# US 11,439,124 B2 · Use of semantic boards and semantic buttons for training and assisting the expression and understanding of language > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,439,124 B2 - Document ID: US11439124B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/369,868 - Filed: 2021-07-07 - Published: 2021-11-04 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2019-12-09 - Applicants: Cleverpet, Inc - Inventors: Leo Trottier; Jelmer Tiete; Gary Stephen Shuster - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11439124B2 ## CPC - A01K 15/021: {Electronic training devices specially adapted for dogs or cats} - A01K 15/02: Training or exercising equipment, e.g. mazes or labyrinths for animals (A01K15/04 takes precedence) {; Electric shock devices; Toys specially adapted for animals} - A63F 3/0402: {for learning languages} - A63F 3/0421: {Electric word or number games} - G09B 1/325: {the elements comprising interacting electronic components} - G09B 1/36: the elements being connectible by corresponding projections and recesses - G09B 5/02: with visual presentation of the material to be studied, e.g. using film strip - G09B 5/04: with audible presentation of the material to be studied (sound recording or reproducing G11B) - G09B 7/00: Electrically-operated teaching apparatus or devices working with questions and answers (mechanically operated G09B3/00; computing arrangements G06F) - G09B 19/00: Teaching not covered by other main groups of this subclass (teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying F41G3/26) - G09B 21/00: Teaching, or communicating with, the blind, deaf or mute (audible presentation of material to be studied G09B5/04; devices or methods for replacing direct visual or auditory perception by another kind of perception A61F9/08, A61F11/04; audible indication of meter readings or of colour G01D7/12; watches for blind persons G04B25/02; speech analysis, speech recognition G10L; sound-recording or reproducing, per se G11B) - G09B 21/003: {using tactile presentation of the information, e.g. Braille displays} - G09B 21/006: {using audible presentation of the information} - A63F 2003/00482: {Hexagonal} - A01K: ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS - A63F: CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G09B: EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS (devices for psychotechnics or for testing reaction times A61B5/16; games, sports, amusements A63; projectors, projector screens G03B) ## Abstract Devices for providing language-like abilities for dogs. Using polygonal layouts, audible, scent, visible and other cues, the devices provide an efficient and novel ability to communicate with dogs in a granular manner. Devices for capturing and releasing scents are provided. Novel button designs and functions are taught with particular suitability for animal training. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A language expression method, comprising: locating one or more sound-producing buttons on a hexagonal board proximal to a referent such that a trained learner may use the one or more sound-producing buttons; and connecting the hexagonal board with one or more other hexagonal boards, wherein the one or more other hexagonal boards are added along semantic vectors. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The language expression method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the hexagonal board and the other hexagonal boards comprise between one and seven sound-producing buttons. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The language expression method of claim 1, further comprising infusing a scent in each sound-producing button to aid in the training. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The language expression method of claim 1, further comprising placing an object to which the learner ascribes a meaning in the one or more sound-producing buttons to aid in the training. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The language expression method of claim 1, further comprising emission of a sound outside of the range of human hearing from at least one of the one or more sound-producing buttons. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The language expression method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the buttons is located on a vertical or sloped surface. ### Claim 7 A language training method, comprising: locating two or more sound-producing buttons proximal to a referent; training a learner to use the two or more sound-producing buttons; and arranging the two or more sound-producing buttons along semantic vectors. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The language training method of claim 7, wherein at least one of the buttons is located on a polygonal board. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The language training method of claim 7, further comprising infusing a scent in each sound-producing button to aid in the training. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The language training device of claim 7, further comprising placing an object to which the learner ascribes a meaning in the one or more sound-producing buttons to aid in the training. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The language training method of claim 7, further comprising emission of a sound outside of the range of human hearing from at least one of the one or more sound-producing buttons. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The language training method of claim 7, wherein at least one of the buttons is located on a vertical or sloped surface. ### Claim 13 A language training device, comprising: a plurality of polygonal boards placed on a horizontal, a vertical or a sloped surface, each polygonal board comprising a face; one or more semantic buttons, each semantic button connected to the face; wherein: (i) a corner of each polygonal board is without a semantic button so as to provide a cue as to the board's orientation; (ii) the plurality of polygonal boards are arranged to facilitate the learning of words and word categories; and (iii) the plurality of polygonal boards further comprise an olfactory cue to help a learner identify a category of words located on the board. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The language training device of claim 13, wherein the surface is vertical. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The language training device of claim 13, wherein the surface is sloped. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The language training device of claim 13, wherein the polygonal shape is rectangular. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The language training device of claim 13, wherein the polygonal shape is triangular. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The language training device of claim 13, wherein the polygonal shape is hexagonal. ### Claim 19 A language training device, comprising: a plurality of polygonal boards placed on a horizontal, a vertical or a sloped surface, each polygonal board comprising a face; one or more semantic buttons, each semantic button connected to the face; wherein: (i) a corner of each polygonal board is without a semantic button so as to provide a cue as to the board's orientation; (ii) the plurality of polygonal boards are arranged to facilitate the learning of words and word categories; and (iii) new polygonal boards are added to the device along semantic vectors. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The language training device of claim 19, wherein the surface is vertical. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The language training device of claim 19, wherein the surface is sloped. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The language training device of claim 19, wherein the polygonal shape is rectangular. ### Claim 23 (depends on 19) The language training device of claim 19, wherein the polygonal shape is triangular. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The language training device of claim 1, wherein the polygonal shape is hexagonal.