HUMAN INFORMATION TRANSMISSION WITH SEQUENCES OF SOUND PULSES AT DIFFERENT RATES

Abstract

The ability of a human operator to insert information into a machine by the use of a binary key was studied. The function of the binary key was to generate sequences of regularly-occurring sound pulses as long as it was pressed. The study was divided into two component parts:

1. The ability of the human operator to count the number of pulses in sequences of regularly-occurring pulses of 1000 c.p.s. tone.

1. The ability of the human operator to use a binary key to generate desired sequences of regularly-occurring sound pulses.

Both of these abilities were studied as a function of pulse repetition rate and the number of pulses in a sequence. From a comparison of the rates of information transmission using a binary key and using other means, it is concluded that the use of a binary key of the type described is a relatively inefficient way for the untrained human operator to insert information into a machine.

Notes

Now at Union College, Barbourville, Kentucky, U.S.A