GB1419064A - Apparatus for performing a working sequence - Google Patents

Abstract

1419064 Teaching apparatus W R CLARKE 30 Nov 1972 [8 Sept 1971 (2)] 41822/71 and 55417/72 Divided out of 1419065 Headings G4T and G5G Apparatus for aiding an operator in the performance of a multi-stage task (e.g. for use in teaching the assembling of component parts and analysis of the trainee's performance) comprises means for successively presenting to the operator at a working station items necessary for carrying out each stage and, in synchronism therewith, information concerning the respective stage. The items may be presented by an indexable cylindrical container formed with a peripheral array of compartments. The information may be visually presented on a screen and/or audibly presented over headphones from a prerecorded tape. Indexing of the container and of the information presenting arrangement may be in response to the operator manually depressing an index button or a selected timed indexing-sequence programme. In setting up such a programme, the relative time intervals allowed for the individual stages and the overall speed of stage progression may be adjusted. Counters for indicating the time taken to complete the various stages may be provided. Lights may indicate how the times taken compare with target times for the various stages. At appropriate times, certain treated items may be made to glow by U.V. light to draw them to the operator's attention. When the apparatus provides working stations for two or more operators, indexing of items and information is not effected until all the operators' indexing buttons have been depressed. Components to be assembled may be of an exaggerated size during initial stages of training and may be progressively reduced in scale to the actual size. A similar reduction in the scale of the visually presented information may also be effected. Part of the apparatus may be for a tutor, whose performance of the task is relayed over closed circuit TV to the trainees. The trainee's stepping sequence is then determined by the tutor's. Trainee-monitoring facilities are provided for the tutor, who can selectively communicate with and control a particular trainee station whilst allowing the rest to continue under automatic or trainee-actuated sequence. The tutor can also arrange for the repeating of an individual stage of the task.