Card type of electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus

• US 5,556,283 A
• Filed: 09/08/1994
• Issued: 09/17/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David W. Weisman
• Original Assignee: Stendardo, William, Weisman, David
• Inventors: Weisman, David, Stendardo, William
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn E.
• Application Number:
  US08/302,493
• Time in Patent Office: 740 Days
• Field of Search: 434/129, 434/169, 434/171, 434/172, 434/188, 434/198, 434/199, 434/201, 434/307 R, 434/308-311, 434/322, 434/363, 273/236, 273/237, 273/238, 364/410-412
• US Class Current: 434/188
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 17/006 with audible presentation of the material to be studied audio and audio-visual teaching apparatus in general G09B5/04, G09B5/06
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/003 using tactile presentation of the information, e.g. Braille displays
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/062 Combinations of audio and printed presentations, e.g. magnetically striped cards, talking books, magnetic tapes with printed texts thereon

Abstract

An electronic learning system that utilizes a plurality of coded cards on which sensory-information representations are provided to present pictorial-symbol information and/or language-symbol information, in conjunction with a housing that contains card slots in combination with a visually and functionally distinctive button associated with each individual card slot and a button associated in an equal manner to all card slots, wherein a card may be inserted in each of the card slots. The operator can cause the system to generate unique audible information associated with the sensory-information representation provided on any selected card by pressing the visually and functionally distinctive button associated with the card slot in which the card is inserted. The operator can also cause the system to generate, automatically and sequentially, unique audible information associated with the sensory-information representation provided on each inserted card and, depending on the type of cards installed, perform secondary functions as the individual cards are being accessed, such as, mathematical computations, pattern recognition, and spelling accuracy by pressing the visually and functionally distinctive button associated in an equal manner with all card slots, after which automatic tertiary functions take place such as the accuracy of the result of mathematical computations are accessed and an audible message is generated; an audible message equivalent to the combination of the installed cards is generated; and the accuracy of the spelling of words formed by individual cards is determined and an audible message is generated.

Claims

1. A card type of electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus comprising a plurality of card means;

each of said card means having a surface on which a sensory-information representation in visual, tactile, and/or odorous form is provided to present pictorial-symbol information and/or language-symbol information, to include imagery, alphabetic letters, phonemes, words, text, numerals, and/or arithmetical symbols;

coding means associated with each of said plurality of card means, identifying said sensory-information representation;

a first housing means having a plurality of card slots in combination with a visually and functionally distinctive button associated with each said card slot wherein one of a plurality of said card means may be inserted in each of said card slots;

decoding means for reading said coding means;

operator-input means whereby an input signal is generated as a result of selection by the operator, by the pressing of one of said visually and functionally distinctive buttons;

a memory means containing audio information as vocal expression and/or nonvocal sound corresponding to each of said plurality of card means;

a control means associated with said decoding means reacting to said input signal, by the pressing of one of said visually and functionally distinctive buttons thereby accessing from said memory means said audio information corresponding to said particular card means; and

output means associated with said memory means and said control means for converting said audio information, as vocal expression and/or nonvocal sound, into sensory-output information representative of a particular one of said card means.

2. The card type of electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including:

a sensory-information-illumination means reacting to said input signal, by the pressing of one of said visually and functionally distinctive buttons.

3. The card type of electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as set forth in claim 2, further including:

said control means for the coordination of said sensory-information-illumination means and said output means.

4. The card type of electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including:

a plurality of personalized card means, each formed in an identical physical form to said card means;

each of said personalized card means having a surface for the deposition of a personalized sensory-information representation in visual, tactile, and/or odorous form to present pictorial-symbol information and/or language-symbol information, to include imagery, alphabetic letters, phonemes, words, text, numerals, and/or arithmetical symbols;

said coding means associated with each of said plurality of personalized card means, identifying said personalized sensory-information representation;

a programming means whereby personalized audio information as vocal expression and/or nonvocal sound corresponding to each of said plurality of personalized card means can be stored into said memory means; and

said programming means comprising;

a second housing means that is physically attachable to said first housing means;

an electroacoustic-transducer means responsive to personalized audible information that generates equivalent personalized audio-information signals for storage into said memory means;

a personalized control means coordinating said equivalent personalized audio-information signal with the storage function of said memory means; and

a functional interconnection means between said first housing means and said second housing means.

5. The card type of electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as set forth in claim 4, further including:

said decoding means for reading said coding means;

said operator-input means whereby an input signal is generated as a result of selection by the operator, by the pressing of one of said visually and functionally distinctive buttons;

said control means associated with said decoding means reacting to said input signal, by the pressing of one of said visually and functionally distinctive buttons thereby accessing from said memory means said personalized audio information corresponding to said particular personalized card means; and

said output means associated with said memory means and said control means for converting said personalized audio information, as vocal expression and/or nonvocal sound, into said sensory-output information representative of a particular one of said personalized card means.

6. The card type of electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein:

said coding means associated with each of said card means comprises a code-key area;

said code-key area includes a plurality of raised code keys uniquely arranged with respect to each individual said card means and identifying said card means;

said code keys are uniquely arranged with respect to each individual said card means defining a distinctive pattern of keys thereon;

said decoding means is associated with each of said card slots;

said decoding means comprises a switch-assembly means positioned in each of said card slots;

said switch-assembly means is arranged in functional association with said code-key area of inserted said card means into said card slot; and

said switch-assembly means comprises a plurality of switches, each positioned to being in the open position or the closed position depending on said unique arrangement of said code keys in said code-key area on inserted said card means in registration to said switch-assembly means located in arrangement with said card slot.

7. The card type of electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including:

a plurality of memory-expansion means containing additional audio information as vocal expression and/or nonvocal sound corresponding to each additional said plurality of card means; and

said first housing means having a capacity physically and functionally to accommodate a plurality of said memory-expansion means.

8. The card type of electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including:

a third housing means having a plurality of additional card slots in combination with a visually and functionally distinctive button associated with each said additional card slot wherein one of a plurality of said card means may be inserted in each of said additional card slots; and

said first housing means having a capacity physically and functionally to accommodate a plurality of said third housing means.

9. The card type of electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including a plurality of personalized card means in an identical physical form to said cards means;

each of said personalized card means having a surface for the deposition of a personalized sensory-information representation in visual, tactile, and/or odorous form to present pictorial-symbol information and/or language-symbol information, to include imagery, alphabetic letters, phonemes, words, text, numerals, and/or arithmetical symbols;

said coding means associated with each of said plurality of personalized card means, identifying said personalized sensory-information representation;

a programming means whereby personalized audio information as vocal expression and/or nonvocal sound corresponding to each of said plurality of personalized card means can be stored into said memory means;

said programming means comprising;

a second housing means that is physically attachable to said first housing means;

an electroacoustic-transducer means responsive to personalized audible information, as vocal expression and/or nonvocal sound, that generates equivalent personalized audio-information signals for storage into said memory means;

a personalized control means coordinating said equivalent personalized audio-information signal with the storage function of said memory means; and

a functional-interconnection means between said first housing means and said second housing means;

said decoding means for reading said coding means;

said operator-input means whereby an input signal is generated as a result of selection by the operator, by the pressing of one of said visually and functionally distinctive buttons;

said control means associated with said decoding means reacting to said input signal by the pressing of one of said visually and functionally distinctive buttons thereby accessing from said memory means said personalized audio information corresponding to said particular personalized card means;

said output means associated with said memory means and said control means for converting said personalized audio information, as vocal expression and/or nonvocal sound, into said sensory-output information representative of a particular one of said personalized card means;

a sensory-information-illumination means reacting to said input signal, by the pressing of one of said visually and functionally distinctive buttons thereby illuminating said particular sensory-information representation;

a personalized-sensory-information-illumination means in addition reacting to said input signal, by the pressing of one of said visually and functionally distinctive buttons thereby illuminating said particular personalized sensory-information representation;

said control means for the coordination of said sensory-information-illumination means and said personalized-sensory-information-illumination means with said output means;

said coding means associated with each of said card means and personalized card means comprising a code-key area;

said code-key area including a plurality of raised code keys uniquely arranged with respect to each individual said card means and said personalized card means and identifying said card means and said personalized card means;

said code keys uniquely arranged with respect to each individual said card means and said personalized card means defining a distinctive pattern of keys thereon;

said decoding means associated with each of said card slots;

said decoding means comprising a switch-assembly means positioned in each of said card slots;

said switch-assembly means arranged in functional association with said code-key area of said card means and said personalized card means inserted into said card slot;

said switch-assembly means comprising a plurality of switches, each positioned to being in the open position or the closed position depending on said unique arrangement of said code keys in said code-key area on said inserted card means and said inserted personalized card means in registration to said switch-assembly means located in arrangement with said card slot;

a plurality of memory-expansion means containing additional audio information as vocal expression and/or nonvocal sound corresponding to each additional said plurality of card means and said plurality of personalized card means;

said first housing means having a capacity physically and functionally to accommodate a plurality of said memory-expansion means;

a third housing means having a plurality of additional card slots in combination with a visually and functionally distinctive button associated with each said additional card slot wherein one of a plurality of card means or personalized card means may be inserted in each of said additional card slots; and

said first housing means having a capacity physically and functionally to accommodate a plurality of said third housing means.

