US4969096A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for selecting communication devices for non-speaking patients
Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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Filing: 1989-09-25
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Granted: 1990-11-06
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Expires: 2009-09-25
Abstract
Abstract A computer-assisted method for prescribing communication devices for non-speaking patients which is objective, and is not device-limited and functions as an effective tool for clinicians prescribing communication devices. Because the method is not device-limited, it may also be used to test the effect of design changes in device characteristics which affect the fit of the device to the user and the communication rate achieved; and enables a direct comparison to be made among devices, based on scoring the user-device pair. The method comprises the compilation of data concerning client needs and preferences as well as the client cognitive and learning characteristics; assessing the patient's motor abilities for control of devices; assessing the characteristics of a variety of communication devices; and using a computer program and specially developed formulas to integrate, compare, and assess the results so as to arrive at a communication device best suited for the client's needs.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Rosen
- 👤 Cheryl Goodenough-Trepagnier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:33
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B21/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
Method for prescribing a communication device for a patient with a neuromoter deficit affecting speech comprising: assessing the patient's motor abilities for control of a keyboard-type device, said motor ability assessing including measuring reach envelope ability, actuation force ability, and actuation accuracy ability; assessing characteristics of each of a plurality of keyboard-type communication devices, said characteristics assessing including deriving an expert keystroke history for each said keyboard-type device for production of a sample text corpus; and evaluating the results of each said assessing to prescribe a communication device for the patient.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
Method for prescribing a communication device for a patient with a neuromoter deficit affecting speech comprising: assessing the patient's motor abilities for control of a keyboard-type device, said motor ability assessing including measuring reach envelope ability, actuation force ability, and actuation accuracy ability; assessing characteristics of each of a plurality of keyboard-type communication devices, said characteristics assessing including deriving an expert keystroke history for each said keyboard-type device for production of a sample text corpus; and evaluating the results of each said assessing to prescribe a communication device for the patient.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of deriving an expert keystroke history comprises: determining the length of the longest unit of text in the language menu of said keyboard-type device, selecting a sequence of characters from said sample text corpus equal in number to said longest unit length, and attempting to match said selected characters to a unit of text in said language menu.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising repeatedly dropping a character from said selected characters and attempting to match the resulting group of characters to a unit of text in said language menu until a match is found.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said selecting commences with the leftmost characters from said sample text corpus, and continues through said text corpus until all character groups have been matched to units of text in said language menu.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the results of each said assessing are entered into a computer and said evaluating is performed by said computer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said motor ability assessing includes automated data acquisition by a computer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising: identifying a minimal motor ability operational requirement for each said keyboard-type communication device, and excluding from consideration any said keyboard-type communication device for which the patient's motor abilities fall below said minimal motor ability operational requirement.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said minimal operational requirement for each keyboard-type communication device comprises: requirement of an ability to move to the most distant key in each of a plurality of directions; requirement of an ability to produce a minimum force at each key; and requirement of an ability to touch a selected key while not touching adjacent keys.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said reach envelope ability measuring comprises measuring the greatest distance the patient can reach in each of a plurality of directions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said actuation force ability measuring comprises measuring the largest force the patient can reliably exert at each position of greatest reach ability.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said actuation accuracy ability measuring comprises measuring the smallest target size the patient can reliably touch when alternately touching each of a pair of targets at opposite locations of greatest reach ability.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said keyboard-type motor abilities assessing comprises: directing the patient to repeatedly move between two targets; varying the target characteristics; and measuring the time the patient takes to move between the targets for each combination of characteristics.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said varying characteristics include: distance between targets; size of each target; angular direction cf movement between targets; force required to depress each target; and travel of target required to depress each target.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the performance speed is directly dependent on the accuation force and the travel of target.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 12 wherein each said target is an electrical switch.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising calculating a client's motor determined maximum rate for each said keyboard-type communication device using said target characteristics and said time to move between targets.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said motor determined maximum rate calculating comprises applying the results of said time to move between targets measuring to said optimized keystroke history.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising: assessing the patient's cognitive abilities, and assessing the patient's sensory abilities.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said cognitive assessing comprises assessing spelling, code learning and location learning abilities, and said sensory assessing comprises assessing vision and hearing abilities.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 19 further comprising: identifying a minimal cognitive and sensory operational requirement for each said keyboard-type communication device, and excluding from consideration any said keyboard-type communication device for which the patient's spelling, code learning, location learning, vision or hearing ability falls below said cognitive and sensory minimal operational requirement.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 19 further comprising: assessing the patient's needs and preferences, and combining each said motor determined maximum rate with said needs and preferences to determine an expected benefit from use of each said keyboard-type communication device.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
131 words
The method of claim 21 further comprising: determining a reference motor determined maximum rate and a reference expected benefit for at least one scanning-type communication device; excluding assessing the patient's motor abilities for controlling each scanning-type communication device if any of said keyboard-type devices yields both a greater motor determined maximum rate than said reference rate for all said scanning-type devices, and a greater expected benefit than said reference benefit for all said scanning-type devices; and assessing the patient's motor abilities for controlling each scanning-type communication device if any of said keyboard-type devices yields either the same or a lesser motor determined maximum rate than said reference rate for any of said scanning-type devices, or the same or lesser expected benefit than said reference benefit for any of said scanning-type devices.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 21 further comprising: determining said reference motor determined maximum rate for each said scanning-type communication device from assessment of at least one able-bodied person's motor abilities in controlling said scanning-type communication device; and determining said reference expected benefit for each said scanning-type communication device from the patient's needs and preferences and said reference rate.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said scanning-type motor abilities assessing further comprises: directing the patient to close a switch twice; measuring the time the patient takes to initially close the switch; and measuring the time from the first switch closure to the second switch closure.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 24 wherein the scanning rates are varied.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 25 wherein said rates are varied in response to the patient's prior scanning-type assessing measurements.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 24 wherein each said switch is a paddle switch.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 24 wherein each said switch is a breath pressure switch.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 24 further comprising calculating a motor determined maximum rate for each said scanning-type communication device using the results of said time measuring.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 29 wherein said motor determined maximum rate calculating comprises: deriving a scan interval history for production of at least one sample text: and applying the results of said time measuring to said scan interval history.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 30 wherein the results of said time to switch closure measuring and said time to switch release measuring are used to calculate said motor determined maximum rate for each said scanning-type device which operates in dwell mode.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 30 wherein the results of said time to initial switch closure measuring and said time from first switch closure to second switch closure measuring are used to calculate the motor determined maximum rate for each said scanning-type device which does not operate in dwell mode.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 29 further comprising: combining each said motor determined maximum rate with the patient's needs and preferences to determine the expected benefit to the patient from use of said scanning-type communication device.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 21 wherein said scanning-type motor abilities assessing comprises: directing the patient to close and release a switch; measuring the time the patient takes to close the switch; and measuring the time the patient takes to release the switch.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said code learning ability assessing comprises: directing the patient to learn an association between codes and sets of words, and testing the learning of said association.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 35 wherein said association learning comprises: learning association between a single digit code and each of three words, learning association between a two digit code and each of five words, and learning association between a two digit code and each of seven words.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said location learning ability assessing comprises: directing the patient to learn an association between locations and groups of letters, and testing the learning of said association.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said spelling ability assessing comprises: placing letters of the alphabet into areas, communicating a word to the patient, and directing the patient to indicate in sequence each of said areas which contains letters for the proper spelling of said word.