WO2006054831A1

WO2006054831A1 - Dialing learning tool

Info

Publication number: WO2006054831A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/003484
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yang-Hwan Sung
Original assignee: Yang-Hwan Sung
Priority date: 2004-11-20
Filing date: 2005-10-19
Publication date: 2006-05-26
Also published as: KR200375266Y1

Abstract

A dialing learning tool is disclosed. The dialing learning tool of the present invention includes a rotating plate (20), which has therein a rotating center (22) and a plurality of finger stops (21). The dialing learning tool further includes a housing, to which a rotating shaft (30) is fastened, so that the rotating plate (20) is rotatably mounted in the housing through the rotating shaft (30). A manipulation slot (11) is formed through the surface of the housing, so that the finger stops (21) of the rotating plate (20) are exposed outside through the manipulation slot (11). Several reference origins are set at predetermined positions on the rotating plate (20). Result values are disposed in circular lines, each having a radius corresponding to a distance between the rotating center (22) and each reference origin. Confirmation windows (15), (16), (17) and (18) are formed in the housing at predetermined positions corresponding to the result values, so as to allow a user to confirm result values.

Description

DIALING LEARNING TOOL

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to learning tools which help infants, children and students learn languages and mathematics and, more particularly, to a dialing learning tool which has a structure such that, after a user who is learning the Korean alphabet, Chinese characters, other foreign languages, or mathematics, inputs letters or numerals of a desired word or calculation value in a dialing input manner, he/ she can immediately confirm whether correct answer was input through a confirmation window, thus helping the user enhance spelling retention and mental calculation ability. Background Art

[2] From old times, various means for helping users learn the Korean alphabet, foreign languages, mathematics, etc. has existed. Particularly, recently, various learning tools for enhancing learning efficiency have been proposed.

[3] For example, there is a great variety of learning tools, such as an electric learning tool, in which, when a user pushes a button provided in the tool, the pronunciation of a related word or a specific sound of an animal or object is provided, and a flash card type learning tool, which has been widely used for enhancing memorization ability.

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[4] To be fully aware of a word and apply it to a sentence, a user must know the exact word order as well as the spelling of the word. However, most conventional learning tools take a method in which a user sees the spelling of a word which is correctly arranged in order and, thereafter, finds a figure or sound corresponding to the word. Therefore, when the user learns words using a conventional learning tool, the user may remain ignorant of the exact spellings of the words.

[5] Meanwhile, conventional learning tools comprising electric devices have advantages in that they can be applied in various manners. However, the construction of electric technologies used in the learning tools and the method of applying the electric technologies to the learning tools are complex, so that a learning tool using such an electric technology has a disadvantage of having a relatively high cost. Technical Solution

[6] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a dialing learning tool which includes a housing, in which a set of letters, numerals or marks is disposed in a circular arrangement and a manipulation slot is formed inside the portion on which the letters, numerals or marks are disposed, and a rotating plate, which is rotatably installed in the housing such that part of the rotating plate is exposed outside through the manipulation slot of the housing and a user can rotate the rotating plate using a plurality of finger stops provided in the exposed part of the rotating plate, so that only when the user inputs the exact spelling, numerals or marks in the correct order is a result value corresponding to the answer expressed, thus helping the user enhance the spelling retentive power and mental calculation ability by being interested therein, and which has a simple structure, thus reducing the manufacturing cost.

Advantageous Effects

[7] The dialing learning tool of the present invention can be applied to various cases which create words, sentences, or objects, which means desired words or sentences, or calculation values using combinations of letters, numerals or marks. Furthermore, because a correct result value is expressed only when the user inputs the exact spellings in the correct order, the present invention provides an improved learning method that is interesting to a user, who is learning the Korean alphabet, Chinese characters, other foreign languages, or mathematics.

