US5218537A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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System and method for using a computer to generate and teach grammar lessons
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1992-03-18
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Granted: 1993-06-08
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Expires: 2012-03-18
Abstract
Abstract A grammar learning aid is implemented with a processor and read only memory programmed in a manner that minimizes memory space and maximizes effective teaching. The programming is based on a unification grammar, in which sentences are determined by their features. The programming is implemented with logic programming in which predicates represent data, and in which logic variables permit features to be unified. This feature-based grammar approach permits an erroneous answer to be associated with a feature and that feature used to generate a similar device.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles T. Hemphill
- 👤 Inderjeet Mani
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 07:15
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B7/00; G09B7/02; G09B7/04; G06; G06F; G06F40/00; G06F40/20; G06F40/253
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A grammar learning aid, comprising: a grammar data read only memory containing data for generating grammar exercises; a grammar control read only memory containing instructions for generating grammar exercises, wherein said instructions unify logical variables representing features of sentences, said logical variables are of the kind found in first order predicate calculus; a processor for executing said instructions; random access memory for runtime data storage; an output device; an input device; an interface unit for transferring information from said grammar data read only memory and said grammar control read only memory to said output device and from said input device; and a system bus for communicating digital information between said processor, said random access memory, said read only memory, and said interface unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
A grammar learning aid, comprising: a grammar data read only memory containing data for generating grammar exercises; a grammar control read only memory containing instructions for generating grammar exercises, wherein said instructions unify logical variables representing features of sentences, said logical variables are of the kind found in first order predicate calculus; a processor for executing said instructions; random access memory for runtime data storage; an output device; an input device; an interface unit for transferring information from said grammar data read only memory and said grammar control read only memory to said output device and from said input device; and a system bus for communicating digital information between said processor, said random access memory, said read only memory, and said interface unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The grammar learning aid of claim 1, wherein said input device is a keyboard.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The grammar learning aid of claim 1, wherein said output device is a visual display.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The grammar learning aid of claim 1, wherein said data of said grammar data read only memory is in a logic programming language.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The grammar learning aid of claim 4, wherein said instructions of said grammar control read only memory further comprise a meta interpreter for said grammar rules.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The grammar learning aid of claim 1, wherein said grammar control read only memory further contains instructions for providing feedback to the user in response to a feature associated with an erroneous answer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The grammar learning aid of claim 1, and further comprising a DC power supply.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The grammar learning aid of claim 4, and further comprising a language interpreter read only memory containing instruction s for executing said grammar data and said grammar control instructions as virtual machine instructions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
97 words
A processor system programmed to generate grammar lessons for use with a computer system, comprising: a grammar data read only memory containing data for generating grammar exercises; a grammar system and control read only memory containing instructions for generating grammar exercises, wherein said instructions unify logical variables representing features of sentences, said logical variables are of the kind found in first order predicate calculus; a processor for executing said instructions; random access memory for runtime data storage and a processor bus for communicating digital information between said processor, said random access memory, and said read only memory.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
97 words
A processor system programmed to generate grammar lessons for use with a computer system, comprising: a grammar data read only memory containing data for generating grammar exercises; a grammar system and control read only memory containing instructions for generating grammar exercises, wherein said instructions unify logical variables representing features of sentences, said logical variables are of the kind found in first order predicate calculus; a processor for executing said instructions; random access memory for runtime data storage and a processor bus for communicating digital information between said processor, said random access memory, and said read only memory.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The processor system of claim 9, wherein said data of said grammar data read only memory is in a logic programming language.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The processor system of claim 10, wherein said instruction of said grammar control read only memory further comprise a meta interpreter for said grammar data.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The processor system of claim 9, wherein said grammar control read only memory further contains instructions for providing feedback to the user in response to a feature associated with an erroneous answer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The grammar learning aid of claim 10, and further comprising a language interpreter read only memory containing instructions for executing said grammar data and said grammar control instructions as virtual machine instructions.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of using a computer to teach grammar, comprising the steps of: generating a correct sentence, using a lexicon that defines said sentence in terms of features; generating an exercise derived from said correct sentence; interrogating said user with said exercise; receiving input from said user, said input representing an answer to said exercise; verifying said answer by associating its features with features of said correct sentence; and providing feedback to said user in response to said verification step.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of using a computer to teach grammar, comprising the steps of: generating a correct sentence, using a lexicon that defines said sentence in terms of features; generating an exercise derived from said correct sentence; interrogating said user with said exercise; receiving input from said user, said input representing an answer to said exercise; verifying said answer by associating its features with features of said correct sentence; and providing feedback to said user in response to said verification step.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said step of generating a sentence comprises unifying a set of features to said grammar data.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said step of generating a sentence comprises randomizing said features.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said step of generating an exercise comprises unifying a set of features, which has a blank substituted for the feature that is the subject of the exercise, to said grammar data.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said step of verifying said answer comprises substituting said answer into said exercise and determining whether the result parses through the features of said correct sentence.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said step of providing feedback to the user comprises determining a feature associated with an error in said answer and using said feature in said step of generating a sentence.
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) | 1996-06-07 | 1996-12-07 | 1997-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-06-07 | 2000-12-07 | 2001-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-06-07 | 2004-12-07 | 2005-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |