US3784979A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Response system with improved computational methods and apparatus
Assignee: Singer Co
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Filing: 1971-09-20
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Granted: 1974-01-08
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Expires: 1991-09-20
Abstract
Abstract An improved classroom response system of the type wherein a number of students are provided with individual responders each having a plurality of switches selectively operable to indicate the student''s choice of response to a question or other stimulus. The invention is directed to novel methods and apparatus for performing arithmetic operations and displays which make available to the instructor information helpful in conducting the class and otherwise simplify instructional tasks. Included are means for automatically indicating which of several responses is ''''correct'''' by determining the response to which the highest weight has been assigned by the instructor. Also disclosed are novel means to calculate each individual student''s cumulative score and to indicate automatically the students whose scores fall below a preselected acceptable percentage of the maximum possible score. Displays of the total number of students responding to a given question, and the percent of the class which has responded with any of the possible choices are provided.
Inventors
- 👤 D Friedman
- 👤 B Segal
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:12
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B7/00; G09B7/06; G09B7/07; G09B7/073
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of determining which of several numbers is greater comprising: a. presetting a counter to a value at least as high as the maximum value which any of the several numbers may have; b. providing the output of said counter as an input to a comparator; c. sequentially providing as another input to said comparator the values of each of the several numbers; d. sequentially decrementing said counter by one and comparing each value thereof with each of said numbers until a value of said counter is equal to one of said numbers; and e. indicating said one of said numbers as the number having the highest value.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of determining which of several numbers is greater comprising: a. presetting a counter to a value at least as high as the maximum value which any of the several numbers may have; b. providing the output of said counter as an input to a comparator; c. sequentially providing as another input to said comparator the values of each of the several numbers; d. sequentially decrementing said counter by one and comparing each value thereof with each of said numbers until a value of said counter is equal to one of said numbers; and e. indicating said one of said numbers as the number having the highest value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the indication of the number having the highest value is given by indicating its position in the sequence of the several numbers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said method is repeated continuously with a change indication being inhibited from the time during a sequence when a comparison is made until the counter again provides the maximum value, thereby indicating the number having the highest value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
209 words
Apparatus to determine which of several numbers is greater comprising: a. storage means to store each of the several numbers; b. comparator means having two inputs and providing an output when the two inputs are equal; c. counter means having an output supplied as one input to said comparator means and set to an initial value at least as high as a maximum possible value which any of the numbers may take; d. sequencer means receiving as an input each of said several numbers from said storage means and providing a first output representing repeated sequences of the values of said numbers, said first output being the second input to said comparator, a second output indicative of the completion of each of said sequences as a decrementing input to said counter, and a group of third outputs indicative of the one of said numbers being presented in said sequence at any given time; and e. indicator means responsive to the output of said comparator and said third outpus of said sequencer means to provide an indication of the one of said numbers first corresponding to the output of said counter, thereby indicating the first number in the sequence having a value greater than the other numbers in the sequence.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
209 words
Apparatus to determine which of several numbers is greater comprising: a. storage means to store each of the several numbers; b. comparator means having two inputs and providing an output when the two inputs are equal; c. counter means having an output supplied as one input to said comparator means and set to an initial value at least as high as a maximum possible value which any of the numbers may take; d. sequencer means receiving as an input each of said several numbers from said storage means and providing a first output representing repeated sequences of the values of said numbers, said first output being the second input to said comparator, a second output indicative of the completion of each of said sequences as a decrementing input to said counter, and a group of third outputs indicative of the one of said numbers being presented in said sequence at any given time; and e. indicator means responsive to the output of said comparator and said third outpus of said sequencer means to provide an indication of the one of said numbers first corresponding to the output of said counter, thereby indicating the first number in the sequence having a value greater than the other numbers in the sequence.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus described in claim 4 wherein said counter is reset to said maximum value each time it reaches zero and said indicator means is inhibited from changing from the time when said comparator indication first occurs until said counter is reset, thus permitting a current indication of which number is greater when one or more of the several numbers in said storage means is changed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus described in claim 4 wherein said storage means comprises electrical latches.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus described in claim 4 wherein each of said several numbers is identified by a position in a sequence and said indicator means indicates which number is greater by displaying its position in said sequence.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
81 words
The apparatus described in claim 4 wherein said sequencer means comprises an n + 1 counter, where n equals the number of several numbers to be compared, and gating means, said n + 1 counter selecting the inputs from said storage means which said gating will provide as the first output of said sequencer means, providing as the third output of said sequencer the count of said counter, and as the second output of said sequencer the n + 1 count.
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) | 1977-01-07 | 1977-07-09 | 1978-01-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-07 | 1981-07-09 | 1982-01-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-07 | 1985-07-09 | 1986-01-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |