Character recognition educational system

A system where a child or other individual arranges one or more computer-recognizable characters on a working platform to spell words or provide a mathematical result in response to computer generated questions or prompts, the system then indicating whether the words or mathematical result is correct.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to an educational system for teaching 
children language and/or arithmetic, and in particular to a system where a 
child arranges one or more computer-recognizable characters on a working 
platform to spell words or provide a mathematical result in response to 
computer generated questions or prompts, the system then indicating 
whether the words or mathematical result is correct. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
As computers continue to grow faster and smarter and smaller, they have 
become omnipresent, reaching people of all shapes and sizes. Nevertheless, 
there remains one unchanging constant: in order for the computer to 
provide the information or operate as desired, some type of data must be 
provided to the computer. From punchcards in the late 60's and 70's to 
teletypes of the 70's and 80's to CRTs of the 80's and to mouses and 
keyboards of today, there always remains a way for the user to enter data 
into the computer. 
There has been one segment of the population that has largely been excluded 
from the computer revolution, the young child. This is true primarily for 
two reasons. First, young children have not yet developed the metal 
capabilities or the motor skills to interact well with conventional 
computers, which require data to be entered, for example via the key board 
or mouse, in a fixed format. Secondly, young children are interested and 
entertained by simple sensory input, and the vast resources offered by 
conventional computers are generally too advanced to be of interest to 
them. 
One simple sensory input of great interest to children is the sense of 
touch. It is why young children are commonly more interested in the box or 
wrapping of a gift than the actual gift contained therein. Several games 
have been developed which indulge a child's sense of touch, such as for 
example those including building blocks. Some such tactile systems also 
include letters in an attempt to educate a child while they are using the 
blocks. However, such tactile systems are ineffective without adult 
instruction as to what the letters represent. Moreover, the inventors of 
the present invention are unaware of any such tactile systems that work in 
combination with the vast resources provided by a computer. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an easy to 
use, safe and fun computer data entry device for children. 
It is a further object of the present invention to make learning enjoyable 
for children by providing an educational system including tactile blocks 
that may be handled by a child indulges a child's enjoyment of. 
It is another object of the present invention to combine a tactile 
educational system with the vast resources provided by a computer. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system for 
educating children, which may be used by a child without the aid or 
presence of an adult, and which may be used by a child at his or her own 
pace. 
These and other objects are accomplished by the present invention, which 
takes advantage of the fact that children enjoy the tactile feel of small 
hand-held blocks in combination with a system to teach them language 
and/or arithmetic. According to the invention, a working platform has a 
surface for receiving a plurality of blocks, which blocks include 
characters on one or more surfaces thereof. When a block is placed on the 
working platform, the platform is capable of recognizing the location of 
the block, and the identification of the block. 
The blocks are designed to look and feel like the spelling blocks that are 
typically found on the market today--i.e., they may be made of wood or 
plastic and easily fit into young child's hand; they have big, bright 
letters or pictures or symbols etched or displayed in a variety of colors 
on one or more of the surfaces of the blocks. 
Preferably, each block includes directly beneath the surface an 
identification device for each character on the block that is capable of 
transmitting a signal uniquely representative of the character. When a 
particular block is placed on the working platform in a particular 
location, a sensor associated with that location detects the 
identification of the block. 
The working platform includes a data processing device such as a computer, 
and digital circuitry that receives as an input the location and the 
identification of the detected block. The digital circuitry converts this 
information into a computer usable form and sends it via a data line into 
the computer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
The present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-9 
which in general relate to an education system for teaching children or 
other individuals language and/or arithmetic. In a preferred embodiment, 
the system would be utilized by children to spell words and/or to indicate 
a mathematical result. However, it is understood that the present 
invention may be utilized by any individual to provide one or more 
computer-recognizable characters in a desired sequence, generally in 
response to computer generated questions or prompts. 
