U.S. patent number 3,637,221 [Application Number 04/871,153] was granted by the patent office on 1972-01-25 for audiovisual educational apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Bay-Warner Corporation. Invention is credited to Alfred E. Geils, William J. Raymond, Richard W. Roberts, Peter K. Shreck.
United States Patent |
3,637,221 |
Geils , et al. |
January 25, 1972 |
AUDIOVISUAL EDUCATIONAL APPARATUS
Abstract
An audiovisual educational apparatus employing a disc record
having audio messages recorded in spaced relationship and film
strips mounted on an image carrier. The movement of a tone arm is
synchronized with the position of the image carrier so that the
images are positively correlated with the audio messages. A
response mechanism for registering choices to the questions and/or
instructions presented includes a series of pins which are adapted
to be selectively inserted through holes or slots in coded sections
on the control card to either hold or allow controlled advancement
of the card relative to a display station.
Inventors: |
Geils; Alfred E. (Prospect
Heights, IL), Raymond; William J. (Des Plaines, IL),
Roberts; Richard W. (Lombard, IL), Shreck; Peter K. (Mt.
Prospect, IL) |
Assignee: |
Bay-Warner Corporation
(Chicago, IL)
|
Family
ID: |
27087538 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/871,153 |
Filed: |
October 8, 1969 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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615547 |
Feb 13, 1967 |
3483633 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
369/233 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09B
7/08 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G09B
7/08 (20060101); G09B 7/00 (20060101); G11b
017/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;353/16-18 ;274/1,9,15
;35/8A,35C |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Haroian; Harry N.
Parent Case Text
This application is a division of Ser. No. 615,547 filed Feb. 13,
1967, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,483,633.
Claims
We claim:
1. The combination comprising:
a turntable adapted to drive a disc record when said record is
placed on the upper surface thereof, said record having a first
aperture located at its center and a second aperture radially
spaced from said first aperture;
a spindle at the center of said turntable adapted to be received in
said first aperture;
a generally U-shaped member pivotally mounted under said turntable
and rotatable therewith, said member having first and second arms
extending upwardly;
a locating pin carried by said first arm, said locating pin adapted
to extend through a corresponding opening in said turntable and be
received in said second record aperture;
record engaging means carried by said second arm adapted to extend
through a corresponding opening in said turntable to engage said
record, said first and second arms being arranged so that when said
record engaging means is below the plane of said turntable surface,
said locating pin extends above said plane, and vice versa;
a record tray pivotally mounted above said turntable, said tray
having upper and lower portions defining a pocket to support said
record, said upper portion having friction means adapted to engage
the upper surface of said record, whereby when said tray assembly
is pivoted downwardly to load the record on the turntable, said
record will lie on the upper surface of said turntable only if the
locating pin is received in said second aperture, otherwise said
record will bear on said locating pin to keep said record engaging
means operative to hold said record in engagement with said
friction means, said record remaining stationary until said
locating pin can seat itself in second aperture thereby effecting
pivotal movement of the roller beneath the plane of said turntable
surface and allowing the record to drop into driving relationship
with said turntable.
2. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein
said record engaging means comprises a rotatable member journalled
on an axis which is normal to the turntable axis.
3. The combination as defined in claim 1 including
a housing around said record tray;
means defining an opening in said housing through which said record
may be loaded into said tray;
closure means for said opening mounted for movement between an open
position and a closed position; and
means operatively connecting said closure to said record tray to
lift said tray when said closure is moved to its open position.
Description
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to educational devices and more
particularly to audiovisual teaching apparatus having a response
mechanism which the student is required to actuate in response to
information or instructions presented aurally and/or visually.
With the heavy emphasis being placed on education in recent years,
particularly in the areas of preprimary and primary instruction,
there has been a great need for self-tutoring devices which meet
the following requirements:
1. Ability to use low-cost programs to facilitate general
acceptance and usage.
2. Uncomplicated construction for substantially maintenance-free
operation.
3. Ability to be operated by young children with only minimal
supervision.
4. Versatility to permit use of a variety of program formats in
different disciplines, such as language arts, mathematics, music,
etc.
In the present state of the art, there are very few devices which
appear to satisfy the above-listed requirements. On the one hand,
there are extremely complex (and costly) instructional devices,
such as the O. K. Moore self-tutoring typewriter described in U.S.
Pat. No. 3,112,569 and the Uttal system described in U.S. Pat. No.
3,121,960; and on the other hand, there is a variety of relatively
low-cost educational devices, most of which are not sufficiently
versatile to satisfy the minimum requirements for effective
educational tools, particularly with reference to their use by
small children. In this latter category, there are devices which
merely present audiovisual information in sequential fashion
without requiring any response by the operator, such as described
in U.S. Pat. No. 3,138,061 and the nonaudio, response devices, such
as shown for example in U.S. Pat. No. 3,052,041.
Since program costs must be considered in evaluating the overall
usefulness of any particular educational device, one of the most
important objectives is to provide a program which contains as much
information as possible and which can be manufactured by
conventional techniques at low cost. The present invention employs
a low cost, grooved record disc for the audio component and
standard (35 mm., 16 mm. or 8 mm.) film strip for the visual
component. This particular combination is thus well adapted for
conventional mass production methods without having to resort to
more specialized and sophisticated technology.
