Method of simulating personal individual art instruction

Abstract

A method of simulating individualized art instruction is provided. The method utilize a CD compact disc playable on a CD-I compact disc player hooked up to a television. Each edition of a compact disc showcases a well-known instructor and background information. The actual instructor does the voice over, giving instructions at each step. Next, a substantially perfectly lit image appears; this image is a view of the object of study (i.e., the model, the still life, the landscape). Then, a completed painting of said object appears, the completed painting having been executed by the instructor. The screens contain step-by-step images of different stages of completion. At each screen, the instructor talks about what he or she is doing and why. The instructor can relate the actual colors and fundamental techniques used. By having a simulated method of individualized art instruction, the student is free to avoid the use of electronic keyboards and video display screens for creating a piece of computer generated artwork. In contrast, the method allows the student to create a painting by using traditional tools of the trade, such as paint, paintbrushes, a canvas and an easel, while accessing a simulated art lessons on a video display screen.


Other References

• Publication entitled "Videodiscovery", Fall 1993 --Multimedia for Education by Videodiscovery, Inc.
• Publication entitled "Media Max --The Multimedia Manager for Macintosh Computers", reference manual by Videodiscovery, Inc., 1993.
• Bio Sci II Elementary Edition, 1991, Videodiscovery, Inc.
• Videodiscovery document entitled "Science Discovery --Image and Activity Bank, Middle School Lessons", 1993, Videodiscovery, Inc.
• "Industry News", Electronic Learning Magazine, Apr. 1993, EduQuest Introduces Education Computers and Optical Data Receives Two Patents.
• Macuser Magazine, `Dec. 1988, "Video Disc-O-Tech", pp. 209, 210, 222, 214, 216, 218 and 230.
• Pioneer Corporation, "LaserBarcode System Guide Book", 1989, pp. 1-24.
• Laser Disc Corporation, 1988, "Demo Version", by Hisashi Hoda.
• Pioneer Electronic Corporation, Edition 2.0, Dec. 1986, Edition 1.2 Mar. 1987, Edition 2.0 Sep. 1991, Revised Jul. 1992, "LaserBarCode Format", Appendix 1.
• Merrill Publishing Company, 1991, "The Dynamics of Life", Teacher Edition, p. T31.
• Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc., Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc. 1991, "Biology Today", p. 1.
• Prentice-Hall, 1991, "Correlation of Optical Data's Life Science/Biology, Videodiscs to Biology", p. 2.
• Optical Data Corporation, Third Edition, 1990, "The Living Textbook -Earth Science".
• Alpine School District Board of Education, 1991, "trACE User's Guide", pp. 1-13.
• Sinnett and Edwards, "Authoring Systems: The Key to Widespread Use of Interactive Videodisc Technology", 1984 publication Library High Tech Magazine, pp. 39-50.
• Hannafin, Michael J. "Options for Authoring Instructional Interactive Video", Journal of Computer-Based Instruction, Summer 1994, vol. 11, No. 3, pp. 98-100.
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• The Wall Street Journal, Nov. 13, 1990, "Texas Approves a Textbook on Videodisks" by Michael Allen.
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http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/5513991.html

Portable entertainment media display and demo stand

Abstract

A low-cost lightweight portable display and listening stand is configured to display, demonstrate and sell media such as music compact disks (CDs) particularly at general retail outlets and directly by musicians to attendees of live performances and other public events. A bottom compartment accommodates a CD player that is set up to drive a headphone set that is made available to a user. An open bin located above the bottom compartment holds a small quantity of CDs packaged in individual "jewel-box" cases. A vertical panel, extending upwardly from a rear region of the open bin, provides display of sales literature or display of product, e.g. one of the packaged CDs, and provides a hanger for the headphone set. The display rack can be made integral or can be assembled from two or more component portions that can be separated and that can nest together for convenient storage, transportation or shipping. A two-portion version can be fabricated from an identical pair of readily available molded plastic container bins.


http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/6813771.html

Vending machine

Abstract

A machine for vending articles of merchandise such as compact discs, cassette tapes, video tapes, books and the like, the machine including an enclosed cabinet with a front door having a window to permit viewing of an interior thereof. The interior of the cabinet is provided with racks for supporting and organizing the articles of merchandise in rows with a front article in each row arranged in a preferred viewing orientation relative to the window. A compact disc player and disc exchanger is further supported within the interior of the cabinet and interconnected with controls and headphones on the front door, the compact disc player being adapted to play various selected recordings on at least one disc contained therein, the selected recordings corresponding with the articles of merchandise supported on the racks. Controls on the front door being further structured to release a selected one of the articles of merchandise, upon depositing a predetermined amount of money in the machine, whereupon the article is dropped into a catch bin for retrieval by the consumer.


http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/5415319.html

Attaching articles to bed railings

bstract

An article adapted to be releasably attached to a bed railing, the article having a housing defining an opening for slidingly receiving a portion of the railing, when the housing is mounted on the railing. The article also has a first pawl movably connected to the housing and arranged to be moved from a retaining position, in which the pawl is adapted to block the opening to prevent removal of the railing from the opening, to a release position to enable removal of the article from the railing member. Further, the article has a spring connected to the housing and bearing against the pawl to bias the pawl towards its retaining position with respect to the housing.

http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/6658678.html

Sound, light and storage system

Abstract

A sound, light and storage system which includes a sound and light module that may be placed adjacent to a bed, couch or other furniture. Various speakers and lights are provided on the sound and light module. The speakers may be connected to various entertainment or other equipment including televisions, video players, compact disk (CD) players, digital video disk (DVD) players, radios, computers and/or stereo systems, for example. The lights, as well as the speakers or the entertainment or other equipment to which the speakers are connected, may be wired to a control panel provided on the sound and light module to enable a person lying or sitting on the bed or couch convenient control of the lights, speakers and/or equipment. Alternatively or in addition, the lights, speakers and/or equipment may be connected to a remote control module and/or wireless control device. The sound and light module may be provided adjacent to a storage module which is provided adjacent to the bed and may be used to store various articles or support a video, CD player, DVD player, telephone or a radio or stereo system, for example, for convenient access by a person lying on the bed. The bed may include a bed and storage unit which may be fitted with drawers for the storage of various articles beneath the bed.

http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/6984057.html

Tundra drops CD Player, adds recycled wire instead

Over the last few days, a couple of articles have caught my eye. The first describes a new kind of wire coating that has debuted on the new Toyota Tundra. The second article reports that Toyota is considering reducing features in the new Tundra in order to be more cost-competitive with the domestics. Seems like the problem is obvious to me…

First, the new wire coating. Developed by Delphi, the new wire coating has a thickness equivalent to two (2) pieces of paper. The material being used isn’t the standard PVC, but a new material derived mostly from recycled plastic. The big benefit to this new material is that it requires much less of it to sufficiently coat a wire, reducing the size and weight of the wiring in the vehicle. Also, because it’s created from recycled plastics, it’s better for the environment. Pretty slick stuff.

Knowing Toyota, this is probably a change they’ll make to all of their vehicles over the next few years. Toyota is committed to making the best vehicle on the road, and this new material will help both reduce weight and help the environment. You can read the Delphi press release for more info.

As for the second article, the words “jaw-dropping” come to mind. A little background: for years, we’ve read about domestic auto manufacturers removing standard features from their vehicles in order to cut costs. Manufacturers call it a “product realignment”, but what that really means is that the same vehicle is going to have less equipment than it did before but still cost the same. This practice was so wide-spread in the late 90’s that it received the moniker “decontenting”.

Imagine my shock when I read that the leading automotive company in the world, Toyota, was considering re-evaluating the standard options in the new Tundra. The VP of Operations for Toyota USA was quoted as saying “Unfortunately, we may have put a little too much content into it.” What the hell is going on??

The Toyota Tundra has so many nice features standard that it really gives it a leg up on the competition. The stability control system, the limited-slip differential, the 4.10 gears, the side curtain airbags, and even the CD player were all listed as “extra” equipment that might be eliminated. Who’d want to buy a truck without any of these options?

Fleet buyers. They don’t care about equipment, just the bottom line. So, because Toyota is having to offer rebates to move their lower-end trucks (which they’re building in order to hit 200k units this year), they’re thinking about reducing the standard equipment to lower their costs. This sounds EXACTLY like Detroit to me.

Build too many vehicles, offer rebates when they’re not selling fast enough, and then start to reduce equipment to get the money back.

Here’s a question…What if you took the space-age wire covering off the all the wires and just used good old PVC? How much would that save?

http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/2007/04/03/space-age-wire-coatings-and-decontenting-on-the-new-tundra/