Hasbro, Inc.

Randolph J Primozic, Jr

Frederick M Rieber

Joseph P Sejnowski

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.

Growing community of inventors

Pawtucket, RI, United States of America

Randolph J Primozic, Jr