The basic concept to be described in more detail below resides in
the combination of: (1) an audio component comprising a plurality
of spaced audio messages recorded on a suitable medium, (2) a
responder mechanism which is operated by the student to register
his response to information and/or questions presented in the
program; (3) a combined programming means and visual component
including; (a) visual images corresponding to the audio messages
and (b) code means cooperating with the responder mechanism which
selectively holds or permits a controlled advance of the program
depending on the particular response; and (4) an audio reproduction
system including an audio pickup cooperating with said audio
component and adapted to select and reproduce individual messages
to correspond with the images.
Positive synchronization between the audio and the visual
components is assured by coordinating the position of an audio
pickup relative to the record with the position of the images
relative to a display station. Selective advancement of the
combined programming means and visual component (referred to
hereinafter as the control card) is effected, in turn, by
mechanical cooperation between the responder mechanism and the code
means carried by the control card. During normal operation of the
apparatus, a correct response will allow the control card to index
to the next position so that an adjacent image is located at the
display station; but an incorrect response will prevent advance and
will repeat the audio message. Moreover, the code means may be
modified to provide program " branching," i.e., the preprogramming
of supplementary information which is presented when an incorrect
response choice is made by the student. This supplementary
information is bypassed by advancing the control card more than one
space if a correct response choice is registered. The apparatus
also contains a number of additional features which may be utilized
on other types of audio and/or visual devices and which may not
necessarily require a response mechanism.
It is, therefore, a principal object of the invention to provide an
improved audiovisual educational apparatus.
Another object of the invention is to assure positive
synchronization between the audio component and the visual
component in an audiovisual apparatus so that the images and audio
messages always correspond, even during rapid scan of the
program.
Another object of the invention is to provide an educational device
which permits "branching" during a program to provide supplemental
information to the student in case of an incorrect response.
Another object of the invention is to provide an audiovisual
apparatus adapted to use programs which can be manufactured at
relatively low cost.
Another object of the invention is to provide a program in which
opposite sides of both the audio and the visual components can be
used to store information with the corresponding sides being color
coded to give the operator a visual stimulus for proper
coordination.
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved audio
record which allows large tolerances in the audio pickup locating
and track (message) selection mechanism.
Another object is to provide an improved mechanism for positioning
a disc record onto a turntable.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a simplified
control system which will repeat a message in the case of an
incorrect response choice and will automatically advance the
program upon a correct response choice.
Additional objects and advantages will be apparent from reading the
following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings
wherein:
FIG. 1 is a pictorial or schematic representation of the principal
components in the apparatus;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the audio component;
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the combination visual component and
coding element, sometimes referred to as the control card;
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the control circuit;
FIG. 5 is a front elevation view, partly broken away and in cross
section, of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 6 is a cross section taken along the plane of line 6--6 of
FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a cross section taken along the plane of line 7--7 of
FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a cross section taken along the plane of line 8--8 of
FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 is a detailed cross section illustrating the mechanism for
controlling the vertical movement of the tone arm; and
FIG. 10 is a detailed cross section view showing the pin guide and
support assembly.
Before beginning a description of the actual construction and
operation of the device, it should be pointed out that there are
many different alternative arrangements which will be obvious to
anyone skilled in the recording and optical art. Consequently, the
various terms used herein, such as "audio pick-up," are intended to
cover a wide variety of electrical, mechanical and optical means
for translating recorded information into aurally sensible
information to the operator. For example, in the disc recording
art, there are at least four main types of audio pickups, e.g.,
ceramic, magnetic, crystal and pure mechanical. Obviously, the
choice of one or the other of these pickups would be governed by
considerations of a trade off between the quality of reproduction
desired and cost.
To guide those skilled in the art in selection of various
equivalents, the following glossary is provided to define the
various terms used frequently throughout the specification and
claims herein. It should be understood that this is primarily for
the purpose of facilitating a complete understanding of the
invention, and it is not intended that the terms be strictly
limited to the specific definitions recited.
PROGRAM
Any intelligence, regardless of the purpose for which such
intelligence is to be employed, e.g., educational, instructional,
or entertainment, for communication to the operator, said
intelligence being capable of being divided into a predetermined
number of discrete segments for presentation to the operator in a
nonrandom fashion. The term "discrete segments" is not to be
limited to a single visual image presented in conjunction with a
single audio message, but may also include more than one audio
message corresponding to a single visual image or more than one
visual image corresponding to a single audio message.
IMAGE
Any pictorial representation, symbol, written matter, alone or in
combination with each other, for communicating intelligence to the
operator through his visual senses.
AUDIO COMPONENT OF PROGRAM
Any suitable medium having one or more messages recorded thereon by
any means, such as optical, magnetic, or embossed recording
techniques. The record medium may take many forms but the most
common would be the disc-type record, a cylindrical drum, or a
flexible belt of the type used in dictating apparatus. If magnetic
recording techniques are employed, the recording media may be any
suitable support for a magnetic iron oxide coating.
AUDIO MESSAGE
The audio message is any meaningful intelligence which is capable
of being recorded and reproduced by an appropriate audio
reproduction system including a pickup.
