DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0032] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0033] Hereinafter, an explanation of a learning data base building method according to the present invention will be discussed with reference the accompanying drawings.

[0034] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary configuration of a learning data base according to the present invention. As shown, the learning data base configuration is formed by conversation in English, vocabulary for the origin thereof, higher/high/middle/elementary vocabulary, index table, start index for each data.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 2 , arrangement format of each data is determined in the form of priority, learning level, vocabulary, phonetic symbol, interpretation, synonym No., origin of vocabulary No., data end. Each of them is defined by a first delimiter ‘,’.

[0036] For instance, in case of a higher vocabulary ‘cheer’ in 205th order, since the synonym and the origin of the vocabulary do not all exist, the first delimiter is added two times on the corresponding sections. On the other hand, in case of a higher vocabulary ‘stream’ in 213th order, since three synonyms to the vocabulary exist, a second delimiter ‘/’ is added three times on the corresponding section. The first and second delimiters serve to prevent data recognized by the user from being confused.

[0037] The priority of data arrangement is determined by sorting the data in accordance with the frequency in use of the data, dividing the data into a plurality of learning levels such as, for example, higher/high/middle/elementary levels, and grouping the divided data by subjects (e.g. seasons/countries/time) within each learning level.

[0038] Since the lengths of data corresponding to each vocabulary differ in the case where the data arrangement as mentioned above is made, the index table is provided to solve the problem that each vocabulary is not searched in an easy manner and further to improve the flexibility of memory.

[0039] By way of example, in the case where the lengths of continuous data are ‘15’ and ‘20’, respectively, the index table is given in order of ‘2000’, ‘2015’, and ‘2035’, in which an index of the corresponding vocabulary is read to thereby search the start point thereof.

[0040] Next, the start index, which is provided to facilitate an easy system setting, upon data base replacement or data update, indicates the information on the start point of vocabulary data by each learning level and the total number of data. Therefore, the data base replacement or the system setting can be achieved only by reading the start index, without an additional setting operation.

[0041] Additionally, to readily search the vocabulary data by subjects in the case where the vocabulary data is classified by subjects, an index by subjects is developed to designate an address of data by subjects.

[0042] An explanation of the construction and operation of a television as a video apparatus having a learning function by using the above-discussed learning data base according to first to third embodiments of the present invention will be in detail discussed with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5 .

[0043] First Embodiment

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3, a television as a video apparatus having a learning function according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes: a tuner 1 for selecting a broadcasting signal received through an antenna; an Y/C separating part 2 for separating the broadcasting signal inputted from the tuner 1 into Y, U, and V signals, respectively; a synchronous signal separating part 3 for separating a synchronous signal in the broadcasting signal inputted from the tuner 1 ; a microcomputer 4 for inputting the synchronous signal separated in the synchronous signal separating part 3 and for outputting an OSD or caption data to be synchronous with the synchronous signal; an electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM) 5 ; a switching part 6 for selectively outputting the OSD or caption data in accordance with a control signal of the microcomputer 4 ; a video/deflection processing part 7 for performing a video and deflection process for the output signals from the Y/C separating part 2 and the switching part 6 ; a color picture tube (CPT) 8 ; a learning data base 9 in which vocabulary data classified by learning levels, index table and start index are stored; a learning diagnostic memory 10 in which test problems classified by learning levels for checking the rate of learning progress are stored; a caption processing part 11 for caption-processing caption data contained in the broadcasting signal through the tuner 1 and the data read in the learning data base 9 and the learning diagnostic memory 10 ; and an interface part 16 for performing data exchange between the caption processing part 11 and the learning data base 9 .

[0045] Preferably, the caption processing unit 11 is comprised of: a data slicer 12 for extracting the caption data from the broadcasting signal through the tuner 1 in accordance with the synchronous signal outputted from the synchronous signal separating part 3 ; a caption decoder 13 for decoding the caption data; a caption controller 14 for controlling process of the caption data; and font ROM/program ROM/data RAM 15 in which fonts and a font processing program for English and Korean language are respectively stored.

[0046] In operation, if the power is turned ‘on’, firstly, the start index of the learning data base 11 is uploaded to the microcomputer 4 , to thereby implement system setting.

[0047] At this time, if a user inputs a learning mode execution command, the microcomputer 4 recognizes an address of data corresponding to learning mode set contents of the user by using the index table and the start index of the learning data base 9 and applies the control signal to the caption controller 14 to read the corresponding data from the learning data base 9 .

[0048] Meanwhile, if the user inputs a learning diagnostic mode execution command, the microcomputer 4 applies the control signal to the caption controller 14 to read the learning progress checking test problem data from the learning diagnostic memory 10 .

[0049] Then, the caption controller 14 reads the data through the interface part 16 and matches the fonts corresponding to the data from the font ROM/program ROM/data RAM 15 , to thereby output the matched output result to the switching part 6 .

[0050] Next, the microcomputer 4 applies the control signal to the switching part 6 to thereby output the corresponding data to the video/deflection processing part 7 , which is finally displayed in the caption form on the CPT 8 .

[0051] Second Embodiment

[0052] As shown in FIG. 4, a television as a video apparatus having a learning function according to a second embodiment of the present invention includes: a tuner 21 for selecting a broadcasting signal received through an antenna; an Y/C separating part 22 for separating the broadcasting signal inputted from the tuner 21 into Y, U, and V signals, respectively; a synchronous signal separating part 23 for separating a synchronous signal in the broadcasting signal inputted from the tuner 21 ; a microcomputer 24 for inputting the synchronous signal separated in the synchronous signal separating part 23 and for outputting an OSD or caption data to be synchronous with the synchronous signal; an electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM) 25 ; a switching part 26 for selectively outputting the OSD or caption data in accordance with a control signal of the microcomputer 24 ; a video/deflection processing part 27 for performing a video and deflection process for the output signals from the Y/C separating part 22 and the switching part 26 ; a color picture tube (CPT) 28 ; a font ROM 29 in which fonts for OSD-processing English and Korean language are stored; a learning data base 30 in which vocabulary data classified by learning levels, index table and start index are stored; and a learning diagnostic memory 31 in which test problems classified by learning levels for checking the rate of learning progress are stored.

[0053] In operation, if the power is turned ‘on’, firstly, the start index of the learning data base 30 is uploaded to the microcomputer 24 , to thereby implement system setting.

[0054] At this time, if a user inputs a learning mode execution command, the microcomputer 24 recognizes an address of data corresponding to learning mode set contents of the user by using the index table and the start index of the learning data base 30 and reads the corresponding data from the learning data base 30 .

[0055] Meanwhile, if the user inputs a learning diagnostic mode execution command, the microcomputer 24 reads the learning progress checking test problem data from the learning diagnostic memory 31 .

[0056] Then, the microcomputer 24 matches the fonts corresponding to the data from the learning data base 30 or the learning diagnostic memory 31 and outputs the matched output result to the video/deflection processing part 27 via the switching part 26 . The vocabulary learning data, which has been inputted through the video/deflection processing part 27 , is finally displayed in the OSD form on the CPT 28 .

[0057] Third Embodiment

[0058] As shown in FIG. 5, a television as a video apparatus having a learning function according to a third embodiment of the present invention includes: a tuner 41 for selecting broadcasting voice and video signals received through an antenna; a voice signal processing part 42 for processing the broadcasting voice signal through the tuner 41 to be thereby outputted to a speaker 43 ; an Y/C separating part 44 for separating the broadcasting video signal inputted from the tuner 41 into Y, U, and V signals, respectively; a video/deflection processing part 45 for performing video and deflection processes; a color picture tube (CPT) 46 ; a synchronous signal separating part 47 for separating a synchronous signal in the broadcasting signal inputted from the tuner 41 ; an electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM) 48 ; a learning diagnostic memory 49 in which test problems classified by learning levels for checking the rate of learning progress are stored; a video learning memory 50 in which video learning data in the learning data is stored; a voice learning memory 51 in which voice learning data corresponding to the video learning data stored in the video learning memory 50 is stored; a microcomputer 52 for OSD-processing the data read from the learning diagnostic memory 49 and the video learning memory 50 and for being synchronous with the synchronous signal separated in the synchronous signal separating part 47 ; an interface part 53 for performing input/output operation for the data from the learning diagnostic memory 49 , the video learning memory 50 , the voice learning memory 51 , and the microcomputer 52 ; a voice signal switching part 54 for selectively outputting the voice learning data read from the voice learning memory 51 and the broadcasting voice signal in accordance with the control signal of the microcomputer 52 ; and a video signal switching part 55 for selectively outputting the OSD-processed learning data and the broadcasting video signal in accordance with the control signal of the microcomputer 52 .

[0059] In operation, if a user inputs a learning mode execution command, the microcomputer 52 recognizes an address of data corresponding to learning mode set contents of the user by using the index table and the start index of the video learning memory 50 . Then, the microcomputer 52 reads the corresponding data from the video learning memory 50 through the interface part 53 and reads the voice learning data corresponding to the video learning data from the voice learning memory 51 .

[0060] Meanwhile, if the user inputs a learning diagnostic mode execution command, the microcomputer 52 reads the learning progress checking test problem data from the learning diagnostic memory 49 .

[0061] Then, the microcomputer 52 performs the OSD process for the data read from the learning diagnostic memory 49 or the video learning memory 50 to thereby output the OSD-processed signal to the video signal switching part 55 . Next, the output of the video signal switching part 55 is processed in the video signal processing part 45 under the control of the microcomputer 52 .

[0062] Simultaneously, the microcomputer 52 outputs the voice learning data read from the voice learning memory 51 to the voice signal switching part 54 . Next, the output of the voice signal switching part 51 is processed in the voice signal processing part 42 under the control of the microcomputer 52 .

[0063] The video learning data from the video signal processing part 45 is finally displayed in the OSD form on the CPT 46 , and the voice signal from the voice signal processing part 42 is synchronous to the video learning data, thus to be finally outputted through the speaker 43 .

[0064] A learning function control method in the video apparatus having the learning function according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention is embodied in accordance with the learning mode set by the user. In more detail, every when the user presses a learning mode set key which is provided on the body of the video apparatus or a remote controller, a learning mode set screen by users as shown in FIG. 6 and a learning mode set screen by time as shown in FIG. 7 are in turn displayed.

[0065] Firstly, the learning mode set screen by users as shown in FIG. 6 includes a user item, a learning level item for selecting the learning level adequate to the corresponding user, a start number item for setting a detailed level in the selected learning level (for example, in case of the vocabulary number 1 to 500 at the level ‘A’, the vocabulary number 500 corresponds to a high detailed learning level), the number of repetition item for selecting the number of vocabulary to be repeatedly displayed, a period item for selecting the time of period when vocabulary is displayed, and a start item for setting start/cancel.

[0066] Therefore, manipulation of keys ‘▴▾’ allows the user or the details of each item to be set, and manipulation of keys ‘ ’ allows the corresponding user to be moved a desired item. If the learning mode set is completed, the learning mode setting operation is finished by using the key ‘▪’.

[0067] In addition, a display position of the vocabulary learning data according to the learning mode setting of the user, i.e. the top or bottom portion of the screen can be selected by using the remote controller or a hot key arranged on the body. Simultaneously, the desired item to be displayed on the screen by the user in the data arrangement items (vocabulary/phonetic symbol/interpretation/synonym/origin) as mentioned in FIG. 2 can be selected by using the remote controller or the hot key arranged on the body of the video apparatus.

[0068] Next, the learning mode by time as shown in FIG. 7 includes time, user and start/cancel detail items. In this case, if the user by desired time is set, the detail item of the corresponding user set in the learning mode by users is applied to the corresponding time period.

[0069] In other words, using the fact that viewing classes differ in accordance with the broadcasting program by time on television, the learning data which is adequate to the level of the viewing class on the corresponding time can be displayed to conform with the detail item set in the learning mode by users according to start and cancel. The detail item setting operation in the learning mode by time is the same as the learning mode by the users.

[0070] A desired learning mode by the user in the learning mode by users and the learning mode by time can be selected.

[0071] Under the state where the desired learning mode is set, an explanation of a method for controlling the learning mode execution will be given with reference to FIG. 8 . In this case, the method is applied to the video apparatus having the learning function in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0072] Firstly, if the power of the television is turned ‘on’, the microcomputer 4 uploads the start index from the learning data base 9 and stores the start index in the EEPROM 5 , to thereby perform the system setting.

[0073] At step S 11 , it is determined whether the learning mode execution command is inputted, and if inputted, at step S 12 it is determined whether the learning mode by time or the learning mode by users is selected.

[0074] Next, the contents set through the learning mode setting function, i.e. learning level of the corresponding user, period, the number of repetition, display position, start number and the start index uploaded from the learning data base 9 are read by the user, at step S 13 .

[0075] The start number is stored at step S 14 , and an address on which the learning data desired by the user exists is calculated by using the start index and the start number, at step S 15 .

[0076] At this time, since the start point of the corresponding learning level is recognized through the start index, the start index is added to the start number set by the user. As a result, the added value is calculated as the address on which the learning data exists.

[0077] Next, at step S 16 the microcomputer 4 applies the address control signal to the caption controller 14 and reads the corresponding learning data from the learning data base 9 .

[0078] The caption controller 14 matches the corresponding learning data and the font from the font ROM/program ROM/data RAM 15 , to thereby output the matched output result to the switching part 6 .

[0079] Then, the microcomputer 4 applies the control signal to the switching part 6 to thereby output the corresponding learning data to the video/deflection processing part 7 , which is finally displayed as shown in FIG. 9 on the CPT 8 , at step S 17 .

[0080] At this time, vocabulary, phonetic symbol, interpretation, and synonym or synonymous phrase are selectively displayed in accordance with the demand of the user.

[0081] The display position of the vocabulary learning data is changed to the top or bottom portion of the screen in accordance with the selection of the user. At this time, in the case where the OSD or caption data such as volume adjustment, channel adjustment and so on is displayed on the screen in accordance with the key input of the user, the OSD or caption data should be displayed prior to the vocabulary learning data.

[0082] For example, when the screen top portion OSD is turned ‘on’, even if the user sets the display position of the vocabulary learning data on the top portion of screen, the vocabulary learning data is displayed on the bottom portion of the screen. Contrarily, when the screen bottom portion OSD is turned ‘on’, even if the user sets the display position of the vocabulary learning data on the bottom portion of screen, the vocabulary learning data is displayed on the top portion of the screen.

[0083] At step S 18 , the microcomputer 4 determines whether the display period is the same as set by the user, and if same, increases the start number by ‘1’ at step S 19 . Next, the microcomputer 4 determines whether the number of repetition is the same as set by the user, at step S 20 . If not same, the stored start number is updated at the step S 14 , and the start index is added to the updated start number to thereby calculate the address on which next vocabulary learning data exists. The steps S 15 to S 20 are repeated until the number of repetition is the same as set by the user, to thereby display the next vocabulary learning data.

[0084] If same at the step S 20 , the microcomputer 4 returns to the start number initially set by the user at step S 21 and repeatedly performs the above display operation.

[0085] At this time, in the case where the number of repetition is set as ‘continuous’, the start number is continually increased to display in a sequential order initial to last vocabulary of the corresponding learning level. If the last vocabulary is displayed, the microcomputer 4 returns to the initial step.

[0086] On the other hand, if the learning mode stop command is inputted at step S 22 , the current learning level/period/the number of repetition/display position/start number/start index are stored at step S 23 to thereby stop the display of the vocabulary learning data at step S 24 .

[0087] In addition to the learning data display according to the learning mode, a learning diagnostic mode and a learning review mode are provided for the purpose of checking the learning progress of the user and enhancing the learning desire of the user, by the help of a learning diagnostic key and a review key.

[0088] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method of executing a learning diagnostic mode and a review mode in the video apparatus having the learning function according to the present invention.

[0089] As shown, the microcomputer 4 determines whether the learning diagnostic key signal is inputted at step S 40 .

[0090] Under the state where the learning diagnostic key signal has inputted, if the current learning level or the learning level set in the learning mode is at the elementary level, the microcomputer 4 reads the English test problem corresponding to the elementary level from the learning diagnostic memory 10 and displays the read problem on the screen at step S 41 .

[0091] At this time, the user presses the left/right key to thereby select the corresponding blank and the top/bottom key to thereby input the corresponding English word.

[0092] The microcomputer 4 reads the answer inputted by the user at step S 42 and determines whether the answer is correct at step S 43 .

[0093] If not correct, the microcomputer 4 outputs an encouragement message indicative of “do your best a little more”, at step S 44 .

[0094] If correct, the microcomputer 4 outputs a praise message indicative of “well done”, at step S 45 .

[0095] At this time, there is an advantage in that all of the viewers who watch the program on the television, e.g. members of a family praise the user who receives the praise message.

[0096] Moreover, from the fact that the answer inputted by the user is correct, it can be expected that the learning level of the user is improved, such that the learning level can be upgraded from the elementary grade to the middle grade, at step S 46 .

[0097] In the meanwhile, the microcomputer 4 determines whether the review key is inputted at step S 47 , and if inputted, recognizes the vocabulary learning data address corresponding to the number of repetition set by the user in the recent displayed vocabulary learning data. Next, the microcomputer 4 reads the vocabulary learning data of the corresponding address from the learning data base 9 and displays the data simultaneously on the screen, as shown in FIG. 12 , at step S 48 .

[0098] At this time, in the case where a plurality of vocabulary learning data are all displayed with the display items of vocabulary/phonetic symbol/interpretation/synonym or synonymous phrase, as shown in FIG. 9 , the vocabulary learning data as many as the number of repetition set by the user can not be displayed, so that the display items of the vocabulary learning data in the review mode are reduced to the vocabulary and meaning thereof items.

[0099] As discussed above, the learning function control method according to the present invention is applied in the video apparatus having the learning function according to the first embodiment of the present invention, but may be applied to the video apparatus according to the second and third embodiments of the present invention. In this case, there exists a difference of the display form between the first to third embodiments of the present invention, but the method for controlling the main learning function such as the learning mode set and execution, and learning diagnostic and review mode execution is the same as each other. Therefore, an explanation of them will be avoided for the brevity of description.

[0100] Hereinafter, advantages which can be achieved from the preferred embodiments of the present invention are as follows:

[0101] Firstly, since a learning data base building method in which the start point classified by each learning level and the start index indicative of the number of vocabulary are contained is embodied, system setting procedure is made in an easy manner upon the replacement or update of data base.

[0102] Secondly, since a learning data base building method in which data is classified by the frequency in use thereof, subjects and learning levels is embodied, a memory can be utilized effectively and thereby a systematic and effective learning effect can be expected.

[0103] Thirdly, since a learning function control method in which one or more user can select the desired learning level, the number of repetition, period or time is embodied, the learning concentration and desire of the user can be improved.

[0104] Finally, since a learning function control method in which the learning diagnostic mode and the review mode are contained is embodied, with the simple manipulation of key, the recently displayed vocabulary can be reviewed, from which the learning level can be checked to improve the learning efficiency.

[0105] In the meanwhile, a television as the video apparatus having a learning function in accordance with first to third embodiments of the present invention is only a part of the video apparatuss to which the principles of the present invention is applied. Therefore, if the learning data base, the learning diagnostic memory and the learning function control algorithm are applied to all of video apparatuss, there exist differences in a signal processing method and a display form in accordance with characteristics of the video apparatuss, but it is irrespective of the embodiment of the present invention, such that it can be appreciated that the present invention can be widely applied to all kinds of video apparatuss.

[0106] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in a learning data base building method and a video apparatus having a learning function by using the learning data base and learning function control method therefor of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.