EP0061146A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Non-verbal communication device
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1982-03-17
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2002-03-17
Abstract
Abstract A device for facilitating non-verbal communications between individuals. The device includes a two-sided panel containing a plurality of message blocks which are selectively illuminated by the individuals in a variety of modes. In a first mode, the message blocks are sequentially scanned in one of two patterns, with scan direction and termination being controlled by actuating a switch. In a second mode, a transparent, direct select keyboard is placed over the message blocks and individual message blocks are selected by touching the keyboard in front of the block to be selected. Finally, the position of the illuminated message block may be controlled by a joy stick. The message blocks on the panel are printed on removable overlays which are specially adapted for various situations. The overlays carry identifying markings which are automatically read by the device so that the messages on the overlay, which are stored in non-volatile memory, can be correlated to their position on the panel. The overlays include a number of special function blocks which, when selected, cause the device to operate a wheelchair, sound an audio alarm, communicate with a computer or other device through a serial I/O port, or communicate ultrasonically with external devices. Each message block may include several different messages, with the message selected in that block being designated by a corresponding level-selection block. The messages may be either letters or words, and the combination of letters and words may be accumulated in an alphanumeric display or a printer.
Inventors
- 👤 Linda Willough
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 19:01
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B21/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A non-verbal communication device, comprising: a plurality of optically isolated light cells arranged in a matrix, each of said cells having at least one open end; individually energizable, light-emitting means mounted in each of said cells; a light-transmissive panel covering the open ends of said cells; a removable overlay covering said panel, said overlay having a plurality of messages arranged in discrete message blocks with are superimposed over respective cells of said matrix; and means for allowing an individual to selectively energize each of said light-emitting means to communicate the messages illuminated by said light-emitting means to a third party.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
A non-verbal communication device, comprising: a plurality of optically isolated light cells arranged in a matrix, each of said cells having at least one open end; individually energizable, light-emitting means mounted in each of said cells; a light-transmissive panel covering the open ends of said cells; a removable overlay covering said panel, said overlay having a plurality of messages arranged in discrete message blocks with are superimposed over respective cells of said matrix; and means for allowing an individual to selectively energize each of said light-emitting means to communicate the messages illuminated by said light-emitting means to a third party.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
109 words
The communication device of claim 1 wherein each of several overlays are marked with an identification code which uniquely defines said overlay, said device further including: a non-volatile memory for storing the messaqes, respective message block locations and identification code for each of said overlays; code reader means for reading the identification markings on each overlay as it is placed on said panel in order to determine the identification code for such overlay; and processor means for correlating the messages for said overlay stored in said non-volatile memory, with each cell having an energized light-emitting means to allow said processor means to determine the messages selected by said individual.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The communication device of claim 2, further including accumulator means to which said messages are transmitted by said processor means to allow a plurality of sequentially selected messages to be accumulated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The communication device of claim 3 wherein said accumulator includes a random access memory addressable by said processor means for storing data corresponding to said messages.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The communication device of claim 4, further including serial input/output interface means comprising a clock for qenerating a plurality of clock pulses and a shift register receiving said data from said random access memory in parallel and sequentially outputting said data through a serial input/ output port.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The communication device of claim 5, further including means for allowing said shift register to receive data in serial from an external device and for periodically transferring said data to said random access memory in parallel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
77 words
The communication device of claim 3 wherein said accumulator means includes buffer means for temporarily storing a plurality of messages, an alphanumeric display having a plurality of digits, each of which includes a plurality of individually energizable light-emitting segments adapted to form an alphanumeric character, and display driver means receiving the contents of said buffer means and sequentially energizing the segments of each display which correspond to each character of the messages stored in said buffer means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The communication device of claim 3 wherein accumulator means includes printer means for printing said messages as they are selected.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
The communication device of claim 1 wherein each of said cells has a second open end opposite said first open end, and wherein said second open ends are covered with a light-transmissive panel and an overlay bearing messages arranged in discrete message blocks which are identical to the messages in the message block on the opposite side of each cell.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
74 words
The communication device of claim 1, further including means for adjusting the intensity of liqht from said light-emitting means in accordance with the intensity of the ambient light, comprising: light-sensing means for providing an output indicative of the intensity of ambient light; and processor means for periodically energizing the light-emitting means in the cells for selected messages, said light-emitting means being energized for a duration which is proportional to the intensity of ambient light.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The communication device of claim 1, further including means for generating an output to control an external device, said output being initiated by selecting a predetermined message block on said overlay..
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The communication device of claim 11 wherein said output is an ultrasonic audio signal coded in accordance with the message block selected on said overlay.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The communication device of claim 11 wherein said overlay includes message blocks bearing respective wheelchair manipulation commands and wherein said output is adapted to operate a wheelchair in accordance with the commands selected on said overlay.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
70 words
The communication device of claim 13 wherein said outputs are two in number, each of which is adapted to control one wheel of a two-wheeled wheelchair, said output being a predetermined frequency for a command which requires a respective wheel to be stopped, and said output being a frequency above or below said predetermined frequency responsive to a selected command which causes the respective wheel to move forwardly or rearwardly.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The communication device of claim 1 wherein each message on said overlay is positioned adjacent other messages which are most likely to be selected following the selection of such message.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
66 words
The communication device of claim 1 wherein each message block contains a plurality of messages, said overlay further including a plurality of message designating blocks corresponding in number to the number of messages in each message block, said message designating blocks being individually selectable along with individual message blocks whereby the message selected for an illuminated message block is designated by the illuminated message designating block.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The communication device of claim 1 wherein a plurality of message blocks may be sequentially illuminated, said device further including means for removing energy from said energized light-emitting means when a predetermined message block is selected.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The communication device of claim 1, further including means for simultaneously energizing the light-emitting means in a plurality of cells in blocks, the number and arrangement of cells forming said blocks being manually adjustable.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
66 words
The communication device of claim 1 wherein said message blocks are scanned in a plurality of patterns under control of a manually actuatable switch which is plugged into a plurality of jacks corresponding to respective scan patterns, said communication device further including processing means for determining in which jack said switch is plugged and for scanning said message blocks in the pattern corresponding to said jack.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
73 words
The communication device of claim 19, further including a direct select keyboard for allowing specific message blocks to be selected, said keyboard comprising: a transparent switch panel positioned in front of said overlay, said panel having a plurality of switch contacts corresponding in number and position to said message blocks; and processor means for determining which switch contact has been closed and for illuminating the light-emitting means for the message block corresponding thereto.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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