JP2015169713A - communication aid device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a practical communication aid device which can output various voice messages, is simple, easily handled, and can be inexpensively manufactured.SOLUTION: A communication aid device is equipped with: a card holding part 20 provided so as to hold at least one correspondingly to a shape of an IC card 10; an antenna arranged correspondingly to the card holding device 20 for reading data on the IC card 10; a switch provided for actuating the antenna; control means in which information on the IC card 10 read by a reader is input via the antenna by ON of the switch, and for outputting instructions to the respective parts correspondingly to the input information; and a voice generation part which can select voice to be output to a speaker, etc. by receiving the instructions of the control means, in which description corresponding to the IC card 10 is displayed in Braille on a top face of the IC card 10.

Description

  The present invention provides a simple and easy-to-use practical communication aid device as a means of performing Braille education for visually impaired persons, language training for people with intellectual disabilities and people who have difficulty in spoken language due to cognitive impairment, or means for easily performing communication with sound. About.

Conventionally, simple conversational aids called communication notes (or books) are generally used in the field of language rehabilitation and language instruction for persons with intellectual disabilities who cannot use writing or sign language, cognitive impairments, and language instruction.
On the other hand, there are those that can reliably convey a message to the other party by expressing the voice in accordance with the selection of the symbol. Unlike communication with notebooks and books, there is an advantage that anyone within the reach of voice can be a conversation partner.

  However, many of the products that are currently on the market are limited in the amount of voice data due to the limited memory capacity, there are many problems such as troublesome switching of various voice messages, and they are expensive. However, it was apt to be avoided by users and supporters, such as portability and troublesome handling.

  As a prior art of a conversation device, data of an example sentence is held as a data structure having a link to a set of another example sentence that is related along a flow of conversation such as an answer sentence for the example sentence, and a plurality of display areas are provided. It has a display means, an input means for selecting an example sentence, and an output means for displaying and / or outputting the contents of the selected example sentence. Necessary information for a device user and a conversation partner That displays various information in separate areas is disclosed (see Patent Document 1).

  Also, as another prior art, the first dial or the second dial is installed in front of the lighting board, the letters on the dial are sequentially lit for each block, and the block is selected by turning on / off the input switch, Next, the character string of the selected block is sequentially lit and selected, and the characters of the selected character string are lit and selected in sequence, so that a predetermined part of the lighting board, lighting color, lighting brightness, lighting order, and sound to be emitted A device that changes the lighting speed and transmits the intention is disclosed (see Patent Document 2).

  With respect to these prior arts, one of the applicants of the present invention previously reads a card holding unit provided to hold at least one piece corresponding to the shape of the IC card and the data of the IC card. An antenna disposed corresponding to the card holding unit, a switch provided to operate the antenna, and information on the IC card read by the reader device via the antenna when the switch is turned on are input. And a communication aid apparatus comprising: a control unit that outputs a command to each unit in response to the input information; and a voice generation unit that receives a command from the control unit and can select a voice and output it to a speaker or the like (Patent Document) 3) is proposed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-137385 (first page) JP 2004-286768 A (first page) JP 2007-293395 A (first page)

The problem to be solved with regard to communication aid devices lies in devices that support communication by outputting sound, and that are compatible with visually impaired people, and that there is no practical and practical device. .
Therefore, an object of the present invention is a practical communication aid that can cope with a visually impaired person, can output various voice messages by using an IC card, is simple and easy to handle, and can be manufactured at low cost. To provide an apparatus.

The present invention has the following configuration in order to achieve the above object.
According to one aspect of the communication aid apparatus of the present invention, a card holding unit provided to hold at least one sheet corresponding to the shape of the IC card, and the card holding unit for reading the data of the IC card. The information of the IC card read by the reader device via the antenna is input by turning on the switch, the antenna provided corresponding to the antenna, the switch provided for operating the antenna, A control unit that outputs a command to each unit in response to input information; and a voice generation unit that receives a command from the control unit and can select a voice and output it to a speaker or the like, and the switch includes the card holding unit. The IC card is placed on the surface of the IC card so that it can be turned on by pressing the IC card from above. Description that is displayed in Braille.