10. A card type of electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus comprising a plurality of card means;

said card means divided into a plurality of types including a first, second, third, and fourth card means;

a plurality of said first card means having a surface on which a sensory-information representation in visual, tactile, and/or odorous form is provided to present pictorial-symbol information and/or language-symbol information, to include imagery, alphabetic letters, phonemes, words, text, numerals, and/or arithmetical symbols;

coding means associated with each of said plurality of first card means, identifying said card means as said first card means and identifying said sensory-information representation;

a first housing means having a plurality of card slots in combination with a visually and functionally distinctive button associated in an equal manner with all of said card slots wherein one of a plurality of said card means may be inserted in each of said card slots;

decoding means for reading said coding means;

operator-input means whereby an input signal is generated as a result of selection by the operator, by the pressing of said visually and functionally distinctive button;

a memory means containing audio information as vocal expression and/or nonvocal sound corresponding to each of said plurality of first card means;

a control means associated with said decoding means reacting to said input signal, by the pressing of said visually and functionally distinctive button thereby sequentially accessing from said memory means said audio information corresponding to each inserted said first card means; and

output means associated with said memory means and said control means for converting said audio information, as vocal expression and/or nonvocal sound, into sensory-output information representative of each sequentially accessed said first card means.

11. The card type of electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as set forth in claim 10, further including:

a sensory-information-illumination means reacting to said input signal, by the pressing of said visually and functionally distinctive button thereby sequentially illuminating each inserted said sensory-information representation.

12. The card type of electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as set forth in claim 11, further including:

said control means for the coordination of said sensory-information-illumination means and said output means.

13. The card type of electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as set forth in claim 10, further including:

a manually adjustable intercard-time means to define the intercard time between the access from said memory means of said audio information corresponding to said first card means and the access from said memory means of said audio information corresponding to the next said first card means.

14. The card type of electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as set forth in claim 10, further including:

a plurality of said second card means having a surface on which a sensory-information representation in visual, tactile, and/or odorous form is provided to present pictorial-symbol information and/or language-symbol information representative of a phoneme;

said coding means associated with each of said plurality of second card means, identifying said card means as said second card means and identifying said sensory-information representation;

said decoding means for reading said coding means;

said memory means containing audio information as a vocal expression of the phoneme type corresponding to each of said plurality of second card means;

said memory means in addition containing audio information as a vocal expression corresponding to a word or fraction thereof formed by a consecutive arrangement of a group of said second card means;

said control means associated with said decoding means reacting to said input signal, by the pressing of said visually and functionally distinctive button thereby sequentially accessing from said memory means said audio information corresponding to each inserted said second card means and automatically repeating the sequential accessing of each inserted said second card means while reducing the access time between said second card means at the start of each access sequence and after a finite number of access sequences of said memory means of said audio information corresponding to each of said second card means, said audio information corresponding to a word or fraction thereof formed by the consecutive arrangement of the group of inserted said second card means is accessed from said memory means;

said output means associated with said memory means and said control means for converting said audio information, as a vocal expression of the phoneme type, into sensory-output information representative of each sequentially accessed said second card means; and

said output means in addition associated with said memory means and said control means for converting said audio information, as a vocal expression, into sensory-output information corresponding to a word or fraction thereof formed by a consecutive arrangement of a group of said second card means.

15. The card type of electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as set forth in claim 14, further including:

a sensory-information-illumination means reacting to said input signal, by the pressing of said visually and functionally distinctive button thereby sequentially illuminating each inserted said sensory-information representation.

16. The card type of electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as set forth in claim 15, further including:

said control means for the coordination of said sensory-information-illumination means and said output means.

17. The card type of electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as set forth in claim 14, further including:

a manually adjustable intercard-time means to define the intercard time between the initial sequential access from said memory means of said audio information corresponding to said second card means and the access from said memory means of said audio information corresponding to the next said second card means.

18. The card type of electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as set forth in claim 10, further including:

a plurality of said third card means having a surface on which a sensory-information representation in visual, tactile, and/or odorous form is provided to present pictorial-symbol information and/or language-symbol information representative of a numeral and/or arithmetical symbol;

said coding means associated with each of said plurality of third card means, identifying said card means as said third card means and identifying said sensory-information representation;

said decoding means for reading said coding means;

said memory means containing audio information as vocal expression and/or nonvocal sound corresponding to each of said plurality of third card means;

said memory means in addition containing audio information as vocal expression concerning solutions to a plurality of arithmetical problems formed by a consecutive arrangement of a group of said third card means;

said memory means in addition containing audio information as vocal expressions representing comments reflecting on the operator'"'"'s response to said arithmetical problems formed by a consecutive arrangement of a group of said third card means;

said control means associated with said decoding means reacting to said input signal, by the pressing of said visually and functionally distinctive button thereby sequentially accessing from said memory means said audio information corresponding to each inserted said third card means;

a logic means including arithmetical-problem-solution means for performing the arithmetical problem created through the sequential access, caused by said input signal, by the pressing of said visually and functionally distinctive button associated in an equal manner with all of said card slots, of a consecutive arrangement of a group of said third card means;

a comparator means associated with said arithmetical-problem-solution means and said decoding means for determining the accuracy of the solution to the arithmetical problem created through the sequential access, caused by said input signal, by the pressing of said visually and functionally distinctive button associated in an equal manner with all of said card slots, of a consecutive arrangement of a group of said third card means;

said logic means in addition accessing from said memory means said audio information concerning a solution to the arithmetical problem created through the sequential access, caused by said input signal, by the pressing of said visually and functionally distinctive button associated in an equal manner with all of said card slots, of a consecutive arrangement of a group of said third card means;

said logic means in addition accessing from said memory means said audio information representing comments reflecting on the operator'"'"'s response to the arithmetical problem created through the sequential access, caused by said input signal, by the pressing of said visually and functionally distinctive button associated in an equal manner with all of said card slots, of a consecutive arrangement of a group of said third card means;

said output means associated with said memory means and said control means for converting said audio information, as vocal expression and/or nonvocal sound, into sensory-output information representative of each sequentially accessed said third card means;

said output means associated with said memory means and said logic means for converting said audio information, as a vocal expression concerning solutions to said arithmetical problems created through the sequential access of the consecutive arrangement of a group of said third card means, into sensory-output information representative of the consecutive arrangement of a group of sequentially accessed said third card means; and

said output means associated with said memory means and said logic means for converting said audio information, as a vocal expression representing comments reflecting on the operator'"'"'s response to said arithmetical problems created through the sequential access of the consecutive arrangement of a group of said third card means, into sensory-output information representative of the consecutive arrangement of a group of sequentially accessed said third card means.

19. The card type of electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as set forth in claim 18, further including:

a sensory-information-illumination means reacting to said input signal, by the pressing of said visually and functionally distinctive button associated in an equal manner with all of said card slots, of a multiple of said third card means thereby sequentially illuminating each inserted said sensory-information representation.

20. The card type of electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as set forth in claim 19, further including:

said control means for the coordination of said sensory-information-illumination means and said output means.

21. The card type of electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as set forth in claim 18, further including:

a manually adjustable intercard-time means to define the intercard time between the access from said memory means of said audio information corresponding to said third card means and the access from said memory means of said audio information corresponding to the next said third card means.

22. The card type of electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as set forth in claim 10, further including:

a plurality of said fourth card means having a surface for the deposition of a sensory-information representation in visual, tactile, and/or odorous form to present pictorial-symbol information and/or language-symbol information, to include imagery, alphabetic letters, phonemes, words, text, numerals, and/or arithmetical symbols;

said coding means associated with each of said plurality of fourth card means, identifying said card means as said fourth card means and identifying said sensory-information representation;

a programming means whereby audio information as vocal expression and/or nonvocal sound corresponding to each of said plurality of fourth card means can be stored into said memory means; and

said programming means comprises;

a second housing means that is physically attachable to said first housing means;

an electroacoustic-transducer means responsive to audible information, as vocal expression and/or nonvocal sound, that generates equivalent audio-information signals for storage into said memory means;

said control means coordinating said equivalent audio-information signal as generated by said electroacoustic-transducer means with the storage function of said memory means; and

a functional-interconnection means between said first housing means and said second housing means.

23. The card type of electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as set forth in claim 22, further including:

said decoding means for reading said coding means;

said control means associated with said decoding means reacting to said input signal, by the pressing of said visually and functionally distinctive button thereby sequentially accessing from said memory means said audio information corresponding to each inserted said fourth card means; and

said output means associated with said memory means and said control means for converting said audio information, as vocal expression and/or nonvocal sound, into sensory-output information representative of each sequentially accessed said fourth card means.

24. The card type of electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as set forth in claim 23, further including:

a sensory-information-illumination means reacting to said input signal, by the pressing of said visually and functionally distinctive button thereby sequentially illuminating each inserted said sensory-information representation.

25. The card type of electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as set forth in claim 24, further including:

said control means for the coordination of said sensory-information-illumination means and said output means.

26. The card type of electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as set forth in claim 23, further including:

a manually adjustable intercard-time means to define the intercard time between the access from said memory means of said audio information corresponding to said fourth card means and the access from said memory means of said audio information corresponding to the next said fourth card means.

27. The card type of electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as set forth in claim 10, further including:

said first housing means having a plurality of said card slots in combination with a visually and functionally distinctive button associated with each said card slot wherein one of a plurality of said card means may be inserted in each of said card slots;

said operator-input means whereby an input signal is generated as a result of selection by the operator, by the pressing of one of said visually and functionally distinctive buttons associated with each said card slot;

said control means associated with said decoding means reacting to said input signal by the pressing of one of said visually and functionally distinctive buttons thereby accessing from said memory means said audio information corresponding to said particular card means; and

said output means associated with said memory means and said control means for converting said audio information, as vocal expression and/or nonvocal sound, into sensory-output information representative of a particular one of said card means.

28. The card type of electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein:

said coding means associated with each of said card means comprises a code-key area;

said code-key area includes a plurality of raised code keys uniquely arranged with respect to each individual said card means and identifying said card means;

said raised code keys in addition identify the said type of card means of each of said plurality of card means;

said code keys are uniquely arranged with respect to each individual said card means defining a distinctive pattern of keys thereon;

said decoding means is associated with each of said card slots;

said decoding means comprises a switch-assembly means positioned in each of said card slots;

said switch-assembly means is arranged in functional association with said code-key area of inserted said card means into said card slot; and

said switch assembly means comprising a plurality of switches, each positioned to being in the open position or the closed position depending on said unique arrangement of said code keys in said code-key area on inserted said card means in registration to said switch-assembly means located in arrangement with said card slot.

29. The card type of electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as set forth in claim 10, further including:

a plurality of memory-expansion means containing additional audio information as vocal expression and/or nonvocal sound corresponding to each additional said plurality of card means; and

said first housing means having a capacity physically and functionally to accommodate a plurality of said memory-expansion means.

30. The card type of electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as set forth in claim 10, further including:

a third housing means having a plurality of additional card slots where one of a plurality of card means may be inserted in each of said additional card slots; and

said first housing means having a capacity physically and functionally to accommodate a plurality of said third housing means.

31. The card type of electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as set forth in claim 10, further including:

a plurality of said second card means having a surface on which a sensory-information representation in visual, tactile, and/or odorous form is provided to present pictorial-symbol information and/or language-symbol information representative of a phoneme;

said coding means associated with each of said plurality of second card means, identifying said card means as said second card means and identifying said sensory-information representation;

said decoding means for reading said coding means;

a plurality of said third card means having a surface on which a sensory-information representation in visual, tactile, and/or odorous form is provided to present pictorial-symbol information and/or language-symbol information representative of a numeral and/or arithmetical symbol;

said coding means associated with each of said plurality of third card means, identifying said card means as said third card means and identifying said sensory-information representation;

said decoding means for reading said coding means;

a plurality of said fourth card means having a surface for the deposition of a sensory-information representation in visual, tactile, and/or odorous form to present pictorial-symbol information and/or language-symbol information, to include imagery, alphabetic letters, phonemes, words, text, numerals, and/or arithmetical symbols;

said coding means associated with each of said plurality of fourth card means, identifying said card means as said fourth card means and identifying said sensory-information representation;

said decoding means for reading said coding means;

said first housing means having a plurality of said card slots in combination with a visually and functionally distinctive button associated with each said card slot wherein one of a plurality of said card means may be inserted into each of said card slots;

said operator-input means whereby an input signal is generated as a result of selection by the operator, by the pressing of one of said visually and functionally distinctive buttons associated with each said card slot;

said memory means containing audio information as a vocal expression of the phoneme type corresponding to each of said plurality of second card means;

said memory means in addition containing audio information as a vocal expression corresponding to a word or fraction thereof formed by a consecutive arrangement of a group of said second card means;

said memory means containing audio information as vocal expression and/or nonvocal sound corresponding to each of said plurality of third card means;

said memory means in addition containing audio information as vocal expression concerning solutions to a plurality of arithmetical problems formed by a consecutive arrangement of a group of said third card means;

said memory means in addition containing audio information as vocal expressions representing comments reflecting on the operator'"'"'s response to said arithmetical problems formed by a consecutive arrangement of a group of said third card means;

said memory means in addition containing audio information as vocal expression and/or nonvocal sound corresponding to each of said plurality of said fourth card means;

a programming means whereby audio information as vocal expression and/or nonvocal sound corresponding to each of said plurality of fourth card means can be stored into said memory means;

said programming means comprises;

a second housing means that is physically attachable to said first housing means;

an electroacoustic-transducer means responsive to audible information, as vocal expression and/or nonvocal sound, that generates equivalent audio-information signals for storage into said memory means;

said control means coordinating said equivalent audio-information signal as generated by said electroacoustic-transducer means with the storage function of said memory means; and

a functional-interconnection means between said first housing means and said second housing means;

said control means associated with said decoding means reacting to said input signal, by the pressing of said visually and functionally distinctive button associated in an equal manner with all of said card slots, of a multiple of said second card means by sequentially accessing from said memory means said audio information corresponding to each inserted said second card means and automatically repeating the sequential accessing of each inserted said second card means while reducing the access time between said second card means at the start of each access sequence and after a finite number of access sequences of said memory means of said audio information corresponding to each of said second card means, said audio information corresponding to a word or fraction thereof formed by the consecutive arrangement of the group of inserted said second card means is accessed from said memory means;

said control means associated with said decoding means reacting to said input signal, by the pressing of said visually and functionally distinctive button associated in an equal manner with all of said card slots, of a multiple of said third card means by sequentially accessing from said memory means said audio information corresponding to each inserted said third card means;

said control means associated with said decoding means reacting to said input signal, by the pressing of said visually and functionally distinctive button associated in an equal manner with all of said card slots, of a multiple of said fourth card means by sequentially accessing from said memory means said audio information corresponding to each inserted said fourth card means;

said control means associated with said decoding means reacting to said input signal, by the pressing of one of said visually and functionally distinctive buttons associated with each of said card slots, thereby accessing from said memory means said audio information corresponding to said particular card means;

a logic means including arithmetical-problem-solution means for performing the arithmetical problem created through the sequential access, caused by said input signal, by the pressing of said visually and functionally distinctive button associated in an equal manner with all of said card slots, of a consecutive arrangement of a group of said third card means;

a comparator means associated with said arithmetical-problem-solution means and said decoding means for determining the accuracy of the solution to the arithmetical problem created through the sequential access, caused by said input signal, by the pressing of said visually and functionally distinctive button associated in an equal manner with all of said card slots, of a consecutive arrangement of a group of said third card means;

said logic means in addition accessing from said memory means said audio information concerning a solution to the arithmetical problem created through the sequential access, caused by said input signal, by the pressing of said visually and functionally distinctive button associated in an equal manner with all of said card slots, of a consecutive arrangement of a group of said third card means;

said logic means in addition accessing from said memory means said audio information representing comments reflecting on the operator'"'"'s response to the arithmetical problem created through the sequential access, caused by said input signal, by the pressing of said visually and functionally distinctive button associated in an equal manner with all of said card slots, of a consecutive arrangement of a group of said third card means;

a manually adjustable intercard-time means to define the intercard time between the initial sequential access from said memory means of said audio information corresponding to said card means and the access from said memory means of said audio information corresponding to the next said card means;

said output means associated with said memory means and said control means for converting said audio information, as a vocal expression of the phoneme type, into sensory-output information representative of each sequentially accessed said second card means;

said output means in addition associated with said memory means and said control means for converting said audio information, as a vocal expression, into sensory-output information corresponding to a word or fraction thereof formed by a consecutive arrangement of a group of said second card means;

said output means associated with said memory means and said control means for converting said audio information, as vocal expression and/or nonvocal sound, into sensory-output information representative of each sequentially accessed said third card means;

said output means associated with said memory means and said logic means for converting said audio information, as a vocal expression concerning solutions to said arithmetical problems created through the sequential access of the consecutive arrangement of a group of said third card means into sensory-output information representative of the consecutive arrangement of a group of sequentially accessed said third card means;

said output means associated with said memory means and said logic means for converting said audio information, as a vocal expression representing comments reflecting on the operator'"'"'s response to said arithmetical problems created through the sequential access of the consecutive arrangement of a group of said third card means into sensory-output information representative of the consecutive arrangement of a group of sequentially accessed said third card means;

said output means associated with said memory means and said control means for converting said audio information, as vocal expression and/or nonvocal sound, into sensory-output information representative of each sequentially accessed said fourth card means;

said output means associated with said memory means and said control means for converting said audio information, as vocal expression and/or nonvocal sound, into sensory-output information representative of a particular one of said card means;

a sensory-information-illumination means reacting to said input signal, by the pressing of said visually and functionally distinctive button associated in an equal manner with all of said card slots, thereby sequentially illuminating each inserted said sensory-information representation;

said sensory-information-illumination means in addition reacting to said input signal, by the pressing of one of said visually and functionally distinctive buttons associated with each said card slot, thereby illuminating said particular sensory-information representation;

said control means for the coordination of said sensory-information-illumination means and said output means;

said coding means associated with each of said card means comprises a code-key area;

said code-key area includes a plurality of raised code keys uniquely arranged with respect to each individual said card means and identifying said card means;

said raised code keys in addition identifying the said type of card means of each of said plurality of card means;

said code keys are uniquely arranged with respect to each individual said card means defining a distinctive pattern of keys thereon;

said decoding means is associated with each of said card slots;

said decoding means comprising a switch-assembly means positioned in each of said card slots;

said switch-assembly means arranged in functional association with said code-key area of inserted said card means into said card slot;

said switch-assembly means comprising a plurality of switches, each positioned to being in the open position or the closed position depending on said unique arrangement of said code keys in said code-key area on inserted said card means in registration to said switch-assembly means located in arrangement with said card slot;

a plurality of memory-expansion means containing additional audio information as vocal expression and/or nonvocal sound corresponding to each additional said plurality of card means;

said first housing means having a capacity physically and functionally to accommodate a plurality of said memory-expansion means;

a third housing means having a plurality of additional card slots in combination with a visually and functionally distinctive button associated with each said additional card slot wherein one of a plurality of card means may be inserted in each of said additional card slots; and

said first housing means having a capacity physically and functionally to accommodate a plurality of said third housing means.

32. An electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus comprising

a plurality of sensory-information representations;

a memory means containing audio information as vocal expression and/or nonvocal sound corresponding to each of said plurality of sensory-information representations;

said memory means in addition containing audio information as vocal expression corresponding to a word or fraction thereof formed by a consecutive arrangement of a group of said sensory-information representations;

said memory means in addition containing audio information as vocal expression concerning solutions to a plurality of arithmetical problems formed by a consecutive arrangement of a group of said sensory-information representations;

said memory means in addition containing audio information as vocal expressions representing comments reflecting on the said arithmetical problems formed by a consecutive arrangement of a group of said sensory-information representations and the operator'"'"'s response to said arithmetical problems;

said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus possessing the ability of entering said audio information from a source external to said apparatus into said memory means corresponding to each of said plurality of sensory-information representations;

said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus possessing the ability of being operable in a plurality of modes of operation to include the first and second modes of operation;

said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus possessing the ability to interpret said plurality of sensory-information representations into a plurality of functional categories for unique treatment to include the first, second, and third functional categories;

an operator-input means whereby an input signal is generated as a result of selection by the operator of a particular one of said plurality of sensory-information representations when said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus is in said first mode of operation;

said operator-input means whereby an input signal is generated as a result of selection by the operator of a multiple of said plurality of sensory-information representations when said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus is in said second mode of operation;

a control means for selectively accessing said audio information from said memory means in an operating order defined by said operating mode of said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus and said functional-category of selected said sensory-information representations;

said control means in addition reacting to said input signal generated in response to operator selection of a particular one of said plurality of sensory-information representations when said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus is in said first mode of operation by accessing from said memory means said audio information corresponding to said particular sensory-information representation;

a sensory-information-illumination means reacting to said input signal generated in response to operator selection of a particular one of said plurality of sensory-information representations when said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus is in said first mode of operation by illuminating said particular sensory-information representation;

said control means in addition reacting to said input signal generated in response to operator selection of a multiple of said plurality of sensory-information representations that have been interpreted by said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as said first functional-category representations when said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus is in said second mode of operation by sequentially accessing from said memory means said audio information corresponding to each of said sensory-information representations;

said control means in addition reacting to said input signal generated in response to operator selection of a multiple of said plurality of sensory-information representations that have been interpreted by said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as said first functional-category representations when said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus is in said second mode of operation by adjusting the time between the access from said memory means of said audio information corresponding to said sensory-information representations to a time defined by an intercard-time means;

said control means in addition reacting to said input signal generated in response to operator selection of a multiple of said plurality of sensory-information representations that have been interpreted by said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as said second functional-category representations when said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus is in said second mode of operation by sequentially accessing from said memory means said audio information corresponding to each of said sensory-information representations, and automatically repeating the sequential accessing of each of said sensory-information representations while reducing the access time between said sensory-information representations at the start of each sequence, and after a finite number of access sequences of said memory means, said audio information corresponding to a word or fraction thereof formed by the consecutive arrangement of a group of said sensory-information representations is accessed from said memory means;

said control means in addition reacting to said input signal generated in response to operator selection of a multiple of said plurality of sensory-information representations that have been interpreted by said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as said second functional-category representations when said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus is in said second mode of operation by adjusting the initial time between the sequential access from said memory means to a time defined by said intercard-time means;

said control means in addition reacting to said input signal generated in response to operator selection of a multiple of said plurality of sensory-information representations that have been interpreted by said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as said third functional-category representations when said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus is in said second mode of operation by sequentially accessing from said memory means said audio information corresponding to each of said sensory-information representations;

said control means in addition reacting to said input signal generated in response to operator selection of a multiple of said plurality of sensory-information representations that have been interpreted by said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as said third functional-category representations when said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus is in said second mode of operation by adjusting the time between the access from said memory means to a time defined by said intercard-time means;

said sensory-information-illumination means reacting to said input signal generated in response to operator selection of a multiple of said plurality of sensory-information representations when said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus is in said second mode of operation by sequentially illuminating each of said sensory-information representations;

a logic means including arithmetical-problem-solution means for performing the arithmetical problem created through the sequential access, caused by said input signal generated in response to operator selection, of a consecutive arrangement of a group of said plurality of sensory-information representations that have been interpreted by said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as said third functional-category representations when said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus is in said second mode of operation;

a comparator means associated with said arithmetical-problem-solution means and said sensory-information representations for determining the accuracy of the solution to the arithmetical problem created through the sequential access, caused by said input signal generated in response to operator selection, of a consecutive arrangement of a group of said plurality of sensory-information representations that have been interpreted by said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as said third functional-category representations when said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus is in said second mode of operation;

said logic means including said arithmetical-problem-solution means in addition accessing from said memory means said audio information concerning a solution to the arithmetical problem created through the sequential access, caused by said input signal generated in response to operator selection, of a consecutive arrangement of a group of said plurality of sensory-information representations that have been interpreted by said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as said third functional-category representations when said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus is in said second mode of operation;

said logic means including said arithmetical-problem-solution means in addition for accessing from said memory means said audio information representing comments reflecting on the operator'"'"'s response to the arithmetical problem created through the sequential access, caused by said input signal generated in response to operator selection, of a consecutive arrangement of a group of said plurality of sensory-information representations that have been interpreted by said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as said third functional-category representations when said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus is in said second mode of operation;

an output means associated with said memory means for converting said accessed audio information into sensory-output information;

said output means associated with said memory means for converting said audio information into said sensory-output information representative of a particular one of said plurality of sensory-information representations when said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus is in said first mode of operation;

said output means in addition associated with said memory means for converting said audio information into said sensory-output information representative of a multiple of sequentially accessed said plurality of sensory-information representations when said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus is in said second mode of operation;

said output means in addition associated with said memory means for converting said audio information from said memory means corresponding to a word or fraction thereof formed by a consecutive arrangement of a group of said sensory-information representations interpreted by said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as said second functional-category representations into sensory-output information when said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus is in said second mode of operation;

said output means in addition associated with said memory means and said logic means, which includes said arithmetical-problem-solution means for converting said audio information from said memory means concerning solutions to said arithmetical problems into said sensory-output information when said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus is in said second mode of operation and said sensory-information representations are interpreted by said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as said third functional-category representations;

said output means in addition associated with said memory means and said logic means, which includes said arithmetical-problem-solution means for converting said audio information from said memory means representing comments reflecting on the operator'"'"'s response to said arithmetical problems into said sensory-output information when said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus is in said second mode of operation and said sensory-information representations are interpreted by said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as said third functional-category representations; and

said control means in addition for the coordination of said sensory-information-illumination means and said output means.

33. The electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as set forth in claim 32, further including an operating-mode-selection means associated with said control means for determining the particular one of said plurality of operating modes of said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus.

34. The electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as set forth in claim 33, wherein said operating-mode-selection means comprises:

said first mode of operation having said operator-input means in the form of a button visually and functionally associated with each of said plurality of sensory-information representations; and

said second mode of operation having said operator-input means in the form of a button visually and functionally associated in an equal manner with all of said plurality of sensory-information representations.

35. The electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as set forth in claim 32, further including a functional-category selection means associated with said control means for determining the particular one of said plurality of functional categories of said sensory-information representations.

36. The electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as set forth in claim 32, further including:

a plurality of card means;

said plurality of card means having a surface on which said sensory-information representation in visual, tactile, and/or odorous form is located to present pictorial-symbol information and/or language-symbol information, to include imagery, alphabetic letters, phonemes, words, text, numerals, and/or arithmetical symbols;

coding means associated with each of said plurality of card means, identifying said functional-category of said card means and identifying each said sensory-information representation;

a housing means having a plurality of card slots to accommodate the insertion of said card means;

an operating-mode-selection means including said first mode of operation having said operator-input means in the form of a button visually and functionally associated with each of said plurality of card slots;

said operating-mode-selection means in addition including said second mode of operation having said operator-input means in the form of a button visually and functionally associated in an equal manner with all of said plurality of card slots;

decoding means for reading said coding means;

said control means being responsive to said decoding means associated with said plurality of card means inserted in said card slots of said housing means and said input signal in said operating order defined by said operating mode of said electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus; and

said intercard-time means comprising an operator-adjustable control.

37. The electronic learning aid/teaching apparatus as set forth in claim 36, wherein:

said coding means associated with each of said card means comprises a code-key area;

said code-key area includes a plurality of raised code keys uniquely arranged with respect to each individual said card means and identifying said card means;

said raised code keys in addition identifying said functional category of each of said plurality of card means;

said code keys are uniquely arranged with respect to each individual said card means defining a distinctive pattern of keys thereon;

said decoding means is associated with each of said card slots;

said decoding means comprising a switch-assembly means positioned in each of said card slots;

said switch-assembly means arranged in functional association with said code-key area of inserted said card means into said card slot; and

said switch-assembly means comprising a plurality of switches, each positioned to being in the open position or the closed position depending on said unique arrangement of said code keys in said code-key area on inserted said card means in registration to said switch-assembly means located in arrangement with said card slot.