Referring now to FIG. 1, the present invention preferably includes a 
plurality of blocks 20, each containing an alphanumeric character on a 
surface thereof. The alphanumeric characters may include letters, numbers 
and/or punctuation marks. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, 
it is contemplated that the blocks 20 include pictures or symbols such as 
the sun, moon, animals, etc., in addition to or instead of the 
alphanumeric characters. In a further embodiment of the present invention, 
the blocks may include characters made up of raised dots that form braille 
letters, numbers and other braille characters. 
A character on a surface of a block 20 may be defined by being a different 
color than the rest of the block surface surrounding the character. The 
character may additionally be raised or lowered relative to the block 
surface containing the character. In the embodiment of the invention 
including braille characters, the characters would of course be at a 
different elevation relative to the block surface surrounding the 
characters. 
The blocks 20 are preferably formed of durable and wear-resistant material 
capable of withstanding substantial shock due to throwing of the block or 
other similar impacts. Moreover, the blocks are preferably formed of a 
nontoxic material to avoid injury in the event a child attempts to put the 
block in his or her mouth. A preferred material is any of several high 
strength polycarbonates. However, several other materials may be used, 
such as for example wood and metal. Preferably, the material should allow 
character-recognition components, certain embodiments of which described 
hereinafter, to be included with the blocks 20 during block fabrication. 
Moreover, to make the blocks suitable for use by children, the blocks 
should be large enough not to fit entirely within a child's mouth, should 
have all edges rounded, and should be light weight to prevent injury if 
thrown. It is understood that the above-described characteristics of the 
blocks that make them suitable for use by children may be omitted in 
alternative embodiments of the present invention. 
The blocks are used in conjunction with a processing device 22, which may 
include in part a conventional computer. As shown in the isometric view of 
FIG. 1 and the schematic representation shown in FIG. 3, the processing 
device 22 preferably includes a conventional data storage device 23 for 
storing data, a conventional monitor 24 for visual display, a conventional 
speaker 26 for audio playback, a working platform 28 for supporting the 
blocks 20 and for generating character-identification and block 
information, and a conventional central processing unit ("CPU") 30 capable 
of executing software instructions, and capable of communicating with the 
data storage device 23, the monitor 24, the speaker 26, and the working 
platform 28. It is understood that one or the other of the monitor 24 and 
speaker 26 may be omitted in alternative embodiments of the present 
invention. It is also understood that the data storage device 23 may be 
omitted in alternative embodiments of the invention. 
Moreover, as shown in the alternative embodiment of FIG. 2, the processing 
device 22 may be contained within a unitary enclosure, the upper surface 
of which forms the working platform 28. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, 
the CPU 30, the data storage device 23, and the speaker 26 may be included 
within the enclosure. 
Once a block is located on the working platform, the platform generates a 
signal for use by an application program running on the processing device 
22 as explained hereinafter. The generation processes in the working 
platform are controlled by a microprocessor 55 (FIG. 9) in the working 
platform. As described in greater detail below, the microprocessor 55 
scans the working platform for placement of one or more blocks thereon. 
Upon detection of the placement of a block on the working platform, the 
microprocessor 55 encodes the location and identification information into 
an encoded binary message. The message is then sent preferably over a 
dedicated line 32 to the processing device 22. 
The line 32 is preferably bi-directional so the processing device 22 can 
send commands or other information to the working platform. For example, 
in the embodiments described below in which the working platform comprises 
a touch-sensitive display screen (preferably, flat panel), the 
bi-directional line allows the processing device 22 to display images on 
the flat panel screen to facilitate interaction between the application 
software and user thereof. 
In an alternative embodiment, line 32 my be omitted and replaced by a 
wireless digital communication link between the processing device 22 and 
working platform 28. Advantageously, according to this embodiment, the 
working platform may be used a greater distance from the processing device 
22 without concern over extension wires. 
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 4-5, each block 20 is capable of outputting a 
character identification signal that uniquely represents the character 
indicated on the upper surface of the block. The working platform 28 
serves to support the blocks 20, to generate character identification 
information for a block based on the character identification signal 
output from that block, and also to generate location information 
indicating the location of a block 20 relative to each other block 20 on 
the working platform. The working platform forwards the block location 
information and the character identification information to the processing 
device 22 via the line 32 coupling the working platform 28 with the CPU 
30. The working platform 28 further includes a button 34 which initiates 
the generation of the block location information and character 
identification information by the working platform, and also triggers the 
transfer of the information to the processing device 22. (In an 
alternative embodiment, in operation the block location information and 
the character identification information are continuously generated and 
transmitted to the processing device 22.) It is understood that structures 
other than button 34 may be used in alternative embodiments, such as for 
example a conventional mouse. 
In operation, when a user of the system according to the present invention 
is finished arranging the blocks 20 on the platform 28, the user depresses 
button 34, and the generation and transfer of information is initiated. In 
a preferred embodiment, the block location information and character 
identification information may converted to a digital signal, which may be 
transmitted over the line 32 to the CPU 30. The block location and 
character identification information may be stored and transferred as a 
multiple bit word, containing both block location information and 
character identification information. It is understood that the number of 
bits used to transmit the digital signal may vary in alternative 
embodiments of the present invention. 
The character identification information and the block location information 
may be generated by any of several known technologies. As shown in FIGS. 4 
and 5, each block 20 preferably includes a transmission system 36 mounted 
within the block proximate to a surface of the block opposed to the 
surface including the character. Known transmission systems are 
sufficiently small so as to allow one or more such systems to be provided 
within the block. In one embodiment of the present invention, the 
transmission system includes a receiver 38, a microprocessing chip 40, and 
a transmitter 42. The microprocessing chip 40 is powered by an energizing 
signal, in the form of an electromagnetic wave received from the working 
platform 28, as explained in greater detail below. Receipt of the 
energizing signal allows the transmission system to operate without an 
on-board power source. The energizing signal is received in the chip 40 
via the receiver 38. Once energized, the chip emits the character 
identification signal including encoded information uniquely 
representative of the character on the block. The character information 
signal is forwarded by the transmitter 42 to the working platform 28, 
where the signal is converted to a digital signal via an analog-to-digital 
converter (not shown). Systems such as transmission system 36 are 
commercially available from Sensor Engineering Co., Hamden, Conn. 06517. 
It is understood that other known technologies may be utilized to 
communicate the identity of the character on a block 20 to the working 
platform 28. For example, block 20 may include a transmission system 36 
comprised of magnetically encoded data uniquely representative of the 
character on the block. The magnetically encoded data may be read by one 
or more sensors such as transducers provided within the working platform. 
In a further embodiment of the present invention, each block having a 
different character may have a different weight, which weight is sensed by 
the working platform to identify the character. It is further contemplated 
that the working platform and the surface of the block supported adjacent 
thereto may be transparent so that the transmission system may be any of 
various optical systems. It is understood that various other known 
technologies may be used to generate the character identification signal 
within working platform 28. 
The blocks 20 may include between one and six characters on its respective 
surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, a block 20 will include a 
transmission system within the block for each of the characters on the 
surfaces of the block. Thus, for example, in an embodiment where a block 
20 includes six characters, the block will includes six different 
transmission systems, with each character/transmission system pair 
provided proximate to opposed surfaces from each other. It is understood 
that a block may include less transmission systems than there are 
characters on the block. In such an embodiment, the transmission system 
will transmit a particular character identification depending on the 
orientation of the block 20 on the working platform, i.e., depending on 
which character was showing on the top surface of the block. 
It is necessary to identify not only the character information, but also 
the location of a block on the working platform relative to other blocks 
so as to allow identification of whole words, phrases and/or mathematical 
results. Therefore, the working platform includes one of various known 
block location systems. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, working 
platform 28 includes a grid of readers 44. The grid of readers are 
intended to operate with the transmission system described above including 
receiver 38, microprocessing chip 40, and transmitter 42. Each reader 
emits the energizing signal described above to energize the microprocessor 
chip 40 of a block 20. The microprocessor chip then emits the character 
identification signal back to the reader via the transmitter 42, whereupon 
the signal is converted to a digital signal as explained above. Readers 
such as readers 44 are commercially available from Sensor Engineering Co., 
Hamden, Conn. 06517. 
The readers 44 and transmission system 36 are configured such that a 
particular reader 44 will only receive a character identification signal 
from a block 20 if that block 20 is located proximately thereto. In one 
embodiment of the invention, a reader will only receive a character 
identification signal from a block located 2 to 4 inches away. With such a 
system, it is possible that more than one reader 44 will detect a 
particular block. However, based on the number of readers within the 
working platform and the distance range over which a reader will detect a 
particular block, the microprocessor 55 is able to determine the location 
of the detected block 20 on the working platform. By identifying which 
reader receives a particular character identification signal, a block 
location signal associated with that character identification signal may 
also be generated. 
It is understood that other known technologies may be utilized to generate 
the block location signal. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a grid may be 
set up as described above, but comprised of a plurality of emitters 46 for 
emitting the energizing signal. The system may further comprise a single 
reader 47 for receiving a character identification signal. In order to 
generate the block location information signal, the microprocessor 55 may 
control the emitters 46 to fire the energizing signal one emitter at a 
time. Thus, breaking the emitter grid into a Cartesian plane of x,y 
coordinates, the emitter at 1,1 fires the energizing signal at a time 
t.sub.1. If there is a block 20 located thereabove, its chip is energized 
and a character identification signal is transmitted to the reader 47. 
Each emitter 46 fires the energizing signal at a different time. The time 
t at which each emitter fires its energizing signal is known. Thus, by 
identifying the time at which a character identification signal is 
received in the reader 47, the emitter 46 which caused the generation of 
the character identification signal may be determined, and the block 
location signal may thus be generated. 
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the block location system 
within the working platform may comprise a single reader, such as for 
example one of the readers 44 shown in FIG. 5, capable of both 
transmitting an energizing signal and receiving a character identification 
signal. In this embodiment, the reader is mounted for translation so that 
the reader is moved across the entire surface of the working platform. 
When a character identification signal is sensed by the reader, the 
position of the reader is noted, and the block location signal associated 
with the sensed character identification signal is generated. 
Grids of various other known configurations may be utilized in the block 
location system in alternative embodiments of the invention. For example, 
a grid of wires may be provided within the working platform, together with 
a single reader as described above capable of both transmitting an 
energizing signal and receiving a character identification signal. In this 
embodiment, in addition to transmitting the character identification 
signal, each block also emits a magnetic field. Thus, when a block 20 is 
placed on the working platform, a character identification signal is 
generated. The magnetic field of that block also generates a current in 
one or more of the wires of the grid, from which the location of the block 
may be determined. Alternatively, the grid of wires may be energized 
sequentially much in the same way as described in connection with FIG. 6 
to induce a magnetic field to facilitated detection of the location and 
identification of the blocks. 
A further embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, 
where the position of each block 20 on the working platform may be 
determined by a pair of sensors 48a and 48b. The sensors 48a, 48b are 
preferably provided at the upper corners of the working platform. However, 
the sensors 48a, 48b may alternatively be located at the lower corners, at 
the left or right comers, or spaced from each other along a side of the 
working platform. When a reader 44 or an emitter 46 sends an energizing 
signal to energize a chip 40 as described above, the chip in this 
embodiment generates both a character identification signal and a 
proximity signal. The proximity signal is transmitted to both of the 
sensors 48a and 48b. Once a proximity signal is received in the sensors 
48a and 48b, the signal may be used to determine the distance between the 
chip 40 and the sensors 48a, 48b, respectively, by known technology. Such 
technologies include surface wave acoustics, measurement of the EM field 
emanating from the chip, or measurement of the time it takes for the 
signal to reach the sensors 48a, and 48b. Once the distance between a 
block 20 and the sensors 48a and 48b, respectively, is determined, the 
precise location of the block 20 on the working platform 28 may be 
calculated by triangulation. It is understood that in an embodiment of the 
invention, the character identification signal may also act as the 
proximity signal. 
As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 7, the sensors 48a, 48b are 
preferably located in a lower portion of the working platform 28 so that 
the proximity signal of a first block does not interfere with a proximity 
signal of a second block located between the first block and the sensors 
48a, 48b. 
It is understood that other known technologies for generating the character 
identification and block location information may be used in alternative 
embodiments of the invention. For example, a further embodiment of the 
invention incorporating many of the features previously described to 
identify the location and identification of the placement of a block on 
the working platform includes the use of a platform that is able to detect 
the image of the impression of the block on the platform, hereinafter 
referred to as image-sensitive platforms. Examples of image-sensitive 
platforms include touch-sensitive surfaces, such as those frequently used 
in many automated teller machines, or optically-sensitive screens, such as 
a screen employing one or more arrays of imaging mechanisms, such as 
charge-coupled devices. 
In this embodiment, the placement of a particular block on the 
image-sensitive platform creates a unique impression on the 
image-sensitive screen. The location of this impression is also detectable 
by the microprocessor 55. For example, in touch-sensitive displays, the 
controller is able to identify the location of the impression by 
identifying the pixel or pixels associated with the impressions of the 
block on the platform. Similarly, in optically-sensitive screens, the 
controller is able to identify the location of the impression by 
identifying the array of charge-coupled devices detecting the impression 
of the block on the platform. The identification of this impression is 
also detectable by the microprocessor 55. By known imaging techniques, the 
controller can compare the detected impression information with a 
plurality of images stored in memory to recognize the identification of 
the block. 
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the working platform may 
have a fixed number of discrete locations into which blocks may only be 
placed. This is preferably accomplished by providing a fixed number of 
indentations approximately the size of the block on the surface of the 
working platform. Typically, the indentations may be a quarter of an inch 
deep. The indentations may be arranged either in a single row or column or 
in a multi-dimensional array. According to this embodiment, there would 
exist only a fixed number of locations on the working platform in which a 
block may be located. There are advantages associated with this 
embodiment. Because there are only a fixed number of locations on the 
working platform in which a block may be placed, the generation of block 
location and identification information is simplified. In this embodiment, 
it is possible to have only one reader or sensor associated with each 
discrete location. The possibility that more than one reader or sensor 
will detect more than one particular block is greatly reduced or 
eliminated. 
In operation, when a block is placed on the working platform and the 
microprocessor 55 has recognized its location and identification, a series 
of actions are set into motion. The microprocessor 55 encodes the location 
and identification information into an binary message compatible with 
protocols of today's personal computers. An example of such a protocol is 
set forth in Frank Van Gilluwe, The PC Undocumented, A Programmer's Guide 
to I/O, CPUs, and Fixed Memory Areas. As shown on FIG. 9, the 
microprocessor 55 sends an encoded message over line 32. The line 32 is 
connected to the processing device 22 via any of the processing device's 
many input/output connectors (e.g., mouse connector, keyboard connector or 
the parallel or serial ports) A controller 56 in the processing device 22 
receives the encoded message. The controller 56 translates the encoded 
message into a system value and places the value into a buffer 57. The 
controller 56 then issues an interrupt request via interrupt control 58 
indicating that data is available in output buffer 57. The operating 
system of the processing device 22 or application program running thereon 
uses an interrupt to access the buffer 57 via CPU 30. Various interrupt 
functions are used to find and retrieve block information and to determine 
the block information in the buffer 57. 
The controller 56 in the processing device 22 communicates with the working 
platform over line 32. A synchronized clock line is provided from the 
controller 56 to the working platform via microprocessor 55 when data are 
sent from the working platform. Preferably, information over line 32 is 
sent in an 11-bit serial frame consisting of a start bit, 8 data bits, an 
odd parity bit and a stop bit. It is understood that different length 
frames and different configurations of the frames consistent with the 
processing device 22 are contemplated by the present invention. Internal 
to the working platform is a first-in-first-out buffer 59. Preferably, 
this buffer 59 holds up to 20 bytes of information although a platform 
buffer of smaller or great size is contemplated within the present 
invention. 
In the idle state, both the data and clock lines are high. To begin sending 
the data to the processing device 22, the working platform sends the start 
bit on the line 32. The controller 56 responds by starting the clock line, 
with the first clock pulse going low. The clock is continued, with the 
working platform sending each bit in turn. At the 11th clock, the working 
platform sends the stop bit, and the clock line resumes its idle state. 
Depending on the configuration of the working platform, the data sent from 
the working platform to the controller 56 normally includes one or more of 
the following: block identification information, block location 
information, and/or commands. A placement of a block on the working 
platform may result in the transmission of identification information 
alone, location information alone, or both identification and location 
information to the keyboard controller. While a block is moved on the 
working platform, the working platform transmits the identification of the 
moved block and the new locations of the block on the working platform. 
When a block is removed from the working platform, the working platform 
will transmit a removal code along with identification of the block 
removed. 
In operation, the above-described hardware is preferably used with software 
applications which, in general, prompt a child to arrange the blocks 20 in 
a particular configuration on the working platform 28. The prompt can be, 
for example, a question that either appears visually on the monitor 24 or 
is played over the speaker 26. Once the child has arranged the blocks 20 
in what he or she believes to be the correct response to the question, the 
button 34 is depressed, the microprocessor 55 generates the character 
identification and block location information, and the result is sent to 
the CPU 30 (it is understood that the microprocessor 55 may continuously 
generates character identification and block location information as 
blocks are set down and lifted from the working platform). The CPU 30 then 
indicates to the child whether or not that response is correct. If the 
response is incorrect, the software can prompt the child to try again. 
It is understood that the software may be written to ask a wide variety of 
questions, appropriate for children of various ages and educational 
levels. For example, the child may be prompted to spell a series of words, 
either audibly over the speaker, or by showing a picture of the object to 
be spelled on the monitor. In one embodiment, the software program may 
branch to more difficult or simple questions, depending on the number of 
correct previous answers. In a further embodiment intended for children 
first learning the alphabet, the child may randomly place a block on the 
working platform, and the software then audibly indicates the sound of the 
letter, and shows a number of words including that letter. 
The applications software may be stored within the system on the data 
storage device 23, loaded onto the system from a from a floppy drive, or 
received into the system from a remote location over data transmission 
lines. 
It is understood that the software and/or hardware according to the present 
invention may be provided for operation by individuals other than 
children. For example, as indicated above, the characters on the surfaces 
of the blocks 20 may be braille characters to teach individuals the 
braille language. 
In a further embodiment, the blocks 20 may comprise tiles having letters 
and numbers thereon such as those on the tiles of the board game 
Scrabble.RTM.. In this embodiment, the processing device 22 may be 
configured to read words formed both vertically and horizontally, and the 
software may include an encoded dictionary in memory. Thus, the present 
invention may operate as an electronic Scrabble.RTM. game, where letter 
sequences are formed on the board, and the processing device 22 indicates 
whether the letter sequences in fact form words found in the stored 
dictionary. 
Although the invention has been described in detail herein, it should be 
understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments herein 
disclosed. Various changes, substitutions and modifications may be made 
thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or 
scope of the invention as described and defined by the appended claims.