US3664036A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Audio-visual teaching device and method for instruction in the operation of keyboard controlled instruments
Assignee: SCHMOYER CHARLES F
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Filing: 1970-10-13
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Granted: 1972-05-23
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Expires: 1990-10-13
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for teaching the operation of a keyboard instrument comprises audio and visual components actuated respectively by voice signals and cueing signals both recorded at audio frequencies on a single ''''track'''' of magnetic medium. The cueing signals are superimposed on an audio inhibit signal of a preselected frequency which may or may not be within audio range and which is effective through a filter network to switch the apparatus from an audio mode to a visual mode in advance of the cueing signals and to maintain the apparatus in the visual mode during decoding of the cueing signals. Alternatively, cueing signals of brief duration are used to trigger a latching circuit to hold a visual indicator activated while further audio instructions are reproduced, and a subsequent cueing signal serves to unlatch the circuit to terminate the visual indication.
Inventors
- 👤 John E E Boswell Jr
- 👤 Jesse H Miner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 04:59
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B13/00; G09B13/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
A method of instructing a pupil in the operation of a machine including a keyboard, said method including the steps of: A. providing audio-visual means comprising audible reproduction means and a visual display discernible to a pupil positioned at said keyboard, B. programming in a single track on an elongated record medium a sequence comprising audio frequency instructional information signals, a switching signal, and audio frequency cues for actuating said visual display to indicate to said pupil a response being solicited in his manipulation of said keyboard, C. continuously reading out the entirety of said sequence and a. processing said instructional information signals for reproduction by said audible reproduction means, b. processing said cues for activation of said visual display, D. normally maintaining one of said recited audio-visual means in an enabled state while maintaining the other in an inhibited state, E. applying said switching signal to switching means coupled to each said audio-visual means to enable said other and inhibit said one of said processing operations, whereby said instructional method operates at any given time in an audio reproduction mode or in a visual display change mode, each to the exclusion of the other.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
195 words
A method of instructing a pupil in the operation of a machine including a keyboard, said method including the steps of: A. providing audio-visual means comprising audible reproduction means and a visual display discernible to a pupil positioned at said keyboard, B. programming in a single track on an elongated record medium a sequence comprising audio frequency instructional information signals, a switching signal, and audio frequency cues for actuating said visual display to indicate to said pupil a response being solicited in his manipulation of said keyboard, C. continuously reading out the entirety of said sequence and a. processing said instructional information signals for reproduction by said audible reproduction means, b. processing said cues for activation of said visual display, D. normally maintaining one of said recited audio-visual means in an enabled state while maintaining the other in an inhibited state, E. applying said switching signal to switching means coupled to each said audio-visual means to enable said other and inhibit said one of said processing operations, whereby said instructional method operates at any given time in an audio reproduction mode or in a visual display change mode, each to the exclusion of the other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
160 words
The method set forth in claim 1 wherein the steps of application of the switching signal to said switching means enables processing of the cues to activate the visual display and disables processing of the instructional information to thus mute audible reproduction and wherein the programmed sequence includes a second switching signal and a cue having a characteristic distinguishable from that of other cues, said method comprising the following additional steps which commence with the cessation of said first recited switching signal: F. returning said switching means to its original state while G. maintaining said visual display in said activated state, H. processing an audibly reproducing further instructional information while maintaining said visual display activated, I. upon completion of processing and reproduction of said further instructional information applying the second switching signal of said sequence to said switching means to again enable processing of cues and mute audible reproduction, and J. processing said distinguishable cue to deactivate said visual display.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
205 words
An apparatus for instructing a pupil in the operation of a keyboard controlled machine, said apparatus comprising: A. audio reprOduction means and visual display means disposed in positions sufficiently proximate to said keyboard to be discernible to a pupil positioned thereat so as to indicate to said pupil a response being solicited in his manipulation of said keyboard, B. an elongated record medium having pre-recorded in a single track therealong a program including a sequence of audio frequency instructional information signals, switching signals, and audio frequency cues for actuating a visual display, C. means operating continuously through said sequence for reading said program from said single track of said medium, D. switching means a. coupled to said reading means and actuated by switching signals derived therefrom and b. operatively connected to said audio reproduction means and to said visual display means to enable one and inhibit the other of said reproduction and display means and effective upon said actuation being said switching signal to inhibit said one and enable said other of said reproduction and display means, whereby said instructional apparatus operates at a given time in an audio reproduction mode or in a visual display change mode, one to the exclusion of the other.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
205 words