AUDIO REPRODUCTION SYSTEM
Any means which is adapted to cooperate with the audio component of
the program unit to convert the recorded messages into intelligence
capable of being understood by the operator through his aural
senses. In a conventional system, this would include an audio
pickup of a type capable of deriving a signal from the particular
form of recorded audio information; and an amplifier to amplify the
signal generated by the pickup to power level which can drive a
transducer, such as a loudspeaker, to convert the amplified signal
to an audible signal. This would also include simple mechanical
systems for direct conversion of the recorded information into
sound, e.g., a diaphragm mechanically connected to a record
stylus.
VISUAL COMPONENT OF PROGRAM
The combination of a plurality of discrete images adapted to be
selectively presented to the operator and means for supporting the
images in a predetermined pattern.
RESPONDER MECHANISM
Any device capable of being used to register a response by the
operator. This response may be cued by direct instructions, thereby
omitting a choice, or by posing a question which may be answered by
selection of various alternatives.
CODE
Any means for distinguishing a correct response from an incorrect
response for coordinating the registered response with the advance
of the program so that the selection of an incorrect response
produces one result and the selection of a correct choice produces
another result.
VISUAL DISPLAY STATION
A discrete point or location with respect to which the visual
intelligence is brought into some predetermined spatial
relationship so that such intelligence is communicated to the
operator. The images may be viewed directly at the display station
or projected from the display station to another location for
viewing.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Referring first to FIG. 1, which is a schematic or pictorial
representation of the main functional components in the system, the
instructional program is comprised of an audio component A and a
visual component B. The audio component is preferably in the form
of a record disc or platter adapted to be supported on a turntable
which is driven by drive means C. An audio reproduction system D,
including a movable audio pickup is adapted to select and play back
different recorded messages on the record which correspond to
images in the visual component.
The visual component B, comprising a series of individual images,
is integrated with a code E on a suitable support. For convenience,
the support which carries both the images and the code will be
referred to hereinafter as the control card and designated at F. A
responder mechanism G which is used by the operator to register
responses to instructions and/or questions presented in the program
is adapted to coact with code means E for selectively holding or
allowing controlled advance of the control card F.
Movement of the control card F with respect to a display station H
is positively synchronized with the movement of the audio pickup
for selection of a particular recorded message thereon to
correspond to the image appearing at the display station; and
although the images could be presented for direct viewing at the
display station, it is more practical to project them to a
different location through an optical system J. Program advance
mechanism K cooperates with means L for effecting relative movement
between the control card and the display station H, said means
including a sprocket wheel for engaging the control card to
constitute a form of rack and pinion drive system.
THE AUDIO COMPONENT
A plan view of the audio component A is illustrated in FIG. 2. In
the preferred embodiment, this takes the form of a disc-type,
grooved record in which the various messages are recorded in a
continuous spiral path and arranged in concentric groups. The
record platter 10 is provided with a central opening 12 for
reception of the center spindle on the turntable and a locating
hole 14 spaced radially from the axis of rotation. In the operation
of the unit, each individual message begins and ends by the time a
single revolution of the record has been completed. In other words,
the record (and the turntable) must always return to a central or
"home" position in preparation for the next message. This message
start (and finish) position is indicated by a dotted line 16
following the arcuate travel path of the audio pickup.
An important feature of the invention is a system of recording the
messages to permit considerable latitude in locating the audio
pickup when it drops onto the record. This is accomplished by
recording identical messages within the same band. To illustrate,
the bands at 18a, 18b, etc., each consist of a plurality of
identical messages-- 10 to 30 -- recorded in adjacent tracks. The
pickup stylus can therefore be dropped anywhere within the band and
still play back the correct message when the turntable is driven
through its single revolution. The next message, recorded in an
adjacent band, is reproduced by shifting the pickup radially and
dropping it anywhere within said band. It should be understood that
a particular message need not take up the entire space available
within the one revolution track; but each of the identical messages
recorded within a given band will normally begin and end at the
same radial location.
CONTROL CARD
The control card combines several functions: (1) a support for the
visual images; (2) means forming an essential part of the
synchronization mechanism; and (3) a means for incorporating the
code, which in cooperation with the responder mechanism, determines
the frame-to-frame advance of the program. As shown in FIG. 3 the
control card F is in the form of an elongated, generally
rectangular paddle 20 having projections 22 at one end to function
as a stop for locating the card when it is placed in an operative
position with respect to the display station. The programs are
divided into two sections so that one set of images corresponds to
the messages recorded on opposite sides of the record. The control
card and record are then inverted after the first section of the
program has been completed. Accordingly, each functional element
associated with the control card is one of a pair.
Along the upper and lower edges of the control card are lines of
sprocket holes 24a, 24b which cooperate with the program advance
mechanism to provide indexing movement to the card during operation
of the machine. The images are arranged on opposite sides of the
card centerline, preferably in the form of a pair of film strips
26a, 26b which may be standard (35 mm., 16 mm. or 8 mm.) film
adapted for through projection onto a display screen.
Two coded areas 28a, 28b are located between the sprocket holes and
the film strips. The code comprises a plurality of aperture groups,
the number of groups being equal (with certain exceptions) to the
number of images in each film strip, and the number of apertures in
each group being equal to the number of response keys in the
responder mechanism. It will be noted that certain of the apertures
are circular (holes) and others are elongated (slots). Actuation of
the responder mechanism selectively inserts a pin or other means
for interfering with card movement through one of the holes or
slots. When one of the pins is in a hole 30 the card cannot be
moved; but when it is in a slot 32 the card can travel a distance
equal to the length of the slot. The specific coaction between the
code and the responder will be discussed in more detail below.
CONSTRUCTION OF AUDIOVISUAL DEVICE
The construction of a preferred embodiment of the audiovisual
apparatus adapted to use the program components described above is
shown in FIGS. 4 to 11. As an aid to a complete understanding of
the invention, the following description will be organized in three
main parts: (1) a general description of the housing and the
location of the principal components within the housing; (2) a
detailed description of the various subassemblies; and (3) a
description of the operation.
HOUSING
A main housing, generally designated at N, comprises a rigid frame
40 for supporting the operating mechanism and an external
appearance cover 41 to enclose such mechanism and the
record-control card components of the program during operation of
the device. The frame includes a base 42 and a platform 43 attached
to the base and spaced therefrom by a plurality of legs 44. The
appearance cover 41 comprises a front wall 45, top wall 46,
sidewalls 47,48 and a rear wall 49.
The upper part of the housing N contains a turntable assembly P
carried by the platform and a record tray assembly Q. A rear
projection display screen 50 is located on the front wall of the
housing for convenient viewing of the images by the operator; and
immediately underneath the screen is the responder mechanism G
which includes a console 51 with a set of response keys 52a, 52b,
52c, 52d, 52e adapted to be manipulated by the student to register
his responses to questions and/or instructions in the program.
At the lower right-hand portion of the front wall 45 is a vertical
slot 53 which is adapted to receive the control card F. As the
control card is inserted into the slot, the sprocket holes 24a(b)
along the edge engage and receive the teeth on a sprocket wheel 54
which cooperates with a tone arm position control mechanism to
synchronize the audio messages with the images in registration with
the display station H.
THE TURNTABLE AND RECORD TRAY ASSEMBLIES
The upper portion of the front wall of the housing N is provided
with an access opening 56 to permit removal (and insertion) of the
record from the turntable P. To facilitate this manipulation, a
record tray assembly Q is provided, said record tray being
operative to automatically locate the record with respect to the
center spindle on the turntable. The tray is also mounted for
pivotal movement so that it may be lifted clear of the center
spindle (and a locating pin) and the tone arm during any transfer
of a record onto or off the turntable.
As shown best in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the tray comprises upper and
lower parts 57,58 joined on three sides and dished in the center at
59,60 to define a generally circular pocket 61 for the reception of
the record. The open side 62 of the tray faces the front of the
housing and is generally aligned with the access opening. The
entire tray is pivoted on a pair of brackets 63,64 attached to the
platform at the rear of the housing.
The front end of the tray is adapted to be lifted to allow the
record to clear the turntable and the tone arm at the same time
that a closure for the access opening is shifted from a closed
position to an open position. It will be noted that the closure 65
is supported at the end of two elongated arms 66,67 pivotally
supported on the platform at 68,69. The lifting action is
accomplished by the use of a pair of bistable rocker links 70 (only
the left-hand link being shown) attached to the platform on
opposite sides of the tray. A first pin 72, secured to the front
end of the link, extends through a slot 73 in the arm 66. Another
pin 74 at the opposite end of each link extends through a slot 75
in a bracket 76 attached to the tray. When the closure (and the
arms) are pushed down to the open position, each link pivots in
such a way that the tray is lifted. A pair of springs 77 holds the
closure in the open and closed positions by an overcentering
(locking) action.
The upper section of the tray is formed with a large wedge-shaped
opening 80 defined by an upstanding reinforcing rib 81. This
opening permits clearance for the tone arm as it swings in its
normal arcuate path across the record. The bottom section of the
tray has a large, circular opening 82 with a diameter slightly
larger than the turntable, but smaller than the diameter of the
record so that it can support it at its periphery while loading and
unloading.
The turntable P is supported in a bearing 83 mounted on platform 43
and has a center spindle 84 extending above the plane of the upper
surface thereof. A cushion 86 may be provided on the upper surface
to prevent damage to the record when dropped onto the turntable and
also to prevent slippage between the turntable and the record.
Although any conventional turntable drive system may be used, the
drive means C (See FIG. 7) comprises an electric motor 87 and a
friction drive roller 88 engaging the rim 89 of the turntable. The
respective diameters of the motor shaft 90 and the turntable rim 89
are selected so that the turntable is driven at about 15-20 r.p.m.
(preferably at 16-2/3 r.p.m.) to give satisfactory audio
reproduction and a message length of up to 3 to 4 seconds. The
drive roller 88, mounted on bracket 91, is spring loaded (by means
not shown) into driving engagement with both the shaft and the
rim.
As pointed out above, each audio message is completed within a
single revolution of the record. In order to control the movement
of the turntable, a turntable stop is provided which is adapted to
arrest the turntable at a predetermined point after a single
revolution and prevent further movement until the stop is released.
The stop mechanism, designated generally at R, comprises a bell
crank lever 92 having an arm 92a engagable with a radially inwardly
extending tab 93 secured to the turntable rim 89. The actuation of
the stop will be discussed in more detail below in connection with
the control system.
