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Computer-assisted audio/visual teaching system

  • US 4,586,905 A
  • Filed: 03/15/1985
  • Issued: 05/06/1986
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/15/1985
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A computer-assisted audio/visual teaching system for presenting synchronized audio and visual instructional material comprising in combination;

  • microcomputer means for running an instructional program, said microcomputer means further including sound effects generation means and alpha-numeric keyboard means for entering student responses into said microcomputer means;

    television monitor means operatively connected to said microcomputer means for displaying text and graphics of said instructional program;

    magnetic record means for permanently storing said instructional program;

    magnetic record reproducing means operatively connected to said microcomputer means for loading said instructional program into said microcomputer means;

    plural channel audio record means containing differing instructional narrative, positive reinforcement, and remedial instruction recorded on two parallel channels and related control tones recorded on one parallel channel for permanently storing the audio portion of said synchronized audio and visual instructional material, said control tones being recorded at selected intervals where it is desired to stop said plural channel audio record means;

    plural channel audio record reproduction means for reproducing said instructional narrative, positive reinforcement, and remedial instruction and said control tones of said plural channel audio record means;

    power control means operatively associated with the power supply circuit of said plural channel audio record reproduction means and an external power source for selectively supplying power from said external power source to said plural channel audio record reproduction means;

    audio control means operatively associated with the audio output of said plural channel audio record reproduction means, said microcomputer means, and said power control means for processing and distributing said audio output of said plural channel audio record reproduction means and said sound effects generation means of said microcomputer means and for selectively controlling the power output of said power control means; and

    transducer means operatively connected to said audio control means for reproducing the processed and distributed audio output of said audio control means,wherein said audio control means further include;

    rechargeable power supply means for energizing said audio control means;

    low battery indicator means operatively associated with said rechargeable power supply means for indicating when said power supply means require recharging;

    power switch means for controlling power to said audio control means;

    audio input circuit means comprising a first connector means for connecting a first input channel and a second input channel of said audio control means to a like first and second channel of said audio record reproduction means;

    sound-actuated switch means operatively associated with said first input channel for detecting recorded sound on said first input channel and providing a logical signal in response to said recorded sound;

    control tone receiver means operatively associated with said second input channel for detecting recorded control tones on said second input channel and providing a logical signal in response to said recorded control tones;

    computer sound effects input circuit comprising a second connector means and audio transformer means for coupling computer sound effects with said audio control means;

    volume control means operatively connected to said computer sound effects input circuit for adjusting volume of said sound effects of said microcomputer means;

    sound effects preamplification and amplification means operatively associated with said volume control means for amplifying said computer sound effects;

    light-sensing input circuit means comprising a third connector means and amplifying means for selectively connecting said audio control means to light-sensing means and amplifying actuation control signals of said television monitor means;

    computer port input means comprising a fourth connector means for selectively connecting said audio control means to an output port of said microcomputer means and for providing a logical signal in response to said actuation control signals of said microcomputer means;

    computer tone receiver means operatively associated with the output of said sound effects preamplification and amplification means for detecting a discrete sound effects tone and providing actuation control signals in response to said sound effects tone;

    gating means operatively associated with said light-sensing input circuit means, said computer port input means, and said computer tone receiver means for transmitting said actuation control signals of said light-sensing input circuit means, said computer port means, and said computer tone receiver means;

    mode switching means and inverting means operatively associated with said gating means for selectively conditioning said actuation control signals of said light-sensing input circuit means to be compatible with a black-on-white and white-on-black display of said microcomputer means and television monitor means;

    silicon controlled rectifier means operatively associated with said power control means, the output of said mode switching means, and said control tone receiver means, said controlled rectifier means made conductive by said actuation control signals and made non-conductive by said recorded control tones for selectively energizing the output of said power control means and associated said audio record reproduction means;

    control output means operatively associated with said silicon controlled rectifier means comprising a fifth connector means for electrically connecting said silicon controlled rectifier means to said tape player control input means of said power control means;

    clock means operatively associated with the output of said mode switching means for providing a single clock pulse in response to each actuation control signal of said light-sensing input circuit means, said computer port input means, and said computer tone receiver means;

    shift register means operatively associated with said clock means for providing a logical output when twice clocked by said clock means in response to two actuation control signals of said light-sensing input circuit means, said computer port input means, and said computer tone receiver means;

    audio relay means, the first and second fixed contacts thereof being operatively associated with said first input channel and second input channel of said audio control means, the relay coil thereof being operatively associated with the output of said shift register means for providing an audio output of said first input channel when said relay coil is not energized in response to a single actuation control signal and providing an audio output of said second input channel when said relay coil is energized in response to two actuation control signals;

    missing-pulse detector means operatively associated with the output of said sound-actuated switch means for providing a logical output when a brief period of recorded silence is detected on said first input channel by said sound-actuated switch means;

    first shift register reset means operatively associated with said missing-pulse detector means for resetting said shift register means in response to said brief period of recorded silence, thereby de-energizing said relay coil of said audio relay means and switching the audio output of said second input channel to said first input channel, said missing-pulse detector preventing switching from said second input channel to said input channel while a recorded instructional segment is in progress on said first channel;

    second shift register reset means operatively associated with said mode switching means for resetting said shift register means in response to a said actuation control signal subsequent to a predetermined delay; and

    audio output circuit means operatively associated with a wiper contact of said audio relay means and said sound effects preamplification and amplification means for providing an audio output comprising either said first input channel or said second input channel and said sound effects of said microcomputer means.

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