  Further, according to one aspect of the communication aid apparatus according to the present invention, the card holding unit provided so as to be able to hold at least one sheet corresponding to the shape of the IC card, and the card for reading the data of the IC card. Information on the IC card read by the reader device via the antenna when the antenna disposed corresponding to the holding unit, a switch provided for operating the antenna, and the switch is turned on is input. A control means for outputting a command to each unit in response to the input information; and a voice generating unit for receiving a command from the control means and selecting a voice to be output to a speaker or the like, wherein the switch is a panel switch. Yes, a description corresponding to the IC card is displayed in braille on the surface of the IC card.

  Further, according to one aspect of the communication aid apparatus according to the present invention, a plurality of card holding units provided so as to be able to hold at least one piece corresponding to the shape of the IC card, and reading the data of the IC card A plurality of antennas arranged in correspondence with the respective card holding units, and a plurality of antennas to be selected and operated to be arranged in correspondence with the respective card holding units and the respective antennas. A control in which information of the IC card read by a reader device is input via a switch provided with a plurality and the antenna selected by turning on the switch, and a command is output to each unit corresponding to the input information And a sound generation unit that receives a command from the control means and can select a sound and output it to a speaker or the like, and is attached to the surface of the IC card. Description that is displayed in Braille.

In addition, according to one aspect of the communication aid apparatus according to the present invention, the communication aid device includes an antenna block including the plurality of switches, the plurality of antennas, and an antenna switch that switches the antennas.
The control means includes a control block that includes a CPU that receives information read via the antenna and issues a command to each unit, and an antenna relay that receives the command from the CPU and controls the antenna switch. It can be characterized by providing as.
Moreover, according to one form of the communication aid apparatus concerning this invention, the said several card | curd holding | maintenance part should be arranged side by side planarly and in the shape of a frame so that the said several IC card can be arranged planarly. Can be characterized.
Further, according to one aspect of the communication aid device according to the present invention, a command for sequentially reading the information of the plurality of IC cards held in the plurality of card holding units in a batch and outputting them as voice in a batch, The control means is provided so as to read information of the IC card in which a command for switching voices is written as a code number, and to output a command to each unit to execute the command. Can do.

Further, according to one aspect of the communication aid device according to the present invention, the plurality of cards held in the plurality of card holding units by an IC card in which a command is written so as to create a sentence by combining words and single syllables. It is possible to create a text IC card by writing a plurality of code numbers from the IC card to the blank IC card, and to erase the code number of the text IC card and return to the blank IC card by the IC card in which the erase command is written Thus, a reader / writer device controlled by the control means can be provided.
Moreover, according to one form of the communication aid apparatus concerning this invention, in the apparatus provided with the said several card | curd holding | maintenance part, the said switch puts the said IC card in the state which put the said IC card in the said card | curd holding | maintenance part. It can be characterized by being provided so that it can be turned on by pressing.
Moreover, according to one form of the communication aid apparatus concerning this invention, in the apparatus provided with the said several card | curd holding part, the said switch can be a panel switch, It can be characterized by the above-mentioned.

According to the communication aid apparatus according to the present invention, the voice is output when the IC card is selected, so that the message is surely transmitted to the other party as long as the voice can be heard even if the other party does not intend to talk. be able to. Unlike communication with sign language or writing, you can communicate to anyone within the reach of your voice. And by attaching Braille to the IC card, it can be used suitably for visually handicapped persons as a means for blind people to learn Braille.
In addition, the use of voice (sound) has an advantage of assisting natural communication in which the unnaturalness of silent communication is solved.
Further, there is an advantage in that it does not require labor as in the case of using a personal computer or the like, is practical because it is simple and easy to handle, and can be manufactured at low cost.
In addition, since various voice messages can be output by using an IC card and selecting the IC card as appropriate, it is possible to respond appropriately to various communication needs and is highly advantageous in that it is highly practical. There is an effect.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the communication aid apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the example of a form of FIG. It is a flowchart figure explaining operation | movement of the example of a form of FIG. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the other form example. It is a perspective view which shows the other communication aid apparatus which concerns on this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The best mode of a communication aid apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a communication aid apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the embodiment of FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation program of the embodiment of FIG. Further, FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of another embodiment (in the case of one antenna and switch).
An IC card 10 is a storage medium capable of storing information data such as a code number. It is formed by embedding a chip in a plate-like plastic. Information data can be written and erased. A description corresponding to the IC card 10 is displayed in braille (see FIG. 5) on the surface of the IC card 10. In this embodiment, since the upper surface of the IC card 10 is braille, after reading the braille, the user can listen to the voice by continuously pressing the switch described later, learning braille, etc. Available to:

As shown in FIG. 1, reference numeral 12 denotes an apparatus main body, which is formed in a rectangular box shape.
A card holding unit 20 is provided so as to be able to hold at least one card corresponding to the shape of the IC card 10. The plurality of card holding portions 20 are arranged in a plane and in a frame shape on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 12 so that the plurality of IC cards 10 can be arranged in a plane.

As shown in FIG. 2, reference numeral 22 denotes an antenna, and a plurality of antennas are provided by being arranged corresponding to each card holding unit 20. The antenna 22 is provided for reading data of the IC card 10.
Reference numeral 24 denotes a switch. In order to select and operate the antenna 22, a plurality is provided by being arranged corresponding to each card holding unit 20 and each antenna 22.
The switch 24 is provided so that it can be turned on by pressing the IC card 10 from above with the IC card 10 placed on the card holding unit 20. For example, a panel switch can be used as the switch 24.
Reference numeral 25 denotes an antenna block, which includes a plurality of switches 24, a plurality of antennas 22, and a multiplexer (antenna switch 26) for switching the antennas.

Reference numeral 30 denotes control means for inputting information of the IC card 10 read by the reader device (reader / writer device 36) via the antenna 22 selected by turning on the switch 24, and to each unit corresponding to the input information. Output instructions.
The control means 30 includes a central processing unit (CPU 32) that receives information read via the antenna 22 and issues commands to each unit, and an antenna relay device 34 that controls the antenna switch 26 in response to commands from the CPU 32. A control block 35 comprising:
With this configuration, the antenna switch 26 can be used to use one reader device (a number of antennas 22 in the reader / writer device 36).

  In addition, the control means 30 includes a command for sequentially reading information of a plurality of IC cards 10 held in a plurality of card holding units 20 and sequentially outputting them as voice, a command for switching voice, and the like. The information of the IC card 10 written as a number can be read, and an instruction can be output to each unit to execute those commands.

Reference numeral 40 denotes an audio generator, which can receive an instruction from the control means 30 and select an audio to output to the speaker 45 or the like.
The voice generator 40 reads a code number corresponding to a symbol or word written on the IC card 10 via the antenna 22 and outputs a voice corresponding to the code number. Note that. Corresponding voices include all kinds of music, such as various kinds of music and natural voices such as birdsong.

Reference numeral 36 denotes a reader / writer device, and a plurality of code numbers from the plurality of IC cards held in the plurality of card holding units by an IC card in which a command is written so as to create a sentence by combining words and single syllables. Can be created by writing to the blank IC card, and the control means 30 controls the IC card in which the erase command is written to erase the code number of the sentence IC card and return it to the blank IC card. Is done.
Reference numeral 50 denotes an LED, which is controlled by the control means 30 and displays the mode and operation status of the apparatus.

Next, the usage method and operation of the communication aid apparatus using the IC card having the above configuration will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.
First, when the IC card 10 is placed on a card-type guide (a card holding unit 20 provided in a planar and frame shape) on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 12 shown in FIG. The switch 24 (see FIG. 2) below the switch 10 is pressed at the same time, and the information data of the IC card 10 can be read from the antenna 22 corresponding to the card holding unit 20.
Then, based on the information data, sound is reproduced, and information can be transmitted by the sound. According to this, since the IC card 10 is attached with Braille, if the voice information is listened to after reading the Braille, it can be confirmed whether the Braille reading is correct or not. It can be suitably used for learning and the like. That is, it can be used as a communication aid device corresponding to the act of reading its own Braille.

Orally disabled persons who have difficulty in arranging the IC cards 10 on the card guide (card holding unit 20) exactly the size of the IC card 10 may replace the card holding unit 20 with a larger one. According to this, it is possible to read by simply placing the IC card 10 somewhere on the large-sized card holding unit 20, and by using the card holding unit 20 properly according to the degree of disability, even a handicapped orally disabled person can adapt to that person. Can be used.
Further, the switch 24 can be used by devising depending on the degree of the user's trouble, such as connecting a large push button switch to the outside, as in the case of arranging the IC cards 10.

  When the IC card is placed on the card guide (card holding unit 20) shown in FIG. 1 and the switch is pressed (hereinafter also referred to as “reading”), the corresponding antenna 22 is selected and the CPU 32 (FIG. 2). The information data of the IC card 10 is taken in. The information data of the IC card 10 can be composed of classification data indicating the type of card such as a word card or command card, and detailed data corresponding to a voice address or each command. Card types include word / single syllable cards, sentence cards, blank cards, command cards, and the like.

Hereinafter, each IC card will be described.
In the word / single syllable card, word address data often used in daily conversation and the like, and single-syllable address data of 50 syllables are recorded after the classification data. On the surface of the IC card, symbols corresponding to words / single syllables are drawn, and the words are written in kanji, hiragana and English. And braille is attached. When the word / single syllable card is read, the address data is taken in and the voice corresponding to the address is output.

  The sentence card is an IC card that records sentences by combining word / single syllable cards. In the IC card, word / single syllable address data is recorded after the classification data in order from the beginning of the sentence. When the sentence card is read, the registered word / single syllable address is read in order and the sound is output.

  The blank card is an IC card on which nothing is recorded before the writing card is created. A text card can be created by recording text data created by a combination command card to be described later on this blank card. Classification data is also recorded on blank cards so that other cards are not accidentally written.

  The command card is an IC card that stores commands such as batch playback, voice switching, combination, and deletion. As with other IC cards, the code number corresponding to each command is recorded after the classification data. When the command card is read, the operation corresponding to each code number can be performed. In other words, by using various command cards, various functions can be used in addition to outputting words.

Next, details of each command card will be described.
The batch playback command card is a command card that sequentially reads and plays back word / single syllable cards or sentence cards arranged in a plurality of card guides on the apparatus main body. The operation procedure is arranged in the order in which the card guide is to output the batch playback command card and the voice, and when the batch playback command card is pressed, the card information can be read in the order in which they are arranged and the voice can be output.

  The combination command card is an IC card for recording sentences created by combining word / single syllable cards on a single card. For the operation procedure, first press the combination command card, and then press the word / single syllable card in the order of the sentences you want to create. Finally, when a blank card is pressed, the addresses of words / single syllables are registered in the order of the sentences created there. Note that the created text card can also be played back on other devices.

  The voice switching command card can switch voices to be reproduced for women, men, children, English, and the like. In the operation procedure, when the voice switching command card is pressed, the voice is switched sequentially. Even if the voice changes, the same word / single syllable card and sentence card can be used.

The erase command card can return the created sentence card to a blank card.
In the operation procedure, the erasure command card is pushed, and the sentence card data pushed immediately thereafter is erased. The erased sentence card becomes a blank card and the sentence can be recorded again.

There are other functions such as voice switching and recording, all of which can be controlled by a card, and functions can be easily added without modifying the device. That is, various functions are all performed by an IC card in which addresses corresponding to commands are recorded, and no other special configuration is required.
Note that the audio data is handled in the miniSD card 42 (see FIG. 2) by the MP3 method.

The embodiment in which the card holding unit 20, the antenna 22, and the switch 24 are provided has been described above. However, the same operation and effect can be obtained by the embodiment in the case of one antenna and switch as shown in FIG. Can be obtained. 4, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the embodiment of FIG. 2, and description thereof is omitted.
According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, since a plurality of IC cards cannot be arranged on the plane at the same time, the batch reproduction command card described above cannot be used. However, even in this embodiment, the basic function of audio output using an IC card that is considered to be frequently used is the same as that in the above embodiment, and can be suitably used in many situations. And according to this form example, since the configuration can be simplified, the apparatus can be provided at low cost.

Next, usability and effects of the communication aid apparatus described above will be described.
The communication aid apparatus of the present invention can be widely applied to the rehabilitation and communication support of elderly people with significantly reduced cognitive / motor functions and people with progressive neurological / muscular diseases. It can also be applied to educational situations where people with intellectual disabilities who are learning words at the word level learn words and daily conversations with caregivers and families at home. And it can utilize suitably for the learning of Braille etc. for a visually handicapped person.
In addition, it can be used by patients in the field of rehabilitation medical care during functional recovery training, daily conversations with caregivers and family members at home, and conversations in areas and workplaces when rehabilitating the society.

  For example, consider installing the present invention in a fast food store. Orally disabled people are not able to order verbally, so they are currently communicating their orders to the clerk by pointing. Therefore, if the device according to the present invention is installed, it is possible to exchange voice orders with each menu card, and convey the intention of "thank you" or "please ask" that cannot be expressed by pointing. You can also.

In addition, curriculums for shopping are currently set up in schools for children and the like, and by using the apparatus according to the present invention, social studies such as shopping by more advanced communication can be performed.
If it is installed in a bus or taxi, it can be communicated to the driver by a card indicating the destination. In particular, in taxis, the effects of the present invention can be exhibited because there are many verbal exchanges.

  As described above, the present invention has been described in various ways with preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and many modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. That is.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 IC card 20 Card holding part 22 Antenna 24 Switch 25 Antenna block 26 Antenna switch 30 Control means 32 CPU
34 Antenna relay device 35 Control block 36 Reader / writer device 40 Audio generator 45 Speaker

Claims (9)

A card holder provided to hold at least one sheet corresponding to the shape of the IC card;
In order to read the data of the IC card, an antenna disposed corresponding to the card holding unit,
A switch provided for operating the antenna;
Control means for inputting information of the IC card read by the reader device via the antenna by turning on the switch, and outputting a command to each unit corresponding to the input information;
A voice generation unit that receives a command from the control means, and can select a voice and output it to a speaker or the like;
The switch is provided so that it can be turned on by pressing the IC card from above with the IC card placed on the card holding portion, and the description corresponding to the IC card is displayed in braille on the surface of the IC card. A communication aid device characterized by being made. A card holder provided to hold at least one sheet corresponding to the shape of the IC card;
In order to read the data of the IC card, an antenna disposed corresponding to the card holding unit,
A switch provided for operating the antenna;
Control means for inputting information of the IC card read by the reader device via the antenna by turning on the switch, and outputting a command to each unit corresponding to the input information;
A voice generation unit that receives a command from the control means, and can select a voice and output it to a speaker or the like;
The communication aid apparatus, wherein the switch is a panel switch, and a description corresponding to the IC card is displayed in braille on the surface of the IC card. A plurality of card holding portions provided to hold at least one piece corresponding to the shape of the IC card;
In order to read the data of the IC card, an antenna provided with a plurality by being arranged corresponding to each card holding unit,
In order to select and operate the antenna, a switch provided with a plurality by being arranged corresponding to each card holding portion and each antenna, and
Control means for inputting information of the IC card read by a reader device via the antenna selected by turning on the switch, and outputting a command to each unit corresponding to the input information;
A voice generation unit that receives a command from the control means, and can select a voice and output it to a speaker or the like;
A communication aid apparatus, wherein a description corresponding to the IC card is displayed in braille on the surface of the IC card. An antenna block including the plurality of switches, the plurality of antennas, and an antenna switch for switching the antennas;
The control means includes a control block that includes a CPU that receives information read via the antenna and issues a command to each unit, and an antenna relay that receives the command from the CPU and controls the antenna switch. The communication aid apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the communication aid apparatus is provided.   4. The communication aid apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of card holding portions are arranged in a plane and in a frame shape so that the plurality of IC cards can be arranged in a plane.   The IC card in which the information of the plurality of IC cards held in the plurality of card holding units is sequentially batch-read and a command for sequentially outputting the information as a voice, a command for switching the voice, and the like are written as code numbers 4. The communication aid apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control means is provided so as to read the information and output an instruction to each unit to execute the command.   Write a code by writing a plurality of code numbers from the plurality of IC cards held in the plurality of card holding units to a blank IC card by an IC card in which a command is written to create a sentence by combining words and single syllables. A reader / writer device controlled by the control means is provided so that an IC card can be created and the code number of the sentence IC card can be erased and returned to the blank IC card by the IC card in which the erase command is written. The communication aid apparatus according to claim 3.   4. The communication aid apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the switch is provided so as to be turned on by pressing the IC card from above in a state where the IC card is placed on the card holding unit.   4. The communication aid apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the switch is a panel switch.

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