[8] As well, the dialing learning tool of the present invention has a simple mechanical structure without high cost electric equipment or a complex program, thus markedly reducing the manufacturing cost thereof compared to other learning tools.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[9] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a dialing learning tool, according to an embodiment of the present invention; [10] FIG. 2 is a front view of the dialing learning tool according to the embodiment of the present invention; [11] FIG. 3 is a view showing a rotating plate of the dialing learning tool according to the embodiment of the present invention; [12] FIG. 4 is a view showing a front plate of the dialing learning tool according to the embodiment of the present invention; [13] FIG. 5 is a view showing a rear plate of the dialing learning tool according to the embodiment of the present invention; and [14] FIGS. 6 through 11 are views showing the operation of the dialing learning tool according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [15] In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a dialing learning tool, comprising: a rotating plate having therein a rotating center, with a plurality of finger stops formed in the rotating plate around the rotating center at regular angular intervals in a ring-shaped arrangement; and a housing, an inner surface of which is adjacent to at least one surface of the rotating plate, with a rotating shaft fastened to the housing so that the rotating plate is rotatably mounted in the housing through the rotating shaft, and a manipulation slot formed through the surface of the housing and having a shape surrounding the finger stops, so that the finger stops of the rotating plate are exposed outside through the manipulation slot. When specific angular values, each of which is a multiple of a minimum rotating angular value between the finger stops, are given for respective individual letters, numerals and/or marks con¬ stituting a set of letters, numerals and/or marks, and when a sign corresponding to a concept or a result obtained by combining at least one individual letter, numeral and/or mark is referred to as a result value, and when a sum of specific angular values of the individual letters, numerals and/or marks constituting the result value is referred to as a combined angular value, a plurality of reference origins, spaced apart from the rotating center by different distances, is set at predetermined positions on the rotating plate, a plurality of result values, each of which is created by combining at least one letter, numeral and/or mark, is disposed in circular lines, each having a radius corresponding to a distance between the rotating center and each reference origin, and each of the result values is spaced apart from the related reference origin by a rotating angular interval corresponding to the combined angular value thereof. A plurality of con¬ firmation windows is formed in the housing at predetermined positions corresponding to the result values, and each of the confirmation windows allows a user to confirm one result value.

[16] Preferably, one set of letters, numerals and/or marks may be disposed around the manipulation slot, which surrounds the finger stops arranged in a ring shape, in a sequence of specific angular values thereof, at angular intervals which are equal to a rotating angle of the finger stops.

[17] The dialing learning tool may further comprise a stopper provided around the ma¬ nipulation slot in the housing at a position spaced apart from a letter, numeral and/or mark, having a minimum specific angular value, by a minimum rotating angle defined by the finger stops in a direction in which the specific angular values of the disposed letters, numerals and/or marks decrease.

[18] Preferably, the confirmation windows formed in the housing may be openably closed.

[19] The dialing learning tool may further comprise an origin setting mark provided at a predetermined position on the rotating plate and/or the housing and representing a position of the rotating plate relative to the housing such that the reference origins of the rotating plate are set in the confirmation windows.

[20] Preferably, in the case that a plurality of reference origins is set at predetermined positions on the rotating plate so that a plurality of circular result value rows, each having a ring-shaped arrangement, exists on the rotating plate, a number of con¬ firmation windows the same as a number of reference origins may be formed at positions corresponding to the reference origins of the rotating plate.

[21] Furthermore, the result values may be disposed on a surface of the rotating plate, and the housing may have a planar shape and comprise: a front plate having the ma¬ nipulation slot therein; a rear plate having a shape corresponding to the front plate; and a housing spacer defining a space for installation of the rotating plate between the front plate and the rear plate, so that the dialing learning tool has a structure including: the rear plate; the rotating shaft fastened at a central portion to the rear plate; the rotating plate rotatably coupled at the rotating center thereof to the rotating shaft and oriented in a direction such that the surface of the rotating plate, on which the result values are formed, faces away from the rear plate; the housing spacer coupled to an outside edge of the rear plate; and the front plate coupled to the housing spacer such that the ma¬ nipulation slot is oriented in a shape surrounding the finger stops of the rotating plate.

[22] Preferably, the rotating shaft may be an external screw and may be fastened at a head part thereof to the rear plate and coupled to an internal screw type stopper while the rotating plate is interposed between the stopper and the rear plate.

[23] The dialing learning tool may further comprise a rotating plate spacer provided on at least one surface of the rotating plate between the front plate and the rear plate.

[24] Furthermore, each of the finger stops may be a circular hole.

[25] As well, the rotating plate may be a circular plate.

[26] In addition, signs corresponding to the result values may be formed on an outer surface of the housing.

[27] Hereinafter, the construction of the dialing learning tool according to the present invention will be described in detail.

[28] The dialing learning tool according to the present invention includes a rotating plate, a housing having the rotating plate therein, and a rotating shaft, which couples the rotating plate to the housing such that the rotating plate is rotatable in the housing. The housing has therein a manipulation slot, which exposes part of the rotating plate outside such that a user rotates the rotating plate. The rotating plate has therein a plurality of finger stops, which is exposed through the manipulation slot to allow the user to manipulate the rotating plate.

[29] Preferably, the rotating plate has a circular shape such that it is easily rotated in the housing. Furthermore, the rotating plate is rotatably coupled at the central position thereof to the housing using the rotating shaft. Here, the finger stops are disposed in a ring-shaped arrangement and are spaced apart from the center of the rotating plate by the same distance and are spaced apart from each other at regular angular intervals. This makes it easy for the user to rotate the rotate plate using the manipulation slot formed in the housing when using the dialing learning tool of the present invention. Furthermore, depending on this, the angular intervals of result values, which will be explained later herein, are determined. Meanwhile, to allow the user to manipulate the rotating plate, placed in the housing, using the finger stops through the manipulation slot, the surface of the housing which has therein the manipulation slot and the rotating plate should be disposed to be adjacent to each other.

[30] Preferably, each finger stop is a circular hole. In this case, the finger stops of the present invention and the arrangement thereof are similar to those of a dialing plate of a dial-type analog telephone.

[31] On the rotating plate of the dialing learning tool of the present invention, a plurality of circular rows of result values is provided around the rotating center of the rotating plate. The position of each of the result values in each circular row depends on the structure of the letter, numeral, or mark to be composed. The method of determining this will be explained herein below.

[32] In the world, there is a large number of languages which can form words having meanings. Furthermore, among them, a large number of languages have letters. In a language, letters constitute a set, and all words are expressed by combining at least one letter. The Korean alphabet, having twenty-four consonants and vowels, the English alphabet, having twenty-six letters, and the Japanese hiragana and katakana alphabets, having fifty letters, are representative examples.

[33] If specific values are given for the respective letters constituting one alphabet, for example, if specific values are given for the Korean alphabet having twenty-four consonants and vowels, a word, which consists of several letters, also has a specific combined value. For example, if specific values are given for the Korean alphabet in a manner of FD=IO, D=20, D=30,..., D=150, D=160...J , the word FDDJ has a specific combined value of ( 10+150+30+ 150)=340.

[34] This principle is applied to the dialing learning tool of the present invention. If the specific values given for the respective letters are regarded as angular values, the combined angular value of the sum of specific angular values of the letters I D,D,D,DJ is 340°. The reference origin is set on the rotating plate and is spaced apart from the rotating center thereof by a predetermined distance. The word IDG J or a picture having the meaning of FDDJ , which is a result value formed by combining the above- mentioned letters, is expressed at a position, which is spaced apart from the rotating center by the same distance as that of the reference origin and is spaced apart from the reference origin at 340°. Then, the specific position of the result of combining the letters FD,D,D,D J is determined (the reference origin is the specific position of the result values having combined angular angles of 0° or multiples of 360°). [35] That is, in the dialing learning tool of the present invention, the specific angular values are given for the respective letters constituting the alphabet, such that the specific angular values are multiples of the minimum specific angular value (in the above example, multiples of 10°). Thereafter, combined angular values of desired words formed by the combination of several letters are calculated.

[36] Subsequently, the result values are disposed on the rotating plate based on the reference origin, depending on the combined angular values.

[37] The rotating plate, on which the result values are printed, is thereafter coupled to the housing using the rotating shaft. At this time, the result values must not be exposed through the manipulation slot or the like.

[38] Meanwhile, the finger stops, which are formed in the rotating plate in a ring-shaped arrangement, must be spaced apart from each other at the same angular interval as the minimum specific angular value (in the above example, 10°). As such, when the dist ance between adjacent finger stops corresponds to the minimum specific angular value, the rotating plate is rotated at an angle corresponding to the specific angular value of a letter, depending on the number of rotated positions (in the above example, when the rotating plate is rotated by one position, it is rotated at 10° corresponding to the letter "D").

[39] Furthermore, a confirmation window is formed through the surface of the housing, which covers the result values, at a position corresponding to the reference origin, so that only one result value is observed.

[40] In the present invention having the above-mentioned construction, after the reference origin is set to the confirmation window, the rotating plate is consecutively rotated at angles corresponding to the specific angular values of the letters constituting a desired word. Then, finally, the rotating plate is rotated at an angle corresponding to the combined angular value of the result value of the desired word. As a result, the result value is expressed in the confirmation window.

[41] Hereinafter, the method of manipulating the dialing learning tool of the present invention will be explained with the above-mentioned example. First, the position of the rotating plate is set such that the reference origin is placed in the confirmation window. Thereafter, the rotating plate is consecutively rotated at 10°, 150°, 30° and 150° corresponding to the letters I D,D,D,DJ (in this case, the rotating plate is rotated by one position, ten positions, three positions and ten positions of the finger stops). Then, the rotating plate is rotated at 340°, and the result value (the picture having the meaning of the word 'DD'), which has the specific position spaced apart from the reference origin at 340°, is located in the confirmation window. Therefore, the user can confirm whether he/she has input the correct spelling.

[42] Meanwhile, in the case that several letters are combined, words having various combined angular values are created. Here, words having the same combined angular values or having a value difference corresponding to multiples of 360° occupy the same position, if the words have the same reference origin. Other than these cases, the result values having different specific positions are disposed in a circular row having a radius equal to the distance between the reference origin and the rotating center.

[43] As briefly mentioned above, several reference origins having different distances from the rotating center may exist. Even if words, numerals or marks have the same combined angular value, their result values can exist on the same rotating plate, so long as they have different reference origins. In this case, at least two circular rows of result values are formed on the rotating plate.

[44] Preferably, to realize convenient manipulation, letters, numerals or marks related to the dialing learning tool of the present invention are printed around the manipulation slot in the sequence of the specific angular values thereof at angular intervals, each of which is equal to the minimum rotating angle between the finger stops. Furthermore, preferably, a stopper is provided in the manipulation slot at a position spaced apart from the letter, the numeral and/or the mark, having the minimum specific angular value (in the above example, the letter I DJ ), by the minimum rotating angle (in the above example, 10°) in the direction in which the specific angular values decrease.

[45] This construction makes it possible for the user to easily rotate the rotating plate by a desired angle merely by inserting his/her finger into a finger stop corresponding to a desired letter printed around the manipulation slot and by rotating the rotating plate until the finger contacts the stopper, without even referring to a separate guidebook or paying attention.

[46] Preferably, an origin setting mark is provided at a predetermined position on the rotating plate or around the manipulation slot of the housing, such that the user can easily align the reference origin of the rotating plate with the desired position of the manipulation slot. In the present invention, the reference origin of the rotating plate must be exactly set before the user inputs consecutive letters constituting a desired word having a predetermined result value (such that the rotating plate must reach the combined angular value from 0°). Here, setting the position of the reference origin using the separate mark through the manipulation slot is easier than setting it through the confirmation window. Therefore, it is preferable that the separate origin setting mark be provided. Particularly, in the present invention, the confirmation window is configured in an openable closure type such that the user confirms a result value after the process of inputting the letters, numerals or marks constituting a desired word has been completed. Thus, it is difficult to set the reference origin through the confirmation window, so that the necessity of the origin setting mark is increased.

[47] In the dialing learning tool of the present invention, the number of confirmation windows should be equal to the number of preset reference origins. Furthermore, the position of each confirmation window corresponds to the position of each reference origin. Because the confirmation windows are disposed in this way, even if only one confirmation window is aligned with its corresponding reference origin, the remaining confirmation windows are automatically aligned with respective reference origins. As such, in the present invention, all of the confirmation windows can be aligned with the related reference origins in a single process.

[48] As stated above, to position a desired result value, which is printed on the rotating plate, in the related confirmation window, letters, numerals or marks constituting a desired word (spelling of the word, or numerals constituting the result value) cor¬ responding to the result value must be input into the dialing learning tool in a rotating input method. In a process that precedes the input process, the user may guess the result value from presented data. Thereafter, the user inputs the spelling of the expected word or the like and checks through the confirmation window whether the expected word is matched with the correct result value. As such, data, which gives the user a hint about the desired result value, may be presented, for example, in the case of the word 'DD', a picture or a sign, which reminds the user of the word 'DD' and helps the user input the letters FD,D,D,DJ in order, is presented. This data may be provided separately from the dialing learning tool of the present invention. However, pictures, signs, etc. are preferably printed on the housing around the manipulation slot, such that the user can conveniently guess desired words or result values even without such a separate device. Mode for the Invention

[49] Hereinafter, a dialing learning tool according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[50] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the dialing learning tool, according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[51] As shown in FIG. 1, a housing includes a front plate 10, a rear plate 40 and a housing spacer 50. A rotating plate 20 is interposed between the front plate 10 and the rear plate 40. Here, a rotating shaft 30 is fastened to the rear plate 40, and a rotating center (a central rotating hole) 22 of the rotating plate 20 is rotatably fitted over the rotating shaft 30, so that the rotating plate 20 is rotatably provided in the housing. Preferably, an external screw type shaft is used as the rotating shaft 30, and an interior screw type stopper 35 is securely coupled to the rotating shaft 30, thereby the con¬ struction of the dialing learning tool of the present invention is maintained in a more stable state.

[52] The housing spacer 50, which serves to ensure space for the installation of the rotating plate 20 between the front plate 10 and the rear plate 40, is configured such that the edges of the front and rear plates 10 and 40 are coupled to each other therethrough.

[53] As shown in FlG. 1, it is preferable that rotating plate spacers 60 are interposed between the rotating plate 20 and the respective front and rear plates 10 and 40. The in¬ stallation of the rotating plate spacers 60 having respectively small contact areas can markedly reduce friction, compared to the case in which the entire surface area of the rotating plate 20 contacts the front plate 10 and the rear plate 40.

[54] Furthermore, finger stops 21, which are spaced apart from the rotating center 22, are formed in the rotating plate 20 in a ring-shaped arrangement around the rotating center 22. A manipulation slot 11 is formed through the front plate 10 at a position cor¬ responding to the finger stops 21, and almost all finger stops 21 are exposed outside through the manipulation slot 11. The manipulation slot 11 is formed in a horseshoe shape, so that the finger stops 21 are exposed outside through the horseshoe-shaped slot, and the ends of the horseshoe-shaped slot (the parts having no slot) serve as stoppers 13 when the rotating plate 20 is rotated.

[55] Furthermore, an origin setting mark 23 is provided at a predetermined position around the finger stops 21 on the rotating plate 20. The origin setting mark 23 has a shape such that, when it is placed in a section between the ends of the horseshoe- shaped manipulation slot 11 (a section in which the finger stops 21 are not exposed), the shape thereof is completely screened. As well, the origin setting mark 23 is configured such that the position at which the shape thereof is completely concealed is the precise position at which the reference origin is set.

[56] FlG. 2 is a front view of the dialing learning tool according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[57] Referring to this drawing, it is evident that most of the area of the rotating plate 20 is concealed by the front plate 10, and only the finger stops 21, which are parts of the rotating plate 20, are exposed outside through the manipulation slot 11. The user inserts his/her finger into one finger stop 21 through the manipulation slot 11 and rotates the rotating plate 20.

[58] In this embodiment, the dialing learning tool, which is constructed such that the user can learn words made from the English alphabet, is provided. The letters con¬ stituting the English alphabet are arranged around the manipulation slot 11 at regular angular intervals, each of which is equal to the angular interval between adjacent finger stops 21. Furthermore, as shown in FlG. 2, in the dialing learning tool according to this embodiment, an openable confirmation window A 15, an openable confirmation window B 16, an openable confirmation window C 17 and an openable confirmation window D 18 are provided in the front plate 10. They are spaced apart from the rotating center by different distances. As well, when the rotating plate 20 is set at the reference origin, they are disposed at positions corresponding to the respective reference origins of four circular rows on the rotating plate 20 of FlG. 3.

[59] FlG. 3 shows the rotating plate 20 of the dialing learning tool according to this embodiment of the present invention.

[60] As stated above, the finger stops 21 are formed in the rotating plate 20 around the rotating center 22 at regular angular intervals and are spaced apart from the rotating center 22 by the same predetermined distance. The English alphabet consists of twenty-six letters. Therefore, to give specific angular values to the respective letters within an angular range of 360°, an appropriate number of finger stops 21 is required. In this embodiment, thirty finger stops 21 are formed at intervals of 12°. Furthermore, four circular result value rows, having different radii, are provided outside the finger stops 21 disposed in a ring-shaped arrangement. This portion is screened by the front plate 10 after the assembly of the dialing learning tool has been completed.

[61] The result values shown in FlG. 3 are pictures of animals and objects corresponding to words which are selected from words made from letters constituting the English alphabet. The positions of these result values are determined depending on combined angular values. In one circular result value row, an angular interval of 12° exists between adjacent result values.

[62] In this embodiment, the method of determining the positions of the result values is presented below. [63] First, as shown in the following Table 1, the specific angular values are given for the letters constituting the English alphabet. [64] Table 1

[65] Therefore, combined angular values of desired words made from the letters are calculated through processes of adding the specific angular values of the letters con¬ stituting the desired words.

[66] For example, the circular row of result values, which are allowed to be checked through the confirmation window A 15, has the smallest radius (hereinafter, this row is referred to simply as the A row). In the A row, a word corresponding to an orange picture 24' is "orange", and a combined angular value thereof becomes 720° (180°+216^o+12^o+168^o+84^o+60^o=720°). This value is a multiple of 360° and corresponds to the reference origin. Therefore, the orange picture 24' has the specific position thereof at the reference origin. As another example, in the case of a pig picture 24", which is placed in the same row as the orange picture 24' and is spaced apart from the orange picture 24' by two positions in the counterclockwise direction, the cor¬ responding word is "pig", and the combined angular value is 384°. This is the value at which the rotating plate is rotated 24° beyond 360°. As such, the pig picture 24" is spaced apart from the orange picture 24' by two positions, each of which has an interval of 12°, that is, at an interval of 24°.

[67] FlG. 4 is a view showing only the front plate 10 of the dialing learning tool according to this embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FlG. 4, various pictures, which remind the user of words corresponding to desired result values disposed at predetermined specific positions on the rotating plate 20, are provided on the front plate 10.

[68] The confirmation window A 15, the confirmation window B 16, the confirmation window C 17 and the confirmation window D 18 allow the user to confirm the result values provided on the respective circular rows having different radii. Pictures that remind the user of the result values that are present in the A row and that can be confirmed through the confirmation window A 15, are arbitrarily disposed in a trapezoidal section including the confirmation window A 15. Furthermore, pictures, which remind the user of the result values, are arbitrarily provided on other sections having the respective confirmation window B 16, confirmation window C 17, and con¬ firmation window D 18.

[69] Furthermore, the letters A, B, C, D,... constituting the English alphabet are provided around the manipulation slot 11 at intervals of 12° in a counterclockwise direction in increasing order of specific angular value. The stopper 13 is disposed at the position spaced apart from the letter A, having the minimum specific angular value, by 12° in the clockwise direction. That is, when the finger stop 21 corresponding to the letter A is moved to the stopper 13, the rotating plate 20 is rotated by 12°. In the same principle, when the finger stop 21 corresponding to the letter B is moved to the stopper 13, the rotating plate 20 is rotated by 24°, and, when the finger stop 21 corresponding to the letter C is moved to the stopper 13, the rotating plate 20 is rotated by 36°.

[70] FlG. 5 is a view showing the rear plate 40 of the dialing learning tool according to this embodiment of the present invention. The rotating shaft 30 is fastened to the center of the rear plate 40, and the rotating plate spacer 60, the rotating plate 20, the rotating plate spacer 60, the front plate 10 and the interior screw type stopper 35 are con¬ secutively provided on the rear plate 40.

[71] FIGS. 6 through 11 are views showing processes of the English alphabet spellings and of confirming a result value in the dialing learning tool according to this embodiment of the present invention. The method of manipulating the dialing learning tool of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to these drawings.

[72] Meanwhile, in FIGS. 6 through 11, a process of inputting the spellings of the words corresponding to the result values, which are included in the A row of the rotating plate according to this embodiment and can be confirmed through the confirmation window A 15, and a process of confirming the result values are illustrated.

[73] FIGS. 2 and 4 are views showing the shape of the front plate 10, in which it is shown that the pictures corresponding to the result values included in the A row are placed in the trapezoidal section including the confirmation window A 15. Among them, a picture showing an apple is disposed on the right side in a second line. FIGS. 6 through 11 illustrate the process of inputting the spelling of "APPLE".

