WO2021149944A1 - Device for recognize alphabets and method thereof and system and method for education of alphabet - Google Patents

Device for recognize alphabets and method thereof and system and method for education of alphabet Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2021149944A1
WO2021149944A1 PCT/KR2021/000096 KR2021000096W WO2021149944A1 WO 2021149944 A1 WO2021149944 A1 WO 2021149944A1 KR 2021000096 W KR2021000096 W KR 2021000096W WO 2021149944 A1 WO2021149944 A1 WO 2021149944A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
alphabet
touch screen
unique points
block
reference line
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/KR2021/000096
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jin Young Oh
Original Assignee
Wekids Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Wekids Inc. filed Critical Wekids Inc.
Publication of WO2021149944A1 publication Critical patent/WO2021149944A1/en

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
    • G06F3/0416—Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/018—Input/output arrangements for oriental characters
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
    • G06F3/023—Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
    • G06F3/0354—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
    • G06F3/03547—Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
    • G06F3/039—Accessories therefor, e.g. mouse pads
    • G06F3/0393—Accessories for touch pads or touch screens, e.g. mechanical guides added to touch screens for drawing straight lines, hard keys overlaying touch screens or touch pads
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
    • G06F3/0487—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
    • G06F3/0488—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
    • G06F3/0487—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
    • G06F3/0488—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
    • G06F3/04883—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09B—EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS
    • G09B1/00—Manually or mechanically operated educational appliances using elements forming, or bearing, symbols, signs, pictures, or the like which are arranged or adapted to be arranged in one or more particular ways
    • G09B1/32—Manually or mechanically operated educational appliances using elements forming, or bearing, symbols, signs, pictures, or the like which are arranged or adapted to be arranged in one or more particular ways comprising elements to be used without a special support
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09B—EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS
    • G09B17/00—Teaching reading
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09B—EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS
    • G09B19/00—Teaching not covered by other main groups of this subclass
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09B—EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS
    • G09B5/00—Electrically-operated educational appliances
    • G09B5/06—Electrically-operated educational appliances with both visual and audible presentation of the material to be studied

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device and method for ALPHABET recognition and a device and method for ALPHABET education, and more particularly, to a device and method for ALPHABET education capable of creating the interest of users, for example, infants, seniors, or the like, and enhancing the effect of ALPHABET education by teaching ALPHABETs, such as Hangul, or the like, in a manner of recognizing ALPHABETs by bringing ALPHABET blocks with ALPHABET shapes into contact with a touch panel.
  • ALPHABETs such as Hangul, or the like
  • the present invention provides a device, method, and recording medium for ALPHABET education capable of creating the interest of infants, seniors, or the like, and enhancing the effect of ALPHABET education by teaching ALPHABETs in a manner of recognizing ALPHABETs by bringing ALPHABET blocks with shapes of ALPHABETs, such as English alphabets and Hangul ALPHABETs, into contact with a touch panel.
  • the present invention also provides a device, method, and recording medium for ALPHABET education capable of accurately and efficiently recognizing a ALPHABET block based on distance information between a plurality of unique points provided in the ALPHABET block and further enhancing the effect of education by allowing a disposition orientation of the ALPHABET block contacting a touch panel to be recognized.
  • Embodiments of the present invention provide methods for ALPHABET recognition including: detecting unique points of a ALPHABET block contacting a touch screen of an electronic device; obtaining distance information between the detected unique points; and recognizing the ALPHABET block contacting the touch screen by comparing the obtained distance information between the unique points with reference distance information defined in advance for each ALPHABET.
  • devices for ALPHABET recognition include: a unique point detection module detecting unique points of a ALPHABET block contacting a touch screen; a distance information calculation module obtaining distance information between the detected unique points; and a ALPHABET recognition module recognizing the ALPHABET block contacting the touch screen by comparing the calculated distance information between the unique points with reference distance information defined in advance for each ALPHABET block.
  • electronic devices include: a processor; and a memory for storing operations that are executable by the processor, in which the operations include: detecting unique points of a ALPHABET block contacting a touch screen of an electronic device; obtaining distance information between the detected unique points; and recognizing the ALPHABET block contacting the touch screen by comparing the obtained distance information between the unique points with reference distance information defined in advance for each ALPHABET block.
  • sets of ALPHABET blocks contacting a touch screen of an electronic device to be recognized are provided, and the ALPHABET block includes a ALPHABET block body corresponding to a shape of each of ALPHABET phonemes including consonants and vowels, in which the ALPHABET block body includes four or five conductive unique points electrically connected to the ALPHABET block body on a bottom surface of the ALPHABET block body.
  • media for ALPHABET education are provided that are capable of creating the interest of infants, seniors, or the like, and enhancing the effect of ALPHABET education by teaching ALPHABETs in a manner of recognizing ALPHABETs by bringing ALPHABET blocks having shapes of ALPHABETs, such as Hangul ALPHABETs, into contact with a touch screen.
  • a ALPHABET block may be accurately and efficiently recognized based on information on the distances between a plurality of unique points provided in the ALPHABET block and the effect of education may be enhanced by recognizing a disposition orientation of the ALPHABET block contacting a touch screen.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary electronic device in which technology for ALPHABET recognition and/or education disclosed herein may be employed;
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for describing Hangul ALPHABET blocks that are recognition objects of the technology for ALPHABET recognition and/or education disclosed herein;
  • FIGS. 3a and 3b are a perspective view and a plan view of a Hangul consonant β€œ ⁇ ” ALPHABET block
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a ALPHABET block for Hangul ALPHABET β€œ ⁇ ” in an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a use environment of an electronic device and a ALPHABET block to which the technology disclosed herein may be employed;
  • FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method for ALPHABET block recognition according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing step S20 of FIG. 6;
  • FIG. 8 is a diagram for describing Hangul ALPHABET blocks that are recognition objects of technology for ALPHABET recognition and/or education disclosed herein and reference distance information;
  • FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating various states of the same ALPHABET block in alignment contact with a touch screen
  • FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method for ALPHABET block recognition according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating alignment reference lines of Hangul ALPHABET blocks that are recognition objects of technology for ALPHABET recognition and/or education disclosed herein;
  • FIGS. 12 to 14 are diagrams illustrating a use environment in which a ALPHABET block contacts a touch screen of an electronic device to which the technology disclosed herein may be employed in various alignments;
  • FIG. 15 is a diagram for describing methods for ALPHABET recognition and ALPHABET education in a use environment in which a ALPHABET block contacts a touch screen of an electronic device to which the technology disclosed herein may be employed in a right orientation;
  • FIG. 16 is a diagram for describing methods for ALPHABET recognition and ALPHABET education in a use environment in which the ALPHABET block contacts the touch screen of the electronic device to which the technology disclosed herein may be employed out of the right orientation;
  • FIGS. 17 and 18 are exemplary diagrams for describing a method for distinguishably recognizing symmetrical ALPHABETs according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 19 is a diagram for describing a device for ALPHABET recognition according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 20 is a diagram for describing another device for ALPHABET recognition according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating alignment reference lines of English alphabet ALPHABET blocks that are recognition objects of technology for ALPHABET recognition and/or education disclosed herein.
  • Unit or β€œmodule” used throughout the present specification is a unit that processes at least one function or operation, and may refer to software or hardware components such as FPGA, or ASIC. However, β€œunit” or β€œmodule” may not be limited to software or hardware components. β€œUnit” or β€œmodule” may be configured to be in an addressable storage medium, or may be configured to reproduce one or more processors. As an example, β€œunit” or β€œmodule” may include components such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components, and task components, and may include processors, functions, attributes, procedures, sub-routines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcodes, circuits, data, a database, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. Functions provided by elements and "unit” or β€œmodule” may be performed separately by a plurality of elements and β€œunit” or β€œmodule”, or may be integrated with other additional elements.
  • a technology for ALPHABET recognition and education recognizes unique points of a ALPHABET block with a touch screen in a capacitive manner when the corresponding ALPHABET block contacts the touch screen (recognizing each of positions of the unique points on the touch screen), obtains distances between the unique points, and recognizes the ALPHABET block contacting the touch screen by comparing the obtained information on distances between the points with information on distances between reference points that are defined in advance for each ALPHABET block.
  • a target according to an embodiment of the present invention for example, the technology for ALPHABET recognition may be utilized to educate users such as infants and seniors for ALPHABETs by bringing a ALPHABET block having a shape of a Hangul ALPHABET and having unique points that are distinct for each ALPHABET into contact with the touch screen to recognize the ALPHABET block and display it visually and/or audibly.
  • Hangul ALPHABETs will be described as an example of the recognition object; however, the technology for ALPHABET recognition and education according to the embodiment of the present invention may be utilized to recognize and teach ALPHABETs of English (alphabet), numbers, and other figures in addition to Hangul.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary electronic device 100 in which technology for object recognition and/or education disclosed herein may be employed.
  • the electronic device 100 may be any electronic device having a capacitive touch screen, and the size of the touch screen is to be at least a size that allows contact with a recognition object, for example, a ALPHABET block.
  • the electronic device 100 may include one or more configurations of a processing unit 110, a memory unit 120, a power supply unit 130, an output unit 140, an input unit 150, a sensor unit 160, and a communication unit 170.
  • the memory unit 120 is configured to support operations of the electronic device 100 by storing various types of data (e.g., various application programs, user data, operating systems, or the like). Examples of such data include instructions, photos, videos, and the like for an arbitrary application program or method executed by the electronic device 100.
  • various types of data e.g., various application programs, user data, operating systems, or the like. Examples of such data include instructions, photos, videos, and the like for an arbitrary application program or method executed by the electronic device 100.
  • the operating system may include various software components and/or drivers for controlling system tasks such as memory management and electric power management.
  • the application program includes, for example, a program that implements the technology for ALPHABET recognition and/or education of the present invention.
  • the memory unit 120 may be implemented as any type of volatile or nonvolatile memory, or a combination of both, for example, may be implemented as a static random access memory (SRAM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), a read-only memory (ROM), a magnetic memory, a flash memory, a hard disk, or an optical disk.
  • SRAM static random access memory
  • EEPROM electrically erasable programmable read-only memory
  • EPROM erasable programmable read only memory
  • PROM programmable read-only memory
  • ROM read-only memory
  • the power supply unit 130 which supplies electric power to each component of the electronic device 100, may include other components for generating, managing, and distributing electric power.
  • the output unit 140 may be configured to include an audio output unit and a video output unit, which may be connected to a speaker 141 and a display 143, respectively.
  • the input unit 150 may be connected to an input module such as a touch sensor.
  • the input unit 150 generates input data for the user to control the operation of the electronic device 100.
  • the input unit 150 may include a touch pad, for example, a touch member that senses a change in resistance, pressure, capacitance, and the like.
  • a touch pad 151 may be overlapped on the display 143 in the form of a layer to form a "touch screen" 153.
  • the touch screen 153 may detect contact (touch) and movement of such contact by using various touch technologies such as a capacitive type, resistive type, infrared and surface acoustic wave, and proximity sensor technology.
  • the touch screen 153 implemented by overlapping the touch pad 151 on the display 115 may simultaneously receive a plurality of contact signals.
  • the touch screen 153 may sense contact signals generated by contacting a plurality of unique points of a ALPHABET block to be described later.
  • the sensor unit 160 is for providing evaluations of states to the electronic device 100 from various aspects, and, for example, the sensor unit 160 may also detect an on/off state of the electronic device 100, a change in the position of the electronic device 100 or a component part of the electronic device 100, whether the user is in contact with the electronic device 100, an orientation or acceleration/deceleration of the electronic device 100, and a temperature change of the electronic device 100.
  • the sensor unit 160 may include a proximity sensor, and may detect the presence or absence of a nearby object without any physical contact.
  • the sensor unit 160 may further include an optical sensor such as a CMOS or CCD image sensor for image application.
  • the sensor unit 160 may include an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a magnetic sensor, a pressure sensor, or a temperature sensor.
  • the communication unit 170 is for smooth wired or wireless communication between the electronic device 100 and other devices, and the electronic device 100 may access a wireless network based on a communication standard such as WiFi, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, or a combination thereof.
  • the communication unit 170 may receive a broadcast signal or broadcast related information from an external broadcast management system through a broadcast channel.
  • the communication unit 170 further includes a near-field communication (NFC) module for activating short-range communication.
  • NFC near-field communication
  • the NFC module may be implemented based on RFID technology, an IrDA technology, UWB technology, a Bluetooth (BT) technology, and other technologies.
  • the processing unit 110 is generally configured to control the overall operations and manipulations of the electronic device 100, for example, manipulations related to display, data communication, camera manipulation, and recording manipulation.
  • the processing unit 110 includes one or more processors 111 to execute an instruction to execute all or part of the steps of the method for ALPHABET recognition and/or education disclosed herein.
  • the processing unit 110 may be configured to execute software components stored in the memory unit 120.
  • the processing unit 110 may control a module connected to the output unit 140 or the input unit 150 with, for example, an application program stored in the memory unit 120.
  • an interaction between the processing unit 110 and the component parts may be facilitated.
  • the electronic device 100 may be implemented by one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field-designable gate arrays (FPGAs), controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other electronic devices to perform the method for ALPHABET recognition and/or education disclosed herein.
  • ASICs application-specific integrated circuits
  • DSPs digital signal processors
  • DSPDs digital signal processing devices
  • PLDs programmable logic devices
  • FPGAs field-designable gate arrays
  • controllers microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other electronic devices to perform the method for ALPHABET recognition and/or education disclosed herein.
  • the electronic device 100 to which the technology for ALPHABET recognition and/or education disclosed herein is employed may be implemented by including the touch screen 153, the processing unit 110, and the memory unit 120.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for describing ALPHABET blocks that are recognition objects of the technology for ALPHABET recognition and/or education disclosed herein.
  • a plurality of ALPHABET blocks 210 may be provided as three-dimensional blocks having shapes of ALPHABET phonemes including Hangul consonants and vowels (see FIG. 3), ALPHABET phonemes may include both consonants and vowels, only consonants, or only vowels.
  • Each ALPHABET block 210 may include a block body 212 and unique points 214 formed on the bottom surface of the block body 212.
  • the block body 212 is provided to have a three-dimensional shape of a consonant or vowel of Hangul, and the unique points 214 and the block body 212 may be formed of a conductive material such as metal so that the touch screen 153 of the electronic device 100 of FIG. 1 recognizes the number and positions (coordinate information) of the unique points 214 in a capacitive manner.
  • the unique points 214 formed in the ALPHABET block 210 may be arranged in a manner distributed at intervals of different patterns for each Hangul ALPHABET.
  • the positions of the unique points 214 of each ALPHABET block 210 may be set so that a set of distance values between the unique points 214 of each ALPHABET block 210 is different for each Hangul ALPHABET.
  • the number of unique points 214 formed in each ALPHABET block 210 increases, the data to be processed increases, which may be inefficient. Therefore, it is preferable that four or five unique points 214 are provided in each ALPHABET block 210.
  • some blocks of consonants or vowels e.g.,” ⁇ / ⁇ ”, β€œ ⁇ / ⁇ ”, β€œ ⁇ / ⁇ ”, β€œ ⁇ / ⁇ ”, β€œ ⁇ / ⁇ ”, or β€œ ⁇ / ⁇ ” may be interchangeably used.
  • the symmetrical consonants and/or vowels may be distinguished from each other based on an orientation in which the ALPHABET block 210 is disposed on the touch screen 153, which will be described later.
  • FIGS. 3a and 3b are a perspective view and a plan view of a Hangul consonant β€œ ⁇ ” ALPHABET block.
  • the ALPHABET block 210 includes the block body 212 and unique points 214 formed on one surface (bottom surface) 213 thereof.
  • the unique points 214 of each ALPHABET block 210 may be designed for the lower end portions to be raised to the same plane so that the unique points 214 of the ALPHABET block 210 may come into contact the touch screen 153 at the same time.
  • the bottom surface 213 of the ALPHABET block 210 may be flat and the unique points 214 may have the same height.
  • the block body 212 may be provided with a stepped jaw so that a user, for example, an infant may easily hold it, and a hand is prevented from contacting the touch screen 153 of the electronic device 100 when the unique points 214 of the ALPHABET block 210 are brought into contact with the electronic device 100.
  • the block body 212 may include an upper body 211a held by a user and a lower body 211b connected to the upper body 211a having a wider width.
  • the unique points 214 are provided on the bottom surface 213 of the lower body 211b.
  • the unique points 214 may be arranged in a distributed matter on the bottom surface 213 of the block body 212 and may be formed to protrude outward from the lower body 211b.
  • the block body 212 and the unique points 214 are formed of a conductive material and may be electrically connected to each other. Accordingly, when the user holds the ALPHABET block 210 and brings it into contact with the touch screen 153 of the electronic device 100, the electric charge (static electricity) of the user is transferred to the touch screen 153 through the unique points 214, which makes it possible for the touch screen 153 to recognize the number and positions (coordinates) of the unique points 214 of the ALPHABET block 210.
  • one or more ALPHABET blocks 210 of the ALPHABET blocks 210 may be provided with a non-conductive balance point on the bottom surface, and it will be described with reference to FIG. 4.
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a ALPHABET block of Hangul ALPHABET β€œ ⁇ ” in an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the ALPHABET block 210 may include a non-conductive balance point 216 on the bottom surface 213.
  • the balance point 216 which is non-conductive, is not recognized even if the ALPHABET block 210 is brought into contact with the touch screen 153, and may be formed protruding from the bottom surface 213 of the block body 212 to induce the unique points 214 to evenly contact the touch screen 153.
  • the balance point 216 may be formed to have substantially the same height as the unique points 214.
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a use environment of the electronic device 100 and the ALPHABET block 210 to which the technology disclosed herein may be employed.
  • the electronic device 100 may be configured to include the touch screen 153 on the front surface.
  • the application of the technology disclosed herein is not limited to the case of the touch screen implemented to be embedded in the electronic device, and may be applied to a touch screen implemented as a separate device and operated by being connected to the electronic device.
  • the ALPHABET block 210 provided as a three-dimensional block having the shape of a Hangul ALPHABET phoneme may be disposed on the touch screen 153. Since the unique points made of a conductive material are formed on the bottom surface of the ALPHABET block 210, the unique points contact the touch screen 153 when the ALPHABET block 210 is disposed on the touch screen 153, and the touch screen 153 may sense contact of the unique points 214 of the ALPHABET block 210 based on capacitance.
  • the electronic device 100 may recognize the contacted ALPHABET block 210 based on the distances between the unique points 214.
  • FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method for ALPHABET block recognition according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the method for ALPHABET block recognition includes detecting positions (coordinates) of the unique points of the ALPHABET block contacting the touch screen (S10), obtaining distance information between the detected unique points (S20), and comparing and determining the obtained distance information between the unique points with reference distance information (S30).
  • step S10 when a user (for example, an infant, a senior, or the like) holds the ALPHABET block 210 and brings the ALPHABET block 210 into contact with the touch screen 153 of the electronic device 100 (see FIG. 5), the electronic device 100 may detect the number and contact positions of the unique points 214 of the ALPHABET block 210 contacting the touch screen 153 based on capacitance on the touch screen 153.
  • a user for example, an infant, a senior, or the like
  • the electronic device 100 may detect the number and contact positions of the unique points 214 of the ALPHABET block 210 contacting the touch screen 153 based on capacitance on the touch screen 153.
  • step S20 distance information 240 between the unique points 214, for example, the distance values between the unique points by all combinations are obtained from the detected contact positions of the unique points 214 of the ALPHABET block 210.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing step S20. Referring to FIG. 7, the ALPHABET block 210 for the Hangul consonant β€œ ⁇ ” obtains values of six distance D1 to D6 between four unique points 214a to 214d, and the obtained values of the distances are shown in terms of lengths in the drawing. Meanwhile, since the ALPHABET blocks 210 for the Hangul consonants β€œ ⁇ ”, β€œ ⁇ ”, and β€œ ⁇ ” have five unique points (see FIG. 2), when the ALPHABET blocks contact the touch screen, 10 distance values are obtained by all combinations of the six unique points.
  • FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating reference distance information 250 of ALPHABET blocks.
  • the reference distance information 250 is a set of reference distance information of each ALPHABET block, and the reference distance information of each ALPHABET block indicates unique distance values (in the drawing, distance values are indicated by the corresponding lengths) by all combinations of unique points. Since each ALPHABET block is provided with unique points arranged in a unique way, each ALPHABET block has unique distance values between the unique points. Accordingly, by comparing the obtained distance information 240 with the reference distance information 250, it is possible to accurately distinguish and determine the ALPHABET block contacting the touch screen 153.
  • the ALPHABET block is recognized through the comparison of distance values between the unique points of the ALPHABET block, the distance information between the unique points obtained in step S20 of FIG. 6 is the same in both cases where the ALPHABET block is brought into alignment contact with the touch screen in a right orientation (left of FIG. 9) and where the ALPHABET block is brought into alignment contact with the touch screen out of the right orientation (in the wrong orientation) (right of FIG. 9), as illustrated in FIG. 9. Therefore, it is desirable to determine whether or not the alignment contact of the ALPHABET block with the touch screen is correct for educational purposes for infants and seniors.
  • FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method for ALPHABET block recognition according to another embodiment of the present invention in consideration of the above situation.
  • the method for ALPHABET block recognition according to the present embodiment may include the method for ALPHABET block recognition of FIG. 6, and may further include determining whether or not the ALPHABET block is brought into alignment contact with the touch screen in a right orientation (S40) and performing display (S50).
  • step S40 determination is made as to whether or not an alignment reference line by two unique points, which are selected in advance among the unique points of the ALPHABET block 210 contacting the touch screen 153, is parallel with a predetermined determination reference line (horizontal line or vertical line) of the touch screen 153, and whether or not the ALPHABET block 210 is brought into contact in the right orientation from a positional relationship between the alignment reference line and other unique points.
  • Two unique points defining the alignment reference line for each ALPHABET block are determined in advance.
  • the two unique points defining the alignment reference line of the ALPHABET block may be two unique points that define the longest horizontal or vertical line in a state in which the ALPHABET block is placed in the right orientation.
  • FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating alignment reference lines 260 of respective ALPHABET blocks.
  • the alignment reference line 260 of the β€œ ⁇ ” ALPHABET block 210 is defined in advance by two unique points 214a and 214b that define the longest line segment in the horizontal orientation among four unique points 214a to 214d. Meanwhile, the determination reference line for the β€œ ⁇ ” ALPHABET block 210 is defined in advance as a horizontal line X of the touch screen. As illustrated in FIG. 12,
  • the alignment reference line 260 is parallel with the horizontal line (X-line), which is the determination reference line of the touch screen 153, and other unique points 214c and 214d that do not define the reference line 260 are positioned above the alignment reference line 260. Therefore, in this case, it is determined that the β€œ ⁇ ” ALPHABET block 210 is brought into contact with the touch screen 153 in the right orientation in step S40.
  • the alignment reference line 260 of the ALPHABET block 210 is not correctly aligned in the right orientation with respect to the determination reference line of the touch screen 153 and is slightly tilted to the left or right, the educational purpose is not greatly affected, and thus determination may be made that the ALPHABET block 210 contacts the touch screen 153 in the right orientation. For example, even when the alignment reference line 260 of the ALPHABET block 210 is tilted to approximately ⁇ 15 degrees with respect to the determination reference line of the touch screen 153, determination may be made that the ALPHABET block 210 is disposed in the right orientation.
  • FIG. 13 is an example in which the β€œ ⁇ ” ALPHABET block 210 is turned left at approximately 180 degrees in the alignment of FIG. 12 to contact the touch screen 153.
  • the alignment reference line 260 is parallel with the determination reference line X of the touch screen 153 as illustrated in FIG. 12, and in contrast, the unique points 214c and 214d that do not define the alignment reference line 260 are positioned below the alignment reference line 260 unlike FIG. 12, and thus they are distinguished from the alignment of FIG. 12. Accordingly, in the case of FIG. 13, it is determined that the β€œ ⁇ ” ALPHABET block is brought into contact with the touch screen 153 in an orientation out of the right orientation in step S40.
  • the alignment reference line 260 defined by two unique points 214a and 214b in the contacting state is not parallel with the determination reference line X of the touch screen 153, that is, it is vertical.
  • the alignment reference line 260 is not parallel with the determination reference line X, there is no need to additionally determine the positional relationship between the unique points 214c and 214d that do not define the alignment reference line 260 and the alignment reference line 260 and in step S40, it is determined that the β€œ ⁇ ” ALPHABET block is brought into contact with the touch screen 153 in the orientation out of the right orientation.
  • step S50 will be described. Display to be performed in step S50 may be implemented in a different manner according to the determination result of step S40, that is, whether or not the ALPHABET block is brought into contact in the right orientation.
  • step S40 when it is determined that the β€œ ⁇ ” ALPHABET block 210 is brought into contact with the touch screen 153 in the correct alignment, the displaying is performed in step S50 in a manner as illustrated in the schematic diagram of FIG. 15.
  • the name and the writing method of the corresponding ALPHABET block β€œ ⁇ ” may be displayed as audio and video, respectively, in step S50.
  • the audio output "well done” or the like may be further output to enhance the effect of education.
  • step S40 when it is determined that the β€œ ⁇ ” ALPHABET block 210 is brought into contact with the touch screen 153 out of the right orientation, the displaying is performed in step S50 in a manner as illustrated in the schematic diagram of FIG. 16.
  • an audio output related to an instruction to bring the ALPHABET block into contact again and a video output showing the same as a video may be displayed in step S60.
  • some blocks of consonants or vowels e.g., β€œ ⁇ / ⁇ ”, β€œ ⁇ / ⁇ ”, β€œ ⁇ / ⁇ ”, β€œ ⁇ / ⁇ ”, β€œ ⁇ / ⁇ ”, and β€œ ⁇ / ⁇ ”
  • ⁇ / ⁇ symmetrical shape
  • a method for distinguishing symmetrical ALPHABETs in the embodiment will be described below.
  • FIGS. 17 and 18 are exemplary diagrams for describing a method for distinguishably recognizing symmetrical ALPHABETs, for example, β€œ ⁇ ” and β€œ ⁇ ”, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the method of distinguishably recognizing symmetrical ALPHABETs to be described below may be performed in step S40 of FIG. 10 or may be performed in a separate step.
  • the ALPHABET block 210 for the vowel β€œ ⁇ ” and the vowel β€œ ⁇ ” has four unique points 214e, 214f, 214g, and 214h, and the distance value between the two unique points 214e and 214f is the longest, and the vertical line defined by the unique points 214e and 214f is defined as the alignment reference line 260. Meanwhile, the determination reference line of the touch screen 153 for the ALPHABET block 210 for the vowel β€œ ⁇ ” and the vowel β€œ ⁇ ” will be a vertical line (Y).
  • the unique point 214g that does not define the alignment reference line 260 in the ALPHABET block 210 for the vowel β€œ ⁇ ” and the vowel β€œ ⁇ ” will be on the left or right of the alignment reference line 260 when the alignment reference line 260 is aligned vertically. Therefore, in the case of the ALPHABET block 210 for the vowel β€œ ⁇ ” and the vowels β€œ ⁇ ” and β€œ ⁇ ” may be distinguished with the alignment of the unique point 214g with respect to the alignment reference line 260.
  • the vowel is recognized as β€œ ⁇ ”, and unlike this, if the unique point 114g is positioned to the left of the alignment reference line 260 as illustrated in FIG. 18, the vowel is recognized as β€œ ⁇ ”. That is, the vowel β€œ ⁇ ” and the vowel β€œ ⁇ ” may be distinguished by using one ALPHABET block 210.
