An inexpensive operant chamber interface for the VIC 20 microcomputer

An inexpensive interface to connect the VIC 20 (or other Commodore microcomputer) to a single operant chamber is described. This interface is equipped to accept as inputs three separate switch closures and produces five outputs, including one to elevate a food hopper. The uses of this interface for controlling experimental events and acquiring data in real time are discussed.     

An intelligent PET interface for environmental control and data acquisition and analysis

An interface, controlled by a Z-80 central processor, that plugs into the PET microcomputer’s IEEE-488 port is described. This interface is capable of controlling 48 separate 28-V dc output signals, six of which are high current. Sixteen inputs (switch closures) can be accepted by the interface. Data tagged with real-time information are output automatically to cassette tape in PET format. This PET interface system is designed to accommodate a single experimental station.     

Using the IBM-compatible microcomputer’s serial port as an input-output interface

A general purpose input-output interface is an essential tool in many common research situations. This article describes a simple way to set up the IBM-compatible microcomputer’s RS-232 serial port as an interface with up to four inputs and two outputs. First, aspects of the serial port relevant to its use as an input-output interface are discussed. Next, port access commands needed to control output lines and monitor input lines in the appropriate way are described, and examples in the Turbo Pascal 5.0 language are provided. Finally, a schematic diagram and a discussion of a simple circuit to implement the interface are provided.     

The KIM-1 microcomputer as an eight-channel data logger

A machine language program and interface hardware to operate the KIM-1 microcomputer as an eight-channel data logger are described. All channels can operate simultaneously, and the data are stored in a specified area of memory. Double precision is used, enabling numbers greater than 255 to be recorded. Data can be collected over sampling intervals of 1 to 255 times 5 sec or 1 to 255 times 10 min. The time base is derived from 50- or 60-Hz mains ac. A method of transferring the data to a PET microcomputer and storing it on eight separate tape or disk files is also given.     

Apple II assembly language routines for digital data acquisition and contingency control

Modifications and corrections to Rayfield’s (1982) assembly language routines for data acquisition and experimental control using the Apple II computer are described. The modified routines, together with an optoisolated hardware interface, provide a reliable, accurate, and easy to use microcomputer system for experimental control and data acquisition.     

A microcomputer interface for control of real-time experiments in cognitive psychology

A microcomputer system for real-time control of experiments in cognitive psychology is described. The microcomputer serves as an interface that allows a remote timesharing computer to control the timed display of textual material on CRTs and collect response times accurate to 1 msec. It can control two CRT subject stations presenting the same or different experiments and control other devices such as slide projectors and tape recorders. It is argued that such special-purpose microcomputer interfaces provide a real-time laboratory with significantly less effort than does the more traditional laboratory minicomputer.     

The Microcomputer as Perceptual Tool:

The microcomputer as a medium of instruction is not inherently better or worse than any other medium be it lecture, television, print or practical experience. However, the microcomputer can simultaneously present instruction and collect data on student performance. In order for educators to evaluate the success of instruction presented by computer they must use the microcomputer as a perceptual tool to more sensitively monitor and modify the educational process. Thoughtful consideration of monitoring data by special educators promises to make the microcomputer a revolutionary aspect of school instruction. Such an educational revolution can extend to the delivery of special services provided that the time and ancillary supports needed to utilize performance are made available to school personnel.     

The labtop Macintosh: An interface and communications software for experiment control of animal learning research

A peripheral interface and communications software are described that allow the Macintosh Plus microcomputer to control experiments in animal learning. A Walter/Palya experiment control board (ECB; Walter & Palya, 1984), connected to the Macintosh by a RS-232 modem cable, operates as the I/O interface. The Hayes-Smartcom II software provides an easily operated communications link through menu and icon commands. Smartcom II allows the Macintosh to transmit experiment control tasks to the ECB and to collect and store obtained data. Network communication over a single RS-232 modem cable is also described.     

Microcomputer analyses of performance on a portable,simple visual RT task during sustained operations

The Institute of Pennsylvania Hospital and University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania There is a need for brief, portable performance measures that are free of practice effects but that reliably show the impact of sleep loss on performance during sustained work. Reaction time (RT) tasks hold considerable promise in meeting this need, if the extensive number of responses they typically yield can be processed in ways that quickly provide the essential analyses. While testing the utility of a portable visual RT task during a sustained, quasi-continuous work schedule of 54 h, we developed a microcomputer software system that inputs, edits, transforms, analyzes, and reduces the data from the RT portable audiotapes, for each 10-min trial on the task. With relatively minor modifications, the software system can be used on a minimally configured microcomputer system that supports BASIC. The software is flexible and capable of retrieving distorted data, and it generates a variety of dependent variables reflecting intratrial optimum response capacity, lapsing, and response slowing.     

Controlling behavior experiments with BASIC on 6502-based microcomputers

A combination of high-level BASIC and transparent machine language routines forms an inexpensive (about $800), powerful, and easy-to-use microcomputer system for behavior research, based on the AIM-65. The interrupt-driven machine language routines keep track of real time, poll inputs, and are not typically modified for different experiments. Expandable machine language listings that support eight input lines and eight output lines on the AIM-65 are presented. The user-written BASIC program controls experiments and records data. BASIC programs for simple reinforcement schedules are used as examples. The software is readily transferred to other 6602-based microcomputers with BASIC.     

Microcomputerized clinical and research laboratories in psychiatric inpatient,settings

Microcomputers have become increasingly useful in clinical settings, performing functions ranging from test administration to composition of narrative reports. They may in the near future be involved in therapeutic procedures. Clinicians and researchers have begun to wonder whether a microcomputer can take over a wide range of functions in clinical psychiatric settings, becoming a versatile and cost-effective tool. This paper describes the development of a comprehensive system for research and clinical data management on a psychiatric inpatient unit. The core of the system is an Apple II-Plus microcomputer equipped with PASCAL, standard peripherals, and an inexpensive custom interface. The system has met the current data management needs of the unit, and its expandability allows planning of assessment-and treatment-related research.     

A multi-user on-line 8080 microcomputer system

A laboratory control system based upon the Imsai 8080 microcomputer is described. This system is capable of programming separate events in each of five animal operant chambers and recording the resulting behavioral data. The interface between the computer and the chambers is compatible with the 28-V dc nature of these chambers and various peripheral devices, such as cumulative recorders. At present, system software is based on the 8080 assembly language, while the BASIC language is used for data analysis. Cost considerations and comparisons with minicomputers are discussed.     

MacLaboratory Controller: A switch and A/D interface between Apple’s Macintosh and peripheral apparatus

Apple’s Macintosh microcomputer has advantages over other systems used for laboratory control and data acquisition, especially because of its graphic and user-friendly features. However, a major perceived limitation has been its closed architecture. We describe an interface using the RS 422 modem port that supports up to 64 input/output (I/O) functions including analog-to-digital 4–12 channel input. The Controller software supplies an easily edited authoring tool in which functional relationships, logical operators, timing (millisecond accuracy), and counting functions are established through simple mouse and menu commands. Data from I/O functions may be displayed or saved as tab-delimited files that can be opened by various Macintosh statistical and spreadsheet packages and that are transportable to some mainframe applications.     

On-line Apple II for the recording and analysis of complex motor movements

The system described here was prompted by the need for a method of separately recording various components of a complex motor act. The task involved vertical, horizontal, and turn components. Our particular interest was the relation between integration of components and level of skill demonstrated. The peripheral equipment provides a separate analogue output for each component and plugs directly into the Apple’s game-paddle input. Trial data are stored directly on disk and can be retrieved for subsequent graphical plotting and analysis. The Apple II accommodates up to four inputs and returns results for movements as fast as .05 sec. The programming system can be used, without modification, for a wide variety of motor tasks. No additional interface or clock is required.     

Accurate reaction time research with the TRS-80 microcomputer

Procedures for reaction time research with 1-msec accuracy are described using the video display of the TRS-80 microcomputer. The LVB Corporation interface is also employed. Use of the cassette recorder as a voice key in this research is illustrated. A sample assembly language program is presented.     

A microcomputer-controlled system for measuring reactivity in small animals

A microcomputer-controlled system has been designed for measuring reactivity in small laboratory animals. This system uses a microcomputer to trigger an acoustic signal, which is fed to a loudspeaker through an audio power amplifier. An animal’s acoustic startle response is recorded using a moving-coil loudspeaker as a movement transducer. The transducer output is coupled to a peak-hold circuit that records the maximum voltage generated by the animal’s response. After conversion to digital form, the data for each stimulus presentation are stored and then printed when all trials have been completed.     

手持移动用户界面显示效果的工效学研究

手持移动界面功效是小屏幕显示界面设计关注的主要问题之一,本研究采用实验和问卷调查相结合的方法,探讨手机界面的前景和背景颜色搭配、界面呈现方式(图标或文字)等对手持界面操作效率的影响。研究结果表明,前景和背景颜色搭配对手持界面操作效率有显著影响,界面呈现方式对操作效率有一定影响,但没有达到显著水平,问卷调查结果与实验结果存在一致性。     

A large-scale expandable I/O port interface for the TRS-80 microcomputer

Described is a large-scale expandable input/output port interface for the Tandy Corporation TRS-80 microcomputer.     

Reducing drivers’ mental workload by means of an adaptive man–machine interface

Modern in-vehicle information and communication devices are changing the nature of the driving task. Drivers take it for granted that they are able to divide their attention between the primary task of driving and secondary tasks like monitoring information displays or using mobile phones. While it is commonly accepted that driver information overload can compromise traffic safety, attempts to introduce attention management within the vehicle are nowadays limited to restrictive decisions by legislative bodies. In an increasing number of countries, the use of hands-free phones is enforced by law. In some countries, the use of phones while driving is prohibited altogether. We argue that there is a more intelligent solution to the information overload issue, namely an adaptive man–machine interface that filters information presentation according to situational requirements. We implemented such a filter as a projective real-time computational workload estimator which is based on the assessment of traffic situations detected from an on-board geographical database. Workload estimates are refined by data from sensors that monitor the traffic environment and variables of driving dynamics. The prototype system is operational in a demonstrator vehicle. Whenever the workload estimate exceeds a threshold value, incoming telephone calls are automatically redirected to the telephone mailbox without notifying the driver. An evaluation field experiment that employed objective and subjective methods of assessing workload yielded promising results in terms of the possibilities of reducing workload by means of the adaptive interface. The results are in favour of the idea of a futuristic, situation-aware vehicle which has the potential to enhance comfort and safety while driving.     

The microcomputer kit: An excellent small system development tool

A method is described for demonstrating the integration of a do-it-yourself microcomputer kit into a small dedicated system configuration useful in many clinical and research applications. An Intel SDK-80 microcomputer is used as the main component of an on-line biofeedback system that features a digital display of beat-by-beat heart rate, a continuous feedback of an audio tone proportional to the rate, a CRT display of average rate, and a servo recorder to produce 1-min bar-graph plots. The compact size, effectiveness, and low cost of the microcomputer permit the development of many small dedicated systems that formerly were impractical applications for expensive and under-utilized minicomputer systems.