Teaching machine

• US 4,043,054 A
• Filed: 02/13/1974
• Issued: 08/23/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: VWR Corp. (Avantor, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sargent Welch Scientific Company
• Inventors: Crowder, Norman A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Oechsle, Anton O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hum, Vance Y.
• Application Number:
  US05/442,087
• Time in Patent Office: 1,287 Days
• Field of Search: 35/8 R, 35/9 R, 35/9 A, 35/9 B, 35/9 D, 35/35 C, 35/48 R, 35/10, 40/31, 352/72, 352/78, 352/235
• US Class Current: 434/325
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/08 characterised by modifying the teaching programme in response to a wrong answer, e.g. repeating the question, supplying further information

Abstract

A teaching machine system for displaying selected frames from a multiple-frame film strip wherein instructional material is contained on a first portion of each frame and code indicia including an excursion instruction is contained on a second portion of each frame. The code indicia associated with a frame being displayed render selected answer keys operative whereby a student selects an answer, and establish an initial counting state in a counter, which is counted down as the frames of the film strip pass a projection gate in proceeding to the next frame to be viewed. When the counter reaches a predetermined minimum counting state, dependent on the particular answer key selected by the student, the film strip is stopped and the next frame is viewed. An alternate mode of operation is provided wherein fixed excursions of a predetermined number of frames occur for each answer key. A dynamic reading method is employed for reading code indicia on the film strip to reduce the number of photodetectors required. A performance memory is provided for branching to advanced material after a predetermined number of correct answers, and a no-go circuit is provided for discouraging frivolous or improper depression of answer keys. The film transport includes a self-threading feature, and operates at two speeds to reduce excursion time and to provide a smooth controlled stop sequence. A novel cassette-type supply reel provides automatic mode selection, and novel reel hub assemblies provide for bidirectional film movement with a single bidirectional drive motor.

Claims

1. In a teaching machine of the type which displays selected frames from a multiple frame film strip wherein instructional material is contained on first portions of said frames and code indicia, including an excursion instruction for proceeding to a subsequent frame to be displayed, is contained on second portions of said frames, a film transport comprising:

means including a projection gate for displaying the first portion of individual ones of said frames when aligned in said projection gate;

a supply reel for storing said film strip in a rewound position;

a take-up reel for receiving said film strip;

film drive means for advancing said film strip from said supply reel, through said projection gate, and onto said take-up reel;

a permanent leader comrpising in length a plurality of frames and extending in a home position from a point of engagement with said film strip through said projection gate to said take-up reel, the frame of said leader then in said projection gate being a predetermined number of frames from the first viewing frame of said film strip and having a related initial excursion instruction on said leader; and

automatic loading means responsive to said initial excursion instruction for causing said film drive means to advance said leader said predetermined number of frames from said home position to position said first viewing frame of said film strip in said projection gate.

2. A film transport as defined in claim 1 wherein said teaching machine further includes a counter responsive to applied pulses for counting down from an initial counting state, means for generating pulses to count said counter down from said initial counting state as said frames of said permanent leader and said instructional film strip pass said projection gate, and means for stopping the motion of said film strip when said counter reaches a predetermined minimum counting state, and wherein said automatic loading means include means for entering said initial excursion instruction from said leader into said counter.

3. A film transport as defined in claim 1 which further includes position sensing means for automatically stopping said leader in said home position after said film strip has been rewound onto said supply reel.