Additional control features associated with the turntable include a
pair of cams 94 and 95 which respectively operate a microswitch 96
in the control circuit and a tone arm lift mechanism S. The two
cams are located at different levels with respect to the turntable
rim so that actuation of their respective cam followers is
selective.
A novel aspect of the invention is the particular locating
mechanism which assures accurate placement of the record onto the
turntable. Since all the messages begin and end at a particular
point on the record (indicated at 16 on FIG. 2), it is necessary to
make sure that the program is started with the record properly
aligned with respect to the turntable. This is accomplished by
means of a locating mechanism, designated at T, which will hold the
record stationary until a locating pin on the turntable finds the
corresponding locating hole 14 on the record. As best shown in FIG.
6, a U-shaped bracket 98 having arms 98a, 98b extending upwardly is
carried on the center spindle 84 and rotatable with the turntable.
A locating pin 99 on one arm 98a is adapted to project through a
ferrule 100 in the turntable and the locating hole 14 in the
record. Arm 98b carries record engaging means in the form of a
roller 101 journalled for rotation along axis normal to the center
spindle. The shape of bracket 98 is such that when one arm is at or
below the plane of the record, the other arm will project above the
plane of the record with the pivot point 102 being below said plane
and approximately on the rotational axis of said record. When the
tray is lowered with the record, the tray pocket 61 will hold the
record so that the center hole 12 will be aligned with the spindle
84. Normally, the locating hole 14 will not be aligned with the
locating pin; and since the locating pin cannot project through the
locating hole, the bottom of the record will engage and bear down
on the top of pin and rock the bracket so that the roller is pushed
up through an opening 103 in the turntable. This will prevent the
record from dropping onto the turntable surface and urge the upper
surface of the record into engagement with friction pads 104
attached to the lower surface of tray section 57.
When the turntable is then rotated, the record will remain
stationary; but the roller and the locating pin will rotate with
the turntable until the pin can find opening 14 and seat itself
therein. When this occurs, the roller will drop down through
opening 103 as the bracket rocks in the opposite direction; and the
record will drop flat onto the turntable surface in the proper,
aligned relation.
SYNCHRONIZATION-- TONE ARM LATERAL CONTROL
The tone arm 110 is mounted for horizontal or lateral movement on a
shaft 111 located at the left-rear portion of the housing and
journalled in a bearing 112 attached to the platform 43. A torsion
spring 113, anchored to the platform and the shaft, biases the tone
arm in a clockwise direction (as viewed in FIG. 7) to the
inner-most position. As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, lateral
movement of the tone arm is linked to the movement of the control
card by means of an elongated lever 109 extending from the tone arm
shaft toward the front wall. This lever is connected by means of a
cable, chain, or other suitable means 114 to a drum 115 attached to
and rotatable with the sprocket wheel shaft 116, said shaft being
mounted in upper and lower bearings 117, 118 on the platform and
base respectively.
The cable 114 is always maintained in tension by the opposing
forces of spring 113 biasing the tone arm and a power spring 120
adapted to drive the sprocket wheel shaft 116 in a clockwise
direction (as viewed in FIG. 8). When the control card is inserted
into the machine, it drives the sprocket wheel 54 in the direction
shown by the arrow (FIG. 8). This will drive the drum 115 in a
direction which will unwind the cable and permit spring 113 to move
the tone arm toward its radially innermost position. As the card
moves outwardly in indexing-type movement, drum 115 is rotated in a
direction which winds up the cable on the drum and pulls lever 109
in a direction which effects movement of the tone arm radially
outwardly.
PROGRAM ADVANCE
CONTROL CARD GUIDE AND DISPLAY STATION
As the leading end of the control card F is inserted into the slot
32, the lower edge is engaged and guided by a pair of rollers 106
mounted on the base 42. At the same time, the top edge of the card
will be engaged and guided by a roller 121 which is carried on the
end of the cantilever spring 122. The spring action thus keeps the
card in perfect alignment throughout its entire length of
travel.
Indexing movement of the card is effected by cooperation between
power spring 120, the sprocket wheel 54, a ratchet wheel 123
carried on the sprocket wheel shaft, and a pawl 124. The pawl is
secured to a rotatable shaft 126 journalled at its upper end in a
bearing 127 on the platform and at its lower end in a bearing 128
attached to the base. A torsion spring 129 urges the pawl into
engagement with the ratchet teeth 130 but permits one-way movement
of the sprocket wheel when the control card is inserted. Suitable
stops (not shown) arrest the sprocket wheel at predetermined points
so that synchronization is maintained.
Release of the ratchet (and sprocket) is effected by actuation of a
solenoid 132 mounted underneath the platform. As best shown in FIG.
7, actuating rod 133 of solenoid 132 is connected to one end of the
turntable stop arm or lever 92 which is also supported by the pawl
shaft 126. A return spring 134 for the brake lever 92 is anchored
to the platform at 135. Energization of the solenoid will thrust
the stop lever and shaft 126 in a clockwise direction (as viewed in
FIG. 7) to release the pawl 124 from the ratchet wheel 123. This
will permit the card to advance, due to the driving force of spring
120, in a direction out of the housing unless interferred with by
the pins cooperating with the coded area on the card. It should be
pointed out that the force delivered by the sprocket wheel spring
120 is much greater than the force provided by the tone arm spring
113. Accordingly, the former will always override the latter, even
though the forces are applied in opposite directions through the
cable 114.
When the control card has reached its terminal frame or image, it
may be released for removal from the slot 32 by a second control
linkage connected to the record tray Q. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8,
the back of the tray has a downwardly extending arm 136 which is
connected to the ratchet pawl 124 through a strut 137. One end of
the strut extends through a slot 125 in the pawl to provide a lost
motion connection permitting the pawl to be intermittently actuated
by the solenoid without exerting a force on arm 136. However, when
the tray pivots upwardly to permit removal of the record, the arm
and strut linkage pushes the pawl to a full release position which
permits the card to be removed. To prevent the spring 120 from
rapidly driving the card out of the slot when the tray is lifted, a
brake mechanism for the sprocket wheel, generally indicated at 138,
is provided. A second strut 139 attached to arm 136 pivots a brake
pad 140 to engage the upper surface of sprocket wheel 119 at the
same time that the pawl is released. The braking effort applied is
not so great as to hinder removal of the control card from the
housing.
The display station H is a particular location with respect to
which the individual images on the control card are brought into
some predetermined spatial relationship to permit the operator to
view or otherwise receive the visual intelligence carried on said
image. In the apparatus described, this display station may be
regarded as coincident with the aperture 142 in a mask 143 forming
a part of the optical projection system; although it should be
understood that the images may be presented for direct viewing.
RESPONDER MECHANISM
As pointed out above, movement of the control card is governed by
cooperation between the holes and slots in the coded area of the
card and a series of interfering pins selectively insertable
through one of the holes and slots associated with each image. The
pins 150a, 150b, 150c, 150d, 150e are mounted in a pin guide and
support assembly 151 (see FIG. 10) and include springs 152 to hold
the pins away from the card unless forced, by actuation of a key,
in a direction to overcome the spring force.
Attached to the frame on the front of the housing is the console 51
which includes a support member 153 having openings to receive the
stems 154 extending from the response keys 52a-52e. Downward
pressure on any of the keys forces the end of the stem into
engagement with one of a plurality of bell crank levers 155
attached to support 153. The opposite end of each lever is
connected to the respective pins 150a-150e through struts 156.
Adjacent to the display station H, on the opposite side of the
control card from the pin guide and support assembly 151 is a
microswitch 158. The microswitch actuating mechanism includes a
flexible plate 159 attached to a part of the frame at 160. The
plate has a portion which is arranged to cover the area through
which the pins can project on the opposite side of the control
card. Accordingly, the actuation of any key will effect engagement
of the plate 159 by the corresponding pin to close the microswitch.
The operation of the microswitch will be discussed in more detail
with regard to the operation of the control circuit.
TONE ARM--VERTICAL CONTROL
The vertical position of the tone arm 110 is coordinated with the
turntable P by means of tone arm lift mechanism S, such that: (1)
the pickup (and stylus) is dropped onto the record just after a
revolution of the turntable is initiated; and (2) the pickup is
lifted off the record each time the turntable ends one revolution.
Means are also provided for raising the tone arm to a still higher
elevation when the record tray Q is pivoted up to change a record
in order to prevent interference between the tone arm and the
record during this operation.
As best shown in FIG. 9, the tone arm lift mechanism S includes a
cam follower 162 which cooperates with the cam 95 on the turntable
to actuate a slider 163 mounted on platform 43. The slider is
constructed of two plates 164, 165 on opposite sides of the
platform, said plates being attached to each other by pins 166,
which extend through slots 167. The slider is thus restricted to
limited travel back and forth on a radial path which extends
between the turntable axis and the tone arm (lateral) pivot axis. A
return spring 168, attached to the slider and a tab 169 on the
platform, biases the slider against the turntable rim.
A sleeve 170 is journalled on the OD of the tone arm shaft bearing
112 extending above the platform 43. Attached to the upper end of
the sleeve is an L-shaped arm 171 which has a terminal portion
adapted to engage the underside of the tone arm 110. In a preferred
embodiment, contact is made with an adjustment screw 172 which may
be used to make minor adjustments in the height of the tone arm. To
complete the linkage between the tone arm and the turntable cam, a
lever 173 is pivoted on a bracket 174 mounted on the platform, said
lever having a fork-shaped arm 175 engaging a flange 176 on the
bottom of sleeve 170 and another arm 177 extending downwardly for
engagement by the bottom slider plate 165. Since the tone arm has a
generally channel-shaped cross section to receive the end of arm
171, and since the sleeve is freely journalled on the outside of
the tone arm shaft bearing 112, the sleeve will rotate with the
tone arm during its travel back and forth laterally.
In order to lift the tone arm to a maximum elevation to prevent
damage during insertion or removal of the record, a two-piece lever
178 is pivoted on a pin 179 extending down from the platform. This
lever is adapted to be actuated by means of an arm 180 attached to
and extending downwardly from the back of the record tray Q so that
when the tray is lifted, lever 178 is pivoted in a clockwise
direction, as shown in FIG. 8, to engage and move arm 177 of the
tone arm lift lever. The maximum movement of this lever is greater
than that effected by the movement of the slider mechanism so that
the tone arm is lifted still further. The mechanical advantage in
this linkage is enough to lift the far end of the tone arm against
the inside of the top cover 41. The torsion spring 182 connecting
the two sections of lever 178 takes up any additional movement in
winding up the spring.
OPTICAL SYSTEM
The optical system J to be described is more or less conventional
for use with transparency projection. An extension 184 of the main
housing provides space for the projection lamp 185 and a blower if
required (not shown). The heat resistant glass and condensing lens
assembly 186 is supported between the lamp and the mask 143 and
aperture 142 which confines the light path to an area corresponding
to the individual images on the control card. On the opposite side
of the display station H is a projection lens 187 which projects
the image through a mirror system onto the rear projection display
screen 50 on the front of the housing. The location of the various
mirrors in the optical system is governed largely by the placement
of other components in the housing. However, in the particular
device shown, a first 45.degree. mirror 188 projects the image
toward the back wall along a plane parallel to the base. A second
mirror 189 reflects the image at a 90.degree. angle in a plane
parallel to the back wall and at approximately a 45.degree. angle
upwardly onto a third mirror 190 which redirects the image onto the
display screen at a 90.degree. angle toward the front and
approximately parallel to the base.
CONTROL CIRCUIT
Referring now to FIG. 4, the control circuit for automatically
controlling the sequence of operation is illustrated in schematic
form. A pair of line conductors 192 and 193 are connected to a
conventional power source, i.e., 117 volt 60 cycle AC through a
main on/off switch 194 and fuse 195. The on/off switch 194 may also
be combined with a volume control for the audio reproduction system
D. Lines 192, 193 supply electrical energy to the projection lamp
185 and a blower motor 196 when the main switch is closed.
Microswitch 158, which is actuated by any of the response keys, is
in series with the cam actuated switch 96 and solenoid 132. The
turntable motor is connected between power line 193 and a terminal
198, which is in common with switches 96 and 158, by conductor 199.
With the turntable P in the position shown, microswitch 96 is
placed with the N/O contact in the closed position and the N/C
contact in the open position to enable solenoid 132 to be energized
when microswitch 158 is closed by depression of any one of the keys
52a, 52b, etc. This will also complete a circuit through switch
158, conductor 199 and the turntable motor 87 to begin rotation of
the turntable and dislodge the cam 94 from the corresponding cam
follower controlling switch 96. As soon as the turntable cam 94 has
left its "home" position, microswitch 96 opens contact N/O and
closes contact N/C. This will, of course, deenergize the solenoid
and at the same time close an alternate circuit through the
turntable motor through conductor 200 which is in parallel with
microswitch 158. The turntable will continue to rotate until the
cam again reaches its home position at which time the N/C contact
will open to discontinue power to the motor and will close contact
N/O to condition the solenoid for the next depression of the
response switch.
OPERATION
Having thus far described the mechanical construction of a
preferred embodiment of the apparatus, the following table outlines
the various steps in the control sequence and the corresponding
effect with regard to the various components:
Action 1. Closure Moved To "Open" Position
Effect:
a. record tray lifted
b. tone arm lifted to highest position
c. pawl released
d. sprocket wheel brake engaged
Action 2. Record Inserted Into Tray
Action 3. Closure Moved to "Closed" Position
Effects:
a. record tray drops--record held off turntable and against
friction pads by roller
b. tone arm dropped to intermediate position
c. pawl engaged
d. sprocket wheel brake disengaged
Action 4. Control Card Inserted
Effects:
a. tone arm pivoted radially inwardly as sprocket wheel is driven
by control card
b. when fully inserted, image No. 1 is displayed on screen and
stylus is just inside band with first recorded message.
Action 5. Student Responds To Audiovisual Information and Depresses
Response Key
Effects:
a. one of the pins 150a, 150b, etc., is thrust through a slot (or
hole) in the control card to actuate microswitch 158
b. circuit to solenoid completed and solenoid energized
i. solenoid retracts to release pawl with respect to the sprocket
and permit control card to advance (if it can)
ii. turntable stop released
c. turntable motor energized
d. if pin is in one of the holes 30, control card remains
stationary and tone arm does not move to next message group. If pin
is received in one of the slots 32, control card advances until it
is arrested by back edge of slot to bring new image into display
station and advance the tone arm to corresponding message.
Action 6. Turntable Begins Revolution
Effects:
a. cam 95 actuates tone arm vertical control mechanism S and drops
tone arm onto record
b. cam 94 actuates microswitch 96 which:
i. opens circuit to deenergize solenoid, bringing pawl and
turntable stop back to initial position and
ii. closes parallel circuit through turntable motor to continue
turntable rotation.
Action 7. During Turntable Rotation
Effect:
a. locating pin 99 finds locating hole 14 in record and record
drops down on turntable surface in correct position.
Action 8. Turntable Returns to Home Position
Effects:
a. cam 95 actuates tone arm vertical control mechanism S to lift
tone arm off record
b. cam 94 opens N/C contacts of switch 96 to discontinue turntable
motor and recloses contacts N/O to condition solenoid for next key
actuation through switch 158
c. turntable stop 92-93 arrests turntable in home position
Action 9. Continue Through Program by Repeating Actions 5 to 8.
