DE3403475A1 - VOICE TEACHER - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a language teaching apparatus which is extremely effective and helpful for a language student to learn the relationship between pronunciation and spelling of individual words and to progress in that language, and more particularly to a language teaching apparatus controlled by a microcomputer so that a selected word is pronounced and a spelling is displayed ..
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A language teaching device that reproduces the spelling and pronunciation of a word is located already on the market; for example a device that goes under the trade name "Speak And Speel" Texas Instruments Corp. is driven out. ' This language teaching device chooses a word at random from a variety of words stored in a memory such as magnetic memory or a Mask read-only memory are stored and asks the selected word only by pronouncing the same away. This means that the pupil is given only the announcement of a word as information in response to a question given. Such a teaching or learning method is not very effective for a student familiar with the language in question is not very familiar as it is difficult for the student to develop a relationship or to make a connection between the pronunciation and the meaning of a word.

According to one aspect of the invention, a language teaching device comprises means for teaching a word interrogated by pronouncing as well as means for displaying a symbol which corresponds to a reference in a special book is available in which the meaning of the word with the help of a picture or the like is shown. The symbol can be used as an aid

to remind a student of a word with corresponding information.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the language teaching device comprises means which serve to query a word by pronouncing it, and means for indicating the position of an accent in the Pronunciation or spelling or the word as the correct answer.

It is a main object of the invention to provide a language teaching device. create that help a language student can effectively improve the pronunciation and spelling of a word with the help of hearing and visual • sense of the student to learn.

The invention is described below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing

, described; in this shows:
20th

Fig. 1 is a front view, the schematic. . Way reproduces the front of a language teaching device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,
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FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the general structure of the language teaching apparatus shown in FIG reproduces,

. Fig. 3 is a flow chart showing the operation of the in

the device shown in Figs. 1. and 2,

Fig. 4 is a front view showing, in a schematic manner, the front side of a language teacher

advises according to another embodiment

reproduces the invention,

Fig. 5 is a flow chart showing the operation of the device shown in Fig. 4;
·

6 is a block diagram showing the general structure of a language teaching device according to a further embodiment of the invention,
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Fig. 7 is a table showing the contents of a voice read-only memory which is used in the device in Fig. 6 is used,

Figs. 8 (A) to 8 (D)

Block diagrams showing the signal flows from and

to a microcomputer, a speech

Synthesizing device with a belt

• element of high integration density and a language read-only memory of the device

show in Fig. 6,

9 is a schematic front view of the front of a "language teaching device according to FIG a fourth embodiment of the invention

manure,

Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing a structure of the apparatus in Fig. 9;

^:

Fig. 11 is a flow chart showing the operation of the apparatus of Figs. 9 and 10;

Figures 12-14

in front view word lists of which

each the relations between words and

Represents numbers corresponding to such words

Fig. 15 is a circuit diagram showing a power supply circuit reproduces which can be used for a language teaching apparatus according to the invention, and

Figures 16 and 17

^ O circuit diagrams, each showing a

Play part of the power supply circuit in a modified form.

In Fig. 1, which shows a front side of a language teaching device according to a first embodiment of the invention, the language teaching device comprises a display panel 1, a keypad 6, and a loudspeaker 8 for pronouncing a word for a question.
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Referring to Fig. 2, which shows the language teaching apparatus in detail, the display panel 1 includes a representation . or display 2 of a book number and a display unit 3, the dot matrix display elements to display the content of the representation 2 includes. The display unit 3 is suitable for a A series of symbols that indicate a point in a book where information is in In the form of an illustration or picture

3Ö, which corresponds to a word that is called . The question is given. Contents to be displayed are managed by a microcomputer 5 selected and transferred to the display unit 3

■ a driver 4 is supplied. At the same time the Microcomputer 5 signals representing the pronunciation of the selected word, a speech

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playback device 7 to help the word with of the loudspeaker 8.

