Hasbro, Inc.

Playskool, Inc.

Frederick M Rieber

Joseph P Sejnowski

Randolph J Primozic, Jr

Richard A Daley

Joseph P Seinowski

A talking electronic learning aid is operative for requesting one or more responses from the operator, receiving responses from the operator and then automatically adjusting the level of difficulty of subsequent requests dependent upon the prior responses of the operator. The device consists of an electronic memory for storing a plurality of data sets, a speech synthesizer, a keyboard input device, and a micro-controller for controlling operation of the device. Each of the data sets includes speech data from which requests for operator response are derived, and further includes corresponding control data related to the appropriateness of operator responses to the requests. Each of the data sets preferably reflects a different level of intellectual difficulty. In operation, the micro-controller selects a first data set, and further randomly accesses a portion of the speech data of the selected data set from which a random request for an operator response is derived The random request is output to the operator via the speech synthesizer to which the operator then inputs a response. The micro-controller compares the operator response to the corresponding control data of the selected data set and communicates a message to the operator related to the appropriateness of the operator response. Depending on the appropriateness of one or more prior operator responses, the micro-controller is further operative for automatically selecting a new data set having a different level of intellectual difficulty from which subsequent requests for operator response may be derived.

Electronic learning apparatus with self-adjusting level of difficulty

A talking electronic learning aid is operative for requesting one or more responses from the operator, receiving responses from the operator, and then automatically adjusting the level of difficulty of subsequent requests dependent upon the prior responses of the operator. The device consists of an electronic memory for storing a plurality of data sets, a speech synthesizer, a keyboard input device, and a micro-controller for controlling operation of the device. Each of the data sets includes speech data from which requests for operator response are derived, and further includes corresponding control data related to the appropriateness of operator responses to the requests. Each of the data sets preferably reflects a different level of intellectual difficulty. In operation, the micro-controller selects a first data set, and further randomly accesses a portion of the speech data of the selected data set from which a random request for an operator response is derived. The random request is output to the operator via the speech synthesizer to which the operator then inputs a response. The micro-controller compares the operator response to the corresponding control data of the selected data set and communicates a message to the operator related to the appropriateness of the operator response. Depending on the appropriateness of one or more prior operator responses, the micro-controller is further operative for automatically selecting a new data set having a different level of intellectual difficulty from which subsequent requests for operator response may be derived.

A descending ball game apparatus includes a gate deflect channel member and a pivoting ramp channel member. The gate deflect channel member includes two gates which are positioned adjacent to opposing sidewalls of a channel portion thereof and are operative for deflecting a ball back-and-forth from one sidewall of the channel portion to the other sidewall thereof as the ball descends along the channel portion. The pivoting ramp channel member includes upper and lower level channel segments and a pivoting ramp positioned therebetween. The ramp is operative for receiving a ball descending along the upper level of the channel segment and delivering the ball into the lower level channel segment.

Descending ball game apparatus

A training wheel assembly includes a pair of training wheels and a pair of mounting members for mounting the training wheels in outwardly spaced relation to opposite sides of a rear wheel of a bicycle. The training wheel assembly is adjustable for moving the training wheels thereof inwardly relative to the rear wheel of a bicycle in order to reduce the amount of support provided by the training wheels without increasing the tendency of the bicycle to yaw or wobble from side-to-side during use.

Growing community of inventors

Rehoboth, MA, United States of America

Frederick M Rieber