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising assessing the patient's motor abilities in controlling an encoded-type device using body-distributed switches.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 39 wherein said encoded-type motor abilities assessing comprises: directing the patient to alternately make at least one pair of switch closures; and measuring the time between the first switch closure and the second switch closure.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 40 wherein said switch closures are made with a single switch and the patient is directed to Close said single switch at least twice.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 40 wherein said switch closures are made with at least one pair of switches and the patient is directed to alternate closures between said switches.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 40 wherein the patient is directed to close a plurality of pairs of switches and the time between each closure is measured.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 40 wherein the sequence and pairs of switch closings is varied.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 40 further comprising calculating a motor determined maximum rate for each said encoded-type communication device using the results of said time between switch closure measuring.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 45 wherein said encoded-type motor determined maximum rate calculating comprises: deriving a switch closure frequency history for production of at least on sample text; and applying the results of said time between closure measuring to said switch closure frequency history.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 46 further comprising: assessing the patient's needs and preferences, and combining each said encoded-type motor determined maximum rate with the patient's needs and preferences to determine the expected benefit to the patient from use of said encoded-type communication device.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
194 words
Method for prescribing a communication device for a patient with a neuromoter deficit affecting speech, which method utilizes a single input switch connected to a computer screen consisting of an upper row comprising a series of box outlines wherein one of said boxes is filled in with a target, and a cross hair cursor controlled by the switch and capable of moving across a bottom row on the screen in the manner of a one dimensional scanner, said method comprising: closing and releasing the switch as quickly as possible when the cursor matches the target, whereby the response timeduring a single strike and the dwell time or closure-to-release time is measured; closing the switch twice as quickly as possible when the cursor matches the target; repeating both of said steps at decreasing scanning intervals until the client can no longer successfully complete the task; increasing the scanning interval to the last successful scanning interval, and decreasing said interval in smaller steps than previously until the client fails for a second time to perform the task, whereby the response time during a repeated strike as well as the time between successive switch closures is measured.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
194 words
Method for prescribing a communication device for a patient with a neuromoter deficit affecting speech, which method utilizes a single input switch connected to a computer screen consisting of an upper row comprising a series of box outlines wherein one of said boxes is filled in with a target, and a cross hair cursor controlled by the switch and capable of moving across a bottom row on the screen in the manner of a one dimensional scanner, said method comprising: closing and releasing the switch as quickly as possible when the cursor matches the target, whereby the response timeduring a single strike and the dwell time or closure-to-release time is measured; closing the switch twice as quickly as possible when the cursor matches the target; repeating both of said steps at decreasing scanning intervals until the client can no longer successfully complete the task; increasing the scanning interval to the last successful scanning interval, and decreasing said interval in smaller steps than previously until the client fails for a second time to perform the task, whereby the response time during a repeated strike as well as the time between successive switch closures is measured.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
123 words
Method for prescribing an encoded type of communication device for a patient with a neuromoter deficit affecting speech, utilizing on/off switches affixed to various parts of the patient's body, comprising: sequentially closing a pair of randomly designated switches; measuring the time between closure of one switch and closure of the second switch in the pair; repeating the performance until combinations of switching pairs have been exhausted; determining the average values of the closure to closure times for all pairs of switches; calculating a motor determined maximum rate for each of said encoded communication devices using the frequency with which switch closure at each input jack is followed by closure at all other input jacks and the closure-to-closure time required for each switch pair.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
123 words
Method for prescribing an encoded type of communication device for a patient with a neuromoter deficit affecting speech, utilizing on/off switches affixed to various parts of the patient's body, comprising: sequentially closing a pair of randomly designated switches; measuring the time between closure of one switch and closure of the second switch in the pair; repeating the performance until combinations of switching pairs have been exhausted; determining the average values of the closure to closure times for all pairs of switches; calculating a motor determined maximum rate for each of said encoded communication devices using the frequency with which switch closure at each input jack is followed by closure at all other input jacks and the closure-to-closure time required for each switch pair.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-11-05 | 1994-05-07 | 1994-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-11-05 | 1998-05-07 | 1998-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-11-05 | 2002-05-07 | 2002-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |