Data entry method and apparatus for the disabled

Claim 2

An improved method of selecting an element of a group comprising steps of: (a) serially scanning the elements of the group at a rate which is proportional to a user controlled continuously variable volitional signal; (b) stopping said serial scanning step under an ambient condition. (c) selecting the said element of the group by changing the user controlled volitional signal in a direction or magnitude different from that which is applied under scanning step (a).

Claim 3

The method of claim 1, wherein an ambient condition forming step (b) adjusts the scanning step to a speed sufficiently slow to accommodate character selection.

Claim 4

The method of claim 1, wherein the said user controlled continuously variable voltional signal comprises air vacuum which may be generated in the mouth of the user.

Claim 5

The method of claim 3, wherein the change of said volitional signal (b) comprises air pressure which may be generated in the users mouth.

Claim 6

The method of claim 1, wherein the said user controlled continuously variable volitional signal comprises air pressure which may be generated in the mouth of the user.

Claim 7

The method of claim 5, wherein the change of said volitional signal (c) comprises air vacuum which may be generated in the user's mouth.

Claim 8

The method of claim 1, wherein the selection of the said element in step (c) is accomplished by means of a switch closure.

Claim 9

The method of claim 1, wherein the user controlled continuously variable signal (a) may include discontinuities such as step responses.

Claim 10

The method of claim 1, wherein a different group of elements to be scanned is selected when the magnitude of the said user controlled continuously variable volitional signal crosses a pre-selected threshold limit.

Claim 11

The method of claim 1, wherein a different group of elements to be scanned is selected by means of a switch closure.

Claim 12

The method of claim 1, wherein the selection of a said specific element according to step (c) is repeated if conditions comprising step (c) remain unaltered after an elapsed time duration.

Claim 13

A communication method, for use by handicapped individuals for selecting an element of any array, comprising steps of: (a) serially scanning the elements of the group at a rate which is proportional to a user controlled continuously variable volitional signal; (b) stopping said serial scanning step under an ambient condition. (c) selecting the said element of the group by changing the user controlled volitional signal in a direction or magnitude different from that which is required for said scanning step (a).

Claim 14

A communication method, for use by handicapped individuals for selecting an element of any array, comprising steps of: (a) serially scanning the elements of the group at a rate which is proportional to a user controlled continuously variable volitional signal; (b) stopping said serial scanning step under an ambient condition. (c) selecting the said element of the group by changing the user controlled volitional signal in a direction or magnitude different from that which is required for said scanning step (a).

Claim 15

The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of selecting from a multiplicity of groups of elements to be scanned.

Claim 16

The method of claim 12 further comprising a dual display such that a first display visually represents the array elements to be scanned and a second display visually represents a character which is instantaneously being scanned.

Claim 17

The method of claim 12 further comprising a means of feedback to the user indicating that a character has been selected.

Claim 20

The apparatus of claim 16, wherein ambient condition adjusts the scanning to a speed sufficiently slow to accommodate character selection.

Claim 21

An apparatus for aiding handicapped persons in selecting an element of an array of claim 16 further comprising two displays: a first display showing the elements of the group to be scanned; a second display showing the element of the array which is instantaneously being scanned.

Claim 22

The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a means of feedback to the user indicating that a character has been selected.

Claim 23

The apparatus of claim 16, wherein an ambient condition stops the scanning.