Patent Publication Number: US-2015079553-A1

Title: Language Teaching

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Conventional language teaching systems often include a database of original language expressions matched with three types of content: the equivalent foreign language expression, an audio representation of the foreign language expression, and an image representing the expression. These three types of content are either included in or have links to them in the database with the original language expression. For each original language expression to be taught, the content is extracted from the database and presented to the user together so that the user will learn to associate what is seen in the image with the written and spoken expression. 
     These types of conventional language teaching systems are expensive to produce because for each original language expression in the index, each of the three types of content must be produced and stored in the system. Voice actors must be hired to create audio representations for each original language expression. Someone must be hired to create a foreign language translation for each original language expression. Photographers or artists must be hired to create an image for each original language expression. Although creating an image representation of the expression “an apple” is not very difficult, creating an image representation of the expression, “the boy jumped,” is more complicated. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram representing one embodiment of the system of the present invention for teaching language. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram further representing one embodiment of the system of the present invention for teaching language. 
         FIG. 3  is a flow chart representing one embodiment of the method of the present invention for teaching language. 
         FIG. 4  is a flow chart representing one embodiment of a method for retrieving and displaying images. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart representing an alternate embodiment of a method for retrieving and displaying images. 
         FIG. 6  is a flow chart representing another embodiment of a method for retrieving and displaying images. 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram representing one embodiment of a system for retrieving and displaying images. 
         FIG. 8  is another block diagram representing an alternate embodiment of the system of the present invention for teaching language. 
         FIG. 9  is a block diagram representing an alternate embodiment of a system for retrieving and displaying images. 
         FIG. 10  is another block diagram representing one embodiment of the system of the present invention for teaching language. 
         FIG. 11  is a block diagram representing another embodiment of a system for retrieving and displaying images. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Language teaching system  2  is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Language teaching system  2  includes index  4 , inspector  6 , translation conduit  8 , image agent  10 , user interface  12 , processing system  14 , program storage system  16 , and communication interface  24 . Language teaching system  2  may be accessed by a user on a local computer or over a computer network  28 , such as a local network or the internet. 
     Index  4  is any index for aggregating data. Examples of index  4  include a database, a spreadsheet, a table, a list, and a file. Index  4  includes a plurality of expression records  18 . In one embodiment, each expression record  18  has a source language expression  20  and at least one image search expression  22 . In another embodiment, each expression record  18  has a translated expression  30  and at least one image search expression  22 . The word “expression” refers to anything from a single word or phrase to an entire sentence or multiple sentences, phrases, or words. Each expression record  22  may also contain display format parameters  32 . 
     Inspector  6  is any combination of hardware and executable code configured to examine one of the expression records  18  in index  4  to identify at least one image search expression  22  for the examined record  18 . In one embodiment, inspector  6  is executable code performed by processing system  14  to examine one of the expression records  18  in index  4  to identify at least one image search expression  22  for the examined record  18 . In an alternate embodiment, inspector  6  is further configured to identify source language expression  20 . In another embodiment, inspector  6  is further configured to identify display format parameters  32 . 
     Translation conduit  8  is any combination of hardware and executable code configured to acquire translated expression  30 . In one embodiment, translation conduit  8  supplies identified source language expression  20  to translation tool  26  accessed over a computer network  28  and obtains translated expression  30  from the output of translation tool  26 . In one embodiment, translation conduit  8  is executable code performed by processing system  14  to supply identified source language expression  20  to translation tool  26  accessed over a computer network  28  and obtain translated expression  30  from the output of translation tool  26 . In one embodiment, identified source language expression  20  is in a first language and translated expression  30  is in a second language, different than the first language. 
     In an alternate embodiment, translation conduit  8  is any combination of hardware and executable code configured to examine the expression record  18  examined by inspector  6  to identify translated expression  30 . In one embodiment, inspector  6  is executable code performed by processing system  14  to examine the expression record  18  examined by inspector  6  to identify translated expression  30 . 
     Translation tool  26  is any translation tool outside of language teaching system  2  and accessible by language teaching system  2  for translating expressions. Examples of translation tools include Google® Translate and Bing® Translator. 
     In one embodiment, translation conduit  8  is further configured to supply identified source language expression  20  to translation tool  26  accessed over computer network  28  and obtain vocal representation  38 , also referred to as audio example  38  or audio pronunciation clip  38 , of translated expression  30  from the audio output of translation tool  26 . The audio output of translation tool  26  is usually in the form of a digitized audio clip which pronounces translated expression  30 . In this embodiment, language teaching system  2  further includes audio system  42 . Audio system  42  is a system capable of producing audible sounds, such as one or more speakers. Audio system  42  is configured to audibly produce vocal representation  38  to the user. 
     Image agent  10  is any combination of hardware and executable code configured to supply identified image search expression  22  to image search engine  34  accessed over computer network  28  and obtain at least one image  36  from the output of image search engine  34 . In one embodiment, image agent  10  is executable code performed by processing system  14  to supply identified image search expression  22  to image search engine  34  accessed over computer network  28  and obtain at least one image  36  from the output of image search engine  34 . 
     Image search engine  34  is any image search engine accessible by language teaching system  2  for searching images outside of index  4 . Examples of image search engines include Google@ Image Search and Bing® Images. 
     User interface  12  is any system for displaying information to a user. User interface  12  may include a display device  40 , such as a computer monitor or television, an audio system  42 , and input devices  44  such as a computer keyboard and mouse. User interface  12  is configured to display translated expression  30  and at least one of the images  36  to the user. 
     Processing system  14  is any device or system configured to process executable code. Processing system  14  may be a specific or general purpose processor, such as a computer processor or a specific or general purpose computer. 
     Program storage system  16  is any system configured to store data or executable code. Program storage system  16  may also be a program storage system tangibly embodying a program, applet, or instructions executable by processing system  14  for performing the method steps of the present invention executable by processing system  14 . Program storage system  16  may be any type of storage media such as magnetic, optical, or electronic storage media. Program storage system  16  is illustrated in  FIG. 1  as a single device. Alternatively, program storage system  16  may include a plurality of devices. Furthermore, each device of program storage system  16  may be embodied in a different media type. For example, one device of program storage system  16  may be a magnetic storage media while another device of program storage system  16  is an electronic storage media. 
     Communication interface  24  is any device or system configured to provide communication between language teaching system  2  and computer network  28 . Examples of communication interface  24  include a direct connection interface and a network interface. 
     In one embodiment, the at least one image  36  includes a plurality of images  36  and the language teaching system  2  further includes ranking system  46 . Ranking system  46  is any combination of hardware and executable code configured to prioritize at least one of the images  36 . In one embodiment, ranking system  46  is executable code performed by processing system  14  to prioritize at least one of the images  36 . In this embodiment, user interface  12  is further configured to display each prioritized image  36  to the user. 
     In one embodiment, ranking system  46  is further configured to accept payment to prioritize an image  36 . In another embodiment, ranking system  46  is further configured to permit a user to vote to prioritize an image  36 . 
       FIG. 3  is a flow chart representing steps of one embodiment of the present invention. Although the steps represented in  FIG. 3  are presented in a specific order, the present invention encompasses variations in the order of steps. Furthermore, additional steps may be executed between the steps illustrated in  FIG. 3  without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     Index  4  is accessed  48 . One of the expression records  18  in index  4  is examined  50  to identify at least one image search expression  22 . In an alternate embodiment, expression record  18  is further examined  50  to identify source language expression  20 . In another embodiment, expression record  18  is further examined  50  to identify display format parameters  32 . 
     Translated expression  30  is obtained  52 . In one embodiment, translation expression is obtained by examining the previously examined expression record  18  to identify translated expression  30 . In an alternate embodiment, identified source language expression  20  is translated into translated expression  30 . Translated expression  30  is not retrieved from index  4 , but rather from an outside source, such as an internet based, or online, translation tool  26 . In one embodiment, translating identified source language expression  20  includes supplying identified source language expression  20  to translation tool  26  accessed over computer network  28  and obtaining a visual output of translation tool  26  as translated expression  30 . 
     At least one image  36  associated with identified image search expression  22  is sought  54  outside of index  4 . In one embodiment, searching  54  for at least one image  36  includes supplying identified image search expression  22  to image search engine  34  accessed over computer network  28  and obtaining the output of image search engine  34  as the at least one image  36 . 
     In one embodiment, vocal representation  38  of translated expression  30  is also obtained  56 . In one embodiment, obtaining  56  vocal representation  38  of translated expression  30  includes supplying identified source language expression  20  to translation tool  26  accessed over computer network  28  and obtaining an audio output of translation tool  26  as vocal representation  38 . 
     In one embodiment, the at least one image  36  includes a plurality of images  36 . At least one of the images  36  is prioritized  58  and the at least one prioritized image  36  is displayed  60 . In one embodiment, prioritizing  58  at least one image  36  includes accepting payment to prioritize  58  an image. In one embodiment, prioritizing  58  at least one image  36  includes permitting a user to vote to prioritize  58  an image. 
     The images  36  may be sponsored by a company or other entity, or otherwise given priority  58  over other images  36 , causing these images  36  to always be presented to the user when certain expressions are being taught, and to show up with higher priority in a position which will likely get them noticed by the user before non-sponsored images are noticed. 
     Translated expression  30  and at least one of the images  36  are displayed  60  to the user. In one embodiment, vocal representation  38  is audibly produced  62  to the user. In one embodiment, the images  36  presented  60  to the user by language teaching system  2  will respond the same way to user input as they would in a browser environment. For example, if the user clicks one of the images  36  presented  60 , a web browser might open and take the user to the source of the image  36 . 
     In practice in one embodiment, language teaching system  2  displays an expression from the source language to the user in the language being taught based on a lesson plan. The user does not necessarily type in an expression in the source language, because the idea is that the user never sees the expression in any language other than the language being taught. Instead, language teaching system  2  determines what source language expression will be taught to the user next. Language teaching system  2  only knows this expression in one language, the source language. 
     Each expression to be taught to the user in index  4  is stored in a single language, the source language. When translated expression  30  is sought by language teaching system  2 , the system will output the source language version of whatever expression is going to be taught to an online translation engine  26 . Language teaching system  2  will then retrieve the translated version  30  of the expression, as well as an audio pronunciation example  38  of the expression, from the online translation engine  26 . Language teaching system  2  will then present  60 ,  62  this translated expression  30  and audio example  38  to the user. 
     In one embodiment for translating, language teaching system  2  inputs source language expression  20  into online translator  26 , as well as parameters defining which language is being translated into which language and retrieves the resulting translated expression  30  in the language being taught. Language teaching system  2  also retrieves the resulting audio pronunciation clip  38 . 
     Language teaching system  2  displays  60  the resulting translated expression  30  in the language being taught to the user. Language teaching system  2  also plays  62  audio pronunciation clip  38  to the user. 
     At least one image search expression  22  is associated with each source language expression  20 . Each image search expression  22  is designed to retrieve images  36  which convey the translated expression  30  being taught. When language teaching system  2  presents a user with a translated expression  30 , image agent  10  will output the image search expression  22  associated with the translated expression  30  being taught to image search engine  34 . Language teaching system  2  will then retrieve any number of resultant image search result images  36 . Language teaching system  2  will then present  60  any number of these images  36  to the user along with translated expression  30  and audio pronunciation  38 , or vocal representation  38 , of translated expression  30 . 
       FIG. 4  is a flow chart representing one embodiment of searching  54  for images  36 . This is an example of the method of retrieving a single set of images  36  for translated expression  30 . When an image of translated phrase  30  is required  64 , image search expression  22  is input  66  into image search engine  34 . Images  36  are returned  68 . Images  36  are then displayed  60  along with translated expression  30 . 
     An example of how this method may be implemented is related in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . When images are required  64 , language teaching system  2  outputs  72  a current expression identifier to image agent  10 . The current expression identifier is an identification of which expression record  18  to look at for the image search expression  22 . Image agent  10  retrieves  74 , from index  4 , the image search expression  22  associated with the current expression identifier. Image search expression  22  is output  66  to image search engine  34 . Image search engine  34  receives  76  image search expression  22  as an input. Image search engine  34  returns  68  images  36  as links or in any other usable form to access images  36 . Image agent  10  retrieves  78  images  36  and outputs  80  images  36  to language teaching system  2 . Language teaching system  2  displays  60  images  36 . 
       FIG. 5  represents an alternate and more complex embodiment of searching  54  for images  36 . This describes the method of retrieving multiple sets of images  36  for translated expression  30 . This method is helpful when attempting to convey more complex expressions. For example, the source language expression  20  “They jumped” may be conveyed by displaying  60  images  36  of people jumping followed by images  36  of people standing. Applying any number of display layout formats when displaying  60  translated expression  30  and images  36  to the user would help to make the point that these people jumped in the past but are now standing. 
     When an image of translated phrase  30  is required  64 , one or more image search expressions  22  is input  66  into image search engine  34 . Images  36  are returned  68  for each image search expression  22 . Images  36  are then displayed  60  along with translated expression  30  according to a prescribed display format. 
     An example of how this method may be implemented is related in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . When images are required  64 , language teaching system  2  outputs  72  a current expression identifier to image agent  10 . Image agent  10  retrieves  74 , from index  4 , expression information associated with the current expression identifier. The expression information is the one or more image search expressions  22  and any display format parameters  32  associated with the current expression identifier. The display format parameters  32  are the instructions for how to display images  36  associated with each image search expression  22 . The number of image search expressions  22  associated with the current expression identifier is determined  82 . 
     For each image search expression, the image search expression  22  is output  66  to image search engine  34 . Image search engine  34  receives  76  image search expression  22  as an input. Image search engine  34  returns  68  images  36  as links or in any other usable form to access images  36 . Image agent  10  retrieves  78  images  36 . A check is made to determine  84  whether images  36  for all of the image search expressions  22  have been received. If not, the next image search expression  22  is processed. If images  36  for all of the image search expressions  22  have been received, image agent  10  outputs  80  images  36  and image display format parameters  32  to language teaching system  2 . Language teaching system  2  displays  60  images  36 . 
       FIG. 6  represents another more complex embodiment of searching  54  for images  36 . This describes the method by which images  36  designated as privileged, or prioritized, may be added to the top of the list of image results. Using this method a company or other entity could pay for their images  36  to show up first, thereby advertising their product while providing language teaching system  2  with an image  36  or images  36  which very accurately convey translated expression  30 . 
     When an image of translated phrase  30  is required  64 , one or more image search expressions  22  is input  66  into image search engine  34 . Images  36  are returned  68  for each image search expression  22 . Privileged, or prioritized, images  36  associated with each image search phrase  22  are inserted  86  into each set of images  36  for the image search phrase  22 . Images  36  are then displayed  60  along with translated expression  30  according to a prescribed display format defined by display parameters  32 . 
     An example of how this method may be implemented is related in  FIG. 11 . When images are required  64 , language teaching system  2  outputs  72  a current expression identifier to image agent  10 . Image agent  10  retrieves  74 , from index  4 , expression information associated with the current expression identifier. The number of image search expressions  22  associated with the current expression identifier is determined  82 . 
     For each image search expression, the image search expression  22  is output  66  to image search engine  34 . Image search engine  34  receives  76  image search expression  22  as an input. Image search engine  34  returns  68  images  36  as links or in any other usable form to access images  36 . Image agent  10  retrieves  78  images  36 . A check is made to determine  84  whether images  36  for all of the image search expressions  22  have been received. If not, the next image search expression  22  is processed. If images  36  for all of the image search expressions  22  have been received, privileged, or prioritized, images  36  associated with each image search phrase  22  are inserted  86  into each set of images  36  for the image search phrase  22 . Image agent  10  outputs  80  images  36  and image display format parameters  32  to language teaching system  2 . Language teaching system  2  displays  60  images  36 . 
     One advantage the present invention is that it provides an inexpensive method of presenting  60  image representations  36  of expressions being taught to a user by language learning system  2  through use of an online image search engine  34 . The present invention further provides a means by which one may not only be provided these images  36  at no cost, but also profit from displaying images  36  with advertising purposes. Another advantage of the present invention is that it is an inexpensive method of presenting a wide variety of translated expressions  30  and accompanying audio pronunciation examples  38  for any language being taught in language teaching system  2 . 
     Wherever possible, steps or components that are alike from figure to figure have been numbered alike. The foregoing description is only illustrative of one embodiment of the present invention. Various alternatives and modifications may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention embraces all such alternatives, modifications, and variances that fall within the scope of the appended claims.