Bell + Howell Company

Dominic J DiGianfilippo

Robert R Parker

Interactive training apparatus is provided as a self-contained, mobile unit. The interactive training apparatus includes a program control unit and audio and video program transducing units responsive to respective program records. The program control unit includes a computer and a control program record. The various program records define a lesson of a training program and include program control information and audio and video program information. The apparatus includes a fold-out keyboard for limited access by an instructor-operator to organize or enroll the various learner-operators for the lesson. A video display monitor is provided on a movable shelf at the top of the cabinet. The learner-operator interfaces with the interactive training apparatus as to entry of information via a light pen device that provides visual display frame information to the central control unit.

Interactive training apparatus

An intelligent interface arrangement is provided for controlling and sensing operation of one or more random access slide projectors from a host computer or intelligent terminal. The interface arrangement includes a first microprocessor controlled communication section and a second microprocessor controlled receiver section. One of the receiver sections is provided for each slide projector to be controlled. The communication section bidirectionally communicates with the host over a first communication interface and bidirectionally communicates with the receiver section over a second communication bus structure. The receiver section communicates with the controlled slide projector over a control bus including predetermined signal points in the slide projector and keyboard control lines. The communication protocol of the interface arrangement allows the host to issue commands for one or more of the respective slide projectors, test the status of the slide projectors, receive error messages, and change the communication protocol and data rate. The host via the interface arrangement is capable of controlling the slide projector to project desired slide numbers, to pause, and to perform various other predetermined mode commands to which the microprocessor controlled random access slide projector is programmed to respond via keyboard or program tape inputs.

Growing community of inventors

Mount Prospect, IL, United States of America

Dominic J DiGianfilippo