GB2136617A - Control apparatus for a disabled person - Google Patents

Abstract

Control apparatus for a disabled person, comprising display means (42) having a plurality of display positions (108) scanning of which, in a first operating mode of the apparatus, is used to enable the operator to select any one of a first set of control functions respectively associated with the display positions (108), and in a second mode of operation, to enable the operator to select any one of a second set of control functions respectively associated with the same display positions (108), and means to change operation from one of the first and second modes to the other. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Control apparatus for a disabled person The present invention relates to control apparatus for a disabled person. Such apparatus may be domestic apparatus for assisting a disabled person to operate a front door lock, an intercom system, a T.V., a radio, a fire and a lamp of his own home without the presence of an attendant. Such operation may be effected by means of a switch device, the latter being appropriate for the disabled person who is to use the apparatus. For example, it may be a large push-button switch, or a blow/suck switch. The control apparatus addresses the different home appliances to which it is connected in a particular sequence, and may be so constructed that when the control switch is operated, the particular appliance which was being addressed by the apparatus at that time is switched on or off.

One such system has already been proposed provides a display matrix of individually addressable positions. Each position may be selectively illuminated by an associated lamp. The extreme left-hand column of the matrix has positions corresponding to the various different appliances. The top position may be associated with a door lock, the next position associated with the fire, the next with the T.V. the next with the radio and so on. With the apparatus switched on, control circuitry therein scans the extreme left-hand column of the matrix so that the lamps thereof successively light up the positions associated with the various different appliances. If, for example, the user wishes to switch on the T.V., he simply operates the control switch when the T.V.

position is illuminated by its associated lamp. Having done that, the control circuitry is switched to scan the matrix horizontally. In the row which has the T.V. position at its extreme left-hand end, the different positions will be designated for different T.V. control functions, such as brilliance, volume, contrast, and channel. If the user wishes to adjust any one of these functions, he operats the control switch when the lamp associated with the relevant position is switched on by the control circuitry.

Such apparatus suffers from a disadvantage that the user has to familiarise himself with two different scanning functions; a vertical scanning and a horizontal scanning. Even when the user is familiar with this change in operation, the scanning of a whole matrix can be somewhat bewildering to some users.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide control apparatus which suffers less from the disadvantage.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to control apparatus for a disabled person, comprising display means or other indicator means having a plurality of display positions or otherwise being capable of providing a plurality of different indications scanning of which, in a first operating mode of the apparatus, is used to enable the operator to select any one of a first set of control functions respectively associated with the display positions or indications, and in a second mode of operation, to enable the operator to select any one of a second set of control functions respectively associated with the same display positions or indications, and means to change operation from one of the first and second modes to the other.

Thus the present invention may provide control apparatus for a disabled person, comprising (a) display means or other indicator means having a plurality of display positions or otherwise being capable of providing a plurality of different indications, (b) scanning means connected to the indicator means to successively address the different display positions or other indications, (c) a selector switch operable by the user to provide a select signal when the scanning means addresses a selected one of the said display positions or other indications, (d) control circuitry connected to the scanning means and operable, in a first mode, to effect any selected one of a first set of control functions respectively associated with the said display positions or other indications, and operable, in a second mode, to effect any selected one of a second set of control functions respectively associated with the same display positions or other indications, that one of the said first set or the said second set of control functions being selected which is associated with the particular indication being addressed by the scanner at the instant of operation of the selector switch, the selector switch being connected to the scanning means and/or the control circuitry for this purpose, and (e) means operable by the user to change operation of the apparatus from one of the said first and second modes to the other.

An example of apparatus made in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa box-circuit diagram of the apparatus; Figure 2 is a box-circuit diagram of a modified connection of appliances to a control box of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a further box-circuit diagram showing a further modification of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 to allow control of the apparatus from a different room from the one in which the control box of the apparatus is located; Figures 4 and 5 show elevational views of a front and rear panel respectively of the control box shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 shows an elevational perspective view of a display and a control switch of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;; Figure 7 is a circuit diagram of simplified circuitry to illustrate a principle of operation of the apparatus; Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the circuitry of the control box of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figures 9 to 12 are circuit diagrams showing respective parts of the circuitry shown in Figure 8; Figure 13 to 18 show flow diagrams of the programme according to which a microprocessor of the circuitry shown in Figure 8 operates; and Figure 19 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a telephone system of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 in which there is a second room extension speaker and microphone.

Figure 1 shows a control box 10 having a number of outputs 12 connected to a number of different appliances or devices. These comprise a user intercom 14, first and second internal intercoms 16 and 18 (via a spur box 20), an external alarm bell 22, an external intercom 24, an electric door lock 26 (the last three-mentioned appliances being connected to the control box via a junction box 28 and the spur box 20), an LST 7A telephone system 30, two further appliances 32 and 34 which are adjacent to one another, and a further appliance 36 connected to the control box 10 via a self power appliance 38. A selector or control switch 40 is connected to an input of the control box 10 via a display 42 to control operation of the aforegoing appliances and devices via the control box 10. The display 42 assists the user in operating the system in the desired manner.

Figure 2 shows an alternative manner for connecting the appliances 32, 34,36 and 38 to the control box 10. They are all connected to the same output 12, the self power appliance 38 being connected to that output via the adjacent appliances 32 and 34, and the further appliance 36, the appliances all being connected in series in this modified arrangement.

The number of appliances and their locations in the house may easily be changed to suit the user's requirements.

In the modification shown in Figure 3, the control box 10 and the telephone system 30 are in a first room represented diagrammatically by the ghosted box 43. The user intercom 14 is located in a second room indicated diagrammatically by a ghosted box 44. It is connected to the control box 10 in the first room 43 via a second user station 45. This station 45 enables a further control switch 40a to be connected to operate the control box 10 via the display 43 which is transferred to the second room, and the second user station 45. To enable the user to communicate via the telephone when he is in the second room, a load speaker 50 and a microphone 52 in the second room are connected to the telephone system in the first room via a phone junction box 54 located in the first room. A switch 54a on the junction box 54 transfers the operation of the telephone.

The front control panel 60 of the control box 10 shown in Figure 4 comprises a mains ON/OFF switch 62, a battery ON/OFF switch 62a, a mains-on neon indicator lamp 64, display scanning speed control knob 66, a display delay control knob 68, a telephone store change/retain switch 70 and a display output socket 72 and a user intercom output socket 72a. The ON/OFF switch 62 operates the mains, and the ON/OFF switch 62a operates the battery (not shown) contained in the control box 10 which is automatically switched into the control box circuitry in the event of mains failure. The display scanning speed control knob 66 can be used to adjust the rate of scanning of the display 42. This scanning will be described in greater detail hereinafter. The display delay control knob 68 controls the time of delay before a function is selected following operation of the control switch 40.This delay will also be described in greater detail hereinafter. The change/retain switch 70 enables the numbers in a telephone number memory store in a control box to be entered or changed. This will also be described in greater detail subsequently. The socket 72 is for connection of the display 42 to the control box 10.

Figure 5 shows a rear panel 80 of the control box 10. This provides the mains input 81, communications outputs 82 and 84 (represented by outputs 12 in Figure 1) by means of which the intercoms 16 and 18 and the spur box 20 shown in Figure 1 are connected to the control box 10, appliance outputs 86 and 88 (which were also represented by outputs 12 in Figure 1) for the connection of the appliances 32, 34,36 and 38 to the control box 10, an expansion port 90 to allow an increase of the number of appliances which the control box can control, or the overall number of functions which the control box can effect, a telephone output 92 to which the telephone system 30 (Figure 1) is connected, and a display and master intercom extension 94 to which the second user station 45 shown in Figure 3 can be connected if the modification shown in that Figure is adopted.

Figure 6 shows the display 42 and control switch 40 in greater detail. The display 42 comprises an elongated relatively thin rectangular box 100 stood on one of its ends so as to be nearly upright, but with a slight backward slant, by means of a U-shaped stand 102 connected to mid points of two side walls of the box 100 via attachment knobs 104 (only the near side of which is visible in Figure 6). The stand may be adjusted to any position to facilitate for example hanging the display from the ceiling. The front of the box 100 is provided with a display panel 106. On this display panel 106 there is a centre column of 13 spaces or positions 108, a left-hand column of spaces 110 most of which are slightly wider, each of the left-hand spaces being in line with a corresponding one of the spaces of the centre column 108.The display 106 is further provided with a right-hand column of yet wider spaces 112. This column has thirteen spaces or positions which are even wider than the spaces of the ieft-hand column, to provide room for relatively long words to be printed on these spaces. The top space or position of the right-hand column is in line with the top spaces of the middle and left-hand columns. The other positions of the right-hand column are in line with associated positions of the centre and left-hand columns, the lowermost space or position of the right-hand column being level with the bottom of the centre and left-hand columns. Above the left-hand column 110 is a further space 114 with the word "phone" printed on it and, between that space and the actual left-hand column, an arrow shape 116 pointing downwardly. Similarly, for the right-hand column 112,thereisafurtherspace118abovethat column on which has been printed the word "appliance" and between that space 118 and the column 112 an arrow shape 120 directed downwardly. Each space on the display panel can be individually illuminated by its own respective lamp (not shown in Figure 6) with the exception of the start/stop position. Further lamps (not shown in Figure 6) are arranged to provide a back lighting of the spaces of a lower intensity that the illumination provided by the individual lamps for each of these spaces. The display panel 106 is further provided with a photo sensitive device 122 which is used to decrease the intensity of all the lamps as the ambient light in the room decreases, so that their intensity is a minimum during night-time when the room lighting is switched off.A seven segment display 742 is provided to enable a check to be made to see that the correct telephone number has been entered into the machine.

The control switch 40 comprises a plastics moulding hinged at one end to operate a micro switch (not shown) contained inside the moulding, by downward pressure on the moulding at the opposite end of the hinge of a serrated part 126. The control switch 40 is connected to the display 42 by means of a cable link 130. It will be appreciated that other forms of control switch 40 may be used, for example a blow/suck switch. The actual switch used depends on which is most convenient for the user.

The columns of the display panel 106 have the numbers 1 to 9 and then 0 printed on the spaces in the left-hand column, in order in a downward direction, followed by the words "dial", then "repeat" and at the bottom, "cancel". In addition the first three positions of column 110 have, in their left-hand halves, the letters "H", "M" and "L" printed on them respectively. Printed on the spaces ofthe right-hand column, are, in the first uppermost space, "start/stop", in the next space down "alarm", then "door", "phone line", "dial/vol", "intercom", "x intercom", "TV", "radio", "heater", "lamp", "typewriter", and in the lowermost space "aux".

Although all the spaces of the right-hand column have words printed on them in the illustrated display, the bottom six positions thereof are normally left blank until the appropriate mains battery powered appliances have been selected. Five of the positions may be used to indicate mains or battery powered appliances that are required to be controlled. (In Figure 6 these are shown as "TV", "radio", "heater", "lamp", and "typewriter"). The bottom position of the column 112 is marked "aux". This position is for expansion of the equipment of the equipment to enable additional appliances to be controlled through an expansion port 90 (Figure 5).

Operation of the illustrated apparatus, which is effected by means of control circuitry to be described in greater detail hereinafter, is as follows: in a quiescent state of operation, all the lamps will be extinguished with the exception of the appliance indicator 118 and the arrow 120. Depression of the portion 126 of the switch 40 illuminates the uppermost space of the centre column of spaces 108.

Release of the switch 40 initiates the first operating mode in which the centre-column of spaces 108 are successively addressed in a downward direction, with a view to enabling the user to select one of the appliances or devices written in the right-hand column. The appliance space 118 and the arrow 120 are illuminated at this stage to indicate that the apparatus is operating in the first mode, i.e. for the selection of a particular appliance or device. The user depresses the switch 40 when the light adjacent to the name of the appliance or device which he wishes to switch on is illuminated. Thus, if the scanning is stopped when the centre space 108 adjacent to the T.V. space in the right-hand column is illuminated, the T.V. will be switched on after a predetermind delay set by the display delay control knob 68 in Figure 4.Likewise for the alarm, door, intercom, external intercom, radio, heater lamp and typewriter. Once the selection has been made the corresponding light in the right-hand column 112 is switched on. The light in the centre-column of spaces 108, adjacent to the light in the right-hand column 112, will also remain on until the switch 40 is released. On release of the switch 40 the centrecolumn light will extinguish and the unit reverts back to the quiescent state excepting that the lamp of the right-hand column associated with the appliance or device which was just switched on continues to illuminate its associated space to show the user at a glance that the device is switched on. A further scanning of the centre-column and depression of the switch 40 at the same space will switch that appliance off, whereafter the associated lamp will be extinguished.

If when making a selection the switch 40 is depressed while a scan is in progress and released before the predetermined delay set by the display control knob 68 in Figure 4, the centre-column or scan light illuminated at the time will go out, the uppermost space of the centre-column will illuminate and the scan will continue from the top again.

This will apply whenever a scan selection is being made, both for appliance selection and as will be described hereinafter for telephone number and store selections.

To receive an incoming telephone call the user starts a scanning sequence and stops the scan at the lamp associated with "phone line" in the right-hand column 112. This switches on the telephone system, enabling the user to converse with the caller. To disengagethe line, the user simply starts a further scan and stops the lamp at the phone line position once again.

To dial out, the user starts the scan, stopping it when the lamp adjacent to the "dial/vol" position in the right-hand column is reached. The "dial/vol" lamp will be illuminated after the predetermined delay set the by display delay control knob 68 in Figure 4 and remain on for the following line selection procedure. This selection of "dial/vol", however, changes the system to a second operating mode in which the numbers in the left-hand column may now be selected. To indicate this change of operating mode, at the same time as the "dial/vol" lamp is illuminated the appliance space 118 and the associated arrow 120 are extinguished and instead the lamps associated with the "phone" space 114 and arrow 116 are switched on together with the uppermost space of the centre column 108 (Figure 6). At this stage the user will still be depressing button 128. On release of this button the scanning sequence of the centre column will start. When the centre column scan reaches a number which is to be selected the user depresses the switch 40. After the predetermined delay set by the display delay control a telephone number in the telephone memory (not shown) in the control box 10 associated with that number is thereby selected, the telephone line is siezed and the number is dialled automatically. As soon as dialling is completed the centre column scan light adjacent to the telephone number selected and the "dial/vol" lamp will be extinguished, while the "phone line" lamp will be switched on. At the same time the "phone" space 114 will be extinguished and the "appliance" space 118 together with its associated arrow 120 will be re-lit, indicating that the apparatus has now reverted to its first operating mode.Thus, to terminate the call, the user simply starts a further scan and stops it at "phone line".

If during the foregoing "phone dial" procedure, another priority arises, the scanning sequence can be stopped at the lowermost lamp in the centre column 108 corresponding to "cancel". This will revert the apparatus to its original quiesent condition. To repeat the last number which was dialled or attempted to be dialled the user can stop a scanning sequence, with the system apparatus in the first mode of operation, at the "dial/vol" position, and, with the apparatus therefore subsequently running in the second mode of operation at the "repeat" position of the left-hand column.

To dial a number which is not in the apparatus's memory the user selects "dial/voi". In the second operating mode of the system, the user now selects "dial" in the left-hand column. The digits of the number which the user wishes to dial are now entered by successive scans, the user stopping the scan at the appropriate number in the left-hand column for each digit. After the predetermined delay (display delay control) the scan light adjacent to the number in the left hand column that has been selected will go out for a period of approximately one second and then come on again for the same period before finally going out when the scan will return to the uppermost space of the centre-column.

If the switch 40 is now released the scan will restart ready for the next selection. The effect of the scan light turning off and on again as described shows the user that the apparatus has registered that particular selection. When all the digits have been entered, the user stops the scanning in this second operating mode at "dial" in the left hand column. The number is now automatically dialled by the apparatus, and the "phone line" position lights up. The unit now reverts back to the quiescent state. Afurtherselec- tion of "phone line" will terminate the call.

It is possible when dialling a number which is not in the apparatus's memory to check that the digits have been entered correctly before the number is dialled. The user selects "dial/vol" to convert to the second operating mode of the system. The user now selects "dial" in the left-hand column. The digits of the number required are now entered as described above. If the user becomes distracted, or wishes to check that digits have been entered correctly, he can stop the scan against "repeat" in the left hand column. The scan light will go out and each digit will be displayed on the 7-segment display 742 (shown in Figure 6) for approximately one second. There is then a similar period when no digit is displayed before the next display is made.When all the digits have been displayed in this way, the 7-segment display will be switched off and the scan will restart ready for the next selection. The system is still in the second operating mode. Further digits may be added if required to the number already displayed.

When the number is complete the user stops the scanning at "dial" in the left hand column. The number is now automatically dialled by the apparatus, and the "phone line" position lights up. The unit now reverts back to the quiescent state. A further selection of "phone line" will terminate the call.

If a mistake is made or it is required to control an appliance the scan should be stopped on the "cancel" position. The routine will be terminated immediately and the quiescent state resumed. The user will then have to reselect "dial/vol" to return to the "phone dial" sub-routine.

All these functions are operable with the telephone store change/retain switch 70 in its retain position. If it is switched to its change position, the numbers in its memories can be entered or changed.

To achieve this, a first scan is stopped at the "dial/vol" position. With the apparatus now in the second mode of operation, which may be termed the "phone dial" sub-routine, one of the numbers is selected. This number will be the number of the memory location in which the telephone number will be entered. After the predetermined delay (display delay control) the scan light adjacent to the store location selected will go out and the scan will return to the uppermost space of the centre column. If the switch 40 is now released the scan will restart ready to enter the first digit of the telephone number into the memory location selected. This time when a digit is selected the scan light will go out, come on again and then reset to the top of the scan as described previously in the routine for dialling an unstored number.After a number of scans, the various digits of the telephone number are entered in the correct order.

If a mistake is made or it is required to control an appliance the scan should be stopped on the "cancel" position. The routine will be terminated immediately and the quiescent state resumed. The user will then have to reselect "dial/vol" to return to the "phone dial" sub-routine.

If the "repeat" position is selected during a memory entry, the last digits entered will be displayed in sequence on the 7-segment display 742 to enable the user to continue a momentary loss of concentration. When displayed in this way each digit will be displayed for approximately one second, on display 742. There is then a similar period when no digit is displayed before the next digit in sequence is displayed. While the digits of the number are being displayed in this way the scan light adjacent to the store location selected is iluminated. Displaying the number in this way makes it clearer two the user.

When all the digits have been displayed in this way, the 7-segment display and the scan light adjacent to the store location selected will both be switched off and the scan will restart ready for the next selection.

The system is still in the second operating mode.

Further digits may be added if required to the number already displayed. When the number is complete the user stops the scanning at "dial" in the left hand column. The digits of the number are again displayed as described for "repeat" on the 7segment display 742 and the scan light adjacent to the store location selected and illuminated, only this time the number is entered into a memory (not shown) contained in the control box 10 shown in Figure 1. When all the digits have been displayed, the 7-segment display and the scan light adjacent to the store location selected will both be switched off and the apparatus will revert to its original quiescent condition.

The memory contained in the control box 10 enables 10 telephone numbers each up to 15 digits long to be entered in the 10 store locations 1 to 0 (column 110 in Figure 6). To dial a number in any of these store locations as described previously, the change/retain switch 70 must be returned to the retain position.

An alternative method of displaying a telephone number in a memoryfollowing selection of "repeat" or "dial" as described above would be for the digits entered to be displayed in sequence on the centre column 108. When displayed in this way each digit would be displayed for approximately one second, followed by a similar period when no digit is displayed before the lamp adjacent to the next digit in sequence is displayed.

The circuitry shown in Figure 7 illustrates one way in which a principle of operation of the apparatus shown in Figures 1 to 6 may be effected.

The switch 40, the display 42, the telephone system 30 and the appliances 32, 34, 36 and 38 are all represented diagrammatically in Figure 7. Only ten lamps 755,757,758 and 759 of the display 42 are represented in Figure 7, lamps 758 are those of the centre column 108 shown in Figure 6 and 759 are those of the right hand "appliance" column. 755 and 757 are the "appliance" and "phone" indicator lamps respectively. It is believed that ten lamps are sufficient here to illustrate the principle of operation of the circuitry of the apparatus. All the other parts of the circuitry shown in Figure 7 would be contained in the control box 10.

An audible cue with adjustable volume is generated from the circuitry in the box of the display 42.

The speaker 768 is also contained in the box of the display 42. This gives an audible cue every time the centre column scan 108 changes. The cue for the uppermost lamp of the centre column is different from the rest. This is a further indication to the patient of the position of the scan.

The control switch 40 is connected to a flag line (EFi) on the microprocessor 710.

On depression of the control switch 40, data is loaded from the microprocessor 710 via an 8-bit data bus 712 into a 4x8 bit parallel-to-serial converter 714.

This is synchronised by the load commands via the I/O decoder 716 and the CPU 710. This data contains the scan, status and control bit information. This data is outputed serially to the display when the send command 718 is activated via a NOR gate 720.

It is synchronized via the NOR gate 720 with a divided down system clock 722.

The serial data and clock outputs are passed through line drivers 724/724a before being sent down the line and connectors, not shown, to the display 42 which is located remotely from the control box 10. On entry to the display the clock signal 726 is taken to the serial-to-parallel convertors 728 and 730.

The serial data is taken to AND gates 732 and 734 wherein is ANDed with control signals A and B from cross-coupled NOR gates 736. The control signals A and B route the data either into the 4x8 bit serial-toparallel converter 728, for information to the display, or the other 8 bit serial-to-parallel convertor 730 for information to the 7-segment display 742. When A is "1" data enters the converter 728 and a lamp is turned on: when B is "1" data enters the converter 730 and the 7-segment display turns on. The clock signal 726 triggers a monostable 744. This provides two signals 746 and strobe 748, which are used to strobe the information onto the parallel outputs of the serial-to-parallel convertors 728 and 730.

Two control bits 750 and 752 are used to set and reset the cross-coupled NOR gates 736 to provide correct routing of data. On power-up control a line 754 is taken high momentarily to ensure that control signal A is set. This ensures that data is routed to the lamp display and not to the 7-segment display, There are 26 outputs from the serial/parallel convertor 728. There are taken to the lamp drivers 756 to provide the high current sink necessary to drive the lamps 755, 757, 758 and 759.

To display a digit on the 7-segment display 742 information is loaded in binary coded decimal form from the serial-to-parallel convertor 730 and appears on the 4 inputs to the 7-segment decoder 738. Here it is decoded into 7-segment format and fed via the lamp driver 740 to the 7-segment display 742.

Two further control lines 760 and 762 are taken from the serial-to-parallel convertor 728. The control line 760 is used to trigger a monostable 764. This provides a pulse which is fed to the audio circuit 766 thus providing an audio cue facility for the scan operation. The control line 762 is used to alter the tone of the audio circuit to indicate the top of the scan and differentiate from the rest of the scan. The audio signal is passed to an output speaker 768.

Volume/on/off control is provided by a control 770.

The data loaded into the P/S convertors 714 will be data taken from 4 locations in a RAM 774; the first two bytes for scan data and the second two bytes for status data. Logic and arithmetic operations are performed on these 4 bytes of data according to the program held in ROMs 772. This occurs each time the control switch 40 is operated and/or when a mains fail or mains restoration signal is received by the CPU 710 and also using information from the BAT/select switches 731. The central processor unit CPU is an 8-bit CMOS 1802 processor and has eight output lines arranged in a group to form a data bus 712. A further either output lines are arranged in another group to form an address bus 776. This is a multiplexed bus, the CPU supplying address lines Al 5 to A8 first followed by address lines A7 to A0.

This provides 16 address lines. Address lines A15 to A8 are latched by the address latch 777 to provide the high order lines for the ROM 772 and the RAM 774. Four of these high order address lines are fed to a decode 778 to provide chip selects for the memory.

The CPU transmits the necessary read and write signals to the memory, and timing signals for the address latch and the chip selector.

The CPU 710 has its data bus 712 connected to the two I/O devices 719 and 721 which control as appliance drives 711 shown in Figure 7. These are controlled by I/O signals 707 from the I/O decoder 715, which in turn receives its I/O control signals from the 3-line data bus 725 connected to the CPU pins NO, N1, and N2. All the necessary timing and data direction signals are provided by the CPU 710.

The I/O decoder 715 is a one-to-eight CMOS decoder 1853. The I/O devices are 8-bit CMOS types 1852.

The two bytes in the RAM 774 containing the status data and also used to switch the appliances on or off. These two bytes are latched into the appliance I/O devices 719 and 721 each time a selection is made by depressing the switch 40. Thus the status indicators 759 on the display box 42 indicate the status of the appliance bus 703 and the communication bus 704 and 706.

The 8-bit bus is also taken to another I/O device 729 which has the battery select and change retain switches 731 connected to it. This again is a CMOS device connected as an input port. The CPU provides the correct timing and direction signals for it. The battery select switches provide a means of programming one or more of the appliances as a battery powered unit. At the detection of a mains failure the status of the switches is examined by the program to determine which appliances are mains powered and should be turned off leaving the battery powered devices still on. The control unit is powered by an instant battery back-up (not shown) for up to 4 hours. This is indicated by one of the status lamps 759 on the display box 42.

Two outputs from the I/O devices 719 and 721 are taken to the intercom board 709. These supply the internal and external intercom selection signals as indicated by the status lamps 759 for "intecom" and "x intercom". The program ensures that only one intercom can be selected at a time, i.e. if the external intercom is selected then a selection made for the internal intercom will be ignored.

The 8-bit data bus 712 is taken to a further I/O device 717 and to the telephone board 723. These are controlled by I/O signals 700 and 727 from the I/O decoder 715. The I/O device 717 is another CMOS type 1852 configured as an output port shown in Figure 10.

This provides the sieze and release signals for the telephone board 723 and control signals for the delay and speed timers 110, 112 (Figure 10) which are adjusted by the display speed and delay control knobs 66 and 68 (Figure 4). The telephone board comprises a 4-to-16 CMOS decoder 114 (Figure 11) connected to the 4 least signal bits of the data bus 712 (0 to 3 in Figure 11). A dual D-type CMOS flip-flop whose D inputs are connected to BUS 4 and BUS 5, data corresponding to the digits of a telephone number are transmitted in BCD (Binary Coded Decimal) format on the 4 LSB of the data bus 712 to the decoder 114 inputs A, B, C, and D. This data is latched by the strobe signal 700 from I/O decoder 715 (Figure 7). The corresponding outputs 1 to 10 from the decoder 114 is inverted by the inverters 116 and used to drive opto-isolators 118.

The outputs of the opto-isolators are connected via a cable, not shown, to the LST 7A telephone 30.

BUS 4 and BUS 5 are used to provide medium and high volume selection. A "one" on either of the D-type flipflop inputs will cause its Q output to go high when the strobe pulse 700 occurs, via the NOR gate 120. These "Q" outputs also drive optoisolators connected to the LST 7A providing volume control. Two NOR gates 122 (Figure 11) ar crosscoupled to provide a set/reset flip-flop, the inputs are controlled by the sieze/release signals from I/O device 717 (Figure 7). The output of the NOR device is used to drive an opto-isoiator that provides the sieze line signal for the LST7A.

The CPU data bus 712 is connected directly to two 2Kx8-bit E-PROMs 772 and two 1 Kx4-bit RAMs 774.

The RAMs have batery backup. Their R/W inputs are ORed by gate 124 (Figure 12) with a RAM enable signal which disables the write input in the event of the unit being switched off. This ensures that the data held in the RAM is not corrupted when the power is switched off. 150 locations in the RAM are reserved for the telephone repertory store. This enables 10 numbers of up to 15 digits to be stored. A further 16 locations are used for a buffer providing a repeat dial facility as well as enabling a patient selectable number to be dialled. Another 6 locations in RAM are used for a flag table to indicate to the program, the status of the mains, timers, battery selector and switches.

Figure 9 shows I/O devices 719 and 721 for the appliances. There is also an appliance driver 711 and a timer 701 a which controls how long the door lock will be energised. A diode 702a energises the door lock when the alarm is selected. 706 are control lines to the intercom board. 703 is the appliance bus and 704 and 704a the communication bus (also in Figure 7).

The circuitry shown in Figure 8 is the overall schematic diagram and comprises a microprocessor 810, an appliance interface 812, a display interlace 814, a telephone interface 816 and intercom control logic 818. These different parts of the circuitry are interconnected by a multiplicity of lines for mutual interdependent control. In particular, the microprocessor 810, appliance interface 812, and display interface 814 are interconnected by an I/O control bus 820; the microprocessor 810, appliance interface 812, display interface 814 and telephone interface 816 are interconnected by a data bus 822; and the microprocessor 810 and appliance interface 812 are interconnected by an interrupt bus 824.

An appliance bus output 828 from the appliance interface 812 is connected to the various appliances and devices which the circuitry is to control, although this particular connection has not been shown in Figure 8 for the sake of clarity. These appliances are shown in Figure 1 as 32,34,36 and 38. The following lines extend between the microprocessor 810 and the appliance interface 812: CLR (clear), TPA, TPB, Q, MRD, CLK (clock). Of these, the CLR, TPA, TPB, Q and CLK lines also extend to the display interface 814.

Further lines interconnecting the various parts of the circuitry and Figure 8 are as follows: sieze, release and strobe lines passing from the appliance interface 812 to the telephone interface 816; a charge control line extending from the appliance interface 812 to a power supply circuit 828a, a mains fail from the power supply circuit 828a to the interrupt bus 824, external intercom, internal intercom and mains fail lines on the appliance interface 812 to the intercom control logic 818, clock and data lines extending from the display board 814 to the display 42, EF lines from the display 42 to the microprocessor 810, lines interconnecting the scan control 66 and the delay control 68 to the appliance interface 812, a line connecting the change/retain switch 70 to the appliance interface 812, a display reset line from the display 42 to the micro-processor 810, a battery select bus 830 connecting a battery select circuit 832 to the appliance interface 812, reset and wait inputs to the micro-processor 810, and SC0 and SC1 outputs from the micro-processor 810.

