GB2175432A

GB2175432A - A language learning toy

Info

Publication number: GB2175432A
Application number: GB08512425A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Fu-Yuan Shih
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-05-16
Filing date: 1985-05-16
Publication date: 1986-11-26
Also published as: GB8512425D0

Abstract

A language learning toy comprises a toy body 10; a plurality of keys 11 arranged on the toy body, each of which keys represents a respective language unit; and an electrical circuit (Fig. 3) coupled to the keys for generating the sonic pronunciation of the respective language units when the respective keys are pressed. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A language learning toy The present invention is related to a language learning toy, and more particularly to a toy capable of providing a child at a beginning language level with an interesting study environment.

The method of studying language most frequently used by children who are of school age is that of reading sentences, words, or elementary alphabets and following a tape to learn their proper pronunciations. However, during study, children often cannot pay attention to the book and the sound from the tape because of its uninteresting, inactive quality.

Therefore, this method usually has no satisfying effect.

A language learning toy according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention intends to improve on the drawbacks described above.

In accordance with the present invention, a language learning toy comprises a toy body; a plurality of keys arranged on the toy body, each of which keys represents a respective language unit; and an electrical circuit coupled to the keys for generating the pronunciation of the respective language units when the respective keys are pressed.

The present invention provides a language learning toy which incorporates the language learning functions in an interesting toy, so that children can play with the interesting toy, and concurrently study the language during their play activities.

Preferably, the electrical circuit comprises a key processing circuit coupled to the keys for generating a key signal in correspondence with the key which is pressed, a pronouncing signal generating circuit coupled to the key processing circuit for outputting a corresponding pronouncing signal in response to the key signal, and an electricity-sound transducer coupled to the pronouncing signal generating circuit for producing a corresponding pronunciation.

The present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which form an integral part of this application and in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a language learning toy in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a toy house provided with a plurality of numerical keys and Chinese phonetic symbol keys; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the language learning toy of Fig. 1, instead illustrating a toy house provided with a plurality of English alphabet keys; and Figure 3 is a block diagram of an electrical circuit of a toy in accordance with the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, it should be noted that a like member is designated with a like reference number. In Figs. 1 and 2, a toy body 10 of the language learning toy of the present invention is a toy house on which a plurality of keys 11 are mounted. It should be noted that the toy body of the language learning toy may be formed as any one of many interesting toys, such as cars, attractive animals, cartoon actors, etc. It should be also noted that each key 11 may represent a respective language unit, such as a sentence, a word, an alphabet letter, a symbol, etc. In Fig.

1, the keys 11 include Arabic numeral keys, labelled with Arabic numerals "0" to "9", and Chinese phonetic symbol keys, labelled with phonetic symbols '' " to " ", while in Fig. 2, the keys 11 include 26 English alphabet keys, labelled with "A" to "Z". When one key, for example "A", is pressed, the language learning toy will produce the corresponding sound "[e]" (K.K. phonetic alphabet).

The above-described function of producing sound in response to pressure on a key is achieved by an electrical circuit 20, a block diagram of which is shown in Fig. 3. The electrical circuit 20 comprises a key processing circuit 22 coupled to the keys 11 mounted on the toy body 10 for generating a key signal in correspondence with the key which is pressed, a pronouncing signal generating circuit 23 coupled to the key processing circuit 22 for outputting a corresponding pronouncing signal in response to the key signal, and an electricity-sound transducer 24 coupled to the pronouncing signal generating circuit for producing a corresponding pronunciation. Since the electrical circuit 20 can be constituted by utilizing existing technologies in accordance with the block diagram thereof, the electrical schematic diagram of the electrical circuit 20 is not shown in further detail.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modification and equivalent structures.

1. A language learning toy comprising: a toy body; a plurality of keys arranged on said toy body, each of which keys represents a respective language unit; and an electrical circuit coupled to said keys for generating the pronunciation of the respective language units when the respective keys are

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A language learning toy The present invention is related to a language learning toy, and more particularly to a toy capable of providing a child at a beginning language level with an interesting study environment. The method of studying language most frequently used by children who are of school age is that of reading sentences, words, or elementary alphabets and following a tape to learn their proper pronunciations. However, during study, children often cannot pay attention to the book and the sound from the tape because of its uninteresting, inactive quality. Therefore, this method usually has no satisfying effect. A language learning toy according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention intends to improve on the drawbacks described above. In accordance with the present invention, a language learning toy comprises a toy body; a plurality of keys arranged on the toy body, each of which keys represents a respective language unit; and an electrical circuit coupled to the keys for generating the pronunciation of the respective language units when the respective keys are pressed. The present invention provides a language learning toy which incorporates the language learning functions in an interesting toy, so that children can play with the interesting toy, and concurrently study the language during their play activities. Preferably, the electrical circuit comprises a key processing circuit coupled to the keys for generating a key signal in correspondence with the key which is pressed, a pronouncing signal generating circuit coupled to the key processing circuit for outputting a corresponding pronouncing signal in response to the key signal, and an electricity-sound transducer coupled to the pronouncing signal generating circuit for producing a corresponding pronunciation. The present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which form an integral part of this application and in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a language learning toy in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a toy house provided with a plurality of numerical keys and Chinese phonetic symbol keys; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the language learning toy of Fig. 1, instead illustrating a toy house provided with a plurality of English alphabet keys; and Figure 3 is a block diagram of an electrical circuit of a toy in accordance with the present invention. Referring now to the drawings, it should be noted that a like member is designated with a like reference number. In Figs. 1 and 2, a toy body 10 of the language learning toy of the present invention is a toy house on which a plurality of keys 11 are mounted. It should be noted that the toy body of the language learning toy may be formed as any one of many interesting toys, such as cars, attractive animals, cartoon actors, etc. It should be also noted that each key 11 may represent a respective language unit, such as a sentence, a word, an alphabet letter, a symbol, etc. In Fig. 1, the keys 11 include Arabic numeral keys, labelled with Arabic numerals "0" to "9", and Chinese phonetic symbol keys, labelled with phonetic symbols '' " to " ", while in Fig. 2, the keys 11 include 26 English alphabet keys, labelled with "A" to "Z". When one key, for example "A", is pressed, the language learning toy will produce the corresponding sound "[e]" (K.K. phonetic alphabet). The above-described function of producing sound in response to pressure on a key is achieved by an electrical circuit 20, a block diagram of which is shown in Fig. 3. The electrical circuit 20 comprises a key processing circuit 22 coupled to the keys 11 mounted on the toy body 10 for generating a key signal in correspondence with the key which is pressed, a pronouncing signal generating circuit 23 coupled to the key processing circuit 22 for outputting a corresponding pronouncing signal in response to the key signal, and an electricity-sound transducer 24 coupled to the pronouncing signal generating circuit for producing a corresponding pronunciation. Since the electrical circuit 20 can be constituted by utilizing existing technologies in accordance with the block diagram thereof, the electrical schematic diagram of the electrical circuit 20 is not shown in further detail. While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modification and equivalent structures. CLAIMS

1. A language learning toy comprising: a toy body; a plurality of keys arranged on said toy body, each of which keys represents a respective language unit; and an electrical circuit coupled to said keys for generating the pronunciation of the respective language units when the respective keys are pressed.

2. A language learning toy as claimed in claim 1, wherein said keys include a set of elementary alphabet keys.

3. A language learning toy as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said keys include a set of phonetic alphabet keys.

4. A language learning toy as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said keys include a set of numerical keys.

5. A language learning toy as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said electrical circuit includes a key processing circuit coupled to said keys for generating a key signal in correspondence with the key which is pressed, a pronouncing signal generating circuit coupled to said key processing circuit for outputting a corresponding pronouncing signal in response to said key signal, and an electricity-sound transucer coupled to said pronouncing signal generating circuit for producing a corresponding pronunciation.

6. A language learning toy substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs.

1 and 3 or Figs. 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.