Abstract:
Information presented on a display screen is responded to by an operator and dependent on the operator''s response the apparatus of the invention branches to another instruction presently available in the display system''s recirculating memory or to a full page of instructions stored in an auxiliary memory. The instruction branched to causes information associated with it to be displayed for a further response by the operator and/or causes the main controller of the invention to activate one or more subcontrollers which in turn activate one or more electromechanical devices. For example, a student in response to a question displayed may select one multiple-choice answer. Dependent on this answer he may see further information displayed and in addition a short movie or group of slides presented, and still further, information might be played back from a tape recorder.
Abstract:
Instructions having a simple format are sued to control several classes of electromechanical devices such as slide projectors, tape recorders, movie projectors, X-Y positioning devices, etc. The instructions are stored in a recirculating memory and are monitored by a main controller. The main controller is coupled to one or more subcontrollers, each subcontroller being used to control one of the class devices. When the main controller is activated, an instruction is enabled into a designated subcontroller by means of the main controller. The instruction is then executed by the subcontroller. After execution, the apparatus is recycled by a signal from either of the subcontrollers. In addition, more than one subcontroller may be executing instruction words simultaneously, thereby allowing two or or more different class devices to be operating simultaneously. Furthermore, the apparatus may be used in conjunction with a display system, thereby allowing display of text associated with an instruction simultaneously with the execution of the instruction.