Education and demonstration – Language – Speech
Patent
1996-05-29
2000-05-02
Martin-Wallace, Valencia
Education and demonstration
Language
Speech
434156, G09B 1904
Patent
active
060565527
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to an instrument for analysis of the rhythmic measures of speech.
In accordance with the invention, there is provided an instrument for analysis of the rhythmic measures of speech comprising at least one input device operable to generate input signals representing the rhythm of a group of syllables, and an output device responsive to the signals to provide at least one of a representation of the input rhythm and an indication of a relationship of the input rhythm to a known or predetermined rhythm.
The or each input device is preferable such as to be operated by the user manually in a very simple way, as by operation of a push-button to open and close switch in a rhythm corresponding to that in which a group of syllables would be spoken or read. The input device thus provides the input signal simulating the meter of rhythm of the group of syllables, which group typically comprises at least part of a line of verse, typically a first hemistich, although it could equally well comprise a phrase from a rhythmical prose composition.
Information can thus be entered into the instrument rapidly and in a very simple way requiring hardly any prior training. No difficulty arises from the differences between spoken and written language.
The input rhythm can additionally or instead be displayed audibly. The input rhythm can be stored within the instrument if desired and can be retrieved as required for visual/or aural display.
The output device can function in one or more of a variety of ways. Thus the input rhythm can be displayed symbolically, as by a sequence of different symbols indicating different length syllables.
For classification and analysis, the output device can include a store storing therein at least one signal set representing a known or predetermined rhythm, a comparator for comparing the input signals with at least one stored signal set, and signaling means indicating a relationship between the rhythms represented by the input signals and the stored signal set. Preferably, the store stores a plurality of the signal sets, each representing a respective known or predetermined rhythm, typically the rhythms of different verse forms, and a selector device is provided to permit the user to select a particular signal set for comparison with the input signals. The output device is then desirably operable selectively to provide at least one of a visual and an aural representation of the stored signal set, or of the selected one of the stored signal sets.
The output of the comparator can be applied in various ways depending on whether the instrument is intended to operate for classification and analysis, for educational purposes or for entertainment. Preferably the instrument is capable of operation in a selected one of a plurality of such modes.
The comparator can instead be arranged to cause the signaling means to indicate a rhythm in continuation of that of the input signals in response to agreement between the input signals and the signal set or the selected signal set. For example, the user having established that the input signals represent a first hemistich, he can be given a hint as to how to compose a successive hemistich.
The comparator can moreover be arranged to cause the signaling means to indicate an error or omission in response to a different between the input signals and the stored signal set or the selected signal set. The user then can correct the input rhythm, or test it against other selected signal sets until a corresponding known rhythmic form has been located.
Preferably means are provided for varying the speed of operation of the instrument, for example, means can be provided for selection of one of a plurality of tempi of operation of the instrument, conveniently a slow, a fast, and an intermediate tempo.
For interactive educational purposes, or for use in a competitive game mode, a plurality of the input devices can be provided for use by a plurality of users. The users can for example take turns to input a hemistich to follow a first hemistich taken from the stor
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patent: 4919030 (1990-04-01), Perron
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patent: 5511053 (1996-04-01), Jae-Chang
patent: 5525062 (1996-06-01), Ogawa
Fleming David Aaron
Martin-Wallace Valencia
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