US3740869A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self answering programmed instruction device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-11-23
•
Granted: 1973-06-26
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Expires: 1991-11-23
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a device for programmed instruction which permits a student to determine the correct answers to successive questions and answers by placing a stylus in contact with an electrical lead printed on the page of the text which activates an electrical circuit by which a visable or audible signal is transmitted to the student.
Inventors
- 👤 D Pleasants
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 09:22
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B7/00; G09B7/06; G09B7/063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
A self-answering programmed instruction device comprising, a housing, an electrical circuit system associated with said housing including at least one first circuit means comprising a rectifier including control gate means, signal means, switching means, together with at least one second circuit means comprising resistance means and an open circuit portion between a pair of electrical contact means, with at least one of said electrical contact means being attached to a flexible conduit for manual positioning; in combination with at least one separable program sheet comprising at least one program problem and at least one correct problem solution and at least one electrical conductor including a lead associated with said correct problem solution, together with indicator means associated with said correct problem solution lead: in which said electrical contacts of said open circuit portion of said second mentioned circuit means may be selectively contacted against said electrical conductor with said program sheet, with said manually operable contact means on the conductor for the correct problem solution thereby closing said second circuit means to operate said first circuit means to activate the signal means when said normally closed switching means is in closed position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
192 words
A self-answering programmed instruction device comprising, a housing, an electrical circuit system associated with said housing including at least one first circuit means comprising a rectifier including control gate means, signal means, switching means, together with at least one second circuit means comprising resistance means and an open circuit portion between a pair of electrical contact means, with at least one of said electrical contact means being attached to a flexible conduit for manual positioning; in combination with at least one separable program sheet comprising at least one program problem and at least one correct problem solution and at least one electrical conductor including a lead associated with said correct problem solution, together with indicator means associated with said correct problem solution lead: in which said electrical contacts of said open circuit portion of said second mentioned circuit means may be selectively contacted against said electrical conductor with said program sheet, with said manually operable contact means on the conductor for the correct problem solution thereby closing said second circuit means to operate said first circuit means to activate the signal means when said normally closed switching means is in closed position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
91 words
A self-answering programmed instruction device as claimed in claim 1, in which the switching means of the first circuit means comprises an interrupting circuit including capacitor means and a second rectifier and a unijunction transistor in which the capacitor controls the control gate of the second mentioned rectifier through the uni-junction transistor to operate the first circuit means which will alternately close and open rapidly as long as the electrical contacts of the second circuit means remain in contact with the correct program solution lead, thereby providing an apparently continuous signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The self-answering programmed instruction device as claimed in claim 1, in which the program sheet comprises an oversheet and an undersheet with said program sheet electrical conductor printed between said sheets.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
90 words
The self-answering programmed instruction device as claimed in claim 3, in which the program sheet electrical conductor is printed on the undersheet, being an underlying substrate of paper or thin plastic, which is covered by the oversheet, of similar material, on which textual material is printed and said oversheet having apertures positioned to expose points on the program sheet electrical conductor which are associated with correct problem solutions, thereby giving the manually operable contact means access to the printed electrical conductor on the underlying substrate to indicate a correct solution.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
A self-answering programmed instruction device as claimed in claim 1, in which there are a plurality of problems and a plurality of correct solutions and a plurality of incorrect solutions with each correct solution being associated with at least one program sheet electrical conductor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
91 words
The self-answering programmed instruction device as claimed in claim 5, in which the switching means of the first circuit means comprises an interrupting circuit including capacitor means and a second rectifier and a uni-junction transistor in which the capacitor controls the control gate of the second mentioned rectifier through the uni-junction transistor to operate the first circuit means which will alternately close and open rapidly as long as the electrical contacts of the second circuit means remain in contact with the correct program solution lead, thereby providing an apparently continuous signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The self-answering programmed instruction device as claimed in claim 6, in which the housing is provided with a program sheet station.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The self-answering programmed instruction device as claimed in claim 7, in which one of the pair of electrical contacts of the second circuit meaNs is in the form of clip means positioned to clip at least one program sheet to said program sheet station and to contact said program sheet electrical lead.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The self-answering programmed instruction device as claimed in claim 8, in which one of the pair of electrical contacts in the second circuit means, being the manually operable contact means, is in the form of a stylus.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
87 words
The self-answering programmed instruction device as claimed in claim 9, in which the program sheet electrical conductor is printed on the undersheet, being an underlying substrate of paper or thin plastic, which is covered by the oversheet, of similar material, on which textual material is printed and said oversheet having apertures positioned to expose points on the program sheet electrical conductor which are associated with correct problem solutions, thereby giving the stylus access to the printed electrical conductor on the underlying substrate to indicate a correct solution.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-25 | 1976-12-25 | 1977-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-25 | 1980-12-25 | 1981-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-25 | 1984-12-25 | 1985-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |