Electronic learning aid with picture book

• US 4,308,017 A
• Filed: 06/01/1979
• Issued: 12/29/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Philpott, Michael I., Laughon, Thomas C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grieb, William H.
• Application Number:
  US06/044,437
• Time in Patent Office: 942 Days
• Field of Search: 35/8 A, 35/9 R, 35/9 A, 35/9 B, 35/6, 35/35 C, 273/237, 273/138 A, 273/85 G, 179/15 A, 179/15 C, 179/15 M, 364/718, 434/169, 434/176, 434/201, 434/335
• US Class Current: 434/169
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 17/00 Teaching reading teaching lip-reading G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/02 of the type wherein the student is expected to construct an answer to the question which is presented or wherein the machine gives an answer to the question presented by a student

Abstract

A handheld electronic learning aid is disclosed. The learning aid is utilized for teaching and testing associations between pictorial representations and the correct responses to the pictorial representations. A selected one of an associated group of numbered printed pictorial representations is randomly selected by the learning aid, and the operator attempts to correctly respond to the pictured object. Scoring functions and displayed reward phrases provide positive reinforcement of learned skills. One embodiment of the learning aid is utilized to teach and strengthen spelling skills in young children. Additionally, anagram or other alphabetic type modes of operation can provide training and experience in literary skills.

Claims

1. A student learning aid system for teaching and testing associations between pictorial representations and correct responses to said pictorial representations, said system comprising:

(a) a plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations, each depicting a different object; and

(b) an electronic handheld learning aid, said learning aid comprising;

(i) random number generator means for randomly generating a number corresponding to a selected one of said plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations;

(ii) memory means for storing a correct response associated with each of said objects;

(iii) display means, coupled to said random number generator means, for displaying said number generated by said random number generator means;

(iv) input means for allowing the student to enter a proposed response to the object depicted in said selected one of said plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations which corresponds to said number generated by said random number generator means; and

(v) comparator means, coupled to said input means and said memory means for comparing said proposed response entered by said student with said correct response stored in said memory means and for providing a signal indicative of the results of said comparison.

2. The student learning aid system according to claim 1, wherein said display means is also coupled to said comparator means, for providing an indication to said student of the results of said comparison.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations comprises a paperback book.

4. The system according to claim 1 further including means coupled to said display means for controlling said display means to display the proposed response entered by said student at said input means.

5. The system according to claim 1 wherein said memory means comprises a read-only-memory.

6. A student learning aid system for teaching and testing associations between pictorial representations and correct responses to said pictorial representations, said system comprising:

(a) a plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations each depicting a common object; and

(b) an electronic hand held learning aid, said learning aid comprising;

(i) memory means for storing the numbers corresponding to said plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations and the correct response of the common objects depicted therein;

(ii) random access addressing means, coupled to said memory means, for randomly accessing a selected one of said stored numbers corresponding to said plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations and the correct response to the common object depicted therein;

(iii) display means, coupled to said random access addressing means, for displaying said selected one of said stored numbers corresponding to said plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations;

(iv) student input means for allowing said student to input a proposed response to the common object depicted in the numbered, printed pictorial representation corresponding to said selected one of said stored numbers; and

(v) comparator means, coupled to said student input means and said random access addressing means, for comparing said proposed response entered by said student with said correct response stored in said memory means, and for providing a signal indicative of the results of said comparison.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein said display means is also coupled to said comparator means for providing an indication to said student of the results of said comparison.

8. The system according to claim 6, wherein said plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations comprises a paperback book.

9. The system according to claim 6, wherein said student input means comprises a keyboard.

10. The system according to claim 6 further including means coupled to said display means for controlling said display means to display the proposed response inputted by said student at said student input means.

11. The system according to claim 6, wherein said memory means comprises a read-only-memory.

12. The system according to claim 6, wherein said random access addressing means includes a random number generator.

13. A student learning aid system for teaching spelling, said system comprising:

(a) a plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations each depicting a common object; and

(b) an electronic hand held learning aid, said learning aid comprising;

(i) memory means for storing the numbers corresponding to said plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations and the correct spellings of the common objects depicted therein;

(ii) random access addressing means, coupled to said memory means, for randomly accessing a selected one of said stored numbers corresponding to said plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations and the correct spellings of the common object depicted therein;

(iii) display means, coupled to said random access addressing means, for displaying said selected one of said stored numbers corresponding to said plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations;

(iv) student input means for allowing said student to input a proposed spelling to the common object depicted in the numbered, printed pictorial representation corresponding to said selected one of said stored numbers.

(v) comparator means, coupled to said student input means and said random access addressing means, for comparing said proposed spelling entered by said student with said correct spelling stored in said memory means, and for providing a signal indicative of the results of said comparison.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein said display means is also coupled to said comparator means for providing an indication to said student of the results of said comparison.

15. The system according to claim 13, wherein said plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations comprises a paperback book.

16. The system according to claim 13, wherein said student input means comprises a keyboard.

17. The system according to claim 13 further including means coupled to said display means for controlling said display means to display the proposed spelling inputted by said student at said student input means.

18. The system according to claim 13, wherein said memory means comprises a read-only-memory.

19. The system according to claim 13, wherein said random access addressing means includes a random number generator.