US3577657A — Apparatus for programed instruction and testing

Claim 1

Independent Claim 766 words

A programmable system effecting automated teaching and including the modes effecting testing and grading also, for use in conjunction with problem and answer material wherein a plurality of answers are provided for each problem, arranged in accordance with a given program, comprising: a. an encoding means including: i. a separable setting means; ii. a mode selector means; and iii. an answer selector means for selecting an answer to a given problem and a programming network that can be readily programmed by said separable setting means to A. select the number of answers for each problem, B. select one of many problem-correct answer sequences, C. select a mode of operation of either tutor; test and grade; or tutor, test and grade, D. define whether an answer selected and registered on said answer selector means for a given problem is correct or incorrect; b. apprising means for showing whether a selected and registered answer of a given problem is correct or incorrect; c. problem number display means for displaying the number of a given problem; d. correct answer number display means for displaying the number of correct answers selected and registered; e. advancing means selectively operable for advancing either said problem number display means, both said problem number display means and said correct answer number display means, or neither said problem number display means nor said correct answer number display means in accord with the mode selected and the correctness of the answer selected and registered; said advancing means including: i. a bolt means rotatable in both directions about a shaft and biased in one direction to a stop position; ii. bolt moving means engaging said bolt means in said stop position and operable to advance said bolt means in a direction opposite said one direction for a predetermined distance; iii. a problem gear rotatable in both directions about the axis of said shaft and connected with said problem number display means; iv. a correct answer gear rotatable in both directions about the axis of said shaft and connected with said correct answer number display means; v. problem and correct answer gear engaging means carried on said bolt means and operable to engage a tooth on each of said problem gear and said correct answer gear upon receipt of an appropriate signal and biased to disengage both said teeth after cessation of said signal; vi. problem gear engaging means carried on said bolt means and operable to engage a tooth on said problem gear upon receipt of an appropriate second signal and biased to disengage said tooth after cessation of said second signal; and vii. discriminating means responsive to said mode selector means and said answer selector in said programming network and connected with said problem and correct answer gear engaging means and said problem gear engaging means for generating and conveying said appropriate signal to said problem and correct answer gear engaging means and for generating and conveying said appropriate second signal to said problem gear engaging means; said discriminating means comprising: A. an engaging means timing circuit activatable upon rotation of said bolt means and selectively electrically connectable via said mode selector means with said problem gear engaging means in the test and grade mode; B. correct answer switch means electrically connected with said engaging means timing circuit, with said programming network and Said answer selector means, and with said apprising means for conducting power from said engaging means timing circuit to said apprising means when a completed electrical connection exists through said programming network and said answer selector, and selectively electrically connectable via said mode selector means with said problem gear engaging means in the tutor mode and in the tutor, test and grade mode, and selectively electrically connectable via said mode selector means to said problem and correct answer gear engaging means in the test and grade mode; and C. memory means electrically connected in series with said correct answer switch means and selectively electrically connectable via said mode selector means to said problem and correct answer gear engaging means in the tutor, test and grade mode for preventing said conveying of said appropriate signal to said problem and correct answer gear engaging means when a completed electrical connection is obtained through said programming network and said answer selector on an attempt other than the first attempt to answer a given problem when said mode selector is in the tutor, test and grade mode; said memory means including: I. a memory capacitor, and II. a field effect transistor connected to said memory capacitor to be inhibited and nonconductive when said memory capacitor is charged.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 766 words

A programmable system effecting automated teaching and including the modes effecting testing and grading also, for use in conjunction with problem and answer material wherein a plurality of answers are provided for each problem, arranged in accordance with a given program, comprising: a. an encoding means including: i. a separable setting means; ii. a mode selector means; and iii. an answer selector means for selecting an answer to a given problem and a programming network that can be readily programmed by said separable setting means to A. select the number of answers for each problem, B. select one of many problem-correct answer sequences, C. select a mode of operation of either tutor; test and grade; or tutor, test and grade, D. define whether an answer selected and registered on said answer selector means for a given problem is correct or incorrect; b. apprising means for showing whether a selected and registered answer of a given problem is correct or incorrect; c. problem number display means for displaying the number of a given problem; d. correct answer number display means for displaying the number of correct answers selected and registered; e. advancing means selectively operable for advancing either said problem number display means, both said problem number display means and said correct answer number display means, or neither said problem number display means nor said correct answer number display means in accord with the mode selected and the correctness of the answer selected and registered; said advancing means including: i. a bolt means rotatable in both directions about a shaft and biased in one direction to a stop position; ii. bolt moving means engaging said bolt means in said stop position and operable to advance said bolt means in a direction opposite said one direction for a predetermined distance; iii. a problem gear rotatable in both directions about the axis of said shaft and connected with said problem number display means; iv. a correct answer gear rotatable in both directions about the axis of said shaft and connected with said correct answer number display means; v. problem and correct answer gear engaging means carried on said bolt means and operable to engage a tooth on each of said problem gear and said correct answer gear upon receipt of an appropriate signal and biased to disengage both said teeth after cessation of said signal; vi. problem gear engaging means carried on said bolt means and operable to engage a tooth on said problem gear upon receipt of an appropriate second signal and biased to disengage said tooth after cessation of said second signal; and vii. discriminating means responsive to said mode selector means and said answer selector in said programming network and connected with said problem and correct answer gear engaging means and said problem gear engaging means for generating and conveying said appropriate signal to said problem and correct answer gear engaging means and for generating and conveying said appropriate second signal to said problem gear engaging means; said discriminating means comprising: A. an engaging means timing circuit activatable upon rotation of said bolt means and selectively electrically connectable via said mode selector means with said problem gear engaging means in the test and grade mode; B. correct answer switch means electrically connected with said engaging means timing circuit, with said programming network and Said answer selector means, and with said apprising means for conducting power from said engaging means timing circuit to said apprising means when a completed electrical connection exists through said programming network and said answer selector, and selectively electrically connectable via said mode selector means with said problem gear engaging means in the tutor mode and in the tutor, test and grade mode, and selectively electrically connectable via said mode selector means to said problem and correct answer gear engaging means in the test and grade mode; and C. memory means electrically connected in series with said correct answer switch means and selectively electrically connectable via said mode selector means to said problem and correct answer gear engaging means in the tutor, test and grade mode for preventing said conveying of said appropriate signal to said problem and correct answer gear engaging means when a completed electrical connection is obtained through said programming network and said answer selector on an attempt other than the first attempt to answer a given problem when said mode selector is in the tutor, test and grade mode; said memory means including: I. a memory capacitor, and II. a field effect transistor connected to said memory capacitor to be inhibited and nonconductive when said memory capacitor is charged.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 42 words

The system of claim 1 wherein said memory means includes a memory setting means electrically connected with said engaging means timing circuit and operable to charge said memory capacitor upon the termination of a timing signal in said engaging means timing circuit.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 50 words

The system of claim 2 wherein said memory setting means includes a capacitor connected with said memory capacitor and said engaging means timing circuit such that upon the termination of a signal in said engaging means timing circuit said capacitor discharges into said memory capacitor to set said memory capacitor.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 94 words

The system of claim 1 wherein said memory means includes a memory resetting means comprising a capacitor electrically connected with a power source, connected in parallel with a pulsing switch means and connected on its other side with a shorting means connected across the terminals of said memory capacitor and wherein a program disc is provided having a pulsing contact to close said pulsing switch means; pulsing said capacitor and rendering conductive said shorting means each time said problem gear is advanced; whereby said memory capacitor is discharged upon advancement of said program disc.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 129 words

The system of claim 1 wherein said apprising means includes: a. lamp timing circuit means energizable upon predetermined movement of said bolt means; b. a lamp connected in series with switch means from one terminal to another of a power source, actuating means for said switch means; said actuating means being electrically connected with said lamp timing circuit and said correct answer switch means which is responsive to said answer selector means in said encoding means, whereby said lamp is energized upon the occurrence of a lamp timing signal in said lamp timing circuit and the concurrent supplying of power through said correct answer switch means upon the establishment of a conductive path through said encoding means from one terminal of a power source to the other terminal thereof.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 54 words

The system of claim 5 wherein said actuating means is connected with said correct answer switch means by way of a latching means that, once pulsed, maintains said lamp energized for the duration of said lamp timing signal whether or not said switch means remains conductive throughout the duration of said lamp timing signal.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 91 words

The system of claim 5 wherein said apprising means includes a second lamp connected in series with a second switch means and said terminals of said power source, a second actuating means for said second switch means, said second actuation means being electrically connected to the juncture of said first lamp and said switch means and to the lamp timing circuit, whereby said second lamp is energized upon the occurrence of a lamp timing signal in said lamp timing circuit and simultaneous failure of said switch means to energize said lamp.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 60 words

The system of claim 5 wherein said lamp timing circuit includes a timing capacitor and, electrically connected with said timing capacitor, a regenerative switch means which, once pulsed, remains conductive effecting a lamp timing signal until said timing capacitor is returned to equilibrium conditions, whereby no power is consumed by said lamp timing circuit except during said lamp timing signal.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 68 words

The system of claim 5 wherein said lamp timing circuit is electrically connectable with one terminal of a source of power and is connected in series with said engaging means timing circuit which is electrically connectable with the other terminal of said source of power, whereby termination of a lamp timing signal in said lamp timing circuit terminates an engaging means signal on said engaging means timing circuit.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 48 words

The system of claim 5 wherein there is provided a pulsing switch means which is operatively closed ultimately in response to movement of said problem gear, and wherein said engaging means timing circuit includes a switch means that is deactivated by operative closure of said pulsing switch means.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 22 words

The system of claim 10 wherein said switch means that is deactivated by said pulsing switch means is a silicon controlled rectifier.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 51 words

The system of claim 10 wherein there is provided a program disc connected with said problem gear and rotatable in unison therewith, and wherein said pulsing switch means is operatively closed by rotation of said program disc in either direction and also effects discharge of said memory capacitor when operatively closed.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 148 words

The system of claim 1 wherein said apprising means includes: a. lamp timing circuit means energizable upon predetermined movement of said bolt means; b. a lamp connected in series with first switch means and second switch means from one terminal to another of a power source, first and second actuating means for respective said switch means, with the second actuating means being connected with said lamp timing circuit means and with the first actuating means being connected with said correct answer switch means which is responsive to said answer selector means in said encoding means, whereby said lamp is energized upon the occurrence of a lamp timing signal in said lamp timing circuit and the concurrent supplying of power through said correct answer switch means upon the establishment of a conductive path through said encoding means from one terminal of a power source to the other terminal thereof.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 26 words

The system of claim 13 wherein said first switch means also has the capability of remaining conductive, once pulsed, until flow of current therethrough is terminated.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 92 words

The system of claim 13 wherein said apprising means includes a second lamp connected in series with a third switch means and said second switch means and said terminal of said power source, third actuating means for said third switch means, said third actuating means being connected to the juncture of said first lamp and said first switch means, whereby said second lamp is energized upon the occurrence of a lamp timing signal in said lamp timing circuit and simultaneous failure of said first and second switch means to energize said lamp.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 57 words

The system of claim 1 wherein there is provided an actuating means comprising said answer selector means and said programming network, having a plurality of additive resistances for actuating said correct answer switch means and wherein said correct answer switch means comprises a switch means having a gain factor sufficient to alleviate problems attending said additive resistances.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 21 words

The system of claim 16 wherein said correct answer switch means is a transistor having a gain factor greater than 10.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 15 words

The system of claim 17 wherein said transistor has a gain factor of about 100.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 205 words

The system of claim 1 wherein said advancing means includes switch means for energizing said problem and correct answer gear engaging means and an actuating means for actuating said switch means, said actuating means being selectively electricaLly connectable with a correct answer switch means in the test and grade mode and in the tutor, test and grade mode; and a second switch means for energizing said problem gear engaging means, a second actuating means for actuating said second switch means, said second actuating means being selectively electrically connectable via said mode selector means with said engaging means timing circuit in the test and grade mode and with said correct answer switch means in the tutor, test and grade mode and in the tutor mode; wherein there is provided an inhibiting gate to inhibit said second actuating means when said actuating means actuates said switch means; and wherein the respective gear engaging means and their associated switch means are operatively connected in series to terminals of a power source, whereby only one of said problem and correct answer gear engaging means and said problem gear engaging means is energized at one time and is operatively connected with substantially the full potential of said power source thereacross.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1974-05-03	1974-11-02	1975-05-04	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1978-05-03	1978-11-02	1979-05-04	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1982-05-03	1982-11-02	1983-05-04	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Apparatus for programed instruction and testing

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