  • the alignment reference line will be a horizontal line, and depending on whether the unique point that does not define the alignment reference line in the ALPHABET block for the vowel β€œ ⁇ ” and the vowel β€œ ⁇ ” is positioned above or below the horizontal alignment reference line, the vowel may be recognized as β€œ ⁇ ” or β€œ ⁇ ”.
  • the vowels β€œ ⁇ ”, β€œ ⁇ ”, β€œ ⁇ ”, and β€œ ⁇ ”, which are rotationally symmetrical to each other may be distinguished by using a single ALPHABET block. That is, depending on where the unique point 114g is positioned with respect to the alignment reference line 260 (vertical line), that is, depending on whether it is positioned on the left, right, above, or below with respect to the alignment reference line 260, β€œ ⁇ ”, β€œ ⁇ ”, β€œ ⁇ ”, and β€œ ⁇ ” may be distinguishable. Similarly, the vowels β€œ ⁇ ”, β€œ ⁇ ”, β€œ ⁇ ” and β€œ ⁇ ”, which are rotationally symmetrical to each other, may also be distinguished by using a single ALPHABET block.
  • the ALPHABET block 210 with a shape of the Hangul ALPHABET is recognized by bringing the ALPHABET block into contact with the touch screen 153, thereby making it possible to accurately recognize the Hangul ALPHABETs, create interest of users, such as infants and seniors, and enhance the effect of Hangul ALPHABET education.
  • the alignment reference line 260 determined by two unique points set in advance among the unique points of the ALPHABET block 210 as well as the distance information between the unique points 214, it is possible to accurately recognize not only the ALPHABET block 210 contacting the touch screen 153 but also the disposition orientation, and by feeding the result back to the user, it is possible to enhance the effect of ALPHABET education.
  • the method for ALPHABET recognition it is possible to more accurately determine the disposition orientation of the ALPHABET block 210 contacting the touch screen 153, or to accurately distinguish a corresponding ALPHABET between symmetrical ALPHABETs, based on the relationship (position and orientation) between the alignment reference line 260 and a unique point (a unique point that does not define the alignment reference line).
  • FIG. 19 illustrates a device 300 for ALPHABET recognition implementing the method for ALPHABET recognition in FIG. 7, which includes a detection module 310, a distance information calculation module 320, and a ALPHABET recognition and determination module 330, which implement operations of steps S10, S20, and S30 of FIG. 7.
  • FIG. 20 illustrates a device 400 for ALPHABET recognition implementing the method of FIG. 10, which further includes a ALPHABET block contact orientation determination module 340 implementing the operation of step S40 of FIG. 10, in addition to the device for ALPHABET recognition of FIG. 19.
  • FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating alignment reference lines of English alphabet ALPHABET blocks that are recognition objects of technology for ALPHABET recognition and/or education disclosed herein.
  • the English alphabet ALPHABET block like the Hangul ALPHABET block, the English alphabet ALPHABET block has four or five unique points, and two of them define an alignment line reference line for determining a contact position.
  • the English alphabet ALPHABET blocks in FIG. 21 are diagram illustrating alignment reference lines of English alphabet ALPHABET blocks that are recognition objects of technology for ALPHABET recognition and/or education disclosed herein. Referring to FIG. 21, like the Hangul ALPHABET block, the English alphabet ALPHABET block has four or five unique points, and two of them define an alignment line reference line for determining a contact position.
  • FIG. 21 have the same number of unique points and the alignment reference lines as the Hangul ALPHABET blocks, except that the shapes of the ALPHABET blocks are different, and thus the method for recognition and education for the English alphabet ALPHABET block of FIG. 21 is substantially the same as the method for recognition and education for the Hangul ALPHABET block described above.
  • the computer-readable recording media may be a storage media in the form of volatile memories such as a static RAM (SRAM), a dynamic RAM (DRAM), and a synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), nonvolatile memories such as a read only memory (ROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), a flash memory device, a phase-change RAM (PRAM), a magnetic RAM (MRAM), resistive RAM (RRAM), and a ferroelectric RAM (FRAM), a floppy disk, a hard disk, or an optical reading medium, for example, a CD-ROM or a DVD, but are not limited thereto.
  • SRAM static RAM
  • DRAM dynamic RAM
  • SDRAM synchronous DRAM
  • nonvolatile memories such as a read only memory (ROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable and programmable

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Abstract

Provided are a device, method, and recording medium for ALPHABET recognition and education that are capable of creating interest of infants and enhancing the effect of ALPHABET education by teaching ALPHABETs in a manner of recognizing ALPHABETs by bringing ALPHABET blocks having shapes of ALPHABETs, such as English alphabets, Hangul ALPHABETs, or the like, into contact with a touch screen.

Description

DEVICE FOR RECOGNIZE ALPHABETS AND METHOD THEREOF AND SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EDUCATION OF ALPHABET
[0001] The present invention relates to a device and method for ALPHABET recognition and a device and method for ALPHABET education, and more particularly, to a device and method for ALPHABET education capable of creating the interest of users, for example, infants, seniors, or the like, and enhancing the effect of ALPHABET education by teaching ALPHABETs, such as Hangul, or the like, in a manner of recognizing ALPHABETs by bringing ALPHABET blocks with ALPHABET shapes into contact with a touch panel.
[0001] Various educational tools have been developed to educate infants, seniors, or the like, about alphabet, for example, English alphabets, Hangul ALPHABETs, and the like. As an example, there is a method of displaying image contents related to ALPHABETs of Hangul through a terminal for education; however, it is an education method through hearing and viewing, and there is a limitation in creating interest by inducing play behaviors of infants, seniors, or the like. As another example of educational tools for ALPHABETs, there is a method of inducing play behaviors of infants, seniors, or the like through blocks with shapes of Hangul ALPHABETs. In this method, infants fit blocks with the shapes of Hangul ALPHABETs into grooves provided in a play tool, which has advantages of creating interest through play behaviors, and of enhancing the effect of Hangul ALPHABET education by allowing infants, seniors, or the like to recognize the shapes of Hangul ALPHABETs not only through sight but also through tactile sense. However, since Hangul ALPHABETs consist of a total of 24 phonemes including 14 consonants and 10 vowels, grooves are to be provided in the play tool such that all Hangul ALPHABETs are able to be inserted for the education method through the Hangul ALPHABET blocks, which may increase the overall size of the play tool, causing problems such as the increase in the occupancy area and the tool cost.
[0001] The present invention provides a device, method, and recording medium for ALPHABET education capable of creating the interest of infants, seniors, or the like, and enhancing the effect of ALPHABET education by teaching ALPHABETs in a manner of recognizing ALPHABETs by bringing ALPHABET blocks with shapes of ALPHABETs, such as English alphabets and Hangul ALPHABETs, into contact with a touch panel.
[0002] The present invention also provides a device, method, and recording medium for ALPHABET education capable of accurately and efficiently recognizing a ALPHABET block based on distance information between a plurality of unique points provided in the ALPHABET block and further enhancing the effect of education by allowing a disposition orientation of the ALPHABET block contacting a touch panel to be recognized.
[0003] The problem to be solved by the present invention is not limited to the problems mentioned above. Other technical problems that are not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.
[0001] Embodiments of the present invention provide methods for ALPHABET recognition including: detecting unique points of a ALPHABET block contacting a touch screen of an electronic device; obtaining distance information between the detected unique points; and recognizing the ALPHABET block contacting the touch screen by comparing the obtained distance information between the unique points with reference distance information defined in advance for each ALPHABET.
[0002] In other embodiments of the present invention, devices for ALPHABET recognition include: a unique point detection module detecting unique points of a ALPHABET block contacting a touch screen; a distance information calculation module obtaining distance information between the detected unique points; and a ALPHABET recognition module recognizing the ALPHABET block contacting the touch screen by comparing the calculated distance information between the unique points with reference distance information defined in advance for each ALPHABET block.
[0003] In still other embodiments of the present invention, computer readable media having a computer program recorded thereon is provided, and the computer program causes a computer to perform the methods described above.
[0004] In even other embodiments of the present invention, electronic devices include: a processor; and a memory for storing operations that are executable by the processor, in which the operations include: detecting unique points of a ALPHABET block contacting a touch screen of an electronic device; obtaining distance information between the detected unique points; and recognizing the ALPHABET block contacting the touch screen by comparing the obtained distance information between the unique points with reference distance information defined in advance for each ALPHABET block.
[0005] In yet other embodiments of the present invention, sets of ALPHABET blocks contacting a touch screen of an electronic device to be recognized are provided, and the ALPHABET block includes a ALPHABET block body corresponding to a shape of each of ALPHABET phonemes including consonants and vowels, in which the ALPHABET block body includes four or five conductive unique points electrically connected to the ALPHABET block body on a bottom surface of the ALPHABET block body.
[0001] media for ALPHABET education are provided that are capable of creating the interest of infants, seniors, or the like, and enhancing the effect of ALPHABET education by teaching ALPHABETs in a manner of recognizing ALPHABETs by bringing ALPHABET blocks having shapes of ALPHABETs, such as Hangul ALPHABETs, into contact with a touch screen.
[0002] Furthermore, according to the embodiments of the present invention, a ALPHABET block may be accurately and efficiently recognized based on information on the distances between a plurality of unique points provided in the ALPHABET block and the effect of education may be enhanced by recognizing a disposition orientation of the ALPHABET block contacting a touch screen.
[0003] The effect of the present invention is not limited to the above-described effects. Effects that are not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the present specification and the accompanying drawings.
