fully interactive. An extremely flexible, relatively inexpensive system is thus created which uniquely teaches and uniquely addresses the needs of every student participating in the interactive distance learning system experience.
摘要:
One aspect of the invention includes an optical amplifier operable to amplify a plurality of optical wavelength signals at least in part through Raman amplification. The amplifier includes an input operable to receive a plurality of wavelength signals and an output operable to communicate an amplified version of at least some of the plurality of wavelength signals. The amplifier further includes a pump assembly operable to generate one or more pump signals and a gain medium operable to receive the plurality of wavelength signals and the one or more pump signals and to facilitate amplification of at least some of the plurality of wavelength signals. The amplifier has associated with it a noise figure having a shape varying as a function of wavelength. At least one of the one or more pump signals is operable to have its power varied to selectively control the shape of the noise figure.
摘要:
A seat belt retractor (22) having an inertial sensor to initiate lockup of the retractor, the inertial sensor including a first housing portion (102) having an actuating arm mounting member (120). The retractor including a first pin (126) cantilevered from the mounting member (120); an activation arm (130) rotationally supported upon the first pin (126), the activation arm (130), when activated, movable into engagement with a ratchet wheel (80), a pendulous vehicle sensor subassembly (150) mounted upon the first housing portion (102), the subassembly (150) and the first housing portion (102) including a support mechanism to rotatably support the sensor subassembly thereon. The sensor subassembly (150) further including a weighted member (152) having a platform for supporting a movable inertial weight (154), the inertial weight movable on the platform in response to deceleration to which the retractor is subjected; a movable arm (156) supported by the weighted member and including a sensing arm (240) having a tip (202) resting upon the inertial weight (154), the movable arm cantilever supported relative to the weighted member, wherein movement of the movable arm causes movement of the sensing arm thereby causing a change in the elevation of the activation arm thereby placing the retractor in a pre-lock mode.
摘要:
An interactive cable television system is disclosed which utilizes a standard cable television distribution network for simultaneously providing a plurality of viewers with an interactive television program comprising a plurality of signals related in time and content. Video signals are transmitted in a digital format, more than one signal being multiplexed onto a data stream on a single channel. The video signals may be compressed for efficiency. A receiver, in conjunction with a signal selector, selects a particular NTSC channel for playback, then selects a particular video signal from the data stream, and decompresses the video signal for playback. Seamless switching between video signals on different channels is provided. An alternative embodiment is disclosed wherein the various signals which comprise the interactive program are switched at the head end rather than at the receiver. The multiple choice control unit selects a desired signal by relaying the multiple choice selections of the user through a relay box back to a remotely located switching station. The switching station routes the correct video signal down the appropriate cable channel for the particular user.
摘要:
An apparatus for depositing fluids on a thin-layer chromatography plate is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing for multiple syringes containing chromatography samples. The apparatus also includes an actuator for independently engaging the syringes to release those samples onto the thin-layer chromatography plate. The apparatus further includes a moveable platform for supporting the thin-layer chromatography plate in proximity to the syringes.
摘要:
The present invention is a real-time interactive conversational apparatus which operates by playing to a child a prerecorded conversation stored on a multi-track media such as magnetic tape. The system conversations are programmed according to a decision-tree logic which allows complex conversations to be developed, branching between the various tracks of the media being accomplished without the aid of a microprocessor or any coding in the conversation source signal. The information is stored on each track in a plurality of reproducible information segments, which contain interrogatory messages and associated multiple choice responses, responsive messages, informational messages, and combinations thereof. The responsive messages contained on the tracks are related in real-time and content to particular interrogatory messages, and correspond with multiple choice selectable responses. The apparatus can exhibit pseudo-memory and multiple simultaneous pseudo-memories; exhibit profiling and substitutability; and categorize and subcategorize users of the apparatus. The media used by the apparatus are removable so as to allow user selection of cartridges containing differing conversational content.