US4308017A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic learning aid with picture book
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1979-06-01
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Granted: 1981-12-29
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Expires: 1999-06-01
Abstract
Abstract A handheld electronic learning aid is disclosed. The learning aid is utilized for teaching and testing associations between pictorial representations and the correct responses to the pictorial representations. A selected one of an associated group of numbered printed pictorial representations is randomly selected by the learning aid, and the operator attempts to correctly respond to the pictured object. Scoring functions and displayed reward phrases provide positive reinforcement of learned skills. One embodiment of the learning aid is utilized to teach and strengthen spelling skills in young children. Additionally, anagram or other alphabetic type modes of operation can provide training and experience in literary skills.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas C. Laughon
- 👤 Michael I. Philpott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 00:30
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B7/00; G09B7/02; G09B17/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A student learning aid system for teaching and testing associations between pictorial representations and correct responses to said pictorial representations, said system comprising: (a) a plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations, each depicting a different object; and (b) an electronic handheld learning aid, said learning aid comprising: (i) random number generator means for randomly generating a number corresponding to a selected one of said plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations; (ii) memory means for storing a correct response associated with each of said objects; (iii) display means, coupled to said random number generator means, for displaying said number generated by said random number generator means; (iv) input means for allowing the student to enter a proposed response to the object depicted in said selected one of said plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations which corresponds to said number generated by said random number generator means; and (v) comparator means, coupled to said input means and said memory means for comparing said proposed response entered by said student with said correct response stored in said memory means and for providing a signal indicative of the results of said comparison.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
A student learning aid system for teaching and testing associations between pictorial representations and correct responses to said pictorial representations, said system comprising: (a) a plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations, each depicting a different object; and (b) an electronic handheld learning aid, said learning aid comprising: (i) random number generator means for randomly generating a number corresponding to a selected one of said plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations; (ii) memory means for storing a correct response associated with each of said objects; (iii) display means, coupled to said random number generator means, for displaying said number generated by said random number generator means; (iv) input means for allowing the student to enter a proposed response to the object depicted in said selected one of said plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations which corresponds to said number generated by said random number generator means; and (v) comparator means, coupled to said input means and said memory means for comparing said proposed response entered by said student with said correct response stored in said memory means and for providing a signal indicative of the results of said comparison.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The student learning aid system according to claim 1, wherein said display means is also coupled to said comparator means, for providing an indication to said student of the results of said comparison.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations comprises a paperback book.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system according to claim 1 further including means coupled to said display means for controlling said display means to display the proposed response entered by said student at said input means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said memory means comprises a read-only-memory.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
220 words
A student learning aid system for teaching and testing associations between pictorial representations and correct responses to said pictorial representations, said system comprising: (a) a plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations each depicting a common object; and (b) an electronic hand held learning aid, said learning aid comprising: (i) memory means for storing the numbers corresponding to said plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations and the correct response of the common objects depicted therein; (ii) random access addressing means, coupled to said memory means, for randomly accessing a selected one of said stored numbers corresponding to said plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations and the correct response to the common object depicted therein; (iii) display means, coupled to said random access addressing means, for displaying said selected one of said stored numbers corresponding to said plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations; (iv) student input means for allowing said student to input a proposed response to the common object depicted in the numbered, printed pictorial representation corresponding to said selected one of said stored numbers; and (v) comparator means, coupled to said student input means and said random access addressing means, for comparing said proposed response entered by said student with said correct response stored in said memory means, and for providing a signal indicative of the results of said comparison.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
220 words
A student learning aid system for teaching and testing associations between pictorial representations and correct responses to said pictorial representations, said system comprising: (a) a plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations each depicting a common object; and (b) an electronic hand held learning aid, said learning aid comprising: (i) memory means for storing the numbers corresponding to said plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations and the correct response of the common objects depicted therein; (ii) random access addressing means, coupled to said memory means, for randomly accessing a selected one of said stored numbers corresponding to said plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations and the correct response to the common object depicted therein; (iii) display means, coupled to said random access addressing means, for displaying said selected one of said stored numbers corresponding to said plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations; (iv) student input means for allowing said student to input a proposed response to the common object depicted in the numbered, printed pictorial representation corresponding to said selected one of said stored numbers; and (v) comparator means, coupled to said student input means and said random access addressing means, for comparing said proposed response entered by said student with said correct response stored in said memory means, and for providing a signal indicative of the results of said comparison.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system according to claim 6, wherein said display means is also coupled to said comparator means for providing an indication to said student of the results of said comparison.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system according to claim 6, wherein said plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations comprises a paperback book.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system according to claim 6, wherein said student input means comprises a keyboard.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system according to claim 6 further including means coupled to said display means for controlling said display means to display the proposed response inputted by said student at said student input means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system according to claim 6, wherein said memory means comprises a read-only-memory.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system according to claim 6, wherein said random access addressing means includes a random number generator.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
207 words
A student learning aid system for teaching spelling, said system comprising: (a) a plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations each depicting a common object; and (b) an electronic hand held learning aid, said learning aid comprising: (i) memory means for storing the numbers corresponding to said plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations and the correct spellings of the common objects depicted therein; (ii) random access addressing means, coupled to said memory means, for randomly accessing a selected one of said stored numbers corresponding to said plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations and the correct spellings of the common object depicted therein; (iii) display means, coupled to said random access addressing means, for displaying said selected one of said stored numbers corresponding to said plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations; (iv) student input means for allowing said student to input a proposed spelling to the common object depicted in the numbered, printed pictorial representation corresponding to said selected one of said stored numbers. (v) comparator means, coupled to said student input means and said random access addressing means, for comparing said proposed spelling entered by said student with said correct spelling stored in said memory means, and for providing a signal indicative of the results of said comparison.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
207 words
A student learning aid system for teaching spelling, said system comprising: (a) a plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations each depicting a common object; and (b) an electronic hand held learning aid, said learning aid comprising: (i) memory means for storing the numbers corresponding to said plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations and the correct spellings of the common objects depicted therein; (ii) random access addressing means, coupled to said memory means, for randomly accessing a selected one of said stored numbers corresponding to said plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations and the correct spellings of the common object depicted therein; (iii) display means, coupled to said random access addressing means, for displaying said selected one of said stored numbers corresponding to said plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations; (iv) student input means for allowing said student to input a proposed spelling to the common object depicted in the numbered, printed pictorial representation corresponding to said selected one of said stored numbers. (v) comparator means, coupled to said student input means and said random access addressing means, for comparing said proposed spelling entered by said student with said correct spelling stored in said memory means, and for providing a signal indicative of the results of said comparison.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system according to claim 13, wherein said display means is also coupled to said comparator means for providing an indication to said student of the results of said comparison.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system according to claim 13, wherein said plurality of numbered, printed pictorial representations comprises a paperback book.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system according to claim 13, wherein said student input means comprises a keyboard.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system according to claim 13 further including means coupled to said display means for controlling said display means to display the proposed spelling inputted by said student at said student input means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system according to claim 13, wherein said memory means comprises a read-only-memory.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system according to claim 13, wherein said random access addressing means includes a random number generator.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-12-28 | 1985-06-29 | 1985-12-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-12-28 | 1989-06-29 | 1989-12-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-12-28 | 1993-06-29 | 1993-12-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |