Education and demonstration – Language – Spelling – phonics – word recognition – or sentence formation
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-06
2001-02-20
Rimell, Sam (Department: 3712)
Education and demonstration
Language
Spelling, phonics, word recognition, or sentence formation
C434S156000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06190175
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to devices for use in teaching children the names of objects, and in particular to devices containing a prerecorded object name that can be attached to an object corresponding to the name, with the name being played when the device is touched.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
Various devices are described in the prior art for use in teaching language to toddlers and other small children. These devices often include recorded messages that are played when the child performs some act that may be associated with the nature of the message. The child then learns the pronunciation and meaning of the word through repeated playing of the message.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,610 to Godfrey et al., entitled “Educational Device For Children,” describes a holder in which a plurality of photographs, positioned above buttons that are in a circuit with a recordable integrated circuit or IC.
The device also includes components and circuitry for recording a plurality of messages on the IC, with the messages corresponding to the buttons. When the child presses one of the photographs, the button beneath the photograph is depressed, completing the circuit, and causing the IC to play the message corresponding to the particular button.
Thus, the parent can place photographs of various individuals and objects over each of the buttons and record a message on the IC for each button with the messages corresponding to the photographic images. The child, upon pushing one of the buttons, hears the corresponding message and learns, through repetition, to associate the sound with the object in the photograph.
The following patents are representative of other prior art devices designed for vocabulary teaching:
U.S. Pat. No.
Inventor(s)
4,237,624
Yeh
5,906,492
Putterman
5,533,902
Miller
5,511,980
Wood
5,478,240
Cogliano
The effectiveness of devices for teaching vocabulary to toddlers and other small children depends upon the ease with which the displayed object and the word can be associated, and upon the interest of the child in repeating the given activity a sufficient number of times to form an association between the object and the word. If the child finds difficulty in associating the object with the word, then numerous repetitions may be required for the connection to by made, if the connection is made at all. Also, the activity must be of sufficient interest for the child to repeat the act several times.
A device that would enable the child to readily associate an object with a spoken word, and hold the child's attention during multiple repetitions of the act would be of great value in improving the child's language skills.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a device for teaching language to children, especially the names of common household objects, and in particular to a device that is attachable to one of several household objects, such as a television, sofa, refrigerator, etc., within reach of the child and activated by a toddler to pronounce the name of the object to which the device is attached.
The device is specifically designed to address the natural energy and inquisitive nature of toddlers who enjoy moving about the house to explore various objects, and is basically comprised of a speaker circuit that includes a recordable IC of the type often referred to as a voice chip, a battery, a speaker and an activation switch that is closed by contact. The term “recordable IC” as used herein is intended to include ICs or integrated circuits that are recorded by the manufacturer or supplier, as well as ICs that are designed for recording by the end user.
This circuitry, which can be quite compact when using modern electronic components, is enclosed within a housing having a front surface and a back surface. The housing may be in the shape of a rectangular, relatively thin housing, shaped somewhat like a playing card. Generally, the dimensions should be such that the device can be readily positioned on the object and easily stored when not used. At the same time, the dimensions should be such that the device can be easily manipulated by the child. Preferably, the device is within a rectangular housing that is from about 2 to 4 inches in width, about 2 to 4 inches in height, and about ⅛ to ½ inch in thickness. The button or plate on the front of the housing should be large enough to be easily manipulated by the child. Preferably the button or plate is at least ¼ and even more preferably, at least ⅓ of the surface area of the front of the housing.
The front surface of the housing includes a plate or button that is in communication with the activation switch, so that the switch is closed when the button is contacted. The plate or button can be separate from the activation switch or an integral part of the switch. The activation switch can be a pressure switch, which requires actual movement of the plate when contacted to activate the switch. Alternatively, the switch can be a capacitance switch which required only touching of the plate or button for activation. The back surface includes a means for attaching the housing to a selected object, e.g., a magnet, adhesive, gripping pad, or strap.
When used, the name of a given object is recorded onto the IC of the device, and the device is attached to the given object within reach of the child, with the back surface of the device against the object. The child, while exploring, will note the device and, when pressing on the device's front surface, will hear the name of the object to which the device is attached. The devices will be attached to several objects around the house, so that the child, as he or she continues to explore, will discover additional devices, and quickly learn how to active them to hear the name of the attached object.
Thus, the device of the present invention provides at least two advantages over prior art teaching devices. First, the device is directly attached to the object to be identified. As a result, the child is not challenged to first form an association between a picture of the object and the actual object, but immediately associates the word with the actual object. Since association of a picture with an object can be at least as challenging to a young child as associating a word with an object, this obstacle is eliminated by the present invention.
The invention also accommodates the need for the child to continually be in motion, instead of sitting in one place. Young children quickly become bored when being asked to sit in one place and perform a repetitive act, such as pushing a picture in a holder. As a result, the child looses interest in the “game” and often does not repeat the act a sufficient number of times to form an association between the word and the object. With the present device, however, the child is able to move to various locations, returning to activate the device several times
Various refinements and modifications of the device are contemplated. For example, the device can be comprised of an IC that is prerecorded with a particular word, or a recordable IC which can be used by the parent to record a word or a comment including the word. Two ICs may be included in the same circuit, or one IC can be designed with a prerecorded message and space for a recordable message. The prerecorded message can be in a foreign language, so that the child has the opportunity to learn the name of the object in more than one language.
The surface of the housing can be in a bright color or decorated with a design that will visually attract the child. The circuit can also include a light that is illuminated, or a sound, such as musical tones, in addition to the object name, that is activated when the circuit is completed. The housing can be designed with a replaceable back segment, so that different back surfaces can be used to attach the device to different objects. For example, the back segment can be a removable magnetic plate that can be replaced with an adhesi
Rhodes & Mason PLLC
Rimell Sam
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