Methods for controlling reciting time of language learning device

• US 5,779,485 A
• Filed: 04/17/1996
• Issued: 07/14/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Jeong, Byung Mann
• Primary Examiner(s): CHENG, JOE H
• Application Number:
  US08/633,442
• Time in Patent Office: 818 Days
• Field of Search: 434/156, 434/157, 434/169, 434/185, 434/308, 434/319-322, 434/365, 434/335, 434/118, 395/135, 704/275, 455/165.1, 455/183.1, 455/183.2, 455/186.1, 455/212, 345/135
• US Class Current: 434/321
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/06 Foreign languages with audible presentation of material to be studied G09B5/04
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/04 with audible presentation of the material to be studied sound recording or reproducing G11B
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/02 Control of operating function, e.g. switching from recording to reproducing

Abstract

A method for controlling the reciting time of a language learning device. The language learning device has a recording medium for recording a voice signal thereon, a timer for outputting time information, a motor for transporting the recording medium in the desired direction, and a microcomputer for controlling the entire operation of the language learning device. The microcomputer stops the motor to suspend a reproduction operation until the input of a voice signal recited by the user is completed. If the input of the recited voice signal is completed, the microcomputer drives the motor to resume the reproduction operation. According to the present invention, after a reproduced voice signal from the recording medium is outputted, the reproduction operation is suspended regardless of the length of the reproduced voice signal for a time period during which the user gives a language recitation. Therefore, the user has a sufficient reciting time, resulting in an increase in language learning efficiency.

Claims

1. A method for controlling the reciting time of a language learning device, said language learning device comprising a recording medium containing a recorded voice signal, a timer for outputting time information, a motor for transporting said recording medium in the desired direction, and a microcomputer for controlling the entire operation of said language learning device, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) reproducing the voice signal for an interval of time controlled by said microcomputer; and

said microcomputer automatically stopping said motor to suspend the reproduction operation until an input of a voice signal recited by a user is completed and automatically driving said motor if the input of the recited voice signal is completed, to resume the reproduction operation;

wherein said step (b) includes the steps of said microcomputer;

(b-1) stopping said motor to if the recorded voice signal is not reproduction for a predetermined time period, thereby suspending the reproduction operation;

(b-2) checking whether the recited voice signal has been inputted and maintaining said motor at its stopped state if it is determined that the recited voice signal has been inputted; and

(b-3) driving said motor if it is determined at said step (b-2) that no recited voice signal has been inputted, to resume the reproduction operation.

2. A method for controlling the reciting time of a language learning device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said step (b-3) includes the steps of:

(b-3-1) setting a reference time;

(b-3-2) starting a counting operation at a time when the input of the voice signal recited by the user is discontinued;

(b-3-3) checking whether a counted time produced by the counting operation is greater than a reference time;

(b-3-4) driving said motor if it is determined at said step (b-3-3) that the counted time is greater than the reference time, thereby resuming the reproduction operation;

(b-3-5) checking whether the recited voice signal has been inputted, if it is determined at said step (b-3-3) that the counted time is not greater than the reference time; and

(b-3-6) returning to said step (b-2) if it is determined at said step (b-3-5) that the recited voice signal has been inputted.

3. A method for controlling the reciting time of a language learning device, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the reference time is flexibly set according to the user'"'"'s language learning ability.