[0001] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary electronic device in which technology for ALPHABET recognition and/or education disclosed herein may be employed;
[0002] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for describing Hangul ALPHABET blocks that are recognition objects of the technology for ALPHABET recognition and/or education disclosed herein;
[0003] FIGS. 3a and 3b are a perspective view and a plan view of a Hangul consonant β€œγ„·β€ ALPHABET block;
[0004] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a ALPHABET block for Hangul ALPHABET β€œγ…β€ in an embodiment of the present invention;
[0005] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a use environment of an electronic device and a ALPHABET block to which the technology disclosed herein may be employed;
[0006] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method for ALPHABET block recognition according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0007] FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing step S20 of FIG. 6;
[0008] FIG. 8 is a diagram for describing Hangul ALPHABET blocks that are recognition objects of technology for ALPHABET recognition and/or education disclosed herein and reference distance information;
[0009] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating various states of the same ALPHABET block in alignment contact with a touch screen;
[0010] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method for ALPHABET block recognition according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating alignment reference lines of Hangul ALPHABET blocks that are recognition objects of technology for ALPHABET recognition and/or education disclosed herein;
[0012] FIGS. 12 to 14 are diagrams illustrating a use environment in which a ALPHABET block contacts a touch screen of an electronic device to which the technology disclosed herein may be employed in various alignments;
[0013] FIG. 15 is a diagram for describing methods for ALPHABET recognition and ALPHABET education in a use environment in which a ALPHABET block contacts a touch screen of an electronic device to which the technology disclosed herein may be employed in a right orientation;
[0014] FIG. 16 is a diagram for describing methods for ALPHABET recognition and ALPHABET education in a use environment in which the ALPHABET block contacts the touch screen of the electronic device to which the technology disclosed herein may be employed out of the right orientation;
[0015] FIGS. 17 and 18 are exemplary diagrams for describing a method for distinguishably recognizing symmetrical ALPHABETs according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 19 is a diagram for describing a device for ALPHABET recognition according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 20 is a diagram for describing another device for ALPHABET recognition according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0018] FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating alignment reference lines of English alphabet ALPHABET blocks that are recognition objects of technology for ALPHABET recognition and/or education disclosed herein.
[0001] the advantages and features will be clarified with reference to embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical or scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly accepted by the generic art in the prior art to which the present invention belongs. General descriptions of known configurations may be omitted so as not to obscure the subject matter of the present invention. In the drawings of the present invention, the same reference numerals are used for the same or corresponding configurations. To facilitate understanding of the present invention, some configurations in the drawings may be shown somewhat exaggerated or reduced.
[0002] The terminology used herein is used only to describe a specific embodiment and is not intended to limit the spirit of the present invention. Further, the terminology used herein shall be construed as a meaning generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs unless specially defined otherwise, and shall not be construed in an excessively general meaning or in an excessively narrow meaning. Further, when the terminology used herein is an improper technical term, which fails to correctly express the spirit of the present invention, the terminology shall be substituted with the terminology, which those skilled in the art may properly understand, to be understood. Further, a general term used herein shall be construed according to a meaning defined in a dictionary or the context of a related description, and shall not be construed to have an excessively narrow meaning.
[0003] Terms, such as "first" and "second", including an ordinal number used herein may be used for describing various elements, but the elements should not be limited by the terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, a first element could be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element could be termed a first element.
[0004] The terms used herein are merely provided to describe specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present invention. It will be understood that in reference to a constituent element such as a feature, integer, step, operation, element, component, part, or module, singular expressions include plural expressions unless stated definitely in terms of quantity.
[0005] In the present specification, it will be understood that the terms "includes", "have" or "comprises", when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, parts, modules, or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, parts, modules, or groups thereof.
[0006] It will be understood that when "and/or" is used herein in reference to a list of two or more items, the word covers any combination of the items in the list.
[0007] β€œUnit" or "module" used throughout the present specification is a unit that processes at least one function or operation, and may refer to software or hardware components such as FPGA, or ASIC. However, "unit" or "module" may not be limited to software or hardware components. "Unit" or "module" may be configured to be in an addressable storage medium, or may be configured to reproduce one or more processors. As an example, "unit" or "module" may include components such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components, and task components, and may include processors, functions, attributes, procedures, sub-routines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcodes, circuits, data, a database, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. Functions provided by elements and "unit" or "module" may be performed separately by a plurality of elements and "unit" or "module", or may be integrated with other additional elements.
[0008] A technology for ALPHABET recognition and education according to an embodiment of the present invention recognizes unique points of a ALPHABET block with a touch screen in a capacitive manner when the corresponding ALPHABET block contacts the touch screen (recognizing each of positions of the unique points on the touch screen), obtains distances between the unique points, and recognizes the ALPHABET block contacting the touch screen by comparing the obtained information on distances between the points with information on distances between reference points that are defined in advance for each ALPHABET block.
[0009] A target according to an embodiment of the present invention, for example, the technology for ALPHABET recognition may be utilized to educate users such as infants and seniors for ALPHABETs by bringing a ALPHABET block having a shape of a Hangul ALPHABET and having unique points that are distinct for each ALPHABET into contact with the touch screen to recognize the ALPHABET block and display it visually and/or audibly.
[0010] Hereinafter, in an embodiment of the present invention, Hangul ALPHABETs will be described as an example of the recognition object; however, the technology for ALPHABET recognition and education according to the embodiment of the present invention may be utilized to recognize and teach ALPHABETs of English (alphabet), numbers, and other figures in addition to Hangul.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary electronic device 100 in which technology for object recognition and/or education disclosed herein may be employed. For example, the electronic device 100 may be any electronic device having a capacitive touch screen, and the size of the touch screen is to be at least a size that allows contact with a recognition object, for example, a ALPHABET block.
[0012] Referring to FIG. 1, the electronic device 100 may include one or more configurations of a processing unit 110, a memory unit 120, a power supply unit 130, an output unit 140, an input unit 150, a sensor unit 160, and a communication unit 170.
[0013] The memory unit 120 is configured to support operations of the electronic device 100 by storing various types of data (e.g., various application programs, user data, operating systems, or the like). Examples of such data include instructions, photos, videos, and the like for an arbitrary application program or method executed by the electronic device 100.
[0014] The operating system (e.g., LINUX, UNIX, OS X, WINDOWS, Chrome, Symbian, WinCE, Windows Mobile, iOS, Android, Tizen, VxWorks, pSOS or other embedded operating systems) may include various software components and/or drivers for controlling system tasks such as memory management and electric power management.
[0015] As the application program, various applications running on the operating system may be provided. The application program includes, for example, a program that implements the technology for ALPHABET recognition and/or education of the present invention.
[0016] The memory unit 120 may be implemented as any type of volatile or nonvolatile memory, or a combination of both, for example, may be implemented as a static random access memory (SRAM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), a read-only memory (ROM), a magnetic memory, a flash memory, a hard disk, or an optical disk.
[0017] The power supply unit 130, which supplies electric power to each component of the electronic device 100, may include other components for generating, managing, and distributing electric power.
[0018] The output unit 140 may be configured to include an audio output unit and a video output unit, which may be connected to a speaker 141 and a display 143, respectively.
[0019] The input unit 150 may be connected to an input module such as a touch sensor. The input unit 150 generates input data for the user to control the operation of the electronic device 100. The input unit 150 may include a touch pad, for example, a touch member that senses a change in resistance, pressure, capacitance, and the like. In this case, a touch pad 151 may be overlapped on the display 143 in the form of a layer to form a "touch screen" 153. The touch screen 153 may detect contact (touch) and movement of such contact by using various touch technologies such as a capacitive type, resistive type, infrared and surface acoustic wave, and proximity sensor technology.
[0020] The touch screen 153 implemented by overlapping the touch pad 151 on the display 115 may simultaneously receive a plurality of contact signals. The touch screen 153 may sense contact signals generated by contacting a plurality of unique points of a ALPHABET block to be described later.
[0021] The sensor unit 160 is for providing evaluations of states to the electronic device 100 from various aspects, and, for example, the sensor unit 160 may also detect an on/off state of the electronic device 100, a change in the position of the electronic device 100 or a component part of the electronic device 100, whether the user is in contact with the electronic device 100, an orientation or acceleration/deceleration of the electronic device 100, and a temperature change of the electronic device 100. The sensor unit 160 may include a proximity sensor, and may detect the presence or absence of a nearby object without any physical contact. The sensor unit 160 may further include an optical sensor such as a CMOS or CCD image sensor for image application. In some embodiments, the sensor unit 160 may include an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a magnetic sensor, a pressure sensor, or a temperature sensor.
[0022] The communication unit 170 is for smooth wired or wireless communication between the electronic device 100 and other devices, and the electronic device 100 may access a wireless network based on a communication standard such as WiFi, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, or a combination thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication unit 170 may receive a broadcast signal or broadcast related information from an external broadcast management system through a broadcast channel. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication unit 170 further includes a near-field communication (NFC) module for activating short-range communication. For example, the NFC module may be implemented based on RFID technology, an IrDA technology, UWB technology, a Bluetooth (BT) technology, and other technologies.
[0023] The processing unit 110 is generally configured to control the overall operations and manipulations of the electronic device 100, for example, manipulations related to display, data communication, camera manipulation, and recording manipulation. The processing unit 110 includes one or more processors 111 to execute an instruction to execute all or part of the steps of the method for ALPHABET recognition and/or education disclosed herein. The processing unit 110 may be configured to execute software components stored in the memory unit 120. The processing unit 110 may control a module connected to the output unit 140 or the input unit 150 with, for example, an application program stored in the memory unit 120. In addition, since the processing unit 110 includes one or more modules, an interaction between the processing unit 110 and the component parts may be facilitated.
[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, the electronic device 100 may be implemented by one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field-designable gate arrays (FPGAs), controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other electronic devices to perform the method for ALPHABET recognition and/or education disclosed herein.
[0025] As an example, the electronic device 100 to which the technology for ALPHABET recognition and/or education disclosed herein is employed may be implemented by including the touch screen 153, the processing unit 110, and the memory unit 120.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for describing ALPHABET blocks that are recognition objects of the technology for ALPHABET recognition and/or education disclosed herein.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 2, a plurality of ALPHABET blocks 210 may be provided as three-dimensional blocks having shapes of ALPHABET phonemes including Hangul consonants and vowels (see FIG. 3), ALPHABET phonemes may include both consonants and vowels, only consonants, or only vowels. Each ALPHABET block 210 may include a block body 212 and unique points 214 formed on the bottom surface of the block body 212. The block body 212 is provided to have a three-dimensional shape of a consonant or vowel of Hangul, and the unique points 214 and the block body 212 may be formed of a conductive material such as metal so that the touch screen 153 of the electronic device 100 of FIG. 1 recognizes the number and positions (coordinate information) of the unique points 214 in a capacitive manner.
[0028] In order for each ALPHABET block 210 to be identified from other ALPHABET blocks, the unique points 214 formed in the ALPHABET block 210 may be arranged in a manner distributed at intervals of different patterns for each Hangul ALPHABET. In other words, the positions of the unique points 214 of each ALPHABET block 210 may be set so that a set of distance values between the unique points 214 of each ALPHABET block 210 is different for each Hangul ALPHABET. As the number of unique points 214 formed in each ALPHABET block 210 increases, the data to be processed increases, which may be inefficient. Therefore, it is preferable that four or five unique points 214 are provided in each ALPHABET block 210.
[0029] In the embodiment of the ALPHABET blocks illustrated in FIG. 2, for example, five unique points 214 are provided in the ALPHABET block 210 corresponding to the consonants β€œγ„Ήβ€, β€œγ…ˆβ€, and β€œγ…Šβ€, and four unique points 214 are provided in the remaining consonants and vowels.
[0030] Among the plurality of ALPHABET blocks 210, some blocks of consonants or vowels (e.g.,”ㄱ/ㄴ”, β€œγ…/ㅓ”, β€œγ…‘/ㅕ”, β€œγ…£/ ㅑ”, β€œγ…—/γ…œβ€, or β€œγ…›/ㅠ”) having a symmetrical shape (rotational symmetry or point symmetry) may be interchangeably used. In this case, the symmetrical consonants and/or vowels may be distinguished from each other based on an orientation in which the ALPHABET block 210 is disposed on the touch screen 153, which will be described later.
[0031] A Hangul ALPHABET block according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3. FIGS. 3a and 3b are a perspective view and a plan view of a Hangul consonant β€œγ„·β€ ALPHABET block. The ALPHABET block 210 includes the block body 212 and unique points 214 formed on one surface (bottom surface) 213 thereof. The unique points 214 of each ALPHABET block 210 may be designed for the lower end portions to be raised to the same plane so that the unique points 214 of the ALPHABET block 210 may come into contact the touch screen 153 at the same time. For example, the bottom surface 213 of the ALPHABET block 210 may be flat and the unique points 214 may have the same height.
[0032] As an example, the block body 212 may be provided with a stepped jaw so that a user, for example, an infant may easily hold it, and a hand is prevented from contacting the touch screen 153 of the electronic device 100 when the unique points 214 of the ALPHABET block 210 are brought into contact with the electronic device 100. For example, the block body 212 may include an upper body 211a held by a user and a lower body 211b connected to the upper body 211a having a wider width. In this case, the unique points 214 are provided on the bottom surface 213 of the lower body 211b.
[0033] The unique points 214 may be arranged in a distributed matter on the bottom surface 213 of the block body 212 and may be formed to protrude outward from the lower body 211b. The block body 212 and the unique points 214 are formed of a conductive material and may be electrically connected to each other. Accordingly, when the user holds the ALPHABET block 210 and brings it into contact with the touch screen 153 of the electronic device 100, the electric charge (static electricity) of the user is transferred to the touch screen 153 through the unique points 214, which makes it possible for the touch screen 153 to recognize the number and positions (coordinates) of the unique points 214 of the ALPHABET block 210.
[0034] In an embodiment, one or more ALPHABET blocks 210 of the ALPHABET blocks 210, for example, ALPHABET blocks 210 with shapes of Hangul ALPHABETs such as β€œγ…Œβ€ and β€œγ…β€, may be provided with a non-conductive balance point on the bottom surface, and it will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a ALPHABET block of Hangul ALPHABET β€œγ…β€ in an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the ALPHABET block 210 may include a non-conductive balance point 216 on the bottom surface 213.
[0035] The balance point 216, which is non-conductive, is not recognized even if the ALPHABET block 210 is brought into contact with the touch screen 153, and may be formed protruding from the bottom surface 213 of the block body 212 to induce the unique points 214 to evenly contact the touch screen 153. The balance point 216 may be formed to have substantially the same height as the unique points 214.
[0036] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a use environment of the electronic device 100 and the ALPHABET block 210 to which the technology disclosed herein may be employed.
[0037] The electronic device 100 may be configured to include the touch screen 153 on the front surface. However, the application of the technology disclosed herein is not limited to the case of the touch screen implemented to be embedded in the electronic device, and may be applied to a touch screen implemented as a separate device and operated by being connected to the electronic device.
[0038] The ALPHABET block 210 provided as a three-dimensional block having the shape of a Hangul ALPHABET phoneme may be disposed on the touch screen 153. Since the unique points made of a conductive material are formed on the bottom surface of the ALPHABET block 210, the unique points contact the touch screen 153 when the ALPHABET block 210 is disposed on the touch screen 153, and the touch screen 153 may sense contact of the unique points 214 of the ALPHABET block 210 based on capacitance.
[0039] When a user, such as an infant or a senior, brings the ALPHABET block 210 into contact into the touch screen 153 with his or her holding the ALPHABET block 210 with the hand, the electric charges (static electricity) of the human body are transferred to the touch screen 153 through the block body 212 and the unique points 214, and a change in capacitance may be recognized by the touch screen 153 and the contact positions of the unique points 214 may be recognized accordingly.
[0040] Hereinafter, by way of example only, a method for recognition and education for Hangul ALPHABET blocks by the electronic device 100 will be described in detail.
[0041] When the unique points 214 of the ALPHABET block 210 contact the touch screen 153, the electronic device 100 may recognize the contacted ALPHABET block 210 based on the distances between the unique points 214.
[0042] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method for ALPHABET block recognition according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 6, the method for ALPHABET block recognition according to an embodiment of the present invention includes detecting positions (coordinates) of the unique points of the ALPHABET block contacting the touch screen (S10), obtaining distance information between the detected unique points (S20), and comparing and determining the obtained distance information between the unique points with reference distance information (S30).
[0044] In step S10, when a user (for example, an infant, a senior, or the like) holds the ALPHABET block 210 and brings the ALPHABET block 210 into contact with the touch screen 153 of the electronic device 100 (see FIG. 5), the electronic device 100 may detect the number and contact positions of the unique points 214 of the ALPHABET block 210 contacting the touch screen 153 based on capacitance on the touch screen 153. When the ALPHABET block 210 comes into contact with the touch screen 153, static electricity of the human body may be transferred to the touch screen 153 through the block body 212 and the unique points 214, and the number and the contact positions of the unique points 214 may be detected based on the change in capacitance by the touch screen 153, accordingly.
[0045] In step S20, distance information 240 between the unique points 214, for example, the distance values between the unique points by all combinations are obtained from the detected contact positions of the unique points 214 of the ALPHABET block 210. FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing step S20. Referring to FIG. 7, the ALPHABET block 210 for the Hangul consonant β€œγ„·β€ obtains values of six distance D1 to D6 between four unique points 214a to 214d, and the obtained values of the distances are shown in terms of lengths in the drawing. Meanwhile, since the ALPHABET blocks 210 for the Hangul consonants β€œγ„Ήβ€, β€œγ…ˆβ€, and β€œγ…Šβ€ have five unique points (see FIG. 2), when the ALPHABET blocks contact the touch screen, 10 distance values are obtained by all combinations of the six unique points.
[0046] In the next step S30, the contacted ALPHABET block is determined (recognized) by comparing the distance information obtained in step S20 with the reference distance information. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating reference distance information 250 of ALPHABET blocks. Referring to FIG. 8, the reference distance information 250 is a set of reference distance information of each ALPHABET block, and the reference distance information of each ALPHABET block indicates unique distance values (in the drawing, distance values are indicated by the corresponding lengths) by all combinations of unique points. Since each ALPHABET block is provided with unique points arranged in a unique way, each ALPHABET block has unique distance values between the unique points. Accordingly, by comparing the obtained distance information 240 with the reference distance information 250, it is possible to accurately distinguish and determine the ALPHABET block contacting the touch screen 153.
[0047] Since in the method for ALPHABET block recognition described earlier with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8, the ALPHABET block is recognized through the comparison of distance values between the unique points of the ALPHABET block, the distance information between the unique points obtained in step S20 of FIG. 6 is the same in both cases where the ALPHABET block is brought into alignment contact with the touch screen in a right orientation (left of FIG. 9) and where the ALPHABET block is brought into alignment contact with the touch screen out of the right orientation (in the wrong orientation) (right of FIG. 9), as illustrated in FIG. 9. Therefore, it is desirable to determine whether or not the alignment contact of the ALPHABET block with the touch screen is correct for educational purposes for infants and seniors.
[0048] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method for ALPHABET block recognition according to another embodiment of the present invention in consideration of the above situation. The method for ALPHABET block recognition according to the present embodiment may include the method for ALPHABET block recognition of FIG. 6, and may further include determining whether or not the ALPHABET block is brought into alignment contact with the touch screen in a right orientation (S40) and performing display (S50).
[0049] In step S40, determination is made as to whether or not an alignment reference line by two unique points, which are selected in advance among the unique points of the ALPHABET block 210 contacting the touch screen 153, is parallel with a predetermined determination reference line (horizontal line or vertical line) of the touch screen 153, and whether or not the ALPHABET block 210 is brought into contact in the right orientation from a positional relationship between the alignment reference line and other unique points. Two unique points defining the alignment reference line for each ALPHABET block are determined in advance. For example, the two unique points defining the alignment reference line of the ALPHABET block may be two unique points that define the longest horizontal or vertical line in a state in which the ALPHABET block is placed in the right orientation. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating alignment reference lines 260 of respective ALPHABET blocks.
[0050] A more detailed description will be made with reference to FIG. 12. Referring to FIG. 12, the alignment reference line 260 of the β€œγ„·β€ ALPHABET block 210 is defined in advance by two unique points 214a and 214b that define the longest line segment in the horizontal orientation among four unique points 214a to 214d. Meanwhile, the determination reference line for the β€œγ„·β€ ALPHABET block 210 is defined in advance as a horizontal line X of the touch screen. As illustrated in FIG. 12, when the β€œγ„·β€ ALPHABET block 210 is brought into alignment contact with the touch screen 153, the alignment reference line 260 is parallel with the horizontal line (X-line), which is the determination reference line of the touch screen 153, and other unique points 214c and 214d that do not define the reference line 260 are positioned above the alignment reference line 260. Therefore, in this case, it is determined that the β€œγ„·β€ ALPHABET block 210 is brought into contact with the touch screen 153 in the right orientation in step S40.
[0051] In an embodiment, even when the alignment reference line 260 of the ALPHABET block 210 is not correctly aligned in the right orientation with respect to the determination reference line of the touch screen 153 and is slightly tilted to the left or right, the educational purpose is not greatly affected, and thus determination may be made that the ALPHABET block 210 contacts the touch screen 153 in the right orientation. For example, even when the alignment reference line 260 of the ALPHABET block 210 is tilted to approximately Β±15 degrees with respect to the determination reference line of the touch screen 153, determination may be made that the ALPHABET block 210 is disposed in the right orientation.
[0052] Meanwhile, FIG. 13 is an example in which the β€œγ„·β€ ALPHABET block 210 is turned left at approximately 180 degrees in the alignment of FIG. 12 to contact the touch screen 153. In the case of FIG. 13, the alignment reference line 260 is parallel with the determination reference line X of the touch screen 153 as illustrated in FIG. 12, and in contrast, the unique points 214c and 214d that do not define the alignment reference line 260 are positioned below the alignment reference line 260 unlike FIG. 12, and thus they are distinguished from the alignment of FIG. 12. Accordingly, in the case of FIG. 13, it is determined that the β€œγ„·β€ ALPHABET block is brought into contact with the touch screen 153 in an orientation out of the right orientation in step S40.
[0053] In addition, when the β€œγ„·β€ ALPHABET block 210 contacts the touch screen 153 in the orientation illustrated in FIG. 14, the alignment reference line 260 defined by two unique points 214a and 214b in the contacting state is not parallel with the determination reference line X of the touch screen 153, that is, it is vertical. In this case, since the alignment reference line 260 is not parallel with the determination reference line X, there is no need to additionally determine the positional relationship between the unique points 214c and 214d that do not define the alignment reference line 260 and the alignment reference line 260 and in step S40, it is determined that the β€œγ„·β€ ALPHABET block is brought into contact with the touch screen 153 in the orientation out of the right orientation.
[0054] Next, step S50 will be described. Display to be performed in step S50 may be implemented in a different manner according to the determination result of step S40, that is, whether or not the ALPHABET block is brought into contact in the right orientation.
[0055] First, in step S40, as illustrated in the left of FIG. 9, when it is determined that the β€œγ„·β€ ALPHABET block 210 is brought into contact with the touch screen 153 in the correct alignment, the displaying is performed in step S50 in a manner as illustrated in the schematic diagram of FIG. 15. Referring to FIG. 15, when it is determined that the ALPHABET block 210 is in contact in the right orientation, the name and the writing method of the corresponding ALPHABET block β€œγ„·β€ may be displayed as audio and video, respectively, in step S50. As the audio output, "well done" or the like may be further output to enhance the effect of education.
[0056] Meanwhile, in step S40, as illustrated in the right of FIG. 9, when it is determined that the β€œγ„·β€ ALPHABET block 210 is brought into contact with the touch screen 153 out of the right orientation, the displaying is performed in step S50 in a manner as illustrated in the schematic diagram of FIG. 16. Referring to FIG. 16, when it is determined that the ALPHABET block 210 is brought into contact out of the right orientation, an audio output related to an instruction to bring the ALPHABET block into contact again and a video output showing the same as a video may be displayed in step S60.
[0057] Meanwhile, as described above, some blocks of consonants or vowels (e.g., β€œγ„±/ㄴ”, β€œγ…/ㅓ”, β€œγ…‘/ㅕ”, β€œγ…£/ ㅑ”, β€œγ…—/γ…œβ€, and β€œγ…›/ㅠ”) having a symmetrical shape (rotational symmetry or point symmetry) may use the same ALPHABET block. A method for distinguishing symmetrical ALPHABETs in the embodiment will be described below.
[0058] FIGS. 17 and 18 are exemplary diagrams for describing a method for distinguishably recognizing symmetrical ALPHABETs, for example, β€œγ…β€ and β€œγ…“β€, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method of distinguishably recognizing symmetrical ALPHABETs to be described below may be performed in step S40 of FIG. 10 or may be performed in a separate step.
[0059] The ALPHABET block 210 for the vowel β€œγ…β€ and the vowel β€œγ…“β€ has four unique points 214e, 214f, 214g, and 214h, and the distance value between the two unique points 214e and 214f is the longest, and the vertical line defined by the unique points 214e and 214f is defined as the alignment reference line 260. Meanwhile, the determination reference line of the touch screen 153 for the ALPHABET block 210 for the vowel β€œγ…β€ and the vowel β€œγ…“β€ will be a vertical line (Y). The unique point 214g that does not define the alignment reference line 260 in the ALPHABET block 210 for the vowel β€œγ…β€ and the vowel β€œγ…“β€ will be on the left or right of the alignment reference line 260 when the alignment reference line 260 is aligned vertically. Therefore, in the case of the ALPHABET block 210 for the vowel β€œγ…β€ and the vowels β€œγ…β€ and β€œγ…“β€ may be distinguished with the alignment of the unique point 214g with respect to the alignment reference line 260.
[0060] Referring to FIG. 17, when the unique point 114g is positioned to the right of the alignment reference line 260, the vowel is recognized as β€œγ…β€, and unlike this, if the unique point 114g is positioned to the left of the alignment reference line 260 as illustrated in FIG. 18, the vowel is recognized as β€œγ…“β€. That is, the vowel β€œγ…β€ and the vowel β€œγ…“β€ may be distinguished by using one ALPHABET block 210.
[0061] Likewise, for the vowel β€œγ…—β€ and the vowel β€œγ…œβ€, just one ALPHABET block 210 may be used to distinguish them from each other. In this case, the alignment reference line will be a horizontal line, and depending on whether the unique point that does not define the alignment reference line in the ALPHABET block for the vowel β€œγ…—β€ and the vowel β€œγ…œβ€ is positioned above or below the horizontal alignment reference line, the vowel may be recognized as β€œγ…—β€ or β€œγ…œβ€.
[0062] Further, the vowels β€œγ…β€, β€œγ…“β€, β€œγ…—β€, and β€œγ…œβ€, which are rotationally symmetrical to each other, may be distinguished by using a single ALPHABET block. That is, depending on where the unique point 114g is positioned with respect to the alignment reference line 260 (vertical line), that is, depending on whether it is positioned on the left, right, above, or below with respect to the alignment reference line 260, β€œγ…“β€, β€œγ…β€, β€œγ…—β€, and β€œγ…œβ€ may be distinguishable. Similarly, the vowels β€œγ…‘β€, β€œγ…•β€, β€œγ…›β€ and β€œγ… β€, which are rotationally symmetrical to each other, may also be distinguished by using a single ALPHABET block.
