JP3159455B2 - Electronic learning machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an application card in which, for example, various pictures and characters are drawn, and when any one of the pictures or characters is selected and touched, the related picture or characters are displayed. The present invention relates to an electronic learning device that outputs a display or a voice to be displayed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as such an electronic learning machine, a sheet on which instruction information is displayed is placed, and when instruction information on the sheet is selected and a sensor panel is touched, corresponding display data and audio data are displayed. Has been proposed which reads out from a memory and outputs a display and a sound related to the instruction information touched from a display unit and a sound output unit (for example, see Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-18192).

[0003] When a sheet on which instruction information is displayed is placed, and the instruction information on the sheet is selected and the sensor panel is touched, voice data is synthesized with the touched instruction information to produce a voice. There has also been proposed a language learning machine that outputs a related voice from an output unit and displays the spelling and accent position of a word corresponding to a display unit (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
9-140477).

[0004]

However, such a conventional learning machine does not have a sufficient guidance function so that infants and ordinary people who are not used to handling this kind of electronic equipment can easily use it. For this reason, there has been a problem that it often causes misoperation or misunderstanding in use and is difficult to handle.

In particular, in the initial operation stage when using a learning machine, for example, an erroneous operation or misunderstanding that is unexpected from the side of manufacturing an electronic learning machine as described below often occurs. (1) The ROM pack storing the application program is used without being inserted into the apparatus main body. (2) An unsupported ROM pack and application card are inserted into the apparatus body and used.

(3) If the user does not notice that the brightness adjustment knob of the display unit is set to the lowest level, no display is displayed on the display unit even when the power of the apparatus main body is turned on. It seems to be. (4) If the user does not notice that the volume control knob of the audio output unit is set to the lowest level, no audio is output from the audio output unit even though the power of the apparatus main body is turned on, which is a failure of the apparatus. It seems to be.

[0007] Conventionally, an instruction manual describing precautions for using the learning machine is attached to such a case, and correct operation is performed so that the above-described trouble does not occur. However, the effectiveness was low for infants and children. The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to prevent a person who is unfamiliar with the operation of an electronic learning machine such as an infant or a child from preventing a rudimentary operation error. Aim.

[0008]

Since SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention to achieve the above object, the input function of the control of the microcomputer, the display function, an electronic learning machine provided with an audio output function, as an initial operation guidance, power-on Sometimes displayed
Set the brightness level of the display to the standard value and
A means for displaying a message urging the user to work is provided.

Also, under the control of a microcomputer,
Electronic learning with input function, display function, voice output function
At the power-on
Set the volume level of the audio output section to the standard value and
A hand that outputs a message prompting the initial operation from the
Stepped versions are also provided.

[0010] Further, in the above-described electronic learning machine,
Display a message prompting you to
Means for automatically returning the brightness level from the standard value to the set value,
After outputting a message prompting initial operation
How to automatically return the volume level of the power section from the standard value to the set value
Steps may be provided respectively .

[0011]

The electronic learning machine according to the present invention has an initial operation guider.
When the power is turned on, the brightness level of the display
To display a message prompting
When turning on the power, set the volume level of the audio output unit to the standard value.
Output a message prompting the initial operation by voice
Therefore, even if the brightness adjustment knob and volume adjustment knob
Provide initial operation guidance even if it is on the bell
Children and children who are unfamiliar with the operation of such an electronic learning machine can mistakenly report that the learning machine has failed.
Troubles to be solved can be prevented beforehand.

[0012]

Further, after a message prompting the initial operation is displayed, the brightness level of the display unit is automatically returned from the standard value to the set value. If the volume level is automatically returned from the standard value to the set value, there is no need to reset these levels when the application is executed.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of an electronic learning machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The main body 1 of the learning machine has a transparent touch panel 2 on its upper surface and an LCD display for displaying characters or the like related to pictures or characters on an application card 3 mounted on a card mounting portion provided below the transparent touch panel 2. 4, a power switch 5, a brightness adjustment knob 6 for adjusting the brightness of the LCD display 4, and a volume adjustment knob 7 for adjusting the level of an audio signal output to a speaker 8 described later.

Further, when the application card 3 is inserted into the card mounting portion (not shown) provided on the lower side of the transparent touch panel 2, a unique code (card code) is formed by cutting or piercing the application card 3. A card detection / identification unit 11, which will be described later, is located at a position where the identification unit can be detected, and a memory cartridge (RO) is located at the back of the memory mounting unit provided on the opposite side of the card mounting unit.
The connectors are arranged at positions that can be connected to the connectors of the M pack 9.

On the other hand, on the upper surface of the application card 3 formed of paper or the like, a picture or a character is displayed at a position corresponding to the key contact point of the transparent touch panel 2, and constitutes a key operation unit together with the transparent touch panel 2.

Next, the memory cartridge 9 stores an identification code unique to each memory cartridge and all information relating to pictures or characters displayed on all cards usable with the memory cartridge 9. When a ROM is built in and inserted into the main body 1, data and signals can be exchanged with a later-described control unit 14 of the main body 1 via a connector.

In order to insert the application card 3 and the memory cartridge 9 into the main body 1 of the learning machine, the application card 3 is identified by placing the surface of the application card 3 on which the picture or character is displayed. The memory card 9 is inserted from the insertion slot of the memory mounting section with its terminals first, and the application card 3 is inserted. Is inserted into the card detection / identification section 11 and pushed down until the terminals of the memory cartridge 9 are fitted into the connectors. Also,
When the card ejector 22 is pressed, the lock of the application card 3 is released and the application card 3 can be extracted.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic learning machine. The electronic learning device includes a key operation unit 1 using the transparent touch panel 2 and the application card 3 described above.
0, a card detection / identification unit 11 that detects the presence / absence of insertion by detecting an identification unit formed on the application card 3 by a detector such as a mechanical switch or a photo sensor, and identifies the type thereof; A display unit 12 comprising a circuit for performing the display control, an audio output unit 13 provided with an audio synthesis LSI and an audio circuit for outputting audio from the speaker 8, and a microprocessor comprising a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like are built in. It has the functions of a control unit 14 for controlling the entire learning machine and a power supply unit 15.

The display section 12 has a circuit as shown in FIG. This circuit includes a scanning driver 16 for an LCD display (LCD panel) 4 and a data driver 1
7 and 18, a standard level setting circuit that includes resistors R1 and R2 to set the brightness to a standard level, and a brightness adjustment circuit that includes a resistor R3 and a variable resistor VR1 to set the brightness to the level set by the brightness adjustment knob 6. And a changeover switch SW1 for switching a luminance (contrast) control signal from the standard level setting circuit and the luminance adjustment circuit to the scanning driver 16 according to a luminance (contrast) switching signal from the control unit 14.

Therefore, when the control unit 14 sends a luminance switching signal to the changeover switch SW1 to switch to the standard level setting circuit side (opposite side in the figure) when the power is turned on, the control unit 14 applies the signal from the power supply unit 15. Is divided by the resistors R1 and R2 of the standard level setting circuit,
A standard level voltage V preset in the scanning driver 16
Send the brightness control signal of s.

The scanning driver 16 sends a drive signal to the LCD panel 4 at a standard level of luminance in accordance with the luminance control signal to perform scanning, and sends a timing signal to each of data drivers 17 and 18 so that each data The drivers 17 and 18 send drive signals to the LCD panel 4 according to the timing signals to display messages.

When a message of the initial operation guidance is displayed on the LCD panel 4 and a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 1
Reference numeral 4 sends a luminance switching signal to the changeover switch SW1 again, and switches the changeover switch SW1 so as to be connected to the luminance adjustment circuit side as shown in the figure. Then, the power supply unit 15
The voltage Vcc applied from the variable resistor VR changes the resistance value by the resistor R3 of the brightness adjustment circuit and the brightness adjustment knob 6.
The luminance control signal of the voltage Va divided by 1 is sent to the scanning driver 16.

The brightness control signal changes the resistance value of the variable resistor VR1 by adjusting the brightness adjustment knob 6, thereby changing the voltage dividing ratio with the resistor R3. It is sent to the driver 16. Therefore, a message is displayed on the LCD panel 4 at the brightness set by the brightness adjustment knob 6.

Next, the audio output unit 13 has a circuit as shown in FIG. The circuit includes a speech synthesis LSI 19 that creates an analog speech signal based on speech data,
A low-pass filter 20 for removing harmonic components of the audio signal, an audio amplifier 21 for amplifying the audio signal,
A volume standard level setting circuit (circuit using resistors R4 and R5), a volume adjustment circuit (circuit using resistor R4 and variable resistor VR2), and a low-pass filter 20 And SW3, which switch between a standard level setting circuit and a volume control circuit when transmitting the audio signal output from the audio amplifier 21 to the audio amplifier 21.

Therefore, when the control unit 14 sends a volume switching signal to the changeover switches SW2 and SW3 when the power is turned on to switch to the standard level setting circuit side (opposite side in the figure), the low-pass filter 20 Is output from the resistors R4 and R of the standard level setting circuit.
5 and a standard-level audio signal corresponding to the divided voltage is sent to the audio amplifier 21 to generate a sound from the speaker 8.

When the message of the initial operation guidance is output from the speaker 8, the control unit 14 sends a volume change signal again to the changeover switches SW2 and SW3, and switches the changeover switches SW2 and 3 as shown in FIG. Switch to connect to. Then, the audio signal output from the low-pass filter 20 is transmitted to the audio amplifier 21 by dividing the audio signal output from the variable resistor VR2 whose resistance value is changed by the resistor R4 and the volume adjustment knob 7 to the audio amplifier 21. Is output from the speaker 8 at a volume corresponding to the adjustment level.

Next, the process of the initial operation guidance of the electronic learning machine will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the user turns on the power of the apparatus, the control unit 14 outputs a port output signal to set an output check mode, sends this to the display unit 12 and the audio output unit 13, and
The changeover switches SW1 to SW3 are switched so that the brightness adjustment level signal and the volume adjustment level signal of the audio output unit 13 are respectively set to a preset standard level.

In this embodiment, analog switches are used as the changeover switches SW1 to SW3 in FIGS.
Alternatively, a D / A converter, an analog multiplexer, a mechanical mechanism, or the like can be used.

Next, by reading the check data from the memory cartridge (ROM pack) 9, it is checked whether or not the memory cartridge 9 is mounted on the learning machine main body. The message "Please insert a ROM pack." Is displayed, and the message is also output from the speaker 8 by the voice output unit 13 as voice.

At this time, since the luminance level of the display unit 12 and the volume level of the audio output unit 13 are switched to the standard level, even if the luminance level and the volume level are adjusted to be low, the standard luminance and the volume level are respectively adjusted. Since the message is output at the level or the volume level, the message by the display of the display unit 12 and the voice from the speaker 8 is reliably transmitted to the user.

Here, the user once turns the power switch 5 on.
If the memory cartridge 9 is inserted and turned on again, or if the memory cartridge 9 has been installed from the beginning, the card detection / identification unit 11 determines whether the application card 3 has been inserted next. Check whether or not is ON.

If it is OFF, it is determined that the application card 3 is not inserted, a message "Please insert a card." Is displayed on the display unit 12, and the message is output from the speaker 8 by the audio output unit 13. Also outputs audio.

When it is confirmed that both the memory cartridge 9 and the application card 3 are inserted, a message "Please press the start key." Is displayed on the display unit 12 and the message is output also by voice, and the By prompting the introduction, the user is made aware that the learning machine is operating normally.

Thereafter, the changeover switches SW1 to SW3 are set so that the luminance level and the volume level set to the standard level are returned to the levels set by the respective adjustment knobs 6 and 7.
And start a normal application. In this way, when the power is turned on, the initial operation guidance is executed and the user is sequentially guided so that the user can perform a correct operation. Can be prevented beforehand.

When the initial operation guidance is completed, the control unit 14 scans each key contact of the transparent touch panel 2 and, when any key position on the transparent touch panel 2 is touched and receives the key code, the control unit 14 sends the key code to the memory cartridge 9. The address corresponding to the combination of the unique code and the key code of the application card 3 is sent, and the display data and audio data of the corresponding information are read.

The read display data is transmitted to the control unit 1.
4 reads and outputs it to the display unit 12, and outputs sound related to the specified picture or character from the speaker 8 by key input.

[0039]

As described above, in the electronic learning device according to the present invention, when the power is turned on , the luminance level of the display unit is increased.
Or, after setting the volume level of the audio output section to the standard value,
The initial operation guidance is executed so that the user can
A message that warns you not to make a mistake during the stage
Electronic learning machine for infants and children
May be misunderstood that someone who is unfamiliar with
It will be easier to handle.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic learning device shown in FIG.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of an electronic learning machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a specific example of a display unit 12 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a specific example of the audio output unit 13 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process of an initial operation guidance by the electronic learning device of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic learning machine main body 2 Transparent touch panel 3 Application card 4 LCD display 5 Power switch 6 Brightness adjustment knob 7 Volume adjustment knob 8 Speaker 9 Memory cartridge 10 Key operation unit 11 Card detection identification unit 12 Display unit 13 Audio output unit 14 Control unit
15 Power supply section

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A input function according to the control of the microcomputer, display function, an electronic learning machine having an audio output function, as an initial operation guidance, the brightness of the display unit when the power is turned on
Set the level to the standard value and prompt the display for initial operation
An electronic learning machine comprising a means for displaying a message . (2)Input by microcomputer control
E-learning machine equipped with functions, display function and voice output function
And As an initial operation guidance, when the power is turned on,
Set the volume level to the standard value and initialize from the audio output section.
A means to output a message prompting operation by voice is provided This
An electronic learning machine characterized by the following. 3. The electronic learning device according to claim 1 , wherein after a message prompting an initial operation is displayed, the brightness of the display unit is increased.
A means is provided to automatically return the degree level from the standard value to the set value.
Electronic learning machine, characterized in that was. 4. The electronic learning device according to claim 2, wherein a message prompting an initial operation is output by voice, and then the voice is output.
An electronic learning machine comprising means for automatically returning a volume level of an output unit from a standard value to a set value.