A student listens to the pronunciation of the pronounced word and then picks up if necessary Referring to information in the form of an illustration or the like in the book published by denotes the symbol number displayed on the display unit 3; Farther

^ O the student gives an answer in the microcomputer 5 using the keypad 6. The microcomputer 5 decides similarly to conventional ones Language teaching devices whether the answer so entered is correct or incorrect, and the student is of the result with the help of a display on the visual display unit 3 and / or with the help of a Announcement from loudspeaker 8 informed. Information in the form of an image or the like Receiving that relates to a word given as a question is an effective one Method of both reminding a student of the spelling of words and the meaning of Words to learn, and is vastly effective for a student familiar with the subject Language is not very familiar so he is making good progress in learning the language.

Fig. 3 shows a flow chart of the operational sequence of the microcomputer 5, which starts with asking a question and ends with a message as to whether an answer is right or wrong. In detail, a selection is made in a step 15 after the start or determination of a question, i.e. a number is randomly selected from the numbers selected, associated with corresponding images or the like contained in the book

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are. Then, as the next step 16, the loudspeaker 8 will do the same for a question selected word pronounced. The next step 17 is the number for the word corresponding image is displayed, as shown in FIG. 1. The student then gives in the next Step 18 with the help of the keypad 6 an answer and the answer so entered is from Microcomputer 5 received, which is then in a

■ * ^ subsequent step 19 decides whether the answer right or wrong. If the answer 'is correct in step 19, so will step 20 and 21 displayed or communicated verbally by the display panel 1 or the loudspeaker 8. in the In contrast to this, if the answer is wrong in step 19, then similarly in the Steps 22 and 23 are given a display and a spoken message thereof. With this ad and verbal communication is the sequence of functions ended.

A language teaching apparatus in another form according to the invention is hereinafter referred to with reference to FIG Fig. 4 described. This language teaching apparatus has a display panel 11 which is a display area which shows the correct spelling of a word and an accent mark, which is used to indicate the position of the stress when pronouncing the word. In the case of the : deten example, the letter group "tomato" is displayed on the display panel 11, and above ■ ■ an emphasis mark is added to the letter "a". Such a display function can be simple can be achieved by adding accent mark data to the word data are stored in a memory of the microcomputer 5

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are stored; also is used for the display field 11 employs a visual display device which has a segment or segments for displaying a Emphasis mark included. How to Use the Flowchart

■

from Fig. 5, the functions run in this case in the following way: In particular, when the language teaching apparatus is operated by a student in such a way that he is the main mode selects, is in a step 24 in accordance with

^ O mung a word with a predetermined procedure selected. Then, in a step 25, if the word data thus selected is that which the word "tomato" correspond to the relevant data to a driver 4 of the language teaching device and then in a subsequent step 26 the letters "tomato" are on the. Display area of the display unit 3 is displayed together with an accent mark "'" indicating the The position of the stress and is placed above the letter "a" of the word thus represented. Then, in subsequent steps 27 and 28, the selected word data becomes a voice reproduction apparatus 7 transferred to a pronunciation of the word with a correct intonation perform.

The display panel 11 may be a liquid crystal display unit, include a fluorescent tube display or other similar device.

The identification of an emphasis point of a word displayed on the display panel 11 can can also be achieved in other ways than by the accent marking "'" e.g. by the fact that either a letter flickers at an accent or that a letter is emphasized by it, that it is displayed brighter than the rest

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Letters of the word.

The structure of another language teaching device that the Has the function of indicating an emphasized point,

is shown in FIG. In this figure, the language teaching apparatus comprises a microcomputer 31, an input panel 32 comprising key switches, a driver 33, a display panel 34, a voice synthesizing unit 35 composed of a high density component, a speaker 36 and a Voice read-only memory 37. The microcomputer 31 receives key information from the input field 32, the Includes key switch, and controls the output driver. ■ 33 for the visual display, so that this optionally the Display panel 34 composed of liquid crystals or the like to drive to light up a desired display. Also, the microcomputer 31 controls on another its outputs the speech synthesizing unit 35 to. to control the loudspeaker 36, so that this the Pronounces or announces word. The speech synthesizing unit 35 is connected and constructed so that it accesses the speech read-only memory in response to input signals which it receives from the microcomputer 31 37 takes to carry out a speech synthesis and that it also contains data from an engr Latin word or the like with the emphasis position data in the form of a letter code to the microcomputer 31.

