AUDIO TUTORING DEVICE INCLUDING RECORDING CAPABILITY

• US 3,705,271 A
• Filed: 03/26/1971
• Issued: 12/05/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: PHI Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: David D. Price Jr, Lawrence R De Bell
• Inventors: De Bell, Lawrence R., Price, David D. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Britton, Howard W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Eddleman, Alfred H.
• Application Number:
  US05/128,302
• Time in Patent Office: 620 Days
• Field of Search: 179/1.2MD,1.2S,1.2R 35/35C
• US Class Current: 360/74.4
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/04 with audible presentation of the material to be studied sound recording or reproducing G11B

Abstract

Teaching machine apparatus consisting of audio record playback apparatus for reproducing plural channel record tapes including both audio information and control tone signals, and as used in combination with specialized recorder apparatus adapted for answer recording in response to played back instructional material and including interactive control means as between playback and recording circuitry during student usage. The recorder apparatus includes control tone generation means as well as switching and control circuitry for placing audio information signals and control tone signals on separate channels of the plural channel record tape, and automatic timing means provide control over control tone duration and tape transport drive energization.

Claims

1. In combination with a teaching machine of the type which reproduces selected audible information, said teaching means including tape transport means, D-C power supply means, tape drive means, audio playback and record means, audio reproducing means, control tone playback and record means, control tone control circuitry, and a plural channel tape record for receiving both audio and control tone signal recorded thereon, recording apparatus in integral association with said teaching machine, comprising:

switching means energizable to switch said audio and control tone playback and record means to a record mode to receive respective audio and control tone signals as input to said respective audio and control tone playback and record means for recording on said teaching machine tape record;

audio means, including an audio head drive stage for transducing audible energy and amplifying said transduced energy to provide said audio signal input;

tone generator means including a tone head driver stage for providing said control tone signal input;

second switching means actuatable to energize said tone generator means;

timing means connected to cease energization of said tone generator means after a predetermined duration, said timing means also providing a motor stop output simultaneous with the ceasing of energization of the tone generator means; and

motor control circuitry responsive to said motor stop output to de-energize said tape drive means.

2. Recording apparatus as set forth in claim 1 which is further characterized to include:

auxiliary tone generator means providing a constant frequency auxiliary control tone output at a selected low frequency which does not interfere with said control tone signal; and

auxiliary tone switch means receiving said control tone signal from said tone generator means and said auxiliary tone generator means to provide a selected output to said tone head driver stage, said selected output consisting of either the control tone signal or the control tone and auxiliary control tone signals.

3. Recording apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein saiD tone generator means comprises:

reactance means connected to said D-C power supply means and being normally de-energized to provide no voltage output on an auxiliary power supply lead;

actuation means generating a pulse input to said reactance means to cause said reactance means to conduct and provide voltage output on said auxiliary power supply lead; and

relaxation oscillator means connected to said auxiliary power supply lead and energized in response to voltage output applied thereon to generate said control tone signal output.

4. Recording apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said timing means comprises:

resistance - capacitance means connected to said power supply lead to charge at a pre-determined rate upon energization thereof; and

second reactance means energized by said resistance -capacitance means to disable said relaxation oscillator means.

5. Recording apparatus as set forth in claim 4 which is further characterized to include:

auxiliary tone generator means providing a constant frequency auxiliary control tone output at a selected low frequency which does not interfere with said control tone signal; and

auxiliary tone switch means receiving said control tone signal from said tone generator means and said auxiliary control tone output from the auxiliary tone generator means to provide a selected output to said tone head driver stage, said selected output consisting of either the control tone signal or the control tone and auxiliary control tone signals.