[0063] According to the method for ALPHABET recognition according to an embodiment of the present invention, the ALPHABET block 210 with a shape of the Hangul ALPHABET is recognized by bringing the ALPHABET block into contact with the touch screen 153, thereby making it possible to accurately recognize the Hangul ALPHABETs, create interest of users, such as infants and seniors, and enhance the effect of Hangul ALPHABET education. In addition, it is possible to accurately and efficiently recognize the ALPHABET block 210 based on the distance information between the unique points 214 provided in the ALPHABET block 210.
[0064] Furthermore, according to the method for ALPHABET recognition according to an embodiment of the present invention, by utilizing the alignment reference line 260 determined by two unique points set in advance among the unique points of the ALPHABET block 210 as well as the distance information between the unique points 214, it is possible to accurately recognize not only the ALPHABET block 210 contacting the touch screen 153 but also the disposition orientation, and by feeding the result back to the user, it is possible to enhance the effect of ALPHABET education.
[0065] In addition, according to the method for ALPHABET recognition according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to more accurately determine the disposition orientation of the ALPHABET block 210 contacting the touch screen 153, or to accurately distinguish a corresponding ALPHABET between symmetrical ALPHABETs, based on the relationship (position and orientation) between the alignment reference line 260 and a unique point (a unique point that does not define the alignment reference line).
[0066] Other embodiments of the present invention provide a device for ALPHABET recognition corresponding to the method for ALPHABET recognition according to the embodiments described above.
[0067] According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to create interest of infants, seniors, or the like, and enhance the effect of ALPHABET education by teaching ALPHABETs in a manner of recognizing ALPHABETs by bringing ALPHABET blocks 210 having shapes of ALPHABETs into contact with the touch screen 153.
[0068] Furthermore, it is possible to accurately and efficiently recognize the ALPHABET block 210 based on the pattern of the distances between a plurality of unique points 214 provided in the ALPHABET block 210 and further enhance the effect of education by recognizing a disposition orientation of the ALPHABET block 210 contacting the touch screen 153.
[0069] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a device for ALPHABET recognition implementing the above-described method for ALPHABET recognition. FIG. 19 illustrates a device 300 for ALPHABET recognition implementing the method for ALPHABET recognition in FIG. 7, which includes a detection module 310, a distance information calculation module 320, and a ALPHABET recognition and determination module 330, which implement operations of steps S10, S20, and S30 of FIG. 7.
[0070] Meanwhile, FIG. 20 illustrates a device 400 for ALPHABET recognition implementing the method of FIG. 10, which further includes a ALPHABET block contact orientation determination module 340 implementing the operation of step S40 of FIG. 10, in addition to the device for ALPHABET recognition of FIG. 19.
[0071] The technology described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 20 may also be applied to English alphabet ALPHABET blocks illustrated in FIG. 21 by way of example. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating alignment reference lines of English alphabet ALPHABET blocks that are recognition objects of technology for ALPHABET recognition and/or education disclosed herein. Referring to FIG. 21, like the Hangul ALPHABET block, the English alphabet ALPHABET block has four or five unique points, and two of them define an alignment line reference line for determining a contact position. The English alphabet ALPHABET blocks in FIG. 21 have the same number of unique points and the alignment reference lines as the Hangul ALPHABET blocks, except that the shapes of the ALPHABET blocks are different, and thus the method for recognition and education for the English alphabet ALPHABET block of FIG. 21 is substantially the same as the method for recognition and education for the Hangul ALPHABET block described above.
[0072] From the above description, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the technology disclosed in the present specification could be applied not only to Hangul ALPHABETs and English (Roman) alphabet, but also to various numbers such as Arabic numerals and Roman numerals, and to recognition and/or education of other objects.
[0073] At least some of the methods according to the embodiments of the present invention may be written as a program that is executable on a computer, and may be implemented in a general-purpose digital computer that operates the program by using a computer readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording media may be a storage media in the form of volatile memories such as a static RAM (SRAM), a dynamic RAM (DRAM), and a synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), nonvolatile memories such as a read only memory (ROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), a flash memory device, a phase-change RAM (PRAM), a magnetic RAM (MRAM), resistive RAM (RRAM), and a ferroelectric RAM (FRAM), a floppy disk, a hard disk, or an optical reading medium, for example, a CD-ROM or a DVD, but are not limited thereto.
[0074] It will be understood that the above embodiments are presented to aid understanding of the present invention, and do not limit the scope of the present invention, and various modifications thereto also fall within the scope of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention should be defined by the technical spirit of the claims, and it should be understood that the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the wording of the claims, but actually reaches the inventions having equivalent technical values.

Claims (19)

  1. A method for ALPHABET recognition comprising:
    detecting unique points of a ALPHABET block contacting a touch screen of an electronic device;
    obtaining distance information between the detected unique points; and
    recognizing the ALPHABET block contacting the touch screen by comparing the obtained distance information between the unique points with reference distance information defined in advance for each ALPHABET.
  2. The method for ALPHABET recognition of claim 1, wherein the obtaining of the distance information comprises:
    calculating six distance values between four unique points of the ALPHABET block contacting the touch screen based on positions of the detected unique points; or
    calculating 10 distance values between five unique points of the ALPHABET block contacting the touch screen.
  3. The method for ALPHABET recognition of claim 2, wherein the recognizing of the ALPHABET block comprises:
    determining a ALPHABET having the reference distance information matching the six distance values or the 10 distance values calculated from among the reference distance information defined in advance for each ALPHABET, as a ALPHABET of the ALPHABET block contacting the touch screen.
  4. The method for ALPHABET recognition of any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:
    determining a contact orientation of the ALPHABET block contacting the touch screen.
  5. The method for ALPHABET recognition of claim 4, wherein the determining of the contact orientation comprises:
    determining whether or not an alignment reference line by two unique points selected in advance among the unique points of the ALPHABET block contacting the touch screen is parallel with a determination reference line of the touch screen that is selected in advance.
  6. The method for ALPHABET recognition of claim 5, wherein the determining of the contact orientation further comprises determining a positional relationship between the alignment reference line and another unique point that does not define the alignment reference line.
  7. A device for ALPHABET recognition, comprising:
    a unique point detection module detecting unique points of a ALPHABET block contacting a touch screen of an electronic device;
    a distance information calculation module obtaining distance information between the detected unique points; and
    a ALPHABET recognition module recognizing the ALPHABET block contacting the touch screen by comparing the calculated distance information between the unique points with reference distance information defined in advance for each ALPHABET block.
  8. A computer readable medium having a program recorded thereon to cause a computer to perform:
    detecting unique points of a ALPHABET block contacting a touch screen of an electronic device;
    obtaining distance information between the detected unique points; and
    recognizing the ALPHABET block contacting the touch screen by comparing the obtained distance information between the unique points with reference distance information defined in advance for each ALPHABET.
  9. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the program further comprises:
    determining a contact orientation of the ALPHABET block contacting the touch screen.
  10. The computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the determining of the contact orientation comprises determining whether or not an alignment reference line by two unique points selected in advance among the unique points of the ALPHABET block contacting the touch screen is parallel with a determination reference line of the touch screen that is selected in advance.
  11. The computer readable medium of claim 10, wherein the determining of the contact orientation or the program further comprises determining a positional relationship between the alignment reference line and another unique point that does not define the alignment reference line.
  12. An electronic device comprising:
    a processor; and
    a memory for storing operations that are executable by the processor, wherein
    the operations comprise:
    detecting unique points of a ALPHABET block contacting a touch screen of an electronic device;
    obtaining distance information between the detected unique points; and
    recognizing the ALPHABET block contacting the touch screen by comparing the obtained distance information between the unique points with reference distance information defined in advance for each ALPHABET block.
  13. The electronic device according to claim 12, wherein the operations further comprise:
    determining a contact orientation of the ALPHABET block contacting the touch screen.
  14. The electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the determining of the contact orientation comprises determining whether or not an alignment reference line by two unique points selected in advance among the unique points of the ALPHABET block contacting the touch screen is parallel with a determination reference line of the touch screen that is selected in advance.
  15. The electronic device according to claim 14, wherein the determining of the contact orientation or the operations further comprise determining a positional relationship between the alignment reference line and another unique point that does not define the alignment reference line.
  16. A set of ALPHABET blocks contacting a touch screen of an electronic device to be recognized, the ALPHABET block comprising:
    a ALPHABET block body corresponding to a shape of each of ALPHABET phonemes including consonants and vowels, wherein the ALPHABET block body comprises four or five conductive unique points electrically connected to the ALPHABET block body on a bottom surface of the ALPHABET block body.
  17. The set of ALPHABET blocks according to claim 16, wherein two of the unique points are disposed separately in a horizontal orientation or a vertical orientation of the bottom surface of the ALPHABET block to define an alignment reference line used to determine an orientation in which the ALPHABET block contacts the touch screen.
  18. The set of ALPHABET blocks according to claim 17, wherein remaining unique points excluding the two unique points defining the alignment reference line among the unique points are disposed differently with respect to the alignment reference line by the two unique points to distinguish between the ALPHABET blocks.
  19. The set of ALPHABET blocks according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the ALPHABET block body comprises a lower body having the bottom surface in which the unique points are provided and an upper body continuous to the lower body and narrower than the lower body, and the lower body and the upper body form a stepped structure.
PCT/KR2021/000096 2020-01-23 2021-01-06 Device for recognize alphabets and method thereof and system and method for education of alphabet WO2021149944A1 (en)

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KR102375822B1 (en) 2022-03-18
KR20220034096A (en) 2022-03-17
KR20210095477A (en) 2021-08-02

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