An apparatus for instructing a pupil in the operation of a keyboard controlled machine, said apparatus comprising: A. audio reprOduction means and visual display means disposed in positions sufficiently proximate to said keyboard to be discernible to a pupil positioned thereat so as to indicate to said pupil a response being solicited in his manipulation of said keyboard, B. an elongated record medium having pre-recorded in a single track therealong a program including a sequence of audio frequency instructional information signals, switching signals, and audio frequency cues for actuating a visual display, C. means operating continuously through said sequence for reading said program from said single track of said medium, D. switching means a. coupled to said reading means and actuated by switching signals derived therefrom and b. operatively connected to said audio reproduction means and to said visual display means to enable one and inhibit the other of said reproduction and display means and effective upon said actuation being said switching signal to inhibit said one and enable said other of said reproduction and display means, whereby said instructional apparatus operates at a given time in an audio reproduction mode or in a visual display change mode, one to the exclusion of the other.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
236 words
An apparatus for instructing a pupil in the operation of a keyboard controlled machine, said apparatus comprising: A. an elongated record medium having pre-recorded in a single track therealong a program including as components thereof audio frequency instructional information signals for audible reproduction, a switching signal, and audio frequency cues for actuating a visual display, B. means for reading said program from said single track of said medium, C. means coupled to the output of said reading means for separating said switching signals from the other components of said program, said separating means including a. first output means for selecting only said switching signals, b. second output means for said other components of said program, D. audio reproduction means and visual display means disposed in positions sufficiently proximate to said keyboard to be discernible to a pupil positioned thereat so as to indicate to said pupil a response being solicited in this manipulation of said keyboard, E. switching means a. operatively connected to said first output for operation by said switching signal and including b. switching elements interposed between said second output and the respective inputs of said audio reproduction means and said visual display means, operation of said switching means switching said apparatus from an audio mode to a visual mode wherein audio reproduction is inhibited and the said second output of said separating means is connected to the input of said visual display means.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
236 words
An apparatus for instructing a pupil in the operation of a keyboard controlled machine, said apparatus comprising: A. an elongated record medium having pre-recorded in a single track therealong a program including as components thereof audio frequency instructional information signals for audible reproduction, a switching signal, and audio frequency cues for actuating a visual display, B. means for reading said program from said single track of said medium, C. means coupled to the output of said reading means for separating said switching signals from the other components of said program, said separating means including a. first output means for selecting only said switching signals, b. second output means for said other components of said program, D. audio reproduction means and visual display means disposed in positions sufficiently proximate to said keyboard to be discernible to a pupil positioned thereat so as to indicate to said pupil a response being solicited in this manipulation of said keyboard, E. switching means a. operatively connected to said first output for operation by said switching signal and including b. switching elements interposed between said second output and the respective inputs of said audio reproduction means and said visual display means, operation of said switching means switching said apparatus from an audio mode to a visual mode wherein audio reproduction is inhibited and the said second output of said separating means is connected to the input of said visual display means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
125 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 4 wherein said program includes a cue having a characteristic distinguishable from that of other cues, control circuits each associated with individual display elements of said visual display device for activation thereof, decoding means each associated with at least one control circuit and when said apparatus is in said visual mode responsive to an individual cue for initiating activation of display elements by the associated control circuits, said control circuit further including means operative to latch said control circuit in its activated state and thus sustain the activation of said display element after cessation of said individual cue, an unlatch decoding means responsive only to said distinguishable cue and operative to terminate the sustained activation of said control circuit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
138 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 5 wherein said control circuit includes a silicon controlled rectifier connected in normally non-conducting circuit configuration and including a gate electrode operatively connected to the output of one of said first recited decoding means, and cathode and anode electrodes connected in a series circuit comprising said display element, a sourcE of direct current, and a terminate switch, operating means for said terminate switch connected to the output of said second named decoding means and thus responsive to said distinguishable cue to open said series circuit, said silicon controlled rectifier being responsive to the presence of a signal from said first recited decoder to switch to a sustained conducting state and responsive to the opening of said series circuit by a signal from said second named decoder to return to its non-conducting state.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
89 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 6 including an alternating current source and means for selectively connecting only one of said current sources in said series circuit whereby said control circuit operates as set forth in claim 11 when connected to said source of direct current and, when connected to said source of alternating current activates said display element only during the presence at said gate electrode of a signal representative of said individual cue and deactivates said display element upon cessation of said signal at said gate electrode.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-23 | 1975-11-22 | 1976-05-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-23 | 1979-11-22 | 1980-05-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-23 | 1983-11-22 | 1984-05-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |