Computer teaching machine

Abstract

A device is provided for teaching the operation of an electronic computer. The device includes a mock control panel display having an overall configuration and appearance substantially identical to that of the display of the actual computer. The mock display includes simulated light and control elements of like type and kind to those of the actual computer. A projector is provided, designed to project an image viewable from the front of the mock display thereby causing portions of the mock display to resemble an illuminated light array of the computer display.

Having thus described my invention, what is claimed is: 
     
       1. A teaching machine for teaching the operation of an electronic device of the type provided with a plurality of adjustable control elements and a control panel display which includes a plurality of lights adapted to illuminate in a predetermined pattern in response to a particular setting of said control switches, said machine comprising: a. a support structure;   b. a mock control panel display supported on said structure, said mock display having an overall configuration and appearance substantially identical to the electronic device display;   c. a plurality of areas on said mock display, each of said areas occupying a position corresponding to the position of one of said lights on said electronic display;   d. a plurality of switches equal in like and kind to said adjustable control elements mounted on said support structure;   e. means for projecting an image on said mock display areas; and   f. circuit means interconnecting said switches and said projecting means, whereby when said teaching machine switches are set in a pattern identical to a predetermined setting of said control elements, said projecting means is actuated to project an image on said mock display areas to cause said mock display areas to resemble the predetermined pattern of illuminated lights of said electronic device.   
     
     
       2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said projecting means comprises a film projector contained within said support structure, said mock display is formed of an opaque material, and said areas are formed of a translucent material, whereby an image projected on the rear of said areas may be viewed from the front of said display. 
     
     
       3. The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein said film projector comprises a slide projector adapted to receive a plurality of slides and to sequentially advance through said slides with each actuation of said projector. 
     
     
       4. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said circuit means includes a punch-card reader, and a punch-card having a hole pattern therein, which determines the switch settings necessary to activate said projecting means.  .Iadd.5. A teaching machine for teaching the operation of an electronic device of the type provided with a plurality of adjustable control elements and a control panel dislay which includes a plurality of lights adapted to illuminate in a predetermined pattern in response to a particular setting of control elements, said machine comprising: a. a support structure; and   b. a mock control panel display supported on said structure, said mock display having an overall configuration and appearance substantially identical to the control panel display of said electronic device, characterized by:   c. selective illuminating means responsive to a control signal for selectively illuminating a plurality of areas on said mock display, each of said areas occupying a position corresponding to the position of one of said lights on said electronic display;   d. a plurality of switches equal in like and kind to said adjustable control elements mounted on said support structure;   e. means for storing information relating to a predetermined setting of said control element; and   f. circuit means for transmitting said control signal, said circuit means interconnecting said switches and said selective illuminating means so that when said teaching machine switches are set in a pattern identical to said predetermined setting of said control elements, said selective illuminating means is actuated in response to said control signal to produce a pattern of light on said mock display areas to cause said mock display areas to resemble the predetermined pattern of illuminated lights   
     
     
        of said electronic device..Iaddend. .Iadd.6.  The teaching machine as defined in claim 5 characterized in that said selective illuminating means is an image projector and said areas are translucent..Iaddend. .Iadd.7. A teaching machine as defined in claim 5, characterized in that said means for storing information comprises a punch card having hole patterns therein..Iaddend.