JP2003122245A - Language learning device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device enabling a learner to perform repeated learning and hands-on learning necessary for language learning readily, easily and anywhere. SOLUTION: The language learning device is provided with a text sheet 7 listing phrases in a first language (for example, Japanese), a conversation selection switch 11 for selecting a phrase from the text sheet 7 an LCD display panel 38 for displaying the phrase selected by the selection switch in a second language (for example, English), and an earphone 52 for voice outputting the phrase in the second language displayed on the LCD display panel 38.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a language learning device for easily learning a foreign language.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, interest in foreign languages has increased as the number of overseas travelers has increased. The applicant of the present invention remembers a conversation in a foreign language assuming each scene, as a device capable of communicating with an overseas person without special language ability,
We have proposed a device that produces voices as needed. However, with the recent further internationalization, the number of scenes in which foreign languages are used even without going abroad is increasing, and there is a strong tendency to acquire language skills equivalent to simple daily conversation. There is.

[0003]

Heretofore, as a method of learning a foreign language, a typical conversation for each scene is memorized while seeing the instructional text, or the pronunciation is confirmed by listening to a hearing tape. However, if you want to listen to the tape while looking at the text, you need a textbook and a tape separately, and since both do not correspond to each other, it is difficult to instantly select the part to learn. Therefore, in the end, learning by memorizing while looking at the text and learning by listening to the tape to confirm the pronunciation are performed separately. Moreover, in such a learning method,
There is a drawback that it is difficult to continue learning for a long period of time because practical learning cannot be done and all are entrusted to voluntary actions. Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is
An object of the present invention is to provide a device that can easily and repeatedly perform repetitive learning and practical learning necessary for learning a language.

[0004]

In order to solve this problem, the present invention provides a text sheet in which a word or phrase in a first language is written, a selection means for selecting a word or phrase from the text sheet, and It is provided with a display device for displaying the word or phrase selected by the selecting means in the second language, and a voice generating means for outputting the word or phrase in the second language displayed on the display panel by voice.

The text sheet has a page structure for each scene like the conventional textbook, and the phrases assumed in these scenes are arranged in a conversational form, and the text of the scene to be learned from this text sheet is arranged. A scene selecting unit for selecting a sheet and a conversation selecting unit for selecting a conversation to be learned from the text sheets selected by the scene selecting unit are provided, and the conversation of the text sheet selected by each selecting unit is performed in the second language. The sound is output from the sound generating means while being displayed on the display device.

Further, an earphone for outputting a voice from the voice generating means, a microphone for inputting a voice from the outside, and a detection circuit for detecting a voice input from the microphone are provided, and the detection circuit inputs the voice from the microphone. Is detected, the process moves to the next word or phrase.

[0007]

According to such a language learning device of the present invention, a text sheet in which a first language (for example, Japanese) is written, a display device for displaying a second language (for example, English), and a conversation selected from the text sheet can be used. It is possible to provide a voice generating means for outputting voice, and a learning device in which elements necessary for language learning are compactly integrated. When the user selects a conversation to be learned from the text sheet described in the first language, the second language corresponding to the selected conversation is displayed on the display device and displayed on the display device from the voice generating means. The phrase in the second language is output as voice. As a result, the user confirms the pronunciation by voice from the ear, confirms the written notation by the display with the eyes, and memorizes the conversation. The text sheet is categorized for each scene, and since common phrases in that scene are composed from the standpoint of the speaker and the listener, it is possible to recognize the phrase as one interaction, and it is more practical. Conversation learning becomes possible.

Further, since it is equipped with an earphone and a microphone, it is possible to learn easily anywhere, and to confirm the pronunciation of oneself through the microphone. I mean, see,
In addition to listening, the ability to speak is added, so that the language can be learned more reliably.

[0009]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view showing a language learning device of the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a front view of the apparatus, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a usage state. Reference numeral 1 denotes a language learning apparatus main body, which is composed of a text portion 2 provided with a paper text sheet and an operation / display portion 3 which is continuously provided on the text portion 2.

First, the structure of the text portion 2 will be described. The text part 2 has an opening / closing body 5 attached to the front surface thereof to be opened and closed by hinges 4 and 4. The opening / closing body 5 has a hook 8 projectingly formed substantially in the center of the open end side, and is engaged with a locking hole 10 opened in a receiving portion 9 formed to bulge on the side of the text portion 2 to be held in a closed state. To be done. The receiving portion 9 has elasticity, and when pressed in the lateral direction, the engagement of the hook 8 is released and the opening / closing body 5 can be opened.

On the inner surface of the opening / closing body 5, a plurality of text sheets 7 describing the contents of the conversation to be learned in a first language (Japanese here) are sewn by rings 6 and 6 so as to be curlable. Then, when the opening / closing body 5 is opened, the text sheet 7 appears in a spread state on the inner surface of the text portion 2 and the inner surface of the opening / closing body 5 (see FIG. 3).

At the open end side of the inner surface of the text portion 2,
A plurality of conversation selection switches 11 for selecting a conversation to be learned from the text sheet 7 appearing when the opening / closing body 5 is opened are arranged in a column. The text sheet 7 describes the contents of a typical conversation that is assumed in everyday conversation, restaurants, and shopping. Here, the text sheets 7 for 10 scenes are provided. Several kinds of supposed conversation patterns are described in one scene, and conversation selection switches 11 are provided corresponding to these conversation patterns, respectively, so that a desired conversation can be selected with one touch. Has become. In the case of the "restaurant" scene illustrated in Fig. 3, the conversation pattern is "What are you, how many people are you?" ]-
It consists of necessary interactions at a restaurant such as "3 people"-"Please have a smoking seat"-"Yes, please come here". Of these, the questions and answers from the shop side and the questions and answers from the customer side are color-coded so that they can be easily distinguished on the text.

The text sheet 7 is provided with a notch 12 on the end side on the side where it is attached to the rings 6 and 6.
The notches 12 are provided at different positions so that a step-like shift occurs when the sheets are stacked. Then, in the text sheet 7, the page to be opened is selected by the vertical slide type selector 13 provided on the side surfaces of the opening / closing body 5 on the hinges 4 and 4 side.
By providing the cutout portion 12 of the seat 7 on the hinge side, there is an advantage that the seat is unlikely to be broken or torn when the opening / closing body 5 is opened.

The selector 13 includes hinges 4 of the opening / closing body 5.
The operation portion 15 which slides while being guided by the concave portion 14 provided on the fourth side
And a protruding sheet retainer 16 that extends to the inner surface of the opening / closing body 5 and engages with a non-cutout portion other than the cutout portion 11 provided in the text sheet 7. A display showing a scene name is provided in the vicinity of the concave portion 14 where the operation unit 15 moves, and each scene can be selected depending on the moving position of the operation unit 15. In other words, when the operation unit 15 is adjusted to the desired position, the sheet presser 16 selects the selected text sheet 7.
When the opening / closing body 5 is opened by pressing on the inner surface of the opening / closing body 5, the text sheet 7 of the selected scene is opened.

FIG. 4 shows the internal structure of the language learning apparatus of the present invention. Inside the text portion 2, a power supply chamber 17 in which a dry battery BT as a power supply is mounted and a control board 18 for controlling various operations are provided, and a cover 19 is attached to the surface thereof. The power room 17 has a cover 19
It is covered with a lid 20 that is attached to and detached from substantially the center of the battery, and the lid 20 can be removed to replace the dry battery BT. The control board 18 includes the conversation selection switch 11
There is provided a conversation switch section 21 switched by, a scene switch section 22 switched by the selector 13, and an open / close switch section 23 switched by the opening / closing body 5.

The conversation switch section 21 is provided with a power supply terminal 24 and a switch terminal 25, and an elastic pressing plate 26 / conductive plate 27 and an insulating sheet 28 are provided on the upper surface thereof. On the back surface of the selection switch 11, the convex portions 11 a, 11 corresponding to the power supply terminal 24 and the switch terminal 25 are provided.
b is provided, and when the selection switch 11 is pressed, the pressing plate 26 and the conductive plate 27 are deformed to electrically connect the power supply terminal 24 and the switch terminal 25. The selection switch 11 is formed so that a plurality of cuts are made in one side of a cover 22 made of an elastic material and the press switch bends.

Similarly, the scene switch section 22 is also provided with a power supply terminal 29 and a switch terminal 30, which are electrically connected by a switch member 31 which moves by engaging with the selector 13. The switch member 31 includes an engaging portion 32 that is provided in a concave shape so as to bind the seat retainer 16 of the selector 13, a slide portion 33 that moves on the scene switch portion 22, and a scene switch portion that is provided on the slide portion 33. It is composed of a power supply terminal 29 of 22 and a conductive plate 34 which electrically connects the switch terminal 30. Therefore, selector 13
When the switch is moved, the switch member 31 is slid in conjunction with each other, and the page of the text sheet 7 selected by the selector 13 is recognized according to the positions of the power supply terminal 29 and the switch terminal 30 which are electrically connected by the conductive plate 34. ing.

Similarly, the opening / closing switch section 23 is also provided with a power supply terminal 35 and a switch terminal 36, and the switch fitting 3 is pressed by the ring 6 when the opening / closing body 5 is opened / closed.
Conducted by 7. The switch fitting 37 is made of a metal piece having one end fixed to the power supply terminal 35 and the other end having a free end having elasticity, and the free end side is pushed by the ring 6 for binding the text sheet 7 with the opening / closing body 5 closed. When the opening / closing body 5 is opened by disconnecting the switch terminal 36, the ring 6
It is possible to detect whether or not the opening / closing body 5 is open by releasing the pressing force of the contact and making contact with the switch terminal 36.

Now, the structure of the display / operation unit 3 will be described. The display / operation unit 3 is connected to the upper portion of the text unit 2 and is composed of an LCD display panel 38 for performing various displays and an operation panel 39 for performing various operations. The LCD display panel 38 includes a setting display section 40 and a text display section 41. The setting display section 40 displays the scene name of the text sheet 7 selected by the selector 13 and the conversation No. selected by the selection switch 11. And the speech speed / mode / volume of the reproduced voice are displayed, and the selector 13 and the selection switch 11 are displayed on the text display section 41.
The conversation of the scene selected in the second language (English here)
Displayed by.

The operation panel 39 includes a continuous reproduction key 43,
A volume key 44, a conversation key 45, and a pause key 46 are provided. The continuous reproduction key 43 is for continuously reproducing sound, the volume key 44 is for adjusting the volume of sound to be reproduced in five stages, the conversation key 45 is for sequentially switching conversations to be reproduced, and the pause key. 46 is 1
This is to pause the conversation for each phrase.

A power switch 47 and a hold switch 48 are provided on the side surface of the operation panel 39. The power switch 47 is a slide type switch, and the power source O
It has three contacts: FF-power ON-setting. Of these, if the switch is set to "SET", a menu that can be set is displayed on the LCD display panel 38, and the speech speed / mode of the reproduced voice and the brightness of the LCD can be adjusted. The hold switch 48 is also a slide switch and disables the operation of each key on the operation panel 39 in the ON state.

An earphone / microphone terminal 50 and an AUX terminal 51 are provided on the upper surface of the display / operation section 3. The earphone / microphone terminal 50 is connected to an earphone / microphone 52 having a remote controller (remote control) 53 that can be remotely operated on the line, and the AUX terminal 51 is connected to
A speaker or the like is connected as needed. The earphone / microphone 52 is an earphone unit 52 for listening to voice.
a and a microphone unit 52b for inputting voice from the outside, and the voice input by the microphone unit 52b is equivalent to the earphone unit 52b.
You can hear it from a. Remote control 53
Includes a continuous reproduction key 54 having the same function as each key provided on the operation panel 39 side, a volume key 55, a conversation key 56, and a pause key 57.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the control system of the embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 60 is an MPU equipped with a plurality of microcomputers, which is a conversation switch section 21 of the control board 18,
Scene switch unit 22, open / close switch unit 23, and LCD
In addition to the display panel 38 and the operation panel 39, a ROM 61 that stores display data and audio data and an E2ROM 62 that stores each setting are connected. After passing through the filter circuit 63, the voice data of the ROM 61 is output to the earphone / microphone terminal 50 and the AUX terminal 51 via the amplifiers 64 and 65, respectively. In addition, the earphone / microphone terminal 50 turns on the microphone 66 and the microphone 66.
It is connected to the MPU 60 via a switch circuit 67 for turning on / off and a level detection circuit 68 for detecting the level of the microphone input.

The switch circuit 67 turns on the microphone when a reproduction mode using the microphone (speaking mode and interactive mode described later) is set, and is switched by the MPU 60. The level detection circuit 68 functions to detect the level of the microphone input signal, recognize the end of the user's utterance, and shift the phrase. still,
As an additional function, the level detection circuit may check whether or not the pronunciation is correct. When checking the pronunciation, a method such as comparing the level waveform of the correct pronunciation with the level waveform of the utterance of the user to detect how much consistency is obtained can be considered. Also,
At this time, the matching rate may be displayed on the display unit as a score. Further, if the utterance is not performed for a predetermined time, a voice prompting the utterance may be output, or the same phrase may be output again as the voice.

Next, the specifications of the language learning device of the present invention will be described. The text sheet 7 is selected by sliding the selector 13 to match the desired scene name. Switch member 3 that interlocks with the selector 13
1 detects the text sheet selected by the scene switch section 22 of the control board 18, displays the scene name of the text sheet on the setting display section 40 of the LCD display panel 38, and displays the scene name from the earphone section 52a of the earphone / microphone 52. Will be announced. Then, when the opening / closing body 5 is opened, the sheet presser 16 of the selector 13 opens the page of the selected text sheet 7.

Since the conversation to be learned is described in the first language on the text sheet 7, when the conversation selection switch 11 corresponding to the conversation to be learned from this conversation is pressed, L
The English display of the selected conversation is displayed on the text display unit 41 of the CD display panel 38, and the English voice of the selected conversation is output from the earphone unit 52a of the earphone / microphone 52. The display of the text display unit 41 scrolls up and down in accordance with the output of voice, and the notation of the voice currently being uttered is always displayed. Earphone part 5 of earphone / microphone 52
As for the voice from 2a, the English utterance of the selected conversation is sequentially uttered for each phrase. The audio reproduction here can be changed in the reproduction mode of the setting mode described later.

When the continuous reproduction keys 43 and 54 of the operation panel 39 or the remote controller 53 are input, the continuous mode in which the conversation of the selected scene is continuously output as voice from 1 to 10 is entered. During continuous reproduction, conversations are moved at a fixed timing, and pause keys 46 and 57 can be used to pause, conversation keys 45 and 56 to return important conversations, and unnecessary conversations can be skipped. it can. This continuous reproduction can also be executed without opening the opening / closing body 5. Further, the continuous reproduction here can be changed in the continuous mode of the setting mode described later.

When the power switch 47 is set to "setting", a settable menu is displayed on the text display section 41 of the LCD display panel 39, and the mode is shifted to the setting mode. In the setting mode, it is possible to set the speech speed of the reproduced voice, the reproduction mode, the continuous mode, and the brightness of the LCD display panel.

The reproduction mode designates a voice reproduction method in one conversation. The normal mode is reproduced sequentially for each phrase, the repeat mode is reproduced twice for each phrase, and the reproduction mode is reproduced once for each phrase. Then, it is selected from a vocalization mode in which the user waits for a vocalization to shift to the next phrase and an interactive mode in which only one of the question and the answer is reproduced.

The continuous mode is for designating the order of reproduction in continuous reproduction, and is a one-scene continuous mode for sequentially reproducing conversations of the selected scene from 1 to 10,
It is possible to select a one-scene random mode in which the conversations of the selected scenes are reproduced in any order, or an all-scene random mode in which all the recorded conversations are reproduced in any order regardless of the selected scenes.

The language learning device of the present invention is configured as described above, and a concrete learning method will be described below with reference to FIG. 6 by taking a scene of a restaurant as an example. When the power switch is set to "ON", "Let's enjoy" or the like indicating that the power is turned on is displayed on the text display portion 41 of the LCD display panel 38, and the scene switch of the control board 18 is displayed on the setting display portion 40. The scene name detected by the unit 22 and the default speech speed, mode, and volume are displayed. Also, the earphone part 52a of the earphone / microphone 52
The opening music or voice plays from.

When the selector 13 is fitted to the restaurant and the opening / closing body 5 is opened, the text sheet 7 of the restaurant appears. If you press No. 1 on the conversation selection switch 11, the No. 1 conversation described at the top of the text sheet 7, that is, "Welcome. How many people?", "Three people", "Please smoke seat" The conversations up to "Yes" and "Yes, please come here" are selected. Text display section 41
Is the English notation corresponding to this Japanese, that is, "Ma
y I help you? How many peasons are they? ”−“ We
are three. ”,“ I'd like smoking seat. ”,“ Sure.T
The phrases up to his way please. ”are sequentially scroll-displayed. Since the form of the sound output from the earphone / microphone 52 differs depending on the reproduction mode, description will be made for each reproduction mode.

Normal / Repeat Mode In the normal mode, the voice in English is output once from the earphone part 52a of the earphone / microphone 52, and in the repeat mode, it is output twice. Since the microphone is not used in these modes, the microphone section 52b of the earphone / microphone 52 is not turned on by the switch circuit 67. As a result, in the state where the normal mode or the repeat mode is set, it is possible to basically perform the display of the text portion and the learning of seeing, listening and memorizing mainly the voice from the earphone.

