Mathematical learning game and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A mathematical learning game comprising:
- a) a housing;
b) a control and memory unit disposed in the interior of the housing;
c) a matrix switch coupled to said housing, the matrix switch comprised of a first rotary multi-position electronic switch and a second rotary multi-position electronic switch, the matrix switch providing an input signal to the control and memory unit corresponding to a mathematical operation between a first number or indicia corresponding to a first position of the first rotary multi-position switch and a second number or indicia corresponding to a second position of the second rotary multi-position switch;
d) an electronic visual display disposed on the surface of the housing and displaying a number or indicia as a function of numerical control signals received from the control unit;
e) a speech synthesizer and speaker disposed in the interior of the housing and receiving voice control signals from the control unit and producing an audio output; and
f) an activator switch coupled to the housing for inputting a response to the control and memory unit;
wherein the control and memory unit implements a pedagogical modality related to the first number or indicia and the second number or indicia, said pedagogical modality comprising a plurality of instructional modalities.
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Abstract
The present invention comprises an electronic learning game that provides a plurality of pedagogical and instructional modalities which combine strong kinesthetic, auditory, and visual stimulation to assist a child to learn basic arithmetical concepts. The inventive game utilizes a combination of voice statements, rhythmic music, a visual display, and manual inputs from number dials and a response switch to achieve multi-modal learning or arithmetic concepts. The ergonometric size and structure of the present invention promotes a strong kinesthetic learning modality.
67 Citations
35 Claims
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1. A mathematical learning game comprising:
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a) a housing; b) a control and memory unit disposed in the interior of the housing; c) a matrix switch coupled to said housing, the matrix switch comprised of a first rotary multi-position electronic switch and a second rotary multi-position electronic switch, the matrix switch providing an input signal to the control and memory unit corresponding to a mathematical operation between a first number or indicia corresponding to a first position of the first rotary multi-position switch and a second number or indicia corresponding to a second position of the second rotary multi-position switch; d) an electronic visual display disposed on the surface of the housing and displaying a number or indicia as a function of numerical control signals received from the control unit; e) a speech synthesizer and speaker disposed in the interior of the housing and receiving voice control signals from the control unit and producing an audio output; and f) an activator switch coupled to the housing for inputting a response to the control and memory unit; wherein the control and memory unit implements a pedagogical modality related to the first number or indicia and the second number or indicia, said pedagogical modality comprising a plurality of instructional modalities. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A mathematical learning game comprising:
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a) a substantially cylindrical housing having a first end and a second end, the housing dimensioned to be held by a child; b) a control and memory unit disposed in the interior of the housing; c) a matrix switch coupled to said housing, the matrix switch comprised of a first rotary multi-position electronic switch and a second rotary multi-position electronic switch, the matrix switch providing an input signal to the control and memory unit corresponding to a mathematical operation between a first number or indicia corresponding to a first position of the first rotary multi-position switch and a second number or indicia corresponding to a second position of the second rotary multi-position switch; d) an electronic visual display disposed on the surface of the housing and numbers or indicia as a function of numerical control signals received from the control and memory unit; e) a speech synthesizer disposed in the interior of the housing, the speech synthesizer receiving voice control signals from the control and memory unit and producing audio signal outputs; f) a sound transducer disposed generally in the first end of the housing, the sound transducer receiving audio signal inputs from the output of the speech synthesizer and producing an audio output; and g) an activator switch coupled to the second end of the housing for inputting a response to the control and memory unit; wherein the control and memory unit implements a pedagogical modality related to the first number or indicia and the second number or indicia, said pedagogical modality comprising a plurality of instructional modalities. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An ergonometric hand held mathematical learning game comprising:
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a) a substantially cylindrical housing having a first end and a second end, the cylindrical housing having a diameter less than about four inches and a length less than about fourteen inches; b) finger grips disposed on the first end and the second end of the cylindrical housing; c) a control and memory unit disposed in the interior of the housing; d) a matrix switch coupled to the housing, the matrix switch comprised of a first rotary multi-position electronic switch and a second rotary multi-position electronic switch, the matrix switch providing an input signal to the control unit corresponding to a mathematical operation between a first number corresponding to a first position of the first rotary multi-position switch and a second number corresponding to a second position of the second rotary multi-position switch; e) an electronic visual display disposed on the surface of the housing and number or indicia as a function of numerical control signals from the control and memory unit; f) a speech synthesizer disposed in the interior of the housing, the speech synthesizer receiving voice control signals from the control and memory unit and producing audio signal outputs; g) a sound transducer disposed generally in the first end of the housing, the sound transducer receiving audio signal inputs from the output of the speech synthesizer and producing an audio output; and h) a pressure-sensitive response switch coupled to the second end of the housing for inputting a response to the control and memory unit, said response switch having a substantially palm-sized contact surface; whereby the control and memory unit implements a pedagogical modality related to the first number and the second number, said pedagogical modality comprising a plurality of instructional modalities. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method to teach arithmetical relationships between two numbers comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a toy having a speech synthesizer, a visual display, a matrix switch comprised of a first rotary multi-position electronic switch and a second rotary multi-position electronic switch, and at least one user input response switch; b) stating a mathematical operation between two numbers in which the voice instructions of the speech synthesizer are accompanied by a rhythmic beat, the mathematical value of said two numbers being a function of a first position of said first rotary multi-position switch and a second position of said second rotary multi-position switch; c) providing synchronous visual symbols on the visual display which visually reinforce the mathematical operation described by the voice instructions; and d) requesting that the user provide an input to the response switch. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A mathematical learning game comprising:
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a) a housing; b) a control unit disposed in the interior of the housing; c) a matrix switch coupled to the housing, the matrix switch comprised of a first rotary multi-position electronic switch and a second rotary multi-position electronic switch, the matrix switch providing an input signal to the control unit; d) an electronic visual display disposed on the surface of the housing receiving numerical control signals from the control unit; e) a speech synthesizer disposed in the interior of the housing configured to produce an audio output as a function of voice control signals received from the control unit; and f) an activator switch coupled to the housing for inputting a response to the control unit; wherein the control unit implements at least one pedagogical modality related to a mathematical operation between a first number and a second number, the mathematical value of the first and the second numbers being a function of a first position of the first rotary multi-position switch and a second position of the second rotary multi-position switch. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification