WO2005088580A1

WO2005088580A1 - A writing system for teaching a writing objective

Info

Publication number: WO2005088580A1
Application number: PCT/US2005/007733
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daneen Mcdermott; Cheryl Lawrence; Justin Petit; Scott H. Mcilvain; Kristin Alexander; Brian Aiken
Original assignee: Mattel, Inc.
Priority date: 2004-03-09
Filing date: 2005-03-09
Publication date: 2005-09-22
Also published as: WO2005088580A9

Abstract

A writing system (10) for teaching a user a writing objective is disclosed. The writing system (10) has an information partition (12) having a plurality of objects (18) related to the writing objective, a template partition (14) having a traceable template (20) relating to one object (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d) of the plurality of objects (18), and a rendering partition (16) configured to produce a visible rendering (22) of a movement of an affector (24), when the user attempts to reproduce the traceable template (20) by moving the affector (24).

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION [0001] A Writing System For Teaching A Writing Objective CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0002] This application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/551,378, filed March 9, 2004, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/575,962 filed June 1, 2004, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/577,387 filed June 4, 2004, and claims the earlier filing date of above-identified provisional application. Each of the above-identified related applications is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The present invention relates to a writing system for teaching a writing objective.

More particularly, the present invention relates to an interactive finger or stylus based electronic writing system for teaching a writing objective.

[0004] Conventional systems and methods for teaching writing are pen and paper based.

Although the student may be presented with letter or number templates to trace and then be directed be a teacher to reproduce the letter or number on a clean sheet of paper, such systems require the presence and oversight of the teacher if the student is to receive audio instructions, prompts, rewards or constructive remarks.

[0005] An interactive processor based system for teaching a writing objective is desirable as the constant presence and vigilance of the teacher is not required. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Briefly stated, one embodiment of the present invention is directed to a writing system for teaching a user a writing objective. The writing system comprises an information partition having a plurality of objects related to the writing objective, a template partition having a traceable template relating to one object of the plurality of objects, and a rendering partition configured to produce a visible rendering of the movement of an affector, when the user attempts to reproduce the template by moving the affector. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments wnicrϊ are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. [0008] In the drawings: [0009] Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a first preferred embodiment of a writing system in accordance with the present invention; [0010] Fig. 2 is a layout of a sheet having first, second, and third portions corresponding to the partitions of the writing system of Fig. 1; [0011] Fig. 3 is a bound two-page spread corresponding to the sheet of Fig. 2, and having a magnetophoretic display pivotably connected thereto; [0012] Fig. 4 is a book in a closed position with the two-page spread of Fig. 3 included therein;

[0013] Fig. 5 is a block diagram of the system electronics of the writing system of Fig. 1;

[0014] Fig. 6 is a top perspective view of the base unit of the writing system of Fig. 1 with a book positioned for placement in the book well; [0015] Fig. 7 is a preferred embodiment of the plurality of substantially invisible codes for the sheet of Fig. 2 and the two-page spread of Fig. 3;

[0016] Fig. 8 is another preferred embodiment of the plurality of substantially invisible codes for the sheet of Fig. 2 and the two-page spread of Fig. 3;

[0017] Fig. 9. is a vertical cross-sectional view of the optical sensor assembly for reading the optical codes of Figs. 7 and 8; and

[0018] Figs 10a, 10b, and 10c are block diagrams of the first, second and third preferred embodiments, respectively, of the graphical user interface for the writing system of Fig. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0019] Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words "right," "left," "lower" and "upper" designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The terminology includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.

[0020] Referring to the drawings in detail, where like numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in Figs. 1-6 a preferred embodiment of the writing system, generally designated 10, and hereinafter referred to as the "writing system" 10 in accordance with the present invention. The writing system 10 is for teaching a user a writing objective. The writing objective may be directed to the development of any of a wide variety of skills associated with learning to Wrtte^' he"^'langTi_ige^" symbols of any language. For example, if the language of interest is English, a particular writing objective may be to learn to write as either an upper or lower case letter one or more of the twenty-six letters (A to Z) of the English alphabet or one of the ten numerals (0 to 9). The writing objective may be directed to printed letters or cursive letters. The writing objective may also be directed to learning to write punctuation marks or various symbols, such as an asterisk (*), a percent (%), an ampersand (&) or the like associated with the subject language. [0021] Referring to Fig. 1, the writing system 10 comprises an information partition 12, a template partition 14, and a rendering partition 16. The information partition 12 has a plurality of objects 18 related to the writing objective. For example, if the writing objective is to learn to write the letter "A", one object of the plurality of objects 18 may be a language symbol such as an upper case letter "A" 18a, or a lowercase letter "a" 18b. Other objects comprising the plurality of objects may be a word beginning with the letter "A", such as the word "Airplane" 18c, and an image 18d representing an airplane. The template partition 14 has a traceable template 20 relating to one object 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d of the plurality of objects 18. For example, if the writing objective is to learn to write the letter "A", the traceable template 20 , preferably, but not necessarily, is a depiction of a language symbol associated with the writing objective, such as the upper case letter "A" 20a or the lower case letter "a" 20b. Alternatively, to maintain user interest, to provide a further learning experience, or to provide amusement, the traceable template 20 may also be a word 18c including the letter of interest or an image 18d associated with the word 18c. The rendering partition 16 is configured to produce a visible rendering 22 of a movement of an affector 24, when the user attempts to reproduce the traceable template 20 by moving the affector 24. [0022] Referring to Fig. 2, in a preferred embodiment of the writing system 10, the writing system 10 comprises a sheet 26 having a first portion 28 corresponding to the information partition 12, a second portion 30 corresponding to the template partition 14, and a third portion 32 corresponding to the rendering partition 16. The plurality of objects 18 relating to the writing objective are printed on the sheet 26 in the first portion 28 and the traceable template 20 may be a depiction of a language symbol. Preferably, the depicted language symbol shows not only the shape of the strokes required to construct a letter but also provides information regarding the direction of the strokes.

[0023] The rendering partition 16 comprises a magnetophoretic display 34 shown in Figs. 3 and 4 and discussed below in the context of another aspect of the present invention. The m^gnet6phόre^'tϊc^,a[i^,splay^,,34 is removably positionable over the third portion 32 of the sheet 26. The affector 24 may be a stylus 24' as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The stylus 24' is magnetically coupleable to the magnetophoretic display 34. Preferably, the magnetic coupling is achieved by a magnet (not shown) in the tip of the stylus 24'. [0024] The structure and operation of magnetic display panels, such as the magnetophoretic display 34, are well known in the art. See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 4,143,472 (Murata et al.), incorporated herein by reference. Accordingly, only a brief description of the structure and operation of such panels is disclosed herein. Typically, a magnetic display panel has dispersing liquid with magnetic particles sealed in a space between two opposed transparent substrates. A stylus having a magnetized tip is used to form a writing by causing the magnetic particles to migrate to the front of the panel. An erasing magnet, slidably disposed at the rear of the panel is provided to erase the writing. [0025] Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, in addition to the individual sheets 26 discussed above, another aspect of the writing system 10 may be one or more books 36 comprising a front cover 38 and a back cover 40. At least one sheet 26' having substantially the same content as the sheet 26 discussed above is between the front cover 38 and the back cover 40. The sheet 26' comprises a first (or left hand) page 42 and a second (or right hand) page 44. A binding 46 couples the front cover 32, the sheet 26', and the back cover 44, such that the first page 42 and the second page 44 simultaneously are viewable and form a two-page spread 48. [0026] The two-page spread 48 has a first portion 28', a second portion 30', and a third portion 32'. The first and second portions 28', 30' are on the first page 42 of the two-page spread 48. Preferably, the first portion 28' is located above the second portion 30' on the first page 42 and extends to include the top part of the second page 44. The information partition 12 and the template partition 14 correspond to the first portion 28' and the second portion 30', respectively. The third portion 32' of the two-page spread 48 is preferably located on the second page 44, is in register with the template partition 14, and corresponds to the rendering partition 16.

[0027] The rendering partition 16 comprises the magnetophoretic display 34 pivotably attached to the back cover 40 such that the magnetophoretic display 34 is pivotable to a position overlying the second page 44 of the two-page spread 48 as shown in Fig. 3. Preferably, the magnetophoretic display 34 is configured so a user can place the magnetophoretic display 34 over the third portion 32' of the second (or right hand) page 44 of any two-page spread 48 or over a lower portion of the front cover 38 as shown in Fig. 4. Alternatively, the m'agnet ph r'etϊ^'c^'Hispiay ^ can Be configured for removable attachment directly to either the first or second pages 42, 44 of any two-page spread 48 or to individual sheets, such as the sheet 26 discussed above, by any well known attachment method such as Velcro strips (not shown) or a pocket (not shown) on the page (or sheet) into which the magnetophoretic display 34 may be inserted. [0028] A magnetically coupleable affector 24' is preferably, but not necessarily, connected to the magnetophoretic display 34 by a tether. Alternatively, the magnetically coupleable affector 24' may be tethered to the book 36 at a location such as the binding 46 or may not be connected to either the book 36 or the magnetophoretic display 34. The magnetically coupleable affector 24' may be used to reproduce on the magnetophoretic display 34 a visible rendering 22 of the traceable template 20 on the first page 42 of the two-page spread 48. An erasing magnet 50 is slidably mounted to the magnetophoretic display 34 and is provided to erase any writing on the magnetophoretic display 34 by moving the erasing magnet 50 across the magnetophoretic display 34. [0029] Referring to Fig. 3, a transparent or translucent overlay 52 may be provided for every two-page spread 48 and may be bound into the binding 46. The overlay 52 also may be provided for the sheet 26 discussed above. The overlay 52 may configured to overlay the third (or lower) portion 32' of the two-page spread 48 or the magnetophoretic display 34, if the magnetophoretic display 34 is positioned over the third (or lower) portion 32' of the two-page spread 48. The overlay 52 may have a phantom template 54 corresponding to the traceable template 20 to assist the user in reproducing on the magnetophoretic display 34 the visible rendering 22 of the traceable template 20.

[0030] The book 36 or the sheet 26 as disclosed above may be used as a stand alone aid for teaching any well know method for printing or cursive penmanship. Alternatively, the book 36 or sheet 26 many be used with system electronics as further discussed below to proved an enhanced learning experience.

[0031] Referring to Figs. 1-6, the writing system 10 may be provided with system electronics 56 housed in a base unit 58. The system electronics 56 is configured to produce an audio output relating to writing objective. More particularly, the system electronics 56 may be configured to produce an audio output relating to any of the plurality of objects 18, the traceable template 20 or the visible rendering 22. Further, when a language symbol such as an upper case letter "A" 18a, or a lowercase letter "a" 18b (Fig. 1) is selected by the affector 24, an audio output relating to the language symbol may be produced. [0032] " " The general functionality and operation of the system electronics 56 in combination with a book 60 without a magnetic display are disclosed in detail in the following pending patent applications: U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application 10/448,583 filed May 30, 2003 and entitled "An Electronic Learning Device For An Interactive Multi-Sensory Reading System", U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application No. 10/448,582 filed May 30, 2003 and entitled "Interactive Multi-Sensory Reading System Electronic Teaching/Learning Device", and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/443,967 and entitled "Optical Page Identification System" (International Application PCT/US04/02518 filed May 30, 2003 and entitled "Interactive Electronic Device with Optical Page Identification System"), each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Accordingly, for brevity, only a generally description of a preferred embodiment of the base unit 58 and the system electronics 56 is disclosed below. [0033] Referring to Fig. 6, the base unit 58 comprises a hinged, book-like folding structure housing the system electronics 56. Alternatively, the base unit 58 may be a non-folding structure. A book well 62 in the base unit 58 is configured to removably receive and retain the book 60 without a magnetic display, the sheet 26, or the book 36 with the magnetophoretic display 34. Alternatively, the base unit 58 may be provided with a generally flat surface for supporting the books 34, 60 and the sheet 26. Software including instructions 64a and data 64b related to the content of the books 34, 60 and the sheet 26 and the writing objective may be stored in electronic memory 66 permanently mounted in the base unit 58 or in a cartridge 68 removable insertable in the base unit 58.

[0034] The system electronics 56 comprises a processor (or base unit controller) 70 operatively coupled to the electronic memory 66, an affector sensor 72, and an audio signal generator 74. The electronic memory 60 has stored therein instructions 66a and data 66b relating to the writing objective. The affector sensor 72 is configured to generate a signal representing the position of the affector 24. The system electronics further comprises a speech synthesizer 76 operatively coupled to the processor 60 and under processor control provides a signal representing synthesized speech for output by the audio signal generator 74. Mode selectors 78 also operatively coupled to the processor 60 allow the user to select one of a plurality of modes of operation for the system electronics 56 as further discussed below. [0035] The affector sensor 72 is configured for detecting the selection of one or more of the plurality of objects 18 on the first portion 28, 28 'of the sheet 26, 26'. The affector sensor 72 also may detect the position of the affector 72 as the affector 72 traces the traceable template 20. The affector sensor 72 may have various embodiments depending upon the nature of the affector 24. For exampTe,lf ttie affectbr ^"2^"4 s a user's finger (or digit) or an electrically conductive stylus, the affector sensor 72 may be substantially the same as the position sensor disclosed in U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application No. 10/448,582 cited above. Briefly the position sensor disclosed therein comprises a cross-point array and the associated position-sensor electronics. The cross-point array is positioned below the book well 62. The position sensor senses the presence of the user's finger or the electrically conductive stylus proximal to the book well 62 and determines in an x-y plane, corresponding to the plane of the book well 62, the point above which the finger or stylus is positioned. [0036] Another embodiment of the affector sensor 72 may be based on the principal of electrographic position sensing as set forth in U.S. Patent No. 6,661,405, incorporated herein by reference. Briefly, an electrographic position sensor system comprises an antenna system having at least two antenna elements that are not parallel and which generates a radiating electric field which may be detected a short distance proximate to the antenna surface by an affector containing a receiving antenna element. The detected signal strength from each of the antenna elements is sent to a processor containing an algorithm to calculate the position of the affector.

[0037] Touch sensitive surfaces responsive to the pressure applied by a finger or stylus also may be used as the affector sensor 72. [0038] The electronic memory 66 has stored therein instructions 64a and data 64b relating to the traceable template20. The processor 70 is configured to cause the audible signal generator 74 to output an audible signal associated with a tracing of the traceable template 20 when the traceable template 20 is traced with the affector 24. The instructions 64a and data64b relating to the traceable template 20 include a specification of stroke shape and direction of stroke construction. [0039] The electronic memory 66 also has stored therein preprogrammed instructions providing script-based modes of operation for the system electronics 56. Once the system electronics 56 is turned "On", all functionality, except volume control 78 (Fig. 6) and a reset switch (not shown), is controlled by the interaction of affector 24 with the affector sensor 72. The interaction is script based. Any and all of the modes of operation (story, word, spelling, phonics, surprise, find, count, and music) discussed in pending U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application 10/448,583 are available to the script writer. Each mode included in the script associated with a particular two-page spread 48 (Fig. 3) has a corresponding selectable mode icon 80 appearing at the top of the first or second pages 42, 44 of the two-page spread 48. [0O40] Referring to F g. 3^", for example, the modes of operation selectable for the two-page spread 48 are "Words" 80a, "Phonics" 80b, and "Spelling" 80c. In addition, if the subject matter of the page spread were directed to teaching the writing of numbers, a mode icon for selecting a "Count" mode may also appear on the page spread and be selectable. The functionality of the "Phonics", "Spelling", and "Count" modes are substantially the same as the disclosure in pending U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application 10/448,583 and accordingly, for brevity, will not be discussed herein. [0041] "Words" mode for the two-page spread 48, in addition to having the functionality disclosed in pending U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application 10/448,583, also includes instructions specifically related to learning to write letters and also may have instructions for writing numbers.

[0042] A representative example of one possible scripted interaction provided in "Words" mode for printing the upper case letter "A" in accordance with the Zaner-Bloser method of letter writing follows. Preliminarily, upon turning the system electronics 56 "On", the user may be prompted to put a book such as the book 36 entitled "Go To Grizzlyland" (Fig. 4), in the base unit 58 and to lift the magnetophoretic display 34 to turn the page. The user may be further instructed to position the overlay 52 on the magnetophoretic display 34. Depending upon the configuration of the base unit 58, the script associated with the "Go To Grizzlyland" book 36 may be in electronic memory 66 in the base unit 58 or in the removable cartridge 68, requiring insertion of the cartridge 68 in the base unit 58.

[0043] Referring to Fig. 3, if the page spread to which the user has turned has as a writing objective learning to write the letter "A", in the second portion 30' of the first page 42 a traceable template 20 depicting an upper case letter "A" may appear and the script executed by the processor 70 may cause the audio signal generator 74 to output a prompt directing the user to "trace the upper case letter "A" with either a finger or the stylus, starting at the red arrow number 1." The user may be further prompted to "follow the red arrow and slant down." If there is a pause (e.g., 400 ms of longer), the user may be prompted to "keep going." Upon completion of the first stroke, the user may be prompted "now go to the green 2. Follow the green arrow and slant down." Upon completion of the second stroke, the user may be prompted "now go to the blue 3. Follow the blue arrow across." Upon completion of the third stroke, the audio signal generator 74 may output a reward sound effect followed by a positive acknowledgement, such as "you just traced the letter "A". The user may also be prompted "now write the letter "A" on the magnetophoretic display 34." Further prompts may include making sure ^'that the overlay 52 is overlaying the magnetophoretic display 34 and may instruct the user to follow the numbered arrows or to trace the phantom template 54 of the letter "A" or both depending upon which template appears on the overlay 52. [0044] When the user traces the traceable template 20 appearing on the first page 42, those skilled in the art will understand that the actual path of the strokes being made may be sensed by the affector sensor 72 in the book well 62 underlying the page spread upon which the traceable template 20 being traced appears. The artisan will also understand that a locus of grid points corresponding to a correctly made stroke may be stored in memory and may enable the system electronics 56 to determine whether the user is following the prescribed strokes. If during tracing, the stroke made by the user strays from the prescribed path, the system electronics 56 may provide corrective feedback or alternatively, may revert to the functionality of the "Words" mode disclosed in the pending U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application 10/448,583 cited above and output a signal associated with the letter such as the name of the letter being traced, a word starting with the letter, or a sentence such as "Apple begins with the letter 'A'". Still further, the artisan will understand that the magnetophoretic display 34 may not be operatively coupled to the base unit electronics. Accordingly, no feedback may be provided to the user as the user attempts to reproduce on the magnetophoretic display 34 a rendering of the letter traced on the first page 42. [0045] In another embodiment of the writing system 10, the first and second portions of the sheet 26, 26 'may have a plurality of substantially invisible codes 92. Each code of the plurality of substantially invisible codes 92 may be associable with one object of the plurality of objects 18.

[0046] The plurality of substantially invisible codes 92 may be position based codes. An example of a position based encoding scheme referred to hereafter as the "Fahraeus encoding" 84 is disclosed in Fig. 3 of U.S. Patent No. 6,502,756 and is reproduced, in pertinent part, in Fig. 7 of this application. The Fahraeus encoding 84 consists of symbols systematically arranged across a sheet so as to make the surface appearance patterned. The pattern is arranged in such a manner that absolute coordinates for a point on the surface are coded by the symbols on a partial surface of the sheet. A first and a second partial surface 84a, 84b are indicated by dashed lines in Fig. 7. The part of the pattern found on the first partial surface 84a codes the x-y coordinates for a first point and the part of the pattern found on the second partial surface 84b codes the x-y coordinates for a second point. [0047] ^{' "} X^'.ternatϊvely7 e plurality of substantially invisible codes 92 may be index based codes. An example of an index based encoding scheme referred to hereafter as the "Lamoure encoding" 86 is disclosed in Fig. 4 of U.S. Patent No. 5,329,108 and is reproduced, in pertinent part, in Fig.8 of this application. The Lamoure encoding 86 comprises a plurality of indexes 86a. Each index comprises a group of dots placed on a surface within an area of the surface. The indexes as a whole form a location frame 88 covering an object (not shown) in the area and are superimposed thereon. The indexes 86a identify either the location frame 88 or the object within the location frame 88. [0048] The affector 24 is provided with an optical sensor assembly 90. (Fig. 9) The optical sensor assembly 90 may be any well known electro-optical sensor capable of acquiring and digitizing for subsequent processing an image of the codes on the first and second portions of the sheet 26, 26' when the user selects one object of the plurality of objects 18 by positioning the affector 24 such that the one object and consequently the code associated with the object are in the field of view of the optical sensor assembly 90. The one object is typically selected by touching the one object with the affector 24. However, the selection may also be made by positioning the affector 24 proximal to the one object or by passing the affector 24 over the one object. Preferably, the optical sensor assembly 90 is substantially the same as the optical- reading device disclosed in Fig. 6 of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2003/0133164 Al and reproduced, in pertinent part, in Fig. 9 of this application. The optical sensor assembly 90 is operatively coupled to the processor 70 and is configured to detect the plurality of substantially invisible codes 82 and to send to the processor 70 a signal representative of the detected code for decoding.

[0049] The electronic memory 66 has stored therein instructions and data relating to the writing objective, the plurality of objects, and the plurality of substantially invisible codes 92. The processor 20 is configured to cause the audible signal generator 74 to output an audible signal associated with the one object of the plurality of objects 18 based on a decoding of one code of the plurality of codes 92, when the one object is selected with the affector 24 and the one code is detected by the optical sensor assembly 90. [0050] Since the plurality of substantially invisible codes 82 may be superimposed over the traceable template 20, the optical sensor assembly 90 may provide to the processor a signal representing an ordered sequence of codes corresponding to the movement of the affector 24 as a user attempts to trace the traceable template 20. Further, since the electronic memory 66 has stored therein instructions and data relating to the traceable template, and more particularly, a specification bf^'trie st okes formirϊg^'the traceable template shape and direction of stroke construction, the processor may be configured execute an algorithm evaluating the goodness of the user's tracing of the traceable template and provide audible feedback to the user. [0051] Referring to Fig. 5, in another embodiment of the writing system, the system electronics 56 is operatively coupled to a graphic user interface 92. The information partition 12, the template partition 14, and the rendering partition 16 are imaged on the GUI 92. The affector 24 is a stylus operatively coupled to the system electronics 26 and the GUI 92. [0052] Referring to Fig. 10a, a first preferred embodiment of the GUI 92 comprises a visible signal generator 94 configured to image the template partition 14 under control of the processor 70, and a writing renderer 96 configured to image the rendering partition 16 and to provide a visual rendering 22 of tracing of the traceable template 20. A stylus position detector (or affector sensor) 72 is configured to communicate to the processor 70 the plurality of positions through which the stylus passes to produce the tracing. The visible signal generator 94 is positioned under the writing renderer 96 and the stylus position detector 72 is positioned over the writing renderer 96, as shown in Fig 10a.

[0053] The visible signal generator 94 is in electrical communication with the processor 70. Under processor control, the visible signal generator 94 produces for tracing the traceable template 20. The visible signal generator 94 may be a light emitting diode (LED) matrix and associated control electronics, such as the LED matrix disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,486,860 (Eschbach) incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, the visible signal generator 94 may be any processor controllable illuminating array able to produce the aforementioned templates. [0054] The writing renderer 96 is not electrically coupled to the processor 70. The writing renderer 96 provides a visual rendering of a user's efforts to trace the traceable template 20 or create a freestyle graphic or letter. The writing renderer 96 may be the magnetophoretic display 34.

[0055] In thie embodiment, the stylus position detector 72 may be a pressure-sensitive and/or position sensitive system that can employ, for example, semiconductive sensing, capacitive sensing, electrostatic sensing, membrane sensing, electromagnetic sensing, or resistive sensing to detect the presence and position of the stylus 24 in contact with or proximal to the surface of the GUI 92. The stylus position detector 72 provides to processor 70 the locations through which the stylus 24 passes to produce the rendering in the writing renderer 18. Alternatively, any well known digitizer providing to the processor 70 the locations through which the stylus 24 passes may be used as the stylus position detector 72. [0056] Referring to Fig^" 10b, there is shown a block diagram of a second preferred embodiment of the graphic user interface, hereafter referred to as the GUI 192. The GUI 192 comprises a stylus position detector 172, a writing renderer 196, and visible signal generator 194. The GUI 192 is configured such that the visible signal generator 194 is positioned between the position detector 172 and the writing renderer 196. [0057] The position detector 172 is substantially the same as the position detector 72 of GUI 92 and for brevity is not further discussed. [0058] The writing renderer 196 is in electrical communication with the processor 70 and is preferably a print media with electronic ink, such as the electronic reusable paper system disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,573,880 (Simoni et al.). Those skilled in the art will understand from the teachings of Simoni et al. that a stroke of the stylus 24 may be rendered on the print media of Simoni et al. based on the signals received from the position detector 172. [0059] The visible signal generator 194 is a transparent organic light emitting device (TOLED), such as the TOLED disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,639,357 (Parthasarathy et al.). Operating under the control of the processor 70, the visible signal generator 194 presents to the user letter, number, or graphic templates similar to the traceable templates 20 produced the visible signal generator 94.

[0060] Referring to Fig. 10c, there is shown a block diagram of a third preferred embodiment of the graphic user interface, hereafter referred to as the GUI 292. The GUI 292 comprises a stylus position detector 272 (e.g., a touch screen) integrated with a writing renderer/visible signal generator 296 (e.g., a liquid crystal display, "LDC"), such as the touch screen device disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,642,458 (Panagrossi III et al.) incorporated herein by reference. In accordance with the teachings of Panagrossi III et al., the GUI 292 displays on the LCD templates for tracing and displays as an overlay a rendering of the strokes make by the stylus 24.

[0061] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. Therefore, this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Accordingly, it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0062] All references, patent applications, and patents mentioned above are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and are not to be construed as an admission that any of the cited documents constitutes prior art, nor as an admission against interest in any manner.

Claims

CLAIMS We claim:

1. A writing system for teaching a user a writing objective, the writing system comprising: an information partition having a plurality of objects related to the writing objective; a template partition having a traceable template relating to one object of the plurality of objects; and a rendering partition configured to produce a visible rendering of the movement of an affector, when the user attempts to reproduce the template by moving the affector.

2. The writing system according to claim 1, wherein the writing system further comprises a sheet having a first portion corresponding to the information partition and a second portion corresponding to the template partition, the one object is a language symbol; the traceable template is a depiction of the language symbol.

3. The writing system according to claim 2, wherein the sheet has a third portion, the rendering partition comprises a magnetophoretic display removably positionably over the third portion of the sheet, and the affector is magnetically coupleable to the magnetophoretic display.

4. The writing system according to claim 3, wherein the writing system further comprises a transparent or translucent overlay removably positionable on the magnetophoretic display, the overlay having a phantom template corresponding to the traceable template.

5. The writing system according to claim 2, wherein the writing system further comprises system electronics configured to produce an audio output relating to the language symbol when the language symbol is selected by the affector.

6. The writing system according to claim 5, wherein the system electronics comprises a processor operatively coupled to electronic memory, an affector sensor, and an audio signal generator, the electronic memory having stored therein instructions and data relating to the writing objective, the affector sensor configured to generate a signal representing the position of the affector.

