Abstract: A sound-activated playback device which generally includes a sound-activated circuit and an electrically driven playback device which plays a recording on a selected prerecorded medium. The sound-activated circuit includes a noise sensor for sensing the sound of a crying child and activating the playback device. The sound-activated circuit also includes a timer for selecting and limiting the duration of playback of the recording, a timer override switch for overriding the timer, and a prerecorded medium reset for resetting the prerecorded medium after the playback device stops playing. Further, the sound-activated circuit includes a means for turning off the noise sensor until the playback device has finished playing and the prerecorded medium is reset.

Abstract: An electronic puzzle game for one or more players that combines skill and chance. The device includes a memory for storing codes corresponding to a plurality of sets of alphanumeric symbols, each set comprising a puzzle. A display is provided for visibly indicating a selected puzzle to the user(s), and a keypad permits a user to select a game, a topic within that game, and a category within the topic. Further, the keypad permits a user to ascertain a correct solution to the selected puzzle category. While skill is of value in playing a game with the device, a timer generates a signal at random times that calls an end to a game, the particular user of the device at this time being declared a loser. In the preferred embodiment, there is a second timer to establish a time duration for providing an answer by the user. Although significant memory exists within the device, additional or replacement memory can be plugged into the device.

Abstract: An electronic puzzle game device for players/students. The device includes a memory for storing code corresponding to a plurality of sets of alpha-numeric symbols, each set comprising a puzzle. A display is provided for visibly indicating a selected puzzle. In the preferred embodiment, a player can vary the degree of difficulty of the displayed puzzle which generally includes a topic together with a selected number of letter cues. A player or student will preferably list words which start with the randomly selected letter cues and correspond to the displayed topic. A timer serves to determine the length of the time period a player has to solve the puzzle. In one embodiment, audible signals, including the counting down of the timer and the ending of the timer cycle are provided.

Abstract: An electronic learning device (10) for teaching how to handle money is provided. A student provides input to the device, in a preferred embodiment, by a plurality of keys (40) which select the learning activity and its difficulty level. In certain activities, the device (10) requests (visually and/or auditorily) the student to engage in randomly selected currency identification/manipulation problems. The student's response is compared with the correct response, and the information concerning the appropriateness of the response is provided to the student. In the case of erroneous response, the correct response can be presented to the student both arally and visually. A speech synthesizer (28) (and/or visual display)) (20) serve to generate a reguest to the student concerning the student's response.

Abstract: An electronic learning device (10) for teaching how to tell time is provided. A student provides input to the device, in a preferred embodiment, by a plurality of keys (14) which select the learning activity and its difficulty level. In certain activities, the device (10) request (visually and/or auditorily) the student to engage in a randomly selected time-identification problem. The student's response is compared with the correct response, and the information concerning the appropriateness of the response is provided to the student. In the case of erroneous response, the correct response can be presented to the student both orally and visually. A speech synthesizer (38) (and/or analog and/or digital display) serves to generate a request to the student concerning time identification problems, and comments on the appropriateness of the student's response.

Abstract: An electronic learning aid selectively provides synthetic speech to an operator. An electro-optic sensor which reads bar code from the pages of a book selects speech words or phrases to be produced by an electronic speech synthesizer. A mode of operation is provided wherein the operator selects an object of comparison such as a displayed picture, number or the like and then seeks to identify one of a plurality of choices which properly associates with the object of comparison.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic learning aid having modes of operation to provide an interesting and effective learning experience to a student. In the preferred embodiment, inputs to the learning aid are effected via scanning of a bar code on a page by the student. In a first mode, the student is audibly directed to place depicted objects on the page in some specific sequence, as by alphabetical order of the first letter of the names of the objects. The student selects items in the sequence by scanning bar code associated with each item and the system audibly informs him of his progress in correctly identifying times of the sequence. In a second mode the student upon scanning the bar code associated with a depicted object is audibly directed to spell the name of that object. The system audibly informs him of his progress.