GB2259970A

GB2259970A - Oral communication device

Info

Publication number: GB2259970A
Application number: GB9120590A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Samir Abed Issa Albasri
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-09-27
Filing date: 1991-09-27
Publication date: 1993-03-31
Also published as: GB9120590D0

Abstract

An oral device comprising a one or more switches 14-17 mounted on a carrier adapted for location within a human mouth on a predetermined orientation, the or each switch being operable by way of a tongue between a first and a second position to provide a control output. The or at least one, switch may be in the form of a joystick having discrete outputs in response to the direction in which the stick is displaced relative to a datum established by way of the carrier. There can be a plurality of switches laid out on the carrier as a matrix of switches. The device can be associated with an independent mounting device 38 for location relative to the head of a user within whose mouth the oral device is to be located; the mounting device including a power supply 40, 41 for use with the oral device or a display unit 42, 43 whereby the status (or a derivative thereof) of a switch in the oral device can be indicated to the user. Communication between the device and equipment to which it is connected can be by way of a cable or a wireless link. <IMAGE>

Description

ORAL DEVICE This invention relates to an oral device.

There are a number of control situations, particularly those occurring in real time, where a human controller is for one reason or another unable to provide a manually activated control signal for action by an external device.

A paralysed person may be physically unable to make use of some or all their limbs while wishing to provide an input to a keyboard. Given that the person can move their head it is known to make use of a head mounted probe to actuate keys on a keyboard. However the movement involved requires a substantial degree of control and physical effort that can involve considerable stress at least during a learning period.

A physically fully capable person can be in a situation where additional control inputs are required to those which supplied by hand and foot. Typically a pilot can be using his or her limbs to provide conventional control inputs but wish to direct or actuate some further device. It is known for a pilot to be able to provide a control output by way of an eye movement. However the resources required for this are substantial and involve the accurate location of the pilot relative to external equipment.

A musician can be making full use of their limbs and wish to provide a further control output for any one of a number of reasons including the introduction, modification or recording of sounds.

According to the present invention here is provided an oral device comprising a one or more switches mounted on a carrier adapted for location within a human mouth on a predetermined orientation, the or each switch being operable by way of a tongue between a first and a second position to provide a control output.

According to a first preferred version of the present invention the or at least one, switch is in the form of a joystick having discrete outputs in response to the direction in which the stick is displaced relative to a datum established by way of the carrier.

According to a second preferred version of the present invention or the first preferred version thereof there is provided an oral device according to the present invention or the first preferred version thereof and an independent mounting device for location on the head of a user within whose mouth the oral device is to be located; the mounting device including a power supply for use with the oral device or a display unit whereby the status (or a derivative thereof) of a switch in the oral device can be indicated to the user.

By making use of the tongue to operate one or more switches a range of possible operational command outputs can be achieved by a variety of people, both capacitated and incapacitated, in a wide range of circumstances.

Two exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an oral device according to a first embodiment Figure 2 is a sectioned side view of part of a human head incorporating the device of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of a human head partly sectioned to show the mouth incorporating a device according to a second embodiment; Figure 4 is a section on the line IV-IV of Figure 3; and Figure 5 shows in more detail a component shown in Figure 3.

Figures 1 and 2 variously show an oral device 11 comprising a lightweight frame 12 carrying five switches 13-17 mounted symmetrically about longitudinal axis A of the device. Each switch 13-17 is operable between first and second states by placing the tip 17 of tongue 18 on the switch. The switches 13-16 are located approximately on a surface corresponding to that swept by the tip 17 without undue extension. The switches are linked in a processor matrix whereby an output signal can be provided along output line 19 which is connected to a microprocessor 20 which is in turn linked to a transducer system whereby the output of the device 11 can be translated into a displacement or other required function.

Figure 2 shows part of a users head 22 having an oral cavity 21 having device 11 located within it. Tip 17 of tongue 18 is shown contacting switch 15. The frame 12 is formed so as to be a secure fit in the mouth of the user while providing for comfortable location and retention.

Since the tongue pivots most readily about an axis parallel to the horizontal surface of the tongue when quiescent it may be found convenient in some applications to have switches laid out on a central (vertical) axis relative to the (horizontal) tongue rather than (as is the case with switches 13 and 14) offset from the centre.

Typically the spatial alignment of the switches 13-16 as shown in Figure 1 allows them to be operated to provide a set of output signals to provide for corresponding displacement of a transducer. Closure of: switch 13 corresponds to 'left'; switch 14 corresponds to 'right'; switch 15 corresponds to 'up'; and switch 16 to 'down'.

Having located the transducer by means of signals from switches 13-16 switch 17 is used to initiate an operating movement of the transducer corresponding to 'press' or 'go'.

Figure 3, 4 and 5 variously show a second embodiment making use of both an oral switching device together with an associated display unit. Users head 30 is has an oral cavity 31 and tongue 32. Upper teeth 33 and lower teeth 34 have mounted near them switches (respectively in rows 33S and 34S) operable by the tongue 32 between first and second positions to provide two possible outputs.

The switches are located on a carrier 35 whose front end incorporates a terminal 36 which is linked by a lightweight cable 37 to one side arm 38 of a pair of glasses 39 worn by the user. The side arm 38 includes a miniature battery 40 and microprocessor circuitry 41 and related devices to enable the operating state of each switch in rows 33S and 34S to be identified and used to provide command outputs.

Figure 5 shows lenses 42, 43 of the glasses 39 which incorporate a liquid crystal display system so that relevant letters, numbers or symbols are caused to be displayed in a known manner by way of micro processor circuitry 41. In this way the operation of a switch or sequence of switches by tongue 32 (so as to create a working program for example) can be revealed for a subsequent inputting action to cause a selected operation to be performed.

In an alternative version the output line 37 is dispensed with and the carrier 35 incorporates a miniaturised low powered wireless transmitter whose output is dependent by the operating matrix of the switches within the mouth and is transmitted to a receiver in the side arm 38 of the glasses 39.

A matrix arrangement of the switches 13-16 (Figure 1) or those in rows 33S, 34S (Figures 3,4) enables a number of unique output signals to be generated depending on the control outputs required. The output of the device shown in the exemplary embodiments can be used to provide for mechanical action or processor control or a combination or both. The uses to which the embodiment can be put are many and varied. A paralysed person can use the device to operate a keyboard device or a communication system solely by means of their tongue. A pilot can use such a system to activate an auxiliary function such as communication or weapons system. A musician using both hands to operate electronic keyboard or other synthesising devices can use a device according to the exemplary embodiments to modify the outputs of the instruments or instruments in use or introduce new ones or actuate recording or other machinery.

Claims

1 An oral device comprising a one or more switches mounted on a carrier adapted for location within a human mouth on a predetermined orientation, the or each switch being operable by way of a tongue between a first and a second position to provide a control output.

2 An oral device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein there are a plurality of switches laid out on the carrier as a matrix of switches.

3 An oral device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the or at least one, switch is in the form of a joystick having discrete outputs in response to the direction in which the stick is displaced relative to a datum established by way of the carrier.

4 An oral device as claimed in any preceding claim incorporating an independent mounting device for location relative to the head of a user within whose mouth the oral device is to be located; the mounting device including a power supply for use with the oral device or a display unit whereby the status (or a derivative thereof) of a switch in the oral device can be indicated to the user.

5 An oral device as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the mounting device includes a display unit connected to the oral device by a link enabling the display to show information relating to a state of the oral device.

6 An oral device as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the link is a wireless channel.

7 An oral device as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 or Figures 3, 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.