Also shown in Figure 8 are 14 lines connecting the telephone interface 816 to the telephone system 30, a communication bus 833 connecting the intercom control logic 818 to the patient intercom 14, the internal intercom 16, the further external intercom 24, the alarm 22 and the door lock 26, an audio cue 836 connected to the display to provide an audible indication of its operation, a volume control 838 connected to the display 43 to vary the volume of the audio cue 836, and an attendent switch 840 connected in parallel with the patient control switch 40 to enable an attendent to operate the apparatus as well, The power supply circuit 828a incorporates a mains failure battery powered back-up.The control circuitry is constructed to ensure that independent signals are delivered to the power supply 828a via the charge control line from the appliance interface 812 so that the battery is charged for ten hours on restoration of the mains supply after failure thereof.

The charger system is rated at a (capacity/7) charge rate which will restore the discharge battery, after the ten hour charge period, to enable it to operate for up to four hours into a mains failure. After the-ten hour period, the charge current is switched off but will automatically give a one hour "top-up" charge once every twenty four hours at the (capacity/7) rate.

This method of battery charging, with no trickle charge, ensures a maximum attainable life from the battery.

The circuitry of Figure 8 is constructed to ensure that, during mains failure periods, mains power appliances are switched off and no selection of those appliances can be made. Appliances which are self powered may continue to be used however.

Nonetheless, the circuitry may be designed to ensure that only two self power devices may be used as more self power devices would lead to battery failure if all of them were selected for the full four hours mains period.

During mains failure, the following functions are maintained: alarm, door, telephone system, internal intercom, external intercom, at the most two self powered devices, illumination of the display, and night lights.

The mains failure line connecting the intercom control logic 818 to the appliance interface 812, controls an audible alarm given through all the internal intercoms. The mains failure light 124 on display 106 (Figure 6) will also be switched on. The circuitry may be constructed so that the audible alarm is switched off by the user switching on the scan sequence of the display 42 and then selecting the position at the top of the scan marked START/ STOP.

The scan control 66 (also shown in Figure 4) is connected to the appliance interface 812 to vary the rate at which the lamps of the display 42 are scanned. The delay control 68 (also shown in Figure 4) determines the minimum priod of time for which the control switch 40 (Figure 6) must remain closed in order to effect selecion. If the control switch is released before that period of time, a fresh scanning sequence will commence, and no selection will have been made. The scan rate and delay period are both adjustable, by the scan control 66 and the delay control 68 respectively, from 0.2 to 1 second. The scan control 66 and the delay 68 incorporate respective potentiometers to effect this adjustability.

All the controls and power required for the intercoms, door lock and alarm are carried on the communication bus 833 which may run through all the rooms of the home. This allows the various functions to be interconnected onto the bus in any order or configuration, providing great flexibility when modifying or expanding the apparatus.

The microprocessor 810, appliance interface 812, display interface 814, telephone interface 816, intercom control logic 818, power supply 828a and a display printed circuit board (not shown) of the display 52 are all mounted on respective plug-in board units. This facilitates easy maintenance, modification, or expansion of the circuitry of the apparatus.

Operation of the system with reference to Figures 13 to 18 will now be described. Figures 13 to 18 show a flow chart of operation for the program controlling the CPU.

After Power Up an initialization routine is performed shown by a process box 1000 in Figure 13 and the unit is put into the standby mode. At this point only the appliance indicator lamp 118 and 120 is illuminated (Figure 6). The unit then waits for a switch input, shown by a decision box 1002 in Figure 13, provided by operation of the switch 40 (Figure 6).

On detection of the switch closure the program executes a scan sub-routine shown by a process box 1004 in Figure 13 and described in greater detail in Figure 14.

The program starts at A in Figure 14 and proceeds to light up the first lamp on the scan (process box 1018 in Figure 14). This is then outputed to the l/O box 1020 in Figure 14 and the first lamp in the scan column 108 (Figure 6) is illuminated. A monostable, providing the display speed set by the control knob 66 (Figure 4) is started (I/O box 1022 in Figure 14).

The program then checks to see if the timer has finished (decision box 1024), and if the switch has been operated (decision box 1025). If the switch has been operated then the program exits at B and returns to the main program (Figure 13B). If the timer has finished then the program resets the timer (I/O box 1026 in Figure 14) and proceeds to get the next lamp (process box 1027). This lights the next lamp and also checks whether the scan has reached the bottom. If it detects the bottom position it returns to the top of the scan (108 in Figure 6) and proceeds as already described. If it is not at the bottom then the next lamp in sequence is illuminated in the scan column 108 (Figure 6), indicated by the loop back to the output lamp (I/O box 1020 in Figure 14).

The program returns from the scan routine of Figure 14 at B in Figure 13 and proceeds to reset the timer 1 and start timer 2 (1/O box 1006 in Figure 13).

This is a monostable providing the delay time before the switch input is accepted, as described previously for the scan routine. The timing forthis monostable is set by the delay control knob 68 in Figure 4. The program monitors this timer to check when it finishes (decision box 1008 in Figure 13). If the delay timer has not finished then the program proceeds to check the switch status (decision box 1010 in Figure 13). If the switch has not been released then the program loops back to check if the timer 2 has finished. This loop will continue until either the timer 2 finishes or tha switch is released. In the latter case if the switch is released before the timer 2 finishes then the program loops back and starts the scan routine again at process box 1004 in Figure 13.This allows for incorrect selection by the patient and is a quick way to restart the scan without any selection being made. However, should the timer 2 finish before the switch is released then the programme proceeds to the selection routine 1012 in Figure 13.

The selection program is basically in two parts; communications, shown by process box 1029 in Figure 15, and appliances shown by boxes 1030 to 1037 in Figure 15.

If the scan lamp 108 (Figue 6) has been stopped next to an appliance lamp 112 (Figure 6) and this is a non-communication appliance, then the program proceeds to the store status of the first byte for the first 8 lamps 112 (Figure 6), indicated by process box 1030 in Figure 15. These lamps include labelled "alarm", "door", "phone line", "dial/vol", "intercom", "x intercom", and "TV". Atthis stage the program aso performs arithmetic and logic operations to determine whether a selection has been made and whether it is to turn the selected appliance on or off. Having determined this it now proceeds to output the appliance switching shown by I/O box 1031 in Figure 15. The next stage, indicated by decision box 1032, checks whether the system is mains powered or on battery standby by checking the condition of the mains fail flag.This is a bit set in the RAM 774 (Figure 7) by a separate interrupt routine in the event of a mains failure. It is set to '1' for mains failure and reset to an '0' on restoration of the mains. In the event of a mains failure all mains powered appliances are turned off by this routine.

The status of this flag is indicated visually by the mains fail lamp 122 (Figure 6), this being illuminated for mains failure and extinguished for normal operation. If a mains failure has occurred then this is taken into account when the scan has been stopped adjacent to one of the appliances in the remaining six lamps 112 (Figure 6). Five of these positions are designated for the mains powered appliances. The bottom position is for expansion of the unit via expansion port 90 in Figure 5. However, as already mentioned provision has been made for alternatively designating them as battery powered appliances via the battery select switches 731 (Figure 7). This is shown by the decision box 1033 in Figure 15. At this point the program examines whether the selection is a mains powered device or a designated battery powered device.If it is mains powered the selection is cancelled (process box 1034 in Figure 15). The program now proceeds to store the status of the second byte (process box 1035 in Figure 15). If the unit is not in a mains fail condition then there is no need to check for battery powered designation and the program moves directly from the decision box 1032 in Figure 15 to the store status box 1035. A similar operation is performed by the program as described for the first byte box 1030, determining whether the appliance is to be switched on or off. It then proceeds to output the appliance switching (I/O box 1036 in Figure 15) and to output the data for both the first and second bytes of the status to the display box 100 (Figure 6).Returning to the start decision box 1028, if a communications appliance has been selected then the program moves to a separate sub-routine (process box 1029), called communications.

This operates as shown by the flowchart of Figure 16. The program proceeds to check for the selection of "alarm" (decision box 1038 in Figure 16). If a selection of "alarm" has been made then the program checks as to whether this is to turn the alarm on or off. The decision box 1039 and I/O boxes 1040 and 1041 show this branch of the routine. The program then returns at decision box 1042. Should there have been no selection of "alarm" the program would have moved to this point from decision box 1038. At 1042 the program checks for selection of "phone line". If this has been selected the program branches to sieze the line at I/O box 1043 and then exits to the selection routine at F. If "phone line" has not been selected then the program moves from 1042 to decision 1044, "phone dial". The "yes" decision will be discussed separately.If there is no selection of "phone dial" the program moves to the intercom check at decision boxes 1048 and 1049 respectively (Figure 16). If either the internal or external intercoms have been selected then the program moves to the intercom select sub-routine 1050. This routine ensures that the internal and external intercoms cannot be selected together. If the internal intecom has been selected already then a selection of the external intercom will not be allowed. The same follows if the external intercom has been selected and a selection of the internal intercom is made. This will not be allowed. The program then returns to the selection routine at F via the addition check 1051 (Figure 15). The program makes provision for expansion of the unit via decision box 1051 and sub-routine 1053. This utilizes the bottom position of 112 in Figure 6 (marked "aux") and the expansion port 90 in Figure 5.

A description of the "phone dial" sub-routine, represented by boxes 1045, 1046, and 1047, now follows. If a selection of "dial/vol" has been made the program moves to decision box 1045 in Figure 16. This determines whether the phone is already in use. If it is, the program moves to the volume select sub-routine process box 1046 in Figure 16. This sub-routine cails the scan routine again and just scans the top three lamps of the scan column 108 (Figure 6), and is an example of the unit working in its second mode of operation. These positions are used for selecting a level of volume for the LST 7A telephone system. Position 1 is high volume, position 2 is medium and position 3 is low. The scan will continue to circulate through these three positions until a selection is made.The telephone is automatically set to medium volume on exit from the phone routines at H (Figure 15).

If the decision box 1045 detects a selection of "dial/vol" the program branches to the telephone sub-routines (Figures 17, and 18). The program branches to the first routine G (Figure 17). It can readily be seen from the flow of the program that the first thing accomplished is that the appliance indicator 118 and 120 (Figure 6), is extinguished, and the phone indicator 114 and 116 (Figure 6) is illuminated.

This is shown by process box 1052 and I/O box 1054 in Figure 17. This indicates that the unit is now in the telephone mode as opposed to the appliance mode previously. Thus the unit is now in the second mode of operation. The scan is called again (process box 1056). This time the scan lamps 108 (Figure 6) will scan to the bottom of the column. This covers the repeat and cancel positions in the phone column 110 (Figure 6). If a selection is made it is tested for a command or a number, as shown by decision box 1060. If a number is selected this corresponds to one of the repertory stores, 1 to 10, (110 in Figure 6). The telephone number in this position is moved to the buffer 1066 and dialed off, by the program, one digit at a time (I/O box 1068 in Figure 17).

At the end of dialling the phone indicator lamp 116,114 (Figure 6) is extinguished and the appliance lamp 118,120 is illuminated. This indicates a return to the appliance mode of operation via process box 1064 and I/O box 1065 in Figure 17. If a command has been selected the appropriate branch from decision box 1060 would have been followed. This could be repeat 1062, repeating the last number dialed, cancel, exiting the routine immediately and returning to the appliances mode via 1064,1065, or "dial".

The selection of "dial" immediately involves a further sub-routine shown in Figure 18 by boxes 1074 to 1084, which uses the selection of a number in the phone column as a digit. Thus it is readily apparent that either one of 10 stored numbers can be selected or the patient can dial a number himself using the scan routine to select the digits. When a further selection of "dial" is made (decision box 1078 in Figure 18), the number the patient has set up is transferred to the buffer (process box 1082 in Figure 18), and then dialled off as described previously.

If repeat is selected at decision box 1078 the digits of the number entered so far will be displayed one digit at a time via sub-routine 1090 on the 7-segment display 742 (Figure 6), looping back to the scan routine 1074 when all the digits have been displayed.

When the change/retain switch 70 (Figure 4) is in the change position a variation of the telephone routine already described now applies, enabling telephone numbers to be entered into the memory contained in the control box 60 (Figure 4). In this mode, selection of a number as described for decision box 1060 in Figure 17 selects the store location required via 1063 and sub-routine 1067 which also flashes the scan light. The scan is then initiated and further selections of digits comprising the required phone number are made as described for Figure 18. However, at decision box 1078 (Figure 18) the variation is as follows. At selection of a number the digit is entered to the buffer as shown by sub-routine box 1085 and the scan flashes to indicate acceptance of the digit into the buffer. This repeats for all digits selected looping back to scan routine 1074 after each selection.Selection of repeat at decision box 1078 will initiate a display of the digits already selected via the 7-segment display 742 (Figure 6) and indicate the store location (subroutine 1091). When the number has been displayed the scan will resume by looping back to scan routine 1074.

Selection of "dial" following the entry of a number as described above causes the number to be entered into the store location and the digits displayed as for "repeat" already described with reference to boxes 1094 and 1096. If "repeat" is selected immediately after the store location is selected, i.e. without entering any digits, the number residing in the store location selected will be displayed. Selection of "cancel" at decision box 1078 resets the scan, turns the phone indicator off and the appliance indicator on and returns to the standby mode.

This completes the description of the selection routines. The program returns to the main routine at Din Figure 13. The display data is outputed at 1014 in Figure 13, so that the status lamps 112 in Figure 6 now indicate whether an appliance has been turned on or off. At decision box 1016 the program waits to ensure that the patient releases the switch prior to another selection.

Figure 19 shows in detail the LST 7A telephone system shown in Figure 3. The system comprises a signalling unit 910 provided with the connecting input 912 for connection to the control box 10 shown in Figure 1, and having connections to a dialling control unit 914, a microphone 916, and the junction box 54. A standard amplifier 920, which amplifies signals sent and received along the telephone line 922 is connected to the junction box 54. Also connected to the junction box 54 is a telephone speaker and a hand-set 924, and an extension lead 926. The extension lead passes to a second room in which there is the loudspeaker 50 and the microphone 52. A control switch 934 enables communication to be switched between the first and second rooms.

All communications and control systems are 12 volt DC SELV systems.

It will be appreciated from the aforegoing descrip tion that the apparatus may be controlled by operation of a single on/off switch. The same series of lights are scanned for different routines or subroutines in the operation of the apparatus: only one time (being the time between which successive lamps are illuminated between each sequence) needs to be learned. Numerous changes and modifications to the illustrated apparatus will readily occur to a reader familiar with the art of environmental control whiist still keeping the apparatus within the scope of the present invention. One particular such modification is to enable the apparatus to be used by a non-verbal patient.In this case, a routine similar to that for selecting digits of a telephone number would be used to select words in a vocabulary of, say, 100 words which are memorised in the control circuitry.

Once a message has been composed in this way, the user may send it to be printed out at a printer which may be permanently positioned for example in the kitchen of his home for the attention of an attendant.

Another modification is to replace the display box 42 by a similar smaller display that could be mounted on a wheel-chair. In this case the display box could be connected to the main control box 10 by a cordless link, for example by ultra-sonic or infrared means.

A T.V. channel control (not shown) or an automatic page turner (not shown) may be connected to the expansion port 90. The channel control or the page turner can thereby be addressed by the user by selection of the position "aux" on the display 42 during a scan through the spaces 108 in the first mode of operation of the apparatus. The channel control or page turner may also have an auxiliary display associated with it, the auxiliary display providing a further row or column of spaces with respecive lamps scanning of which enables the user to select a channel, or turn a page forwards or backwards. Selection of an exit position on the auxiliary scan enables the user to revert to the main scan on the display 42. The page turner may be provided with a "park" position on its display to enable the user to remain on that auxiliary unit without instructing it to turn a page forwards or backwards.

In a further expansion of the apparatus, an additional function selection display or other scan control (not shown) can be connected to the expansion port 90. This has functions not appearing on the illustrated display 42. Scanning on this additional scan control may enable the user to have both a T.V.

channel control and a page turner, as well as further additional functions, at his command. Selection of "aux" on the display 42 transfers control to the additional scan control. Selection of a function on the additional scan control, such as T.V. channel control or page turner, then transfers control to the selected auxiliary unit.

Claims (13)

1. Control apparatus for a disabled person, comprising display means or other indicator means having a plurality of display positions or otherwise being capable of providing a plurality of different indications scanning of which, in a first operating mode of the apparatus, is used to enable the operator to select any one of a first set of control functions respectively associated with the display positions or indications, and in a second mode of operation, to enable the operator to select any one of a second set of control functions respectively associated with the same display positions or indications, and means to change operation from one of the first and second modes to the other.

2. Control apparatus for a disabled person, comprising (a) display means or other indicator means having a plurality of display portions or otherwise being capable of providing a plurality of different indications, (b) scanning means connected to the indicator means to successively address the different display positions or other indications, (c) a selector switch operable by the user to provide a select signal when the scanning means addresses a selected one of the said display positions or other indications, (d) control circuitry connected to the scanning means and operable, in a first mode, to effect any selected one of a first set of control functions respectively associated with the said display positions or other indications, and operable, in a second mode, to effect any selected one of a second set of control functions respectively associated with the same display positions or other indications, that one of the said first set or the said second set of control functions being selected which is associated with the particular indication being addressed by the scanner at the instant of operation of the selector switch, the selector switch being connected to the scanning means and/or the control circuitry for this purpose, and (e) means operable by the user to change operation of the apparatus from one of the said first and second modes to the other.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which change of operation from one mode to the other is one of the control functions of the said first setand/orthe said second set.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2, or claim 3 read as appended to claim 2, in which the control circuitry has a plurality of outputs for respective connection to a plurality of appliances, operation of which constitutes the said first set of control functions.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the said second set of control functions comprises selection of different digits of a telephone number.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, in which one of the said second set of control functions is the repeating of the digits selected.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a liquid crystal display or a light emitting diode display or other display on which the selected digits are displayed in the order in which they were selected.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6, in which the selected digits are displayed on the said display positions or are indicated by the said other indications.

9. Apparatus according to any preceeding claim, further comprising an additional or auxiliary scan control connected so that selection by the user of one of the positions or indications on the display means or other indicator means mentioned in claim 1 or claim 2 enables the user to address the additional or auxiliary scan control for selection of further control functions associated therewith.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, in which the additional or auxiliary scan control comprises a T.V.

channel control or an automatic page turner.

11. Apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a plurality of further scan controls respectively associated with the said further control functions, the further scan controls being connected so that selection of one of the further control functions on the said additional or auxiliary scan control enables the user to address the further scan control associated with that one of the further control functions.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, in which one of the said further scan controls comprises a T.V channel control or an automatic page turner.

13. Control apparatus for a disabled person, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.