In the pronunciation mode, in the voicing mode, first, from the earphone section 52a of the earphone / microphone 52, "May Ihelp you? How many peasons are
They will be output. The user follows this voice to the microphone 52b, "May I help you? How many pea.
"sons are they?" is repeated. Level detection circuit 6
When the end of utterance is detected in 8, the next “We are three.”
Is output. In this way, “I'd like smoki
The phrase up to "ng seat." is sequentially transferred. This allows you to practice learning conversation by adding to learning to see and listen and speaking.
The microphone 52b recognizes the utterance and the earphone 52a can hear the utterance, so that the user can check the pronunciation of himself.

[Interactive mode] In the interactive mode as well, first, from the earphone section 52a of the earphone / microphone 52, "May I help you? How many peaso
ns are they? "is output. The user utters the following phrase," 3 are you ", which is the response to this voice, in English to" We are three. "in the microphone 52b. As a voluntary question, the following phrase “Please give me a smoking seat” is written in English as “I'd like smo
When the end of utterance is detected by the level detection circuit 68, the phrase "Sure. This way please." as an answer to the three phrases is output in English. Either the store side or the customer side can be selected as the utterance part, and when the store side is selected, the phrase opposite to the above will be uttered. , You can practice more practically.

By such an operation, the user can
While confirming the English notation on the text display portion 41 of the display panel 38, listening to the voice through the earphone 52a and uttering the voice toward the microphone 52b is repeated, so that the standard conversation of English conversation is learned. is there.

With respect to the phrase "please ask for a smoking seat" in the text sheet 7, there are several possible responses for the "smoking seat" portion, such as "non-smoking seat" and "window seat". With regard to phrases having such variations, in addition to the representative phrases, some answer examples are also described, and it is possible to output by voice and display. In particular, the text display portion 41 of the display panel 38 displays “non smoking se” indicating “non-smoking seat”, “window seat”, etc.
Display not only "at""windowsseat" but also "I'd li"
It is also possible to display advice such as ke + things “please give me” and “I'd like to + actions“ do you want to do? ”.

The language learning apparatus of the present invention is constructed as described above, but is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. The reading of the utterance in the first language may be added to the second language displayed on the display panel to assist the utterance. At this time, for example, “May I help you?
It is desirable to write "May I have you" as close to utterance as possible. In a mode that uses the microphone such as vocalization mode or dialogue mode, do not use the microphone to input the timing to switch to the next phrase, and use the timer. It may be possible to shift after a lapse of a certain time according to the length of the phrase. During the waiting time at this time, an alarm prompting utterance may be issued or the phrase may be repeatedly output by voice. It goes without saying that the first language and the second language may be any language.

[0039]

Since the present invention is constructed as described above, it is possible to provide a device which can consolidate text, display and voice in a compact form and can easily learn a language anywhere. In addition, since the text is written in a basic conversational format for each scene, it is possible to acquire a standard conversation for each scene and learn as a practical interaction. Furthermore, since a vocalization function using a microphone is added,
With the addition of learning to speak and confirm pronunciation, more certain language learning is possible than listening and memorizing.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view showing a language learning device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the language learning device.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a usage state of the language learning device.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an internal structure of the language learning device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control system of the language learning device.

FIG. 6 is an illustration showing a specific learning method of the language learning device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 device body 2 Text part 3 Display and operation unit 5 openable body 7 Text sheet 11 Conversation selection switch (conversation selection means) 13 Selector (scene selection means) 38 LCD display panel 52 Earphone / Microphone 53 remote control 60 MPU (voice generator) 61 ROM

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification Code FI Theme Coat (Reference) G10L 13/00 G10L 3/00 E 15/00 Q 551C 551E

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A text sheet in which a word or phrase in a first language is written, selection means for selecting a word or phrase from the text sheet, and a word or phrase selected by the selection means is displayed in a second language. A language learning device, comprising: a display device for displaying a word or a phrase in a second language displayed on the display device. 2. The scene in which the text sheet constitutes a page for each scene, and words or phrases assumed in the scene are arranged in a conversational form, and a text sheet of a scene to be learned from this text sheet is selected. A selection means and a conversation selection means for selecting a conversation to be learned from the text sheets selected by the scene selection means are provided, and the conversation of the text sheet selected by each selection means is displayed on the display device in a second language. The language learning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the language learning apparatus outputs the voice from the voice generating means. 3. An earphone that outputs a voice from a voice generating unit, a microphone that inputs a voice from the outside, and a detection circuit that detects a voice input from the microphone, and the detection circuit inputs a voice from the microphone. The language learning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the word is detected, the process moves to the next word or phrase.