System and method for foreign language processing

• US 8,843,377 B2
• Filed: 04/21/2008
• Issued: 09/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Master Key LLC
• Original Assignee: Master Key LLC
• Inventors: Lemons, Kenneth R.
• Primary Examiner(s): AZAD, ABUL K
• Application Number:
  US12/148,577
• Publication Number:
  US 20080274443A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,346 Days
• Field of Search: 704275-277
• US Class Current: 704/276
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/06 Foreign languages with audible presentation of material to be studied G09B5/04

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to foreign language instruction and translation methods. A system is provided which utilizes tonal and rhythm visualization components to allow a person to “see” their words as they attempt to speak a foreign language or a specific regional dialect. The system is also applicable to foreign language translation systems and allows students to improve their pronunciation by responding to visual feedback which incorporates both color and shape. The system may comprise a step-by-step instruction method, along with recording and playback features. Certain embodiments incorporate statistical analysis of student progress, remote access for teacher consultation, and video games for enhancing student interest.

Claims

1. A foreign language processing system, comprising:

a user control device;

a processing device operatively connected to said user input device;

a microphone for sensing a spoken word from the user and operatively connected to said processing device; and

a display operatively connected to said processing device;

wherein;

said processing device executes computer readable code to select a foreign language word which corresponds to the meaning of a native language word entered by a user using said user control device;

wherein;

said processing device executes computer readable code to create a first visual representation of frequency relationships within said foreign language word for output on said display; and

wherein;

said first visual representation is generated according to a method comprising the steps of;

(a) placing twelve labels in a pattern of a circle, said twelve labels corresponding to twelve respective frequencies, such that moving clockwise or counter-clockwise between adjacent ones of said labels represents a first frequency interval;

(b) identifying an occurrence of a first frequency within the foreign language word;

(c) identifying an occurrence of a second frequency within the foreign language word;

(d) identifying a first label corresponding to the first frequency;

(e) identifying a second label corresponding to the second frequency;

(f) creating a first line connecting the first label and the second label, wherein;

(1) the first line is a first color if the first frequency and the second frequency are separated by the first frequency interval;

(2) the first line is a second color if the first frequency and the second frequency are separated by a first multiple of the first frequency interval;

(3) the first line is a third color if the first frequency and the second frequency are separated by a second multiple of the first frequency interval;

(4) the first line is a fourth color if the first frequency and the second frequency are separated by a third multiple of the first frequency interval;

(5) the first line is a fifth color if the first frequency and the second frequency are separated by a fourth multiple of the first frequency interval; and

(6) the first line is a sixth color if the first frequency and the second frequency are separated by a fifth multiple of the first frequency interval.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein step (a) further comprises arranging each of the twelve labels to be substantially evenly spaced from each adjacent label.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein step (a) further comprises arranging each of the twelve labels to be spaced 30 degrees from each adjacent label.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first color is red, the second color is orange, the third color is yellow, the fourth color is green, the fifth color is blue and the sixth color is purple.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the first color has a first wavelength that is larger than a second wavelength of the second color;

the second wavelength is larger than a third wavelength of the third color;

the third wavelength is larger than a fourth wavelength of the fourth color;

the fourth wavelength is larger than a fifth wavelength of the fifth color; and

the fifth wavelength is larger than an sixth wavelength of the sixth color.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein a second visual representation of frequency relationships within said spoken word is generated using said method, said second visual representation being displayed simultaneously on said display with said first visual representation.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the brightness of said first line transitions from a relatively dimmer state to a relatively brighter state on said display when a first frequency relationship within said spoken word matches that of said first visual representation.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

(g) identifying an occurrence of a third frequency within said foreign language word;

(h) identifying a third label corresponding to the third frequency;

(i) creating a second line connecting the second label and the third label; and

(j) creating a third line connecting the third label and the first label.

9. A foreign language processing system, comprising:

a user control device;

a processing device operatively connected to said user input device;

a microphone for sensing a spoken word from the user and operatively connected to said processing device; and

a display operatively connected to said processing device;

wherein;

said processing device executes computer readable code to select a foreign language word which corresponds to the meaning of a native language word entered by a user using said user input device;

wherein;

said processing device executes computer readable code to create a first visual representation of frequency relationships within said foreign language word for output on said display; and

wherein;

said first visual representation is generated according to a method comprising the steps of;

(a) placing twelve labels in a pattern of a circle, said twelve labels corresponding to twelve respective frequencies, such that moving clockwise or counter-clockwise between adjacent ones of said labels represents a first frequency interval;

(b) identifying an occurrence of a first frequency within the within the foreign language word;

(c) identifying an occurrence of a second frequency within the foreign language word;

(d) identifying a first point on the circle, said first point corresponding to the first frequency;

(e) identifying a second point on the circle, said second point corresponding to the second frequency;

(f) creating a first line connecting the first label and the second label, wherein;

(1) the first line is a mixture of a first color and a second color if the first frequency and the second frequency are separated by more than the first frequency interval and less than a first multiple of the first frequency interval;

(2) the first line is a mixture of a second color and a third color if the first frequency and the second frequency are separated by more than the first multiple of the first frequency interval and less than a second multiple of the first frequency interval;

(3) the first line is a mixture of a third color and a fourth color if the first frequency and the second frequency are separated by more than the second multiple of the first frequency interval and less than a third multiple of the first frequency interval;

(4) the first line is a mixture of a fourth color and a fifth color if the first frequency and the second frequency are separated by more than the third multiple of the first frequency interval and less than a fourth multiple of the first frequency interval;

(5) the first line is a mixture of a fifth color and a sixth color if the first frequency and the second frequency are separated by more than the fourth multiple of the first frequency interval and less than a fifth multiple of the first frequency interval.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first color is red, the second color is orange, the third color is yellow, the fourth color is green, the fifth color is blue and the sixth color is purple.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein:

the first color has a first wavelength that is larger than a second wavelength of the second color;

the second wavelength is larger than a third wavelength of the third color;

the third wavelength is larger than a fourth wavelength of the fourth color;

the fourth wavelength is larger than a fifth wavelength of the fifth color; and

the fifth wavelength is larger than an sixth wavelength of the sixth color.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein a second visual representation of frequency relationships within said spoken word is generated using said method, said second visual representation being displayed simultaneously on said display with said first visual representation.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the brightness of said first line transitions from a relatively dimmer state to a relatively brighter state on said display when a first frequency component relationship of said spoken word matches that of said first visual representation.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

(g) identifying an occurrence of a third frequency within said foreign language word;

(h) identifying a third label corresponding to the third frequency;

(i) creating a second line connecting the second label and the third label; and

(j) creating a third line connecting the third label and the first label.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the brightness of said second line transitions from a relatively dimmer state to a relatively brighter state on said display when a second frequency component relationship of said spoken word matches that of said first visual representation.