GB2286078A - Portable language learning apparatus - Google Patents

Portable language learning apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2286078A
GB2286078A GB9401469A GB9401469A GB2286078A GB 2286078 A GB2286078 A GB 2286078A GB 9401469 A GB9401469 A GB 9401469A GB 9401469 A GB9401469 A GB 9401469A GB 2286078 A GB2286078 A GB 2286078A
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United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
data
speech
memory device
central processing
unit
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Granted
Application number
GB9401469A
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GB9401469D0 (en
GB2286078B (en
Inventor
Chin-Hsiung Liao
Sayling Wen
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Inventec Corp
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Inventec Corp
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Priority to GB9401469A priority Critical patent/GB2286078B/en
Publication of GB9401469D0 publication Critical patent/GB9401469D0/en
Publication of GB2286078A publication Critical patent/GB2286078A/en
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Publication of GB2286078B publication Critical patent/GB2286078B/en
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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09B—EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS
    • G09B5/00—Electrically-operated educational appliances
    • G09B5/06—Electrically-operated educational appliances with both visual and audible presentation of the material to be studied
    • G09B5/065—Combinations of audio and video presentations, e.g. videotapes, videodiscs, television systems
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09B—EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS
    • G09B19/00—Teaching not covered by other main groups of this subclass
    • G09B19/06—Foreign languages

Abstract

A portable language-learning apparatus includes a first memory device which contains a pre-programmed file of phrase data, corresponding digitized speech data and index data pointing to locations of corresponding phrase and speech data. A display unit displays the phrase data. A speech output unit generates an audible speech output corresponding to the digitized speech data. A central processing unit (CPU) is activable to retrieve the phrase data from the first memory device and controls the display unit to display the phrase data. A second memory device is connected to the CPU. A keyboard unit connected to the CPU, is operable to select one of the displayed phrase data, and controls the CPU to store the corresponding index data in the second memory device. The keyboard unit is further operable to provide a repeat number input to the CPU and to control the CPU to retrieve the phrase and speech data corresponding to the index data stored in the second memory device. The CPU repeatedly controls the speech output unit to generate the audible speech output corresponding to the index data in the second memory unit in accordance with the repeat number input. <IMAGE>

Description

PORTABLE LANGUAGE-LEARNING APPARATUS This invention relates to a portable languagelearning apparatus, more particularly to a portable language-learning apparatus which permits a user to practice a foreign language conveniently.
Presently, conventional language-learning apparatuses are generally in the form of cassette players. Note that it is inconvenient to rewind a cassette tape in order to practice repeatedly a desired portion of the tape. Furthermore, the output speed and the output pitch of the audible speech output of the cassette player are fixed.
Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide a portable language-learning apparatus which can overcome the drawbacks that are commonly associated with the conventional language-learning apparatuses.
According to the present invention, a portable language-learning apparatus includes a first memory device, a display unit, a speech output unit, a central processing unit, a second memory device and a user input means. The first memory device contains a preprogrammed file having a plurality of phrase data, a plurality of digitized speech data corresponding to the phrase data, and a plurality of index data pointing to locations of corresponding phrase and speech data in the first memory device. The display unit displays the phrase data, while the speech output unit is activable to generate audible speech output corresponding to the digitized speech data which is being displayed on the display unit.The central processing unit is connected to the first memory device, the display unit and the speech output unit, and is activable so as to retrieve the phrase data from the first memory device and control the display unit to display the phrase data.
The second memory device is connected to the central processing unit. The user input means is connected to the central processing unit and is operable so as to select one of the phrase data displayed on the display unit. The user input means controls the central processing unit to store the index data corresponding to the selected one of the phrase data in the second memory device. The user input means is further operable to provide a repeat number input to the central processing unit and to control the central processing unit to retrieve phrase and speech data corresponding to the index data stored in the second memory device.The central processing unit controls the display unit to display the phrase data corresponding to the index data in the second memory device and controls repeatedly the speech output unit to generate the audible speech output which corresponds to the index data in the second memory unit in accordance with the repeat number input.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the components of a portable language-learning apparatus according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is an example of the contents of a portion of the first and second memory devices of the portable language-learning apparatus according to the present invention; Fig. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the portable language-learning apparatus according to the present invention; and Fig. 4 is another flow chart illustrating the operation of the portable language-learning apparatus according to the present invention.
Referring to Fig. 1, a portable language-learning apparatus according to the present invention includes a user input means 10, a central processing unit 20, a first memory device 30, a second memory device 40, a display unit, a speech output unit, and a power supply means 90.
In the present embodiment, the first memory device 30 (see Fig. 2) is a read only memory (ROM) device and contains a plurality of pre-programmed files therein.
Each of the pre-programmed files has a plurality of phrase data 32, a plurality of digitized speech data 33 corresponding to the phrase data 32, and a pluralitvft of index data 31. The index data 31 are address data pointing to locations of corresponding phrase and speech data 32,33 in the first memory device 30. The phrase data 32 of the different files may be in the form of sentences or in the form of words with their corresponding definitions. In the present invention, each of the phrase data 32 stored in the first memory device 30 includes a plurality of phrases in different languages.For example, as shown in Fig. 2, in the location indicated by the index data (SA1), the phrase data 32 includes the phrase (DAli) which is in English, the phrase (DJl1) which is in Japan, and the phrase (DF1l) which is in France. The meanings of the phrases (DAll,DJll,DFll) are the same. Similarly, the speech phrases (DA12,DJ12,DF12) of the speech data 33 are respectively in English, Japanese and French.
The display unit includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) driving circuit means 50 and a liquid crystal display (LCD) means 60. The LCD means 60 is driven by the driving circuit means 50 to display the phrase data 32 thereon.
The speech output unit includes a digital-to-analog converting circuit means 70 and a speech output circuit means 80. The converting circuit means 70 receives and converts digitized speech data so as to generate an analog speech output. The speech output circuit means 80 comprises an amplifying device 81 which receives the analog speech output from the converting circuit means 70, a loudspeaker means 82 and an earphone means 83.
Amplified analog speech outputs from the amplifying device 81 are converted into audible speech outputs by the loudspeaker means 82 and the earphone means 83.
The central processing unit (CPU) 20 is connected to the first memory device 30, the LCD driving circuit means 50 and the digital-to-analog converting circuit means 70. The CPU 20 is activable so as to retrieve the phrase data 32 and the speech data 33 from the first memory device 30 and controls the LCD driving circuit means 50 to drive the LCD means 60 to display the phrase data 32 thereon.
The second memory device 40, in the present embodiment, is a random access memory (RAM) device and is connected to the CPU 20.
In the present embodiment, the user input means 10 is a keyboard unit and is connected to the CPU 20. The user input means 10 is operable to select one of the phrase data 32 displayed by the display unit and controls the CPU 20 to store the index data 31 corresponding to the selected one of the phrase data 32 in the second memory device 40. The user input means 10 is further operable to control the CPU 20 to retrieve phrase and speech data 32,33 corresponding to the index data 31 stored in the second memory device 40 and control the display unit and the speech output unit.
It is important to note that the user input means 10 is also operable to provide a repeat number input 43, a pause interval input 44, a speed input 46, a language select input 45, and a pitch input 47. All of these inputs 43 to 48 are then stored in the second memory device 40. The functions of the various inputs 43 to 47 will be discussed in greater detail in the following paragraphs.
The power supply means 90 supplies the necessary electrical power to operate the portable languagelearning apparatus of the present invention.
Referring now to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a pre-programmed main routine is executed when the power supply means 90 is activated in step (S1). Then, the user input means 10 is operated in step (S2) to control the CPU 20 either to provide a word input, or to retrieve phrase data from the first memory device 30. A file is selected from the files stored in the first memory device 30 by the operation of the user input means 10 in step (S3), and the CPU 20 is activated to retrieve phrase data 32 of the selected file from the first memory device 30. In step (S30), the CPU 20 controls the display unit to display the phrase data 32 of the selected file one at a time. After a phrase data is displayed, a decision is made in step (S31) as to whether the displayed phrase data is to be selected.
If the displayed phrase data 32 is selected, the user input means 10 is operated so that the index data 31 pointing to the location of the selected phrase data 32 in the first memory device 30 is stored in the second memory device 40 in step (S5). Another decision is made in step (S32) as to whether the next phrase data 32 is to be displayed. If yes, step (S30) is again executed to control the display unit to display next phrase data 32 therein. Otherwise, step (s2) or step (S3) is executed.
On the other hand, if the CPU 20 was controlled to require a word input in step (S2), the user can provide a word by operating the user input means 10 in step (S4). The CPU 20 is then activated to retrieve the corresponding phrase. data 32 and controls the display unit to display the phrase data 32 in step (S40). In step (S41), a decision is made as to whether the phrase data 32 is to be selected. If the displayed phrase data 32 is selected, the index data 31 pointing to the location of the selected phrase data 32 in the first memory device 30 is stored in the second memory device 40 in step (S6). Another decision is then made as to whether it is desired to provide another word input.
If no, step (S2) is executed. Otherwise, step (S4) is executed.
Referring now to Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the phrase data 32 stored in the second memory device 40 can be retrieved, when desired, by calling a pre-programmed subroutine in step (S10). When the subroutine is executed, a repeat number input 43, a pause interval input 44, a language select input 45, a speed input 46, and a pitch input 47 are set by operating the user input means 10 and are then stored in the second memory device 40 in step (S11). Thereafter, the CPU 20 is activated to orderly retrieve the phrase data 32 and the speech data 33 from the first memory device 30 corresponding to the index data 31 stored in the second memory device 40 and corresponding to the language select input 45. That is, if the language select input 45 corresponds to English, the phrases (DA1l,DA2l,DA31) and the speech phrases (DA12,DA22,DA32) are retrieved.
At the same time, the CPU 20 controls the display unit to display the phrase data 32 in step (S12) and further controls the speech output unit to generate an audible speech output corresponding to the speech data 33 according to the speed input 46 and the pitch input 47 in step (S13) such that the audible speech output is generated at a desired speed and at a desired pitch.
The CPU 20 also controls the speech output unit to generate a predetermined length of pause between two speech data according to the pause interval input 44.
In step (S14), a decision is made as to whether all of the audible speech output corresponding to the speech data 33 have already been generated. After the step (S14), a decision is made in step (S15) as to whether the audible speech output corresponding to the speech data 33 has been repeatedly generated by a number of times in accordance with the repeat number input 43.
If no, steps (S12 and S13) are again executed.
Otherwise, operation reverts to where the subroutine was called.

Claims (8)

1. A portable language-learning apparatus, comprising:
a first memory device for storing a pre-programmed file having a plurality of phrase data, a plurality of digitized speech data corresponding to said phrase data, and a plurality of index data pointing to locations of corresponding phrase and speech data in said first memory device; a display unit for displaying said phrase data; a speech output unit activable to generate an audible speech output corresponding to said digitized speech data which is being displayed by said display unit; a central processing unit connected to said first memory device, said display unit and said speech output unit, said central processing unit being activable to retrieve said phrase data from said first memory device and controlling said display unit to display said phrase data; a second memory device connected to said central processing unit; and a user input means connected to said central processing unit and operable to select one of said phrase data displayed by said display unit, said user input means controlling said central processing unit to store said index data corresponding to said selected one of said phrase data in said second memory device, said user input means being further operable to provide a repeat number input to said central processing unit and to control said central processing unit to retrieve said phrase and speech data corresponding to said index data stored in said second memory device, said central processing unit controlling said display unit to display said phrase data corresponding to said index data in said second memory device and repeatedly controlling said speech output unit to generate said audible speech output corresponding to said index data in said second memory unit in accordance with said repeat number input.
2. A portable language-learning apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said user input means is a keyboard unit.
3. A portable language-learning apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said user input means is operable to provide a pause interval input to said central processing unit, said central processing unit controlling said speech output unit to generate a predetermined length of pause, which corresponds to said pause interval input, between two said speech data.
4. A portable language-learning apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said user input means is operable to provide a speed input to said central processing unit, said central processing unit controlling said speech output unit to generate said audible speech output at a speed corresponding to said speed input.
5. A portable language-learning apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each of said phrase data of said preprogrammed file in said first memory device includes a plurality of phrases in different languages, said user input means being operable to control said central processing unit to retrieve one of said phrases of said phrase data corresponding to said index data in said second memory unit and to control said display unit to display said one of said phrases thereon.
6. A portable language-learning apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said user input means is operable to provide a pitch input to said central processing unit, said central processing unit controlling said speech output unit to generate said audible speech output at a pitch corresponding to said pitch input.
7. A portable language-learning apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each of said speech data of said preprogrammed file in said first memory device includes a plurality of speech phrases in different languages, said user input means being operable to control said central processing unit to retrieve one of said speech phrases of said speech data corresponding to said index data in said second memory unit and to control said speech output unit to generate said audible speech output corresponding to said one of said speech phrases.
8. A portable language-learning apparatus as substantially described hereinbefore with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB9401469A 1994-01-26 1994-01-26 Portable language-learning apparatus Expired - Lifetime GB2286078B (en)

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GB9401469A GB2286078B (en) 1994-01-26 1994-01-26 Portable language-learning apparatus

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GB9401469A GB2286078B (en) 1994-01-26 1994-01-26 Portable language-learning apparatus

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GB2286078A true GB2286078A (en) 1995-08-02
GB2286078B GB2286078B (en) 1997-12-03

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1997010581A1 (en) * 1995-09-14 1997-03-20 Fontes Joao Antonio Crespo Audible word reading system
DE19904690A1 (en) * 1998-06-30 2000-01-20 Roland Stankewitz Language teaching device e.g. for vocabulary learning

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1981000477A1 (en) * 1979-07-31 1981-02-19 G Fisher Electronic teaching aid
WO1983003914A1 (en) * 1982-04-26 1983-11-10 Gerald Myer Fisher Electronic dictionary with speech synthesis
US4579533A (en) * 1982-04-26 1986-04-01 Anderson Weston A Method of teaching a subject including use of a dictionary and translator

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1981000477A1 (en) * 1979-07-31 1981-02-19 G Fisher Electronic teaching aid
WO1983003914A1 (en) * 1982-04-26 1983-11-10 Gerald Myer Fisher Electronic dictionary with speech synthesis
US4579533A (en) * 1982-04-26 1986-04-01 Anderson Weston A Method of teaching a subject including use of a dictionary and translator

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1997010581A1 (en) * 1995-09-14 1997-03-20 Fontes Joao Antonio Crespo Audible word reading system
DE19904690A1 (en) * 1998-06-30 2000-01-20 Roland Stankewitz Language teaching device e.g. for vocabulary learning
DE19904690C2 (en) * 1998-06-30 2001-06-07 Roland Stankewitz Device for training language knowledge

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GB9401469D0 (en) 1994-03-23
GB2286078B (en) 1997-12-03

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PE20 Patent expired after termination of 20 years

Expiry date: 20140125