US4655713A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for reading and writing and the teaching of literacy
Assignee: WEISS PETER D
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Filing: 1985-03-15
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Granted: 1987-04-07
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Expires: 2005-03-15
Abstract
Abstract A reading device is described herein that may be employed for the teaching of reading or as an independent reading system. The device is novel in being able to reduce the thousands of possible variations of pronunciation in the alphabet of the English language to a logical, easily learned core. This is achieved via the addition of non-pictorial short-stroke practical symbols. These non-pictorial short-stroke symbols are unique in having an appearance that is suggestive of, or rapidly identifiable with the sound they represent. In addition, these non-pictorial short stroke symbols are unique in having a consistent sound in and of themselves, independent and independently of any letter or letters. This device is further remarkable in that letters, that do not have a logical pronunciation within the context of the affected word, are superseded by suprascript letters that accurately reflect the appropriate pronunciation. The device is further defined in differentiating between letters that are active and passive within the system. Those letters that are active initiate a distinct sound within the system. Those that are passive have their sound provided instead by a short-stroke non-pictorial symbol, or by a suprascript letter, or are redundant or silent. This allows the recognition of logical, (necessary) and illogical (unnecessary) letters in the device. The distinction between active and passive letters is provided by contrast in color, intensity, or typestyle.
Inventors
- 👤 Martin M. Weiss
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:07
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B17/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of teaching reading in which the student is presented with an orthography comprising of the set of letters of the American Alphabet, in combination with a set of non-pictorial short-stroke phonograms, constituting an alphabet adapted to be employed in teaching students, and adult illiterates, to read, said phonograms having an appearance that is readily suggestive of, or readily identifiable with, the sound they are to represent, in that the form the phonograms take is designed to prompt an association in the mind of the reader as to the sound the phonograms represent, without need of rote memorization.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of teaching reading in which the student is presented with an orthography comprising of the set of letters of the American Alphabet, in combination with a set of non-pictorial short-stroke phonograms, constituting an alphabet adapted to be employed in teaching students, and adult illiterates, to read, said phonograms having an appearance that is readily suggestive of, or readily identifiable with, the sound they are to represent, in that the form the phonograms take is designed to prompt an association in the mind of the reader as to the sound the phonograms represent, without need of rote memorization.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method, as in claim 1, in which all the letters may initially be of either the upper or lower case form, or a combination of both cases.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of teaching reading in which the student is presented with an orthography comprising of the set of letters of the American Alphabet, in combination with a set of non-pictorial short-stroke phonograms, constituting an alphabet adapted to be employed in teaching students, and adult illiterates, to read, said phonograms having a consistent, unaltering sound, in and of themselves, independent and independently of any letter or letters, whereby there is but one phonogram per sound, and one sound per phonogram.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of teaching reading in which the student is presented with an orthography comprising of the set of letters of the American Alphabet, in combination with a set of non-pictorial short-stroke phonograms, constituting an alphabet adapted to be employed in teaching students, and adult illiterates, to read, said phonograms having a consistent, unaltering sound, in and of themselves, independent and independently of any letter or letters, whereby there is but one phonogram per sound, and one sound per phonogram.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
142 words
A method of teaching reading consisting of a set of non-pictorial short stroke phonograms in combination with an orthography comprising of the set of letters of the American Alphabet, where distinction by a contrast in typeface is provided between two classes of letters, namely: a. the logical class b. the illogical class where the letters of the logical class are those letters and combination of letters within a word whose sound is the single classic typical sound of that letter and combination of letters, and whose sound is therefore consistent: and where the letters of the illogical class are those letters within a word whose sound varies from the classic typical sound of that letter and whose sound is therefore variable and inconsistent, and where the letters of the illogical class also include those letters which have no single classical, typical sound.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
142 words
A method of teaching reading consisting of a set of non-pictorial short stroke phonograms in combination with an orthography comprising of the set of letters of the American Alphabet, where distinction by a contrast in typeface is provided between two classes of letters, namely: a. the logical class b. the illogical class where the letters of the logical class are those letters and combination of letters within a word whose sound is the single classic typical sound of that letter and combination of letters, and whose sound is therefore consistent: and where the letters of the illogical class are those letters within a word whose sound varies from the classic typical sound of that letter and whose sound is therefore variable and inconsistent, and where the letters of the illogical class also include those letters which have no single classical, typical sound.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method, as in claim 4, where letters whose sound is that of the primary consonant sound, are included in that class of letters which are logical.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method, as in claim 4, where letters which are vowels, as vowels have no single consistent sound, are included in that class of letters which are illogical.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method, as in claim 4, where letters which are redundant within the pronunciation of a word, are included in that class of letters which are illogical.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method, as in claim 4, where letters in a word which are silent in the pronunciation of the word are included in that class of letters which are illogical.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method, as in claim 4, where when letters in the spelling of a word do not logically represent the pronunciation of that word, those letters are included in the class of letters which are illogical.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of teaching reading consisting of a set of non-pictorial short stroke phonograms in combination with an orthography comprising of the set of letters of the American Alphabet, where distinction is provided by a contrast in color between two clases of letters, namely: a. the logical class b. the illogical class where the letters of the logical class are those letters and combination of letters within a word whose sound is the single classic typical sound of that letter and combination of letters, and whose sound is therefore consistent: and where the letters of the illogical class are those letters within a word whose sound varies from the classic typical sound of that letter and whose sound is therefore variable and inconsistent, and where letters of the illogical class also include those letters which have no single classical, typical sound.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of teaching reading consisting of a set of non-pictorial short stroke phonograms in combination with an orthography comprising of the set of letters of the American Alphabet, where distinction is provided by a contrast in color between two clases of letters, namely: a. the logical class b. the illogical class where the letters of the logical class are those letters and combination of letters within a word whose sound is the single classic typical sound of that letter and combination of letters, and whose sound is therefore consistent: and where the letters of the illogical class are those letters within a word whose sound varies from the classic typical sound of that letter and whose sound is therefore variable and inconsistent, and where letters of the illogical class also include those letters which have no single classical, typical sound.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
142 words
A method of teaching reading consisting of a set of non-pictorial short stroke phonograms in combination with an orthography comprising of the set of letters of the American Alphabet, where distinction is provided by a contrast in intensity between two classes of letters, namely: a. the logical class b. the illogical class where the letters of the logical class are those letters and combinations of letters within a word whose sound is the single classic typical sound of that letter or combination of letters, and whose sound is therefore consistent: and where the letters of the illogical class are those letters within a word whose sound varies from the classic typical sound of that letter and whose sound is therefore variable and inconsistent, and where the letters of the illogical class also include those letters which have no single classical, typical sound.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
142 words
A method of teaching reading consisting of a set of non-pictorial short stroke phonograms in combination with an orthography comprising of the set of letters of the American Alphabet, where distinction is provided by a contrast in intensity between two classes of letters, namely: a. the logical class b. the illogical class where the letters of the logical class are those letters and combinations of letters within a word whose sound is the single classic typical sound of that letter or combination of letters, and whose sound is therefore consistent: and where the letters of the illogical class are those letters within a word whose sound varies from the classic typical sound of that letter and whose sound is therefore variable and inconsistent, and where the letters of the illogical class also include those letters which have no single classical, typical sound.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
114 words
An alphabet consisting of the orthography of American letters for use in connection with a method of reading comprising of a unified set of non-pictorial short stroke phonograms, which may be suggestive of, or readily identifiable with the sound they are to represent, in which these phonograms are placed above or below the plane of the word, in the location where they are to be pronounced, so as not to alter the correct spelling of the word, and where these phonograms are to: a. have a consistent sound, in and of themselves, independent and independently of any letters; b. encompass in their breadth the span of vowel and diphthong sounds of the American language.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
114 words
An alphabet consisting of the orthography of American letters for use in connection with a method of reading comprising of a unified set of non-pictorial short stroke phonograms, which may be suggestive of, or readily identifiable with the sound they are to represent, in which these phonograms are placed above or below the plane of the word, in the location where they are to be pronounced, so as not to alter the correct spelling of the word, and where these phonograms are to: a. have a consistent sound, in and of themselves, independent and independently of any letters; b. encompass in their breadth the span of vowel and diphthong sounds of the American language.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
56 words
An alphabet, as in claim 12, wherein where the correct spelling does not logically or obvious reflect correct pronunciation, the letter or letters which most closely reflect correct pronunciation are placed in direct contiguity with the letter or letters they clarify, without the interposition of any other letter or letters, making for a single word entity.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
An alphabet, as in claim 1, where when preservation of traditional spelling is not of concern, then the phonograms may be inserted in the plane of the word.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
151 words
An alphabet consisting of the letters of the American Alphabet, in combination with a unified set of non-pictorial short-stroke phonograms, in which these phonograms may be suggestive of, or readily identifiable with the sound they are to represent, and in which these phonograms are placed above or below the plane of the word, in the location they are to be pronounced, so as not to alter the correct spelling of the word, and where these phonograms are to: a. have a consistent sound, in and of themselves, independent and independently of any letters; b. encompass in their breadth the span of vowel and diphthong sounds of the American language; and where in this system, when two or more letters combine to form a third sound that would not individually be expected to develop from the combined letters, those combined letters are contrasted from other letters by use of a background screen.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
151 words
An alphabet consisting of the letters of the American Alphabet, in combination with a unified set of non-pictorial short-stroke phonograms, in which these phonograms may be suggestive of, or readily identifiable with the sound they are to represent, and in which these phonograms are placed above or below the plane of the word, in the location they are to be pronounced, so as not to alter the correct spelling of the word, and where these phonograms are to: a. have a consistent sound, in and of themselves, independent and independently of any letters; b. encompass in their breadth the span of vowel and diphthong sounds of the American language; and where in this system, when two or more letters combine to form a third sound that would not individually be expected to develop from the combined letters, those combined letters are contrasted from other letters by use of a background screen.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
150 words
An alphabet consisting of the letters of the American alphabet, in combination with a unified set of non-pictorial short-stroke phonograms, in which these phonograms may be suggestive of, or readily identifiable with the sound they are to represent, and in which these phonograms are placed above or below the plane of the word, in the location they are to be pronounced, so as not to alter the correct spelling of the word, and where these phonograms are to: a. have a consistent sound, in and of themselves, independent and independently of any letters; b. encompass in their breadth the span of vowel and diphthong sounds of the American language; and where in this system, when two or more letters combine to form a third sound that would not individually be expected to develop from the combined letters, those combined letters are contrasted from oher letters by use of typeface contrast.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
150 words
An alphabet consisting of the letters of the American alphabet, in combination with a unified set of non-pictorial short-stroke phonograms, in which these phonograms may be suggestive of, or readily identifiable with the sound they are to represent, and in which these phonograms are placed above or below the plane of the word, in the location they are to be pronounced, so as not to alter the correct spelling of the word, and where these phonograms are to: a. have a consistent sound, in and of themselves, independent and independently of any letters; b. encompass in their breadth the span of vowel and diphthong sounds of the American language; and where in this system, when two or more letters combine to form a third sound that would not individually be expected to develop from the combined letters, those combined letters are contrasted from oher letters by use of typeface contrast.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
207 words
A set of phonograms, for use in reading, that may be used in conjunction with the orthography of the American alphabet, where the phonograms have a consistent, unaltering sound, in and of themselves, independent and independently of any letters; and where the phonograms have a shape that is suggestive of the sound they are to represent, in that their shape brings to mind in the student the mental visualization of an object or concept whose initial or significant sound is the same sound as the sound the phonogram is to represent; and where the phonograms include, but are not limited to: 8 as "ay" in eight = as "ee" in equal - as "ah" in olive (looks like a bar) + as "eh" in add + as "eh" in ED (variation of the add sign) as "uh" in bud O as "o" in the letter "o" as "aw" in awning (looks like an awning) 00 as "oo" in boo! (suggestive of ghost eyes) as "aye" in eye as "ow" in ouch! (looks like a combination of the "ah" and "o" phonograms) as "oo" in book (suggestive of a bull) as "ur" in curve (suggestive of a curve) is "i" in igloo or in (suggestive of an igloo)
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
207 words
A set of phonograms, for use in reading, that may be used in conjunction with the orthography of the American alphabet, where the phonograms have a consistent, unaltering sound, in and of themselves, independent and independently of any letters; and where the phonograms have a shape that is suggestive of the sound they are to represent, in that their shape brings to mind in the student the mental visualization of an object or concept whose initial or significant sound is the same sound as the sound the phonogram is to represent; and where the phonograms include, but are not limited to: 8 as "ay" in eight = as "ee" in equal - as "ah" in olive (looks like a bar) + as "eh" in add + as "eh" in ED (variation of the add sign) as "uh" in bud O as "o" in the letter "o" as "aw" in awning (looks like an awning) 00 as "oo" in boo! (suggestive of ghost eyes) as "aye" in eye as "ow" in ouch! (looks like a combination of the "ah" and "o" phonograms) as "oo" in book (suggestive of a bull) as "ur" in curve (suggestive of a curve) is "i" in igloo or in (suggestive of an igloo)
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-04-06 | 1990-10-06 | 1991-04-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-04-06 | 1994-10-06 | 1995-04-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-04-06 | 1998-10-06 | 1999-04-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |