| Interactive audio puzzle solving, game playing, and learning tutorial system and method -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Interactive audio puzzle solving, game playing, and learning tutorial system and methodUSPTO Application #: 20070065787Title: Interactive audio puzzle solving, game playing, and learning tutorial system and method Abstract: An interactive audio puzzle solving, game playing, and learning tutorial system includes a microphone for receiving speech from a user. An electronic subsystem includes an analog-to-digital converter for converting the speech to digital signals, a speech recognition engine responsive to the analog-to-digital converter for translating the digital signals into user input data, a memory for storing the user input data, rules associated with a type of puzzle, game and/or learning tutorial, and initial data associated with a specific puzzle, game and/or learning tutorial, a logic engine for generating a decision output based on the user input data, and/or the rules and/or the initial data, a speech generation engine responsive to the decision output for providing digital speech representing the decision output, and a digital-to-analog converter for converting the digital speech to analog signals. An audio output device responsive to the analog signals converts the analog signals to output auditory speech, and wherein the speech from the user and the output auditory speech establish an interactive auditory dialogue for solving a puzzle, playing a game and/or learning from a tutorial. (end of abstract) Agent: Iandiorio & Teska Intellectual Property Law Attorneys - Waltham, MA, US Inventors: Jack I. Raffel, Joel R. Bresler USPTO Applicaton #: 20070065787 - Class: 434177000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Education And Demonstration, Language, Spelling, Phonics, Word Recognition, Or Sentence Formation, Crossword Puzzle Aid The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070065787. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/712,248, filed Aug. 30, 2005, incorporated by reference herein. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to an interactive audio puzzle solving, game playing, and learning tutorial system and method. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Many conventional puzzles, such as crossword puzzles, anagrams, number blocks, Hangman, and the like, and games, such as Blackjack, Ghost, and the like, are solved or played using some form of a visual presentation provided on a printed medium or provided by a computer, PDA, cell phone, or similar type device. The puzzles are solved and the games played using the visual presentation and an input device, e.g., a writing instrument, keyboard, or keypad. [0004] Similarly, many conventional learning tutorials, such as vocabulary drills, multiple-choice exam preparation tutorials, foreign language teaching tutorials, and the like, require the aid of a visual presentation and an input device to be effective. [0005] Requiring a visual presentation and an input device prevents the puzzle, game, or learning tutorial from being used while commuting in a vehicle, engaging in exercise or similar activities, or any type of activity in which a visual presentation and the input device cannot be used. Also, the visually impaired may not be able to solve a puzzle, play a game or use a learning tutorial that includes a visual presentation unless they are first converted to Braille or used with a sighted partner. Additionally, those with limited physical dexterity often cannot write easily or use a keyboard or keypad. [0006] Several non-interactive crossword puzzles that do not require visual presentation are known. See, e.g., "Audio Crossword Puzzles Sharply Set" by Leo Z, available at http://store.payloadz.com/detail.asp?c=12&s=23&i=17954&m=6856. However, this audio crossword puzzle solving system provides only one-way audio to produce an aural presentation in the form of initial questions, e.g., the list of clues for across words and down words for solving a crossword puzzle. The system cannot recognize and store user inputs which are essential for solving puzzles of any substantial complexity or generate helpful hints or clues. As a result, the system provides audio puzzles which are typically ten short words or less with questions that are focused on a single theme and have a complexity level suitable for a child of ten or less. [0007] One conventional crossword product, Crossword Fun, available at www.independentliving.com, was developed for the blind. However, this program has no speech recognition capability and requires a keyboard coupled to a personal computer to generate audible responses. This makes the system difficult for the blind to use and is totally unsuitable for use while commuting or exercising. [0008] There are a number of patents related to software that automatically generates new crossword puzzles and various board games that use tokens and boards to replace the printed puzzle. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,667,438, U.S. Pat. No. 4,907,807, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,369,973, all of which are incorporated by reference herein. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an interactive audio puzzle-solving, game-playing, and learning tutorial system and method. [0010] It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system and method which eliminates the need for a visual presentation and an input device. [0011] It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system and method which provides an interactive audio dialogue. [0012] It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system and method which can be used while commuting in a vehicle. [0013] It is a further object of this invention to provide a system and method which can be used while engaging in exercise or similar activities. [0014] It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system and method which can be used by the visually impaired without the need for translation into Braille. [0015] It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system and method which can be used by the visually impaired without the need of a sighted partner. [0016] It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system and method which can be used by those with limited physical dexterity. [0017] It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system and method which generates challenging puzzles, games, and learning tutorials. [0018] In one example, the subject invention results from the realization that an interactive audio puzzle-solving, game-playing, and learning tutorial system and method that provides an interactive audio dialogue between the user and the system to solve a puzzle, play a game, or learn from tutorial while commuting, exercising, or performing any activity that prevents the use of visual aids and/or requires an input device and allows the visually impaired or those with physical dexterity limitations to use the system is effected with a microphone for receiving speech from a user. An electronic subsystem typically includes: 1) an analog-to-digital converter for converting the speech to digital signals; 2) a speech recognition engine responsive to the analog-to-digital converter for translating the digital signals into user input data; 3) a memory for storing the user spoken input data, rules associated with a type of puzzle, a game and/or a learning tutorial, and initial data associated with a specific puzzle, a game and/or a learning tutorial; 4) a logic engine for generating a decision output based on the user input data and/or the rules and/or the initial data; 5) a speech generation engine responsive to the decision output of the logic engine for providing digital speech representing the decision output; and 6) a digital-to-analog converter for converting the digital speech to analog signals. A loudspeaker or earphone converts the analog signal into auditory speech. Speech from the user and the output auditory speech establish an innovative interactive auditory dialogue between the user and the system to effectively solve the puzzle, play a game and/or learn from a tutorial. [0019] The subject invention, however, in other embodiments, need not achieve all these objectives and the claims hereof should not be limited to structures or methods capable of achieving these objectives. [0020] This subject invention features an interactive audio puzzle solving, game playing, and learning tutorial system including a microphone for receiving speech from a user. An electronic subsystem includes an analog-to-digital converter for converting the speech to digital signals, a speech recognition engine responsive to the analog-to-digital converter for translating the digital signals into user input data, a memory for storing the user input data, rules associated with a type of puzzle, game and/or learning tutorial, and initial data associated with a specific puzzle, game and/or learning tutorial, a logic engine for generating a decision output based on the user input data, and/or the rules and/or the initial data, a speech generation engine responsive to the decision output for providing digital speech representing the decision output, and a digital-to-analog converter for converting the digital speech to analog signals. An audio output device is responsive to the analog signals and converts the analog signals to output auditory speech, and wherein the speech from the user and the output auditory speech establish an interactive auditory dialogue for solving a puzzle, playing a game and/or learning from a tutorial. Continue reading... Full patent description for Interactive audio puzzle solving, game playing, and learning tutorial system and method Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Interactive audio puzzle solving, game playing, and learning tutorial system and method patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Interactive audio puzzle solving, game playing, and learning tutorial system and method or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Method and receiver for the simultaneous detection and evaluation of at least two electro- magnetic signals Next Patent Application: Method for developing a curriculum Industry Class: Education and demonstration ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Interactive audio puzzle solving, game playing, and learning tutorial system and method patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.21283 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Tyco , Unilever , Warner-lambert , 3m |
||