[74] 1. a step of inputting the letter "A"

[75] FlG. 6 shows the rotating plate 20 set at the reference origin. In this state, the origin setting mark 23, which is provided on the rotating plate 20, is completely screened by the portion between the opposite ends of the manipulation slot 11 having a horseshoe shape. The user inserts his/her finger into the finger stop 21 corresponding to the letter "A" disposed around the manipulation slot 11 and rotates it to the stopper 13 in a clockwise direction (designated by the arrow).

[76] - the rotating angle corresponding to the alphabet "A" : 12°

[77] - the total rotating angle : 12°

[78] 2. a step of inputting the letter "P"

[79] FIG. 7 shows the origin setting mark 23 of the rotating plate 20 moved 12° away from the portion between the opposite ends of the horseshoe-shaped manipulation slot 11 by the rotation of the rotating plate 20 in the preceding step. In this state, the user inserts his/her finger into the finger stop 21 corresponding to the letter "P" disposed around the manipulation slot 11 and rotates it to the stopper 13 in the clockwise direction (designated by the arrow).

[80] - the rotating angle corresponding to the letter "P" : 192°

[81] - the total rotating angle : 204°

[82] 3. a step of inputting the letter "P"

[83] FlG. 8 shows the origin setting mark 23 of the rotating plate 20 moved 204° away from its initial position in the clockwise direction by the rotation of the rotating plate

20 in the preceding step. In this state, the user inserts his/her finger into the finger stop

21 corresponding to the letter "P" disposed around the manipulation slot 11 and rotates it to the stopper 13 in the clockwise direction (designated by the arrow).

[84] - the rotating angle corresponding to the letter "P" : 192°

[85] - the total rotating angle : 396° [86] 4. a step of inputting the letter "L"

[87] FlG. 9 shows the origin setting mark 23 of the rotating plate 20 moved 396° away from its initial position, that is, by 36° (corresponding to three finger stop positions) in the clockwise direction by the rotation of the rotating plate 20 in the preceding step. In this state, the user inserts his/her finger into the finger stop 21 corresponding to the letter "L" disposed around the manipulation slot 11 and rotates it to the stopper 13 in the clockwise direction (designated by the arrow).

[88] - the rotating angle corresponding to the letter "L" : 144°

[89] - the total rotating angle : 540°

[90] 5. a step of inputting the letter "E"

[91] FIG. 10 shows the origin setting mark 23 of the rotating plate 20 moved 540° away from its initial position, that is, by 180° in the clockwise direction by the rotation of the rotating plate 20 in the preceding step. In this state, the user inserts his/her finger into the finger stop 21 corresponding to the letter "E" disposed around the manipulation slot 11 and rotates it to the stopper 13 in the clockwise direction (designated by the arrow).

[92] - the rotating angle corresponding to the letter "E" : 60°

[93] - the total rotating angle : 600°

[94] 6. the step of confirming the result value

[95] FIG. 11 shows the origin setting mark 23 of the rotating plate 20 moved 600° away from its initial position, that is, by 240° in the clockwise direction by the rotation of the rotating plate 20 in the preceding step. In this state, the user opens the confirmation window A 15 to confirm the result value. Then, the user can observe the apple picture, which is a result value corresponding to the word "APPLE", through the confirmation window A 15. Therefore, the user can confirm that he/she has correctly input the spelling of the word "APPLE".

[96] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed for illustrative purposes, the present invention is not limited to the construction and operation of the preferred embodiment. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. Therefore, it must be appreciated that these modifications, additions and sub¬ stitutions fall within the bounds of the present invention.

Claims

[1] A dialing learning tool, comprising: a rotating plate (20) having therein a rotating center (22), with a plurality of finger stops (21) formed in the rotating plate (20) around the rotating center (22) at regular angular intervals in a ring-shaped ar¬ rangement; and a housing, an inner surface of which is adjacent to at least one surface of the rotating plate (20), with a rotating shaft (30) fastened to the housing so that the rotating plate (20) is rotatably mounted in the housing through the rotating shaft (30), and a manipulation slot (11) formed through the surface of the housing and having a shape surrounding the finger stops (21), so that the finger stops (21) of the rotating plate (20) are exposed outside through the manipulation slot (11), wherein, when specific angular values, each of which is a multiple of a minimum rotating angular value between the finger stops, are given for respective individual letters, numerals and/or marks constituting a set of letters, numerals and/or marks, and when a sign corresponding to a concept or a result obtained by combining at least one individual letter, numeral and/or mark is referred to as a result value, and when a sum of specific angular values of the individual letters, numerals and/or marks constituting the result value is referred to as a combined angular value, a plurality of reference origins, spaced apart from the rotating center (22) by different distances, is set at predetermined positions on the rotating plate (20), a plurality of result values, each of which is created by combining at least one letter, numeral and/or mark, is disposed in circular lines, each having a radius corresponding to a distance between the rotating center (22) and each reference origin, and each of the result values is spaced apart from the related reference origin by a rotating angular interval corresponding to the combined angular value thereof, and a plurality of confirmation windows (15), (16), (17) and (18) is formed in the housing at predetermined positions corresponding to the result values, and each of the confirmation windows allows a user to confirm one result value.

[2] The dialing learning tool according to claim 1, wherein one set of letters, numerals and/or marks is disposed around the manipulation slot, which surrounds the finger stops (21) arranged in a ring shape, in a sequence of specific angular values thereof, at angular intervals which are equal to a rotating angle of the finger stops.

[3] The dialing learning tool according to claim 2, further comprising: a stopper (13) provided around the manipulation slot (11) in the housing at a position spaced apart from a letter, numeral and/or mark, having a minimum specific angular value, by a minimum rotating angle defined by the finger stops (21) in a direction in which the specific angular values of the disposed letters, numerals and/or marks decrease.

[4] The dialing learning tool according to claim 1, wherein the confirmation windows (15), (16), (17) and (18) formed in the housing are openably closed.

[5] The dialing learning tool according to claims 1 or 4, further comprising: an origin setting mark provided at a predetermined position on the rotating plate (20) and/or the housing and representing a position of the rotating plate relative to the housing such that the reference origins of the rotating plate (20) are set in the confirmation windows (15), (16), (17) and (18).

[6] The dialing learning tool according to any one of claims 1 through 4, wherein, in the case that a plurality of reference origins is set at predetermined positions on the rotating plate (20) so that a plurality of circular result value rows, each having a ring-shaped arrangement, exists on the rotating plate (20), a number of confirmation windows (15), (16), (17) and (18) the same as a number of reference origins is formed at positions corresponding to the reference origins of the rotating plate (20).

[7] The dialing learning tool according to claim 1, wherein the result values are disposed on a surface of the rotating plate (20), and the housing has a planar shape and comprises: a front plate (10) having the manipulation slot (11) therein; a rear plate (40) having a shape corresponding to the front plate (10); and a housing spacer (50) defining a space for installation of the rotating plate between the front plate (10) and the rear plate (40), so that the dialing learning tool has a structure including: the rear plate (40); the rotating shaft (30) fastened at a central portion to the rear plate (40); the rotating plate (20) rotatably coupled at the rotating center (22) thereof to the rotating shaft (30) and oriented in a direction such that the surface of the rotating plate (20), on which the result values are formed, faces away from the rear plate (40); the housing spacer (50) coupled to an outside edge of the rear plate (40); and the front plate (10) coupled to the housing spacer (50) such that the manipulation slot (11) is oriented in a shape surrounding the finger stops (21) of the rotating plate (20).

[8] The dialing learning tool according to claim 7, wherein the rotating shaft (30) is an external screw and is fastened at a head part thereof to the rear plate (40) and coupled to an internal screw type stopper (35), the rotating plate (20) being interposed between the stopper and the rear plate (40).

[9] The dialing learning tool according to claim 7, further comprising: a rotating plate spacer (50) provided on at least one surface of the rotating plate (20) between the front plate (10) and the rear plate (40). [10] The dialing learning tool according to claim 1 or 7, wherein each of the finger stops (21) comprises a circular hole. [11] The dialing learning tool according to claim 1 or 7, wherein the rotating plate

(20) comprises a circular plate. [12] The dialing learning tool according to any one of claims 1 through 3 and 7, wherein signs corresponding to the result values are formed on an outer surface of the housing.