Action 10. Program Change (Last Frame on Control Card)--Closure
Moved to Open Position
Effects:
a. record tray lifted
b. tone arm raised to maximum elevation
c. pawl moved to full release position
d. sprocket wheel bracket engaged to prevent rapid ejection of
control card
Action 11. Record and Control Card Removed and Inserted Back in
Inverted Position
Action 12. Repeat Actions 5 to 9 Until Program Completed
CONTROL CARD CODING--BRANCHING
Referring back to FIG. 3, it will be noted that the code apertures
may be conveniently arranged in groups with the left-hand edge of
all holes or slots in a group lying along an imaginary straight
line. These imaginary lines are all parallel and may be canted at
an angle to the edge of the card.
As pointed out above in the discussion on the control card, each
aperture group I, II, III etc. corresponds to one of the images
designated 1, 2, 3, . . . etc.; and when the card is inverted,
aperture groups I', II', III', etc. correspond to images 1', 2',
3', etc. When the operator begins the program, image 1 will be at
the display station for projection onto screen 50 and the pins
150a, 150b . . . 150e will be aligned with the holes (or slots) in
the code group I. The first group is a dummy to allow the record to
seat itself properly on the turntable. Therefore, no audio message
is required. To avoid wasting one frame, the student may be
instructed (by information on image 1, for example) to first push
the left-hand key 52a which will result in pin 150a projecting
through a hole 30(1). This will initiate the first complete
revolution of the turntable to seat the record; and there would be
no audio message for this image.
With the record properly seated on the turntable, the student is
now prepared to continue with the regular program; so he is
instructed to depress another key, e.g., 52c, which projects pin
150b through a slot 32(1). The solenoid 132 is actuated by the
closing of switch 158 and the card advances to image 2. At the same
time, the audio pickup head is dropped on the band which has the
first message recorded thereon.
By way of example, image 2 may depict the letter "B" and have an
arrow pointing to one of the keys. The audio message may
state--
"This is the letter B (pronounce phonetically) now push the key
under the arrow."
The response is thus made to a pure instruction be depressing the
key under the arrow. When this occurs, the control card advances to
image 3 (and the audio message corresponding thereto).
This frame may be constructed as follows:
Image--Series of different letters (including one "B") each
arranged over one of the keys
Audio--"Can you find the letter B? Press the key under B!"
In this example, the code for the key corresponding to the letter B
is the only one which has a slot to advance the control card.
Depression of other "incorrect" keys will insert a pin through a
hole, and will repeat the audio message without advancing the
program.
In a branched program both a correct and an incorrect answer will
advance the program; but in the case of an incorrect answer, the
next frame will supply additional information and a correct answer
will advance the program two (or more) frames to bypass the
additional information.
As an example, it will be assumed that the previous question (find
the letter "B") has been presented on image 3 (and the
corresponding audio message).
All the incorrect choices will advance the program to frame 4 by
means of a single frame slot. This frame will be constructed as
follows:
Image--Letter B appearing again with other letters which are
designated as being incorrect
Audio--"You did not select B--depress the key under B."
If a correct choice was made earlier, then the program skips frame
4 and advances by means of a double frame advance slot to frame 5.
Frame 5 would normally be used to introduce new information.
Frame 4 may thus be regarded as comprising an error stimulus which
includes both an audio error message and an error image.
In a more sophisticated program, multiple branching may be
employed. In this case there may be as many different error stimuli
as there are incorrect choices to a particular question. Continuing
with the example above, instead of a general error stimulus as
specified for frame 4, each incorrect response may advance the
control card to a different position. For example, the choices in
addition to "B" may be "F," "D," "P" and "E" which correspond to
keys 52a, 52b, 52d and 52e, respectively. Actuation of key 52a will
advance the control card to frame 4 which may be constructed as
follows:
Image--B
Audio--"You selected F not B. Now that you see the difference, push
the key under the B."
Actuation of key 52b will advance the control card to frame 5 which
would be constructed as follows:
Image--B
Audio--"You selected D not B. Now that you see the difference, push
the key under the B."
Actuation of keys 52d or 52e will shift the card to frames 6 and 7
respectively, which would also be specific error stimuli. The
actuation of key 52c, the correct key, would advance the program to
frame 8 which would normally be a new informational frame.
The above examples are intended to demonstrate the versatility of
the present invention and will suggest to those skilled in the art
a large number of possible variations.
Since the program is constructed so that each side of the record 10
corresponds, respectively, to the two lines of images 26a and 26b
on the control card, some means must be provided for coordinating
the loading of the record and the control card to prevent a
mismatch. A special problem exists in the situation where the
apparatus is to be operated by young children and others unable to
read information which might be applied to the record and the
control card to assure proper coordination. A preferred way of
avoiding this problem is to color code both the record and the
control card. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the center section of the
record is provided with a label 202 which is color coded with the
projecting end of the control card F. The color of this code label
202 is thus matched with one section 203 of the control card and
the other side of the record has a corresponding code label (not
shown) which is colored to match the other coded section 204 of the
control card. When the record is loaded into the apparatus and the
control card inserted in the corresponding slot so that the color
of both the label and the control card are both facing in the same
direction (up or down), there can be no mismatch of the audio and
visual components.
While this invention has been described in connection with a
certain specific embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that
this is by way of illustration and not by way of limitation; and
the scope of the appended claims should be construed as broadly as
the prior art will permit.
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