The operational sequence of the device just described will now be explained with reference to FIG reproduces an example of the contents of the voice read-only memory 37, as well as with reference to FIG Figures 8 (A) through 8 (D) showing a sequence of data transfer operations of the apparatus.

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It must be mentioned here that a letter code has a 7-bit ASCII code (DO - D6) and an accented reference D7 as shown in FIG.

First, the voice synthesizing unit 35 accesses the voice read-only memory 37 as Response to an addressing signal AD coming from the microcomputer 31, as shown in FIG. 8 (A) and then transmits a letter code CD to the microcomputer 31 as shown in Fig. 8 (B). At the Receipt of the letter code CD, the microcomputer 31 controls the output driver 33 for the visual

¹ ^ thus show that a rendering of a word is effected with an accent mark attached to it. Then, the voice synthesizing unit 35 supplies a voice addressing signal VAD to the voice read-only memory 37 as shown in Fig. 8 (C) and

² ^ receives from this voice data VD, as shown in FIG. 8 (D), in order to drive the loudspeaker 36 so that the word is pronounced.

In this way, according to this embodiment of the invention data of a word that includes an emphasis hint are all stored in the speech read-only memory 37. Accordingly, that can Adding or exchanging words, for example, can be carried out very simply in that such language read-only memories are used in a read-only memory set.

9 shows the exterior of an electronic language teaching apparatus according to another embodiment the invention. The language teaching device comprises a liquid-

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crystal display unit 41 which is a liquid crystal Display plate 41a, as well as letter input keys 42 (hereinafter referred to as alphabet keys number input keys 43 δ (hereinafter referred to as number keys have been), which comprise an enter key 43a and operating mode keys, to which a key 44a for the Operating mode. "Save", a key 44b for the "Repeat" mode and a key 44c for the Inquire mode to allow a student to select a desired control .

Fig. 10 shows the structure of the language teaching apparatus in Fig. 9, which comprises the following components: a Liquid crystal display driver 45 which serves to drive the liquid crystal display panel 41a of the To control liquid crystal display unit 41, a microcomputer 4 6 for controlling the device ,. Key input field 47 with a key matrix structure, a permanent memory 48 such as a semiconductor read-only memory, which retains the stored information even if there is a separation or a Interruption of the power supply occurs, a non-permanent memory 49, such as a semi, Ladder memory with random access which has a reverse characteristic to that of permanent memory 48. The microcomputer 4 6 is provided with the liquid crystal display driver 45, the key input panel 47, the persistent memory 48 and the non-permanent memory 49 connected so that he the read operations the contents of the read-only memory 48, the writing and reading processes in and from the memory 4 9 with optional Access, control of the entry of information from the key entry field 47 and the Control of the functions of the driver 45 for the

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Liquid crystal display can cause. It is assumed here that in the read-only memory 48 the Spelling or letter sequence of an English word is stored by a combination is represented by letters in a digitally coded form, as well as a number, which is in one-to-one Way is assigned to the word in question. Although the number depends on the read-only memory 48 stored words from the capacity of the module, which is for the read-only memory 48. is used, but it is assumed, for example, that in the memory of the embodiment of the present invention up to 100 words are stored. It also depends on the number of words that are stored and registered can be, from the capacity of the block, the memory 49 with optional Access is used, but it is also assumed that this number of words is e.g. is equal to ten.

For the language teaching device according to the embodiment of the invention just described, the Functional sequence described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14. Fig. 11 is a flow chart showing the functional steps of the device beginning with step 1 (S1) and ending with step 15 (S15) describes.

First of all occurs at the start S1 when of the

gQ operating mode buttons the button 44a for the operating mode "Save" has been pressed, the microcomputer 46 enters a memory mode and is ready to receive an input through the number keys 4 3.

