Language learning system

• US 6,869,286 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2001
• Issued: 03/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael E. Furry
• Original Assignee: Michael E. Furry
• Inventors: Furry, Michael E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Banks, Derris H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Suhol, Dmitry
• Application Number:
  US09/820,081
• Publication Number:
  US 20020142270A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,455 Days
• Field of Search: 434156-185, 434/404, 434/172, 434/171, 434/174, 434/393, 434/402
• US Class Current: 434/167
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 17/00 Teaching reading teaching lip-reading G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/04 Speaking with audible presentation of the material to be studied G09B5/04

Abstract

A language learning system is provided. The language learning system typically includes a set of fictional characters, each character being associated with a predetermined phoneme of a language, such as English. The character typically has a given name including the phoneme. The system may further include a learning device configured to display at least one of the characters along with an associated letter corresponding to the phoneme. The device may be a wheel, block, vessel, card, doll, disk, cone, or other suitable device.

Claims

1. A language learning system, comprising:

a body;

a plurality of phoneme selectors coupled to the body, each phoneme selector including a letter or letter combination, a character, and a pronunciation symbol separate from the letter or letter combination, the pronunciation symbol indicating a pronunciation for the letter or letter combination, all associated with a phoneme, the character having a name including the phoneme; and

a target window positioned in the body, the target window being configured to display a target;

wherein the plurality of selectors are configured to be adjustable by a user to spell a name of the target;

wherein the letter or letter combination and pronunciation symbol are distinguished in that each letter or letter combination may have a plurality of possible pronunciations when used in different words, but each pronunciation symbol has only one possible pronunciation.

2. The language learning system of claim 1, wherein each selector is wheel-shaped.

3. The language learning system of claim 1, wherein the letters or letter combinations, characters, and pronunciation symbols are positioned in respective sectors of a plurality of character regions positioned on the selector.

4. The language learning system of claim 1, wherein the body further includes a selection pane through which a user may view a selected letter or letter combination on the phoneme selector.

5. The language learning system of claim 4, wherein the selection pane is adapted to enable a user to view at least one of a selected character, a selected pronunciation symbol and a selected letter or letter combination of the phoneme selector.

6. The language learning system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of phoneme selectors includes five phoneme selectors.

7. A language learning system, comprising:

a set of two or more sequenced selector substrates, each selector substrate including three or more character regions, each character region including indicia showing a unique character icon and a letter or letter combination from a name associated with the character icon, the character icon and letter or letter combination forming a graphical unit that represents a single pronunciation of the letter or letter combination as used in the character name, and that does not represent any other possible pronunciation of the letter or letter combination;

wherein the first selector substrate of the set of two or more sequenced selector substrates contains all letters or letter combinations necessary to spell each of the character names of the character icons on the first selector substrate, and wherein the graphical units formed by the character icons and letters or letter combinations on the first selector substrate indicate all pronunciations necessary to correctly pronounce each of the character names of the character icons on the first selector substrate; and

wherein the first selector substrate of the set of two or more sequenced selector substrates may be sequentially combined with the other selector substrates of the set of two or more sequenced selector substrates so that the sequentially combined selector substrates contain all letters or letter combinations necessary to spell each of the character names of the character icons on the sequentially combined selector substrates, and wherein the graphical units formed by the character icons and letters or letter combinations on the sequentially combined selector substrates indicate all pronunciations necessary to correctly pronounce each of the character names of the character icons on the sequentially combined selector substrates.

8. The language learning system of claim 7, wherein each letter or letter combination that has only a single possible pronunciation is shown as indicia within a single character region on the selector substrates to be paired with a single, unique character icon;

and

wherein each letter or letter combination that has more than one possible pronunciation appears as indicia within a plurality of character regions on the selector substrates, in each character region the letter or letter combination being paired with a different character icon for each pronunciation;

such that each letter or letter combination paired with a unique character icon forms a graphical unit that represents a unique pronunciation of the letter or letter combination.

9. The language learning system of claim 7, wherein the selector substrates are adjustable to spell the name of a target.

10. The language learning system of claim 7, wherein the character icons and letter or letter combinations are removably attached to a body.

11. The language learning system of claim 7, wherein the character regions include indicia showing a pronunciation symbol separate from the letter or letter combination, the pronunciation symbol indicating a pronunciation for the letter or letter combination.

12. The language learning system of claim 7, wherein the selector substrates are coupled with a selection pane adapted to enable a user to view at least one of a selected character, a selected pronunciation symbol and a selected letter or letter combination of the selector substrate.

13. The language learning system of claim 7, wherein the selector substrates are attached to a body.

14. The language learning system of claim 13, wherein the selector substrates are adjustable to spell the name of a target.

15. The language learning system of claim 13, wherein the body includes a target window, the target window configured to display a target.

16. The language learning system of claim 13, wherein the body includes a selection pane adapted to enable a user to view at least one of a selected character, a selected pronunciation symbol, and a selected letter or letter combination of the selector substrates.

17. The language learning system of claim 13, wherein the selector substrates may be detached from the body to spell the name of a target.