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US3666872A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Teaching machine

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-10-23
•
Granted: 1972-05-30
•
Expires: 1990-10-23
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Abstract

Abstract A teaching device having a film projector, a keyboard, a memory tape unit and logic circuitry for providing audio and visual presentations for instructional purposes. The presentation may consist of a word or object displayed on a screen which the user would identify by pressing keys on the keyboard. This response is compared with the correct one as coded on a segment of film. The memory tape unit records any auditory presentation and any spoken response by the user for comparison purposes, such as would be desired for learning of a language. Many presentations of the ways in which the machine is used permits it to be adapted to the proficiency of each user.

Inventors

  • 👤 Carroll E Powell
  • 👤 Clinton L Carter

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-25 08:35
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B7/00; G09B7/02; G09B7/04

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim 155 words
A teaching machine which comprises, a keyboard having a plurality of input keys designated for use as pupil input; means to visually display prerecorded information with an accompanying audio explanation including a picture projector employing a photographic film strip having a sound track recorded thereoN; means to repetitively present said audio explanation when desired; means to record the verbal response of a pupil for presentation when desired; means to compare said pupil input with said prerecorded information which includes coded film, light sensitive circuit means to detect a code in said coded film, detection circuit means to detect said pupil input, and comparison circuit means to compare the output of said light sensitive circuit means with the output of said detection circuit means and to generate an appropriate output signal in accordance therewith; and means responsive to said output signal to inform the pupil when said pupil input and said prerecorded information are the same.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 155 words
A teaching machine which comprises, a keyboard having a plurality of input keys designated for use as pupil input; means to visually display prerecorded information with an accompanying audio explanation including a picture projector employing a photographic film strip having a sound track recorded thereoN; means to repetitively present said audio explanation when desired; means to record the verbal response of a pupil for presentation when desired; means to compare said pupil input with said prerecorded information which includes coded film, light sensitive circuit means to detect a code in said coded film, detection circuit means to detect said pupil input, and comparison circuit means to compare the output of said light sensitive circuit means with the output of said detection circuit means and to generate an appropriate output signal in accordance therewith; and means responsive to said output signal to inform the pupil when said pupil input and said prerecorded information are the same.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 31 words
A teaching machine as set forth in claim 1 having means by which said teaching machine is impervious to the ambient light level of the environment in which it is used.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 58 words
A teaching machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means to repetitively reproduce said audio explanation comprises one track of a multiple track memory tape loop whose movement is activated and stopped by a control disk, and said means to record the verbal response of the pupil includes a second track of said memory tape loop.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 32 words
A teaching machine as set forth in claim 3 wherein the surface of said control disk includes visible indication means for indicating to the pupil the arcuate position of said control disk.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 147 words
A teaching machine which comprises, a keyboard having a plurality of keys designated for use as pupil input; a film projector connected electrically to said keyboard and employing a film having visual and auditory information recorded thereon for presentation of such information whereby said projector has means to project a plurality of film frames simultaneously; a memory tape unit electrically connected to said keyboard and said projector which includes a recording tape loop, an on and off control disk for controlling the movement of said loop, and means to erase and record information on said loop; means to compare said pupil keyboard input with said visual information comprising coded film, an optical sensing circuit, switches connected to said keyboard and a logic comparison circuit; and a screen for presenting said visual information thereon, comprising a layer of fresnel lens and a layer of a circularly polarized material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 147 words
A teaching machine which comprises, a keyboard having a plurality of keys designated for use as pupil input; a film projector connected electrically to said keyboard and employing a film having visual and auditory information recorded thereon for presentation of such information whereby said projector has means to project a plurality of film frames simultaneously; a memory tape unit electrically connected to said keyboard and said projector which includes a recording tape loop, an on and off control disk for controlling the movement of said loop, and means to erase and record information on said loop; means to compare said pupil keyboard input with said visual information comprising coded film, an optical sensing circuit, switches connected to said keyboard and a logic comparison circuit; and a screen for presenting said visual information thereon, comprising a layer of fresnel lens and a layer of a circularly polarized material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 26 words
A teaching machine as set forth in claim 5 including means to count when said pupil keyboard input and said film code are not the same.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 28 words
A teaching machine as set forth in claim 5 wherein said optical sensing circuit comprises a plurality of fiber optic wires and a corresponding plurality of photo resistors.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 47 words
A teaching machine as set forth in claim 5 wherein said control disk includes a metallic core, a non-conductive surface and a conductive spot on said non-conductive surface connected to said metallic core for electrically grounding said core when said disk is in a proper arcuate position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 29 words
A teaching machine as set forth in claim 8 wherein said non-conductive surface includes visible indication means for indicating to the pupil the arcuate position of said control disk.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3052041A Cited
US3142909A Cited
US3578841A Cited
US3579856A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1975-05-30 1975-11-29 1976-05-30 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1979-05-30 1979-11-29 1980-05-30 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1983-05-30 1983-11-29 1984-05-30 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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