Here a student can use up to ten English words

gg select which he will store in the facility wants and which he is from a group of English

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Has selected words, for example in a list 50 shown in FIG. 12 for English Words or listed in a word or picture card 51 shown in FIG. 13 and from 1 to 100 are numbered consecutively, and the student can use the den Numbers assigned to words in a corresponding manner one after the other with the aid of the number keys 43 in the Enter step '2 (S2). The microcomputer 46 then writes the numbers thus inputted one by one into random access memory 49 and lists up to ten such words in step 3 (S3) ■ in this memory. When you have finished listing these ten words, you can press

¹ ^ 44b for the "Repeat" mode in steps 4 and 5 (S4, S5) are pressed, whereupon the microcomputer 4 6 retrieves the first of the listed numbers from the memory 49 with random access, refers to the read-only memory 48, to the Get the spelling of the English word corresponding to this number to convert a spelling of the English word from the corresponding. Effect number; then the microcomputer causes the liquid crystal display unit 41 to display the word in step 6 (S6). In this way, when the repeat mode key 44b is pressed repeatedly, the ten words listed can be repeated and displayed one by one until the tenth word is displayed in step 7 (S7) . In the meantime, if the "Inquiry" mode key 44c has been pressed in step 5 (S5), then one of the numbers listed in the random access memory 49 is displayed by the liquid crystal display unit 41 in step 8 (S8).

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Here the student sees one shown in FIG Word card 51 or in a Japanese word list 52 shown in FIG. 1.4 after and gives the spelling or sequence of letters of a corresponding word using the alphabet keys 42 in step 9 (S9). The microcomputer 46 then sets the listed number into a corresponding spelling and compares the spelling entered by the student with this correct spelling to determine whether the spelling entered by the student is correct or not; this is done in step

10 (SIO); if the result of the comparison shows that the answer is correct, step .11 (SIl) generates the "message that the answer is correct". In contrast, if the Answer is incorrect, "notification that the answer is incorrect" is generated in step 12 (S12) and the correct spelling is shown on the liquid crystal display unit 41. After After completing such a series of operations for the tenth question, the microcomputer 46 moves to the "End" step forward (S15), thus ending the program.

15 shows a power supply circuit for a language teaching apparatus according to the invention. The power supply circuit includes a power source 61 composed of batteries or cells, a connection switch 62 to the energy source, which is used to establish a connection with the energy source 61 and that, for example, of a push button switch, a switching transistor 63 for connecting and disconnecting a microcomputer 67 with or from the energy

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source 61, and protective resistors 64, 65 and 66 which serve to limit the current flowing to the microcomputer 67. The microcomputer 67 has a connection 67a for applying a positive supply voltage, a connection 67b for applying a negative supply voltage, an output terminal 67c and a reset terminal 67d, at which it can receive a negative voltage by which it is reset- The ■ *. Microcomputer 67 also has input ports 67e, through which data entry keys 73a, 73b and 73c are connected to the microcomputer 67. the Power supply circuit further comprises a resistor 68 and a capacitor 70, which for a Resetting the device when switching on the supply voltage are required. The electricity supply circuit further includes a diode 69 "which enables the capacitor 70 to be electrical Charge to discharge when switching off the energy source, as well as a protective resistor 71 for Limitation of the discharge current of the capacitor 70 when a power supply isolating switch 72 is actuated will*

The function of the power supply circuit is described below.

First, when the connection switch 62 to the power source is in its closed state is brought, the switching transistor 63 is turned on, and it is, the microcomputer 67 power or electrical voltage supplied from the energy source 61. In the meantime, the microcomputer 67 is activated by the reset circuit that takes effect when switched on, comprising resistor 68 and capacitor 70 in its recessed

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Condition brought to show how it works. Then, from the output terminal 67c of the microcomputer 67 emitted a positive signal. As a result, even if the connection switch 62 is opened to the energy source, the energy supply from the energy source 61 is maintained, to continue the function as described above, since the switching transistor 63 irn is kept switched on.

Otherwise, the previous description has focused on the case that the output terminal 67c of the microcomputer 67 provides a negative output signal when the microcomputer 67 is reset will. Thus, by operating the circuit breaker 72 for power supply, the microcomputer 67 is turned off is reset and the output from its output terminal 67c then becomes negative. As a result, the switching transistor 63 is turned off and the power source 61 becomes accordingly disconnected or interrupted. Because a reset signal of the microcomputer 67 is a signal. related to a wired circuit within the microcomputer 67 continues to occur even if the voltage of the power source applied to the microcomputer 67 after a above-described interruption of the energy source drops below a voltage range in which a Proper operation of the microcomputer 67 is ensured, no instability of the device on, which enables a safe interruption of the energy source 61.

It should be noted here that although an embodiment has been described in which batteries be used as an energy source, but can

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these will also be replaced by a system that is one Rectification of an alternating voltage into a direct voltage for energy supply includes.

Furthermore, an embodiment was described, in which the output terminal 67c of the microcomputer 67 supplies a negative output signal, when the microcomputer 67 is reset. But in contrast to this, in the event of a Power supply circuit in which the output terminal. 67c an output signal going positive when the microcomputer 67 is reset, provides a similar function in a simple manner can be achieved by a modified circuit construction in which the resistor 65, which is connected to the Output terminal 67c of the microcomputer 67 in Fig. 15 is connected in series through a transistor 74 and resistors 75 and 76 - which are commonly connected to the base of transistor 74 as shown in FIG.

Even if the microcomputer 67 has a largely different structure in which it one Input / output terminal 67f which functions as an input terminal when the microcomputer 67 is reset, a similar function can easily be achieved either by that a pull-up resistor 77 is connected to the terminal 67f as shown in Fig. 17,

30.. or that a pull-down resistor, not shown, is connected to terminal 67f.

In a power supply circuit having the structure described above, an on-order enables in which a power source isolating switch with a reset terminal of a microcomputer

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connected, for connecting each of the circuit breakers to the power, the use of a pressure switch; which has the same structure as other data entry keys and allows simple and safe interruption or disconnection of the power supply source. Further, in the case of a battery powered device, a microcomputer runaway due to a voltage drop in ¹ ^ depending on the life of the batteries can be prevented by a power supply disconnecting switch without removing such batteries.

From the foregoing description it can be seen that a language teaching apparatus according to the invention has a high Ensures learning efficiency for a student who is familiar with a particular language because that Reads the spelling and correct pronunciation of a word in response to an actuation a student delivers.

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Claims (1)

T) 11 * L ·. -IKG. JIANS W. (ϊ Ii O I-J X I K (Ϊ I AT IC NT Λ N ΛV Λ U T M 22-1 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha 2-3, Marunouchi 2 chorae Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 1ÜO Japan Language teaching device Claims Language teaching apparatus controlled by a microcomputer or the like and input and Has output units which, among other things, have a display unit for displaying letters and numbers, a voice reproducing unit for reproducing speech, and an input unit comprise, by means of which an input signal is given to the microcomputer, characterized in that that while a queried word by means of the speech reproduction unit (8; 36) is pronounced, a reference symbol of a part of a representation means (50, 51, 52) shown in FIG this part has a visual display corresponding to the queried word on which Visual display unit (1; 11; 34; 41) is displayed, and that the spelling of a queried, by the student using the input device ■ MIIOO »If JfClIEN SO · I ¹ OIl H0OS4O · JiAlIKI-: H! I KI X 1'ΛΤΚΝ T · TKI .. (OhII) 471 (1711 · TIl.KX Iv ULM!» » ■ ι · (6; 32; 42) entered word appears on the display unit (1; 11; 34; 41). ■ 2. Language teaching device according to Claim 1, characterized in that that the display tool (50, 51, 52), which reproduces the optical display, which corresponds to the word for a question, a picture or a photograph. 3. Language teaching device according to claim 2, characterized in that the picture or the photograph either in a book or on a card or on a cathode ray tube. 4. Language teaching device according to claim 1, characterized in that that the word is an English word. 5. Language teaching device according to claim 1, characterized in that the reference symbol on the Display unit (1; 11; 34; 41) is displayed, either a number in one Book or a number of a photograph and / or one or more letters, that to such a book or photograph number are added. 6. Language teaching apparatus controlled by a microcomputer or the like and input and Has output functional units that are listed under .30 other a visual display unit, a voice reproduction unit for reproducing speech formed by speech synthesis and comprising an input unit thereby characterized in that the display unit (11;. 34; 41.) can display a response received from an operator with the help of a key input unit (6; 32; 42) for a ubqcfriigt.es Word is entered which was provided by the language teacher, and that a spelling of a word and the position of an accent for 5 a correct answer to the question can be represented by the language teaching device. 7. Language teaching device according to claim 6, characterized in that • indicates that it comprises an output unit which serves to transmit data in synchronized relation for displaying the emphasis and data of an address of a part of a voice data memory (37; 48) in which the data identifying the accent is stored, whereby the address data are supplied to this output unit of a voice synchronization. 8. Language teaching device according to claim 6, characterized in that the question about the word below Reference is made to display means (50, 51, 52) which provide an optical display that corresponds to the queried word and that a reference symbol that corresponds to the relevant Representation means (50, 51, 52) is assigned, in a corresponding relationship to the queried Word is displayed on the display unit (1; 11; 34; 41). 9. Language teaching device according to claim 8, characterized in that the display means (50, 51, 52), which have a visual representation that corresponds to the queried word, a picture _ » or a photographic. IC. Language teaching device according to Claim 9, characterized in that the picture or the photographic BeEtanöteil either a book or a Map or displayed on a cathode ray tube is. ° ■ 11. Language teaching device according to claim 6, characterized in that that an emphasis notice for identifying the position of an emphasis in a memory (37; 48) is included, which for Storage of the letter code is used.
10 12. Language teaching device according to claim 11, characterized in that. indicates that word data, each one And voice data corresponding to this word data in one. Read-only memory (37; 48) are summarized, thereby adding and exchanging words is made possible. ι 13. Electronic language teaching device, characterized in that that it comprises the following components: a first memory (48) in which the notations of words are stored, each of which is encoded in a combination of digitally Letters and reference symbols is shown, which individually correspond to the words, key input means (47) for designating a desired word, which is stored in the first memory (48), by a word assigned to this word Reference symbol, a second memory (49) in which a plurality of words, the have been designated by the key input device (47), in turn by the j reference symbols assigned to them are stored during the writing process of these words, a converting device (46) which is used to convert the reference symbol that the by the Key input device (47) designated word corresponds to converting into a letter! "olge, which reproduces the spelling of the word and a display (41) to show the Spelling or the reference symbol assigned to a word. 14. Electronic language teaching device according to claim 13, characterized in that the first memory (48) a permanent memory and that the second memory (49) is a non-permanent memory. 15. Electronic language teaching device according to claim 13, characterized in that the notation of a word entered with the aid of the key input device (47) by means (46) is used to determine whether the spelling is correct or incorrect is, and that if the notation is as ^ O answer is wrong, correct spelling of the word is shown on the display (41). 16. Electronic language teaching device according to claim 13, characterized in that a reference symbol, ι
which corresponds to the spelling of a word, is reproduced in a book, on a card or on a cathode ray tube which has an optical representation such as a picture, a photograph or the like for this word. 17. Electronic language teaching device according to claim 13 ,. characterized in that the word a English word is. 18. Electronic language teaching apparatus controlled by a microcomputer and having a power supply connection switch (62), a power supply isolating switch (72) for connecting or disconnecting a power supply (61) and Data input switches (73a, 73b, 73c), characterized in that the power supply connection switch (62) is connected to a reset terminal (67d) of the microcomputer (67) so that closing the power supply supply connection switch (62) puts the microcomputer (67) in a reset state brings and that the power supply (61) is then disconnected in response to an output signal, output from an output terminal (67c; 67f) of the microcomputer (67). 19. Electronic language teaching device according to claim 18, characterized in that each of the switches is a push button switch. 20. Electronic language teaching device according to claim 18, characterized in that the energy source (61) is a cell or a battery.