An introduction to state notation and SKED

SKED is a minicomputer operating system based on the functional use of state notation as a programming language. An overall view of the operating system, state notation, and the hardware necessary to simultaneously control as many as 12 experimental stations is provided.     

A minicomputer-based learning analysis system for optimizing PSI instructional materials for the visually handicapped

Visually handicapped students learn tape-recorded materials in PSI format while a minicomputer interfaced to the student-operated, tape playback mechanisms collects data on independent study activities. The minicomputer hardware and software system is described and typical learning data are discussed.     

Modular interfaces for on-line applications

Analog signals, generated by BASIC R/T plot commands, are used to control a modular interface system. The interface system converts the analog signals to either BCD or decimal formulated pulses which are used to drive up to 10 relays. The system is coupled to a LAB 8/E minicomputer that permits precise timing of intersignal intervals as well as the simultaneous recording of many response variables.     

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.     

On-line,real-time recording of eye orientation using the corneal reflection method

The orientation of a subject’s eyes can be automatically sampled in real time at 60 Hz using Mackworth’s corneal reflection method, a closed circuit TV system with a brightness-amplitude trigger, and a minicomputer. The organization of the electronic interface and software (for recording and behavioral control) is described, along with the characteristics of the recording system and potential sources of artifact. Sample calibration and experimental data are presented.     

An IC up-down counter controller for a programmable attenuator

A simple up-down counter is used to control a programmable attenuator. This controller reduces the load on a minicomputer or other solid state circuitry when the attenuator is used for adaptive testing in psychoacoustics. Circuit diagrams for the controller and an auxiliary display driver are given, and some applications are discussed.     

Minicomputer labs that talk to maxicomputers

Limitations of the minicomputer system for performing large-scale data analysis are discussed.     

Hardware and software evolution of an adaptive ability measurement system

A software system for the administration of six different strategies of adaptive ability tests in a variety of formats was developed both on a large-scale time-sharing system and on a real-time minicomputer system. Factors influencing both hardware selection and software design are discussed.     

Minicomputer presentation of speech stimuli

A brief introduction to minicomputer control of speech stimuli is presented. Several techniques that have proven useful in this area are described.     

On-line monitoring of eye-position signals in contingent and noncontingent paradigms

This paper presents a research methodology for the study of human attentional and perceptual processes by means of on-line monitoring of eye-position signals. The first part of the presentation considers techniques by which commercially available apparatus may be interfaced to a minicomputer for purposes of monitoring eye-position signals during psychological experiments. Hardware and software techniques related to automating the calibration, recording, and analysis of eye-position data are discussed. The second part of the paper discusses a more advanced research methodology, one in which visual stimuli are contingent upon momentary eye-position signals. The methodology is appropriate to a variety of studies in which eye movements are considered to be part of an attentional control system. Several experimental applications are described. The implementation of eye-position-stimulus contingencies on a small computer poses additional technical problems, several of which are discussed.     

A multiplexed vectored interface logic system for control of behavioral experiments

An interface was constructed which enabled a minicomputer to control operant conditioning experiments with a minimal amount of software recognition and input/output instructions. The hardware consisted of a real-time clock, logic to input a unique number with each change of state of digital input, and logic and solid state drivers to control standard, commercial 24 V behavioral stimuli.     

An interactive,interdisciplinary, on-line graphics system for presenting and manipulating directed graphs

An interactive graphics system has been implemented for tutorial purposes and for research in man-machine communication of structural digraphs. An IMLAC intelligent terminal with lightpen input is used in conjunction with a NOVA minicomputer. Successful applications in linguistics and engineering problem solving will be discussed, the latter one in detail.     

AVID: An intelligent CAI system for small computers

A computer-assisted instruction (CAI) system which includes facilities for interactive graphics and for limited natural language processing has been implemented on a DEC PDP-11 minicomputer. Lesson authoring aids permit inexperienced authors to create lessons with ease and permit transporting lessons to and from other systems. The system supports eight simultaneous independent users and provides facilities for student performance evaluation and record management.     

A 64-station computer-assisted teaching and research facility

A 64-subject computer-controlled laboratory for use in research and as a teaching aid is described. The laboratory hardware includes an 8K minicomputer, a 64-channel input multiplexor, and a video display generator. The software includes a complete operating system and an easy-to-use programming language. The entire laboratory, including the computer, was built for under $12,000.     

A miniprocessor PDP8/e-based system for investigations of on-line language processing: Automated program for psycholinguistic experiments (APPLE)

An on-line reaction time program designed for psycholinguistics research implemented on a DEC PDP8/e minicomputer is described. Current applications include: phoneme monitor, click detection, lexical decision, and sentence verification experiments. This assembly language program (PAL8) displays alphanumeric texts on remoted oscilloscopes and records decision-dependent response times with 1-msec accuracy. The system allows for simultaneous testing of three subjects. It operates either according to internally generated timing or in synchrony with audio tape. Individuals with little or no computer background can develop and run experiments without difficulty.     

Graphic bar display of on-line physiological data using a minicomputer,DAC, and conventional servo recorder

A method is described for providing an on-line bar graph display of physiological data. A conventional servo recorder is coupled with an 8-bit digital-to-analog converter, and provides a low-cost, hard-copy graphic display peripheral that can be added to any laboratory type minicomputer system with buffered output data lines. The graphic display technique requires minimal memory allocations and a simple software algorithm to provide a flexible graphic system that can accommodate various types of biological data.     

DADTA VI: A minicomputer-based video control system for the analysis of behavioral and electrophysiological data

A computer-automated testing apparatus for monkey and human subjects is described. This dual-computer system generates programmable color video displays and permits on-line collection of behavioral and electrophysiological data. Video displays are generated by an Apple II minicomputer linked via a serial transmission port to a general-purpose laboratory computer (DEC PDP-11/34). Control of event sequences is determined by serial interaction between the two computers. Software (programs) for the collection and analysis of event-related brain potentials data is described, and the experimental and clinical applications of this DADTA VI (Discrimination apparatus for discrete-trial analysis, Version 6) for neuropsychology are discussed.     

A Lotus 1-2-3-based system for recording and maintaining body weight of laboratory animals

Body-weight maintenance is required in a variety of behavioral and physiological studies. A PC-based animal-weighing system is described; it features automated data collection and allows for accurate control of body weight in test animals via manipulation of food intake. Major system components are a PC XT-compatible computer, Lotus 1-2-3 and National Instruments Measure software, and a digital electronic balance. The system is controlled by Lotus macros, which present menus to the user. Menus provide for the basic operations of the system, including establishing new data files, collecting weight data, printing, and transferring files to a laboratory minicomputer. The optional weight-maintenance algorithm calculates the amount of food necessary to maintain target body weights. Some important aspects of this algorithm, including maintenance-feeding and gain parameters, can be manipulated to reduce weight oscillation in test animals or to accommodate the maintenance of body weight of different animal species. The system facilitates acquisition and recording of weight data, minimizes the frequency of error, and reduces variability both within and across animals when body-weight maintenance is required.