7. The writing system according to claim 2, wherein the first and second portions of the sheet have a plurality of substantially invisible codes, each code associable with one object of the plurality of objects.

8. The writing system according to claim 7, wherein: a. the affector has an optical sensor assembly configured to detect the plurality of substantially invisible codes; b. the writing system further comprises system electronics comprising a processor, operatively coupled to electronic memory, an audio signal generator and the optical sensor assembly, the electronic memory having stored therein instructions and data relating to the writing objective, the plurality of objects, and the plurality of substantially invisible codes; and c. the processor is configured to cause the audible signal generator to output an audible signal associated with the one object of the plurality of objects based on a decoding of one code of the plurality of codes, the one code detected by the optical sensor assembly when the one object is selected with the affector.

9. The writing system according to claim 8, wherein the electronic memory has stored therein instructions and data relating to the traceable template; and the processor is configured to cause the audible signal generator to output an audible signal associated with a tracing of the template when the template is traced with the affector.

10 The writing system according to claim 9, wherein the instructions and data relating to the traceable template include a specification of stroke shape and direction of stroke construction.

11. The writing system according to claim 2, wherein the writing system further comprises a book comprising a. a front cover; b. a back cover, c. the sheet between the front cover and the rear cover, the sheet comprising a first page and a second page, the first and second portions of the sheet being on the first page; d. a binding coupling the front cover, the sheet, and the back cover such that the first page and the second page simultaneously are viewable and form a two-page spread; and e. the rendering partition comprises a magnetophoretic display pivotably attached to the back cover such that the magnetophoretic display is pivotably to a position overlying the second page of the two-page spread; and the affector is a stylus magnetically coupleable to the magnetophoretic display.

12. The writing system according to claim 11, wherein the writing system further comprises system electronics configured to produce an audio output relating to the language symbol when the language symbol is selected by the stylus.

13. The writing system according to claim 12, wherein the system electronics comprises a processor operatively coupled to electronic memory, a stylus position detector, and an audio signal generator, the electronic memory having stored therein instructions and data relating to the writing objective, the stylus position detector configured to generate a signal representing the position of the stylus.

14. The writing system according to claim 1, wherein the writing system further comprises system electronics operatively coupled to a graphic user interface and the information partition, the template partition, and the rendering partition are imaged on a graphic user interface, the system electronics comprising a processor operatively coupled to electronic memory having stored therein instructions and data relating to the writing system and to an audio signal generator.

15. The writing system according to claim 14, wherein the affector is a stylus operatively coupled to the system electronics and the graphic user interface and the graphic user interface comprises a visible signal generator configured to image the template partition under control of the processor, a writing renderer configured to image the rendering partition and to provide a visual rendering of tracing of the traceable template, and a stylus position detector configured to communicate to the processor the plurality of positions through which the stylus passes to produce the tracing, the visible signal generator positioned under the writing rendered, the stylus position detector positioned over the writing renderer.

16 The writing system according to claim 15, wherein the writing renderer is a magnetophoretic device.

17. The writing system according to claim 14, wherein the affector is a stylus operatively coupled to the graphic user interface and the graphic user interface comprises a visible signal generator configured to image the template partition under control of the processor, a writing renderer configured to image the rendering partition under the control of the processor and to provide a visual rendering of a tracing of the traceable template, and a stylus position detector configured to communicate to the processor the plurality of positions through which the stylus passes to produce the tracing, the visible signal generator positioned between the writing rendered and the stylus position detector.

18 The writing system according to claim 17, wherein the visible signal generator is a transparent organic light emitting device.

19. The writing system according to claim 14, wherein the affector is a stylus operatively coupled to the graphic user interface and the graphic user interface comprises a visible signal generator configured to image under control of the processor the template partition and the rendering partition and to display as a composite image the template overplayed with the tracing of the template, and a stylus position detector configured to communicate to the processor the plurality of positions through which the stylus passes to produce the tracing.