Slides: A dictionary system for computer controlled study of graphic or pictorial displays

Abstract

This paper describes a general purpose riling system which permits a user to assign labels to particular objects or a group of objects for any of a large number of photographic slides. Stored in a computer in the form of a “dictionary”, the information can be used to drive a carousel-type projector in synchrony with an unfolding “dialogue” which takes place at a teletype console between a computer user and his machine. The system makes it possible to incorporate photographically organized pictorial, graphic, or diagrammatic information into computer programs without having to resort to complex programming. An example of one type of implementation is given to illustrate special features and potentialities of the system. This is accompanied by a discussion of the rationale employed as well as a detailed description of key functions used in manipulating the slides data in con junction with other computer generated information. The flexibility achieved through the creation of the dictionary makes the system particularly attractive as a research tool, since it not only permits the researcher to use pictorial material in intimate interaction with sophisticated natural language interchanges, but it also provides a simple vehicle to test alternative strategies or materials without extensive programming. Finally, it may be used as an aid in attempts to evaluate pictorial material using the computer's computational and logical decision-making capacity.