A system and method for displaying emphasized text are described. A line of text having multiple words is displayed successively emphasized at the pace of human speech. Each of the words is displayed in a first state. The emphasized word is then displayed in a second state as having an outline. Next, the emphasized word is displayed in a third state as heavier-weighted text. Finally, the emphasized word is displayed in a fourth state as regular text. The words are visually emphasized one at a time such that a first word is displayed in the third state when a second word is displayed in the second state and the first word is displayed from the third state to the fourth state when the second word is displayed from the second state to the third state and a third word is displayed in the second state.

An enhanced video book and a system and method for creating an enhanced video book are described. Artwork and text corresponding to a storyline can be converted into a format that can be animated. A timing is established at which the converted artwork can be displayed, at a pace corresponding to the timing at which the converted text can be read. The converted artwork and/or the converted text are animating, and voice-over narration corresponding to the converted text is generated. The display of the converted artwork or the converted text is adjusted and synchronized with the voice-over narration based on the timing at which the converted artwork can be displayed. Audio is added and synchronized to the converted artwork. The converted artwork, the converted text, the animated or converted artwork, the animated converted text, the voice-over narration, and the audio are combined into an enhanced video book.

A system and method for generating enhanced closed captioning commands are described. A video having multiple frames is received in a content building environment. Along with the video, user input defining an appearance and a location of text to be displayed is received. The appearance and the location of text correspond to one or more of the frames of the video. The appearance and the location of text are synchronized with each of the frames of the video. A design packet is generated based on the received user input. A delivery packet is generated that includes the design packet, the video, a video timecode, a text timecode, and enhanced closed captioning commands. The delivery packet is provided to a user device for playback.

A method of providing multiple reading skill level texts integrated into a same story. Each of the multiple reading skill level texts is assigned a unique visual identification of at least one of a different color, varying relative text size, varying relative typeface, capitalization, and bolded text. Each of the multiple reading skill level texts is an adapted version of the same story, with all reading skill levels arranged in a same paragraph of the same story, allowing a single book to be used with children whose ages range from infant to upper elementary school age and still maintaining age and skill appropriate content in the single book.

A method of providing multiple reading skill level texts integrated into a same story. Each of the multiple reading skill level texts is assigned a unique visual identification of at least one of a different color, varying relative text size, varying relative typeface, capitalization, and bolded text. Each of the multiple reading skill level texts is an adapted version of the same story, with all reading skill levels arranged in a same paragraph of the same story, allowing a single book to be used with children whose ages range from infant to upper elementary school age and still maintaining age and skill appropriate content in the single book.

Systems and methods of improving reading fluency by presenting a virtual reading partner that takes turns reading aloud with a reader, are presented. First audio data comprising speech corresponding to the reader reading aloud from a first portion of a written transcript is received. The first audio data is processed to identify spoken words from the speech. The reader's speaking of the words in the first portion of the written transcript are compared to correct speaking of words in the first portion of the written transcript. A reading fluency of the reader is assessed. Second audio data comprising a pre-recorded narration of a second portion of the written transcript or automatically generated text to speech of the second portion is generated. The virtual reading partner is presented to the reader and takes turns reading aloud with the reader until the end of the written transcript has been reached.

A question that can be answered with polarity can be accurately answered with polarity. A machine comprehension unit 210 estimates the start and the end of a range serving as a basis for an answer to the question in text by using a reading comprehension model trained in advance to estimate the range based on the inputted text and question. A determination unit 220 determines the polarity of the answer to the question by using a determination model trained in advance to determine whether the polarity of the answer to the question is positive or not based on information obtained by the processing of the machine comprehension unit 210.

In an embodiment, Applicant's method can automatically determine proficiency in a given language by tracking a user's gaze during reading a sample text. The language proficiency test includes reading sentences in a language (e.g., a language to the user's native language). The user's, or learner's, gaze is recorded using an eye-tracking camera while they read the sample text. Applicant's method and corresponding system predicts the language proficiency of the learner based on their gaze patterns. Applicant's method and corresponding system can also predict performance on specific standardized language proficiency tests such as Michigan EPT (Michigan English Proficiency Test), TOEIC® (Test of English for International Communication®), and TOEFL® (Test of English as a Foreign Language®).

In an embodiment, a method includes presenting, on a display, sample text in a given language to a user. The method further includes recording eye fixation times for each word of the sample text for the user and recording saccade times between each pair of fixations of the sample text. The method further includes comparing features of the gaze pattern of the user to features of a gaze pattern of a plurality of training readers. Each training reader (e.g., training user) has a known native language. The method further generates a probability of at least one an estimated native language of the user based on the results of the comparison.

New and unique puzzle mechanics, systems, and methods are described herein. A puzzle grid comprising linearly arranged intersecting words, with each individual letter placed on a separate puzzle tile, may be divided into a plurality of puzzle pieces, where each puzzle piece is formed of one or more contiguous puzzle tiles. Each puzzle piece shape conforms to one of a predefined set of shapes. To mix up the puzzle grid, identically shaped puzzle pieces may be randomly shuffled and rotated if required so that the puzzle layout remains unchanged whereas the letters are scrambled. Also puzzle pieces whose shape exhibit rotational symmetry may be optionally rotated within the puzzle layout. Letters may maintain upright legibility. A user may then attempt to solve the puzzle by swapping identically shaped puzzle pieces and optionally rotating puzzle pieces whose shape exhibit rotational symmetry.