Electronic keyboard trainer

Claim 1

A self-contained desk model electronic keybOard trainer, comprising: a. a desk size housing having a substantially horizontal keyboard with a plurality of keys spaced and aligned to match the keyboard of the machine the student is to learn, b. a substantially vertical and rearwardly inclined keyboard display panel disposed on the housing above and behind the keyboard and having a plurality of indicator lights with illuminable indicia areas corresponding in position and size to the keys of the keyboard, the indicator lights being connected to an electrical control circuit, c. each key of the keyboard connected to an electronic code producing means for generating a distinct and different coded output for each key depressed and which has a plurality of electrical output lines over which the code is transmitted when a given key is depressed, d. program means for producing a distinct coded output signal for a given key over the same number of output lines and matching the code produced by the keyboard code producing means, and being controlled by an actuating means which contains successive code markings representing keyboard keys of a predetermined prepared keyboard exercise, e. each of the output lines of the program means being connected to a storage register having two output lines, one of the output lines being connected to row and column decoder means which form part of the electrical control circuit for the indicator lights of the keyboard display panel, f. electrical comparator means for comparing code outputs of the keyboard electronic code producing means and the program means, including an array of gates, one for each code output line, which have two input terminals, one terminal connected to an output line from the code producing means, and the other terminal to the matching output line from one of the storage registers, the gate output signals reflecting whether there is a match of signals received, g. error circuit means connected to and receiving the gate array output and including an electrical advance signal generating circuit means electrically connected to the program means for giving an advance signal to the control means to advance the actuating means to thereby present the succeeding key code signal when the gate outputs all indicate a match between the two code signals received, and h. mode switch means on the housing, connected in circuit with the error circuit means and the indicator lights for permitting the student to determine whether the display panel will visually present the keyboard exercise key by key, or whether the display panel will only light an indicator light after an error has been made to show the correct key of the keyboard which should have been depressed by the student.