RU181997U1 - Communicator for people with speech impairments - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to medicine, namely to the means of communication of people with speech disorders with others.

The technical result of the proposed utility model is to simplify the design of the device.

Using the device is implemented as follows. The device is configured (for example, by adjusting the software) so that the sensors on the sensitive part of the touch screen 2 are grouped into several grouping zones 5. Moreover, the sensors in each grouping zone 5 are divided into sensors related to the first area 7 and sensors related to the second region 6. Sensors of the first region 7 and sensors of the second region 6 of one grouping zone 5 control unit send files with information that are correlated by means of the control unit among themselves, this is about It is evident that the information of the graphic type in the first region 7 and the text type in the second region 6 are interconnected in meaning. The number of grouping zones 5 is determined by the number of needs that may arise in a patient with speech impairment. For example, grouping zone 5 may contain information describing thirst, hunger, pain that the patient may experience. In this case, the first region 7 of each grouping zone 5 of the touch screen 2 contains a graphic image that simplifies describing the need, and the second region 6 contains a text version corresponding to the image of the first region (i.e., a simple word or phrase corresponding to the image). For example, for the case of thirst, the first region 7 may contain an image of a glass of water, and the second region 6 - the word "water". The content of the first region 7 and the second region 6 should be presented in such a way as to minimize possible difficulties in transmitting information from a patient with speech impairments (since impaired speech function, as a rule, is accompanied by disorders of other higher mental functions: thinking, memory, praxis, gnosis, etc.).

Description

Technical field

The utility model relates to medicine, namely to the means of communication of people with speech disorders with others.

State of the art

There are a number of serious conditions that arise as a result of diseases (such as a stroke, brain tumors) or traumatic brain injuries, characterized by a complete or partial loss of a person's ability to self-service, severe speech and other higher mental functions. To ensure the possibility of interaction with such people and meet their emerging needs, special devices are being developed. Such devices allow patients with speech impairments to notify the people around him of the needs that he is experiencing.

The medical personnel call system is widely known, containing a calling device installed next to the patient and a receiving device (placard, pager) installed next to the medical personnel (http://medbells.ru/catalog/sistema-palatnoy-signalizatsii-medbeep/med-53v -mnogofunktsionalnaya-knopka-vyzova- /, accessed February 17, 2017). The calling device is a plastic case, on the front side of which there are several push-button switches. Each of the push-button switches, when pressed, sends a signal to the receiving device corresponding to that push-button switch. The receiving device recognizes from which ringing device the signal is sent and which button switch was pressed, and in a certain way (corresponding to the type of the receiving device) signals this to the medical staff.

The closest technical solution (prototype) is the interaction system installed on the wheelchair of the astrophysicist scientist Stephen Hawking (https://geektimes.ru/post/242608/, accessed February 17, 2017). This system contains a computer screen, a push button switch and an infrared sensor. On the computer screen, all information-output elements (liquid crystals in the case of an LCD screen or LEDs in the case of an LED screen) are divided into several zones (areas). In each zone there are output elements related to the area in which text information is displayed (a specific letter). Moreover, the output elements in each area correspond to a specific file in the memory block. Using a push-button switch connected via a control unit to the screen, the scientist can select a specific letter on the computer screen and thus make up words and phrases. The same function (selection of a specific letter) is provided by an infrared sensor, which is installed next to the eyes and determines the direction of view.

A disadvantage of the known technical solution is the complexity of this interaction system. The reason for this is the presence of several separate components, as well as in the complex arrangement of the individual elements and their difficult operating principle, in particular, an infrared sensor.

The technical result of the proposed utility model is to simplify the design of the device.

The specified technical result is achieved due to the fact that in the communicator for people with speech disorders, comprising a housing, a touch screen with a front surface and sensors, a speaker, a control unit, a memory unit, a digital-to-analog converter, and a speaker, a control unit, a memory block and a digital-to-analog converter installed in the case, and the touch screen is installed in the case with access to its front surface, a hole is made in front of the speaker in the case, the sensors are grouped in at least two groups zones, and in each grouping zone, the sensors are divided into those belonging to the first region and belonging to the second region, the memory block is configured to store a file corresponding to the first region, a file corresponding to the second region, and a file corresponding simultaneously to the first region and second region one grouping zone, the control unit is connected to the touch screen and the memory unit and is configured to transmit a file corresponding to the first region for displaying the sensor and the first region, the file corresponding to the second region, for display by the sensors in the second region, and, upon receipt of a signal from the sensor relating to one of the grouping zones, transfer the file corresponding to the first region and the second region of this grouping zone from the memory unit to a digital-to-analog converter, and then from a digital-to-analog converter to a speaker.

Brief Description of the Drawings

A utility model is illustrated in the drawing, which shows a General view of the device.

Utility Model Disclosure

In the drawing are indicated: housing 1, touch screen 2, front surface 3, push button switch 4, grouping (grouped) zone 5, second region 6, first region 7.

The elements of the device are installed in the housing 1, which is a part of the device that provides installation and protection of all other elements. The housing 1 can be made integral or composite, metal or plastic. In general, the shape of the housing 1 is close to the parallelepiped, two sizes of which significantly exceed the third size. On the side of one of the largest faces of the parallelepiped in the housing 1, an aperture is made in which the touch screen 2 is placed. The housing 1 is also equipped with holes for push-button switches 4 and a speaker. In addition, in the housing 1 can be made additional holes and voids.

The touch screen 2 is a touch responsive device for displaying visual information and inputting information. The surface of the touch screen 2, which is facing in the opposite direction to the internal volume of the housing 1, forms the front surface 3. The front surface 3 when using the device is facing the user. The shape of the front surface 3 is close to a rectangle. The sensitive part of the touch screen 2 is a set of individual sensors. All sensors are grouped into at least two grouping zones 5. The sensors in each grouping zone 5 are divided into sensors located in the first region 7, and sensors located in the second region 6. Moreover, the first region 7 and the second region 6 are located next to each other. There may also be sensors located within a certain grouping zone 5, but not related to the first region 7 or the second region 6.

A push-button switch 4 is a switch that trips (closes or opens an electric circuit) from the axial movement of the drive in the form of a button due to the influence of the pressure of a human operator on it (in accordance with GOST 22614-77 "Key and push-button switches and switches. General ergonomic requirements "). Pushbutton switches 4 are placed in the holes in the housing 1, and they can be located on any part of the housing 1 free from other elements.

The speaker is a device for converting electrical vibrations into sound. The speaker is located in the housing 1 so that the wide part of the speaker diffuser faces the holes in the housing 1, and sound from the speaker passes through these holes.

The memory unit is a device for storing data. The memory block contains data of three types of files, files of two types - graphic and text files are sent to the sensors, respectively, of the first region 7 and second region 6 of each grouping zone 5. Moreover, only the graphic files can correspond to the sensors of the first region 7, and how to the sensors of the second region 6 text and image files. Also, sound files are recorded in the memory block (third type). Each sound file corresponds to graphic and text files sent as a signal to the sensors of the first region 7 and the second region 6 of a certain grouping zone 5.

The DAC is a device for converting a digital (for example, binary) code into an analog signal (electrical).

The power supply is a device for supplying all elements with electricity. As a power supply, for example, a battery can be used.

The control unit is a part of the device that controls all the elements of the device. A microprocessor can be used as a control unit. The control unit is configured to direct signals from the memory unit to the sensors of the first region 7 and the second region 6 (all routed information is converted in a standard way into the type of signal that can be used by the receiving element). Moreover, the signal for the sensors of the first region 7 corresponds to the information of the graphic type in the form of drawings, photographs, for the sensors of the second region 6 to the information of the text type in the form of a word or phrase, its graphic representation is also possible. Files with information for the sensors of the first region 7 and the second region 6 of one grouping zone 5 are interconnected by the control unit, this reflects the fact that the information of the graphic type and text type is interconnected in meaning. In addition, the control unit is configured to receive signals from the sensors of each grouping zone 5 and send a signal from the memory unit to the data of the DAC sound file and then the dynamics. In this case, the control unit sends the data from the sound file, which is correlated by means of the control unit with files with graphic and text information sent in the form of a signal to the sensors of the first region 7 and second region 6 of the grouping zone, from the sensors of which the control unit received a signal. This reflects that the sound information corresponding to the grouping zone is, in meaning, related to the information of the graphic and text type corresponding to the first region 7 and the second region 6 of the same grouping zone 5.

The control unit, memory unit, DAC and power supply are located inside the housing 1.

Pushbutton switches 4, a touch screen 2, a memory unit are connected to the control unit. The DAC can be connected to the memory unit directly or through the control unit. In turn, the speaker is connected to the DAC. The speaker, control unit, memory unit, DAC are connected to the power supply. The power supply can be connected by cable to an external power source.

Utility Model Implementation

In the case of using the above elements and means, the utility model is implemented as follows.

The housing 1 is preliminarily made, for example, of plastic by injection molding. In the housing 1, a touch screen 2, push-button switches 4, a speaker, a control unit, a memory unit, a DAC, a power supply unit in the manner as described above are placed and connect them together. The device is placed next to a patient with speech impairment so that the patient can see the touch screen 2 and click on it.

Using the device is implemented as follows. The device is configured (for example, by adjusting the software) so that the sensors on the sensitive part of the touch screen 2 are grouped into several grouping zones 5. Moreover, the sensors in each grouping zone 5 are divided into sensors related to the first area 7 and sensors related to the second region 6. To the sensors of the first region 7 and the sensors of the second region 6 of one grouping zone 5, the control unit sends files with information that are correlated by means of the control unit to each other, this is about It is evident that the information of the graphic type in the first region 7 and the text type in the second region 6 is interconnected in meaning. The number of grouping zones 5 is determined by the number of needs that may arise in a patient with speech impairment. For example, grouping zone 5 may contain information describing thirst, hunger, pain that the patient may experience. In this case, the first region 7 of each grouping zone 5 of the touch screen 2 contains a graphic image that simplifies describing the need, and the second region 6 contains a text version corresponding to the image of the first region (i.e., a simple word or phrase corresponding to the image). For example, for the case of thirst, the first region 7 may contain an image of a glass of water, and the second region 6 - the word "water". The content of the first region 7 and the second region 6 should be presented in such a way as to minimize possible difficulties in transmitting information from a patient with speech impairments (since disturbances in speech function are usually accompanied by disorders of other higher mental functions: thinking, memory, praxis, gnosis and etc.).

When a certain grouping zone 5 is exposed to the sensors, the touch screen 2 sends a signal corresponding to this grouping zone 5 to the control unit that processes the received signal. The control unit sends from the memory unit to the DAC in the form of a digital signal an audio file with a voice message corresponding to the grouping zone 5, from which the signal about the impact came. In this case, the guided sound file is correlated by means of the control unit with the files sent to the sensors of the first region 7 and the sensors of the second region 6 of that grouping zone 5, from which the signal about the effect was received. This reflects the fact that the voice message duplicates the text information from the second area 6. The DAC converts the digital signal into an electric signal and directs it to the speaker. The speaker converts the electrical signal and generates sound vibrations that are perceived by the patient and staff nearby.

To save battery power, the device usually makes the touch screen 2 inactive. To use the device, you must press the button switch 4, which is responsible for activating the touch screen 2. The button switch 4 sends a signal to the control unit, and that in turn activates the touch screen 2.

When the patient has any need, he first presses the button switch 4 to activate the touch screen 2 (in case the touch screen 2 was inactive), and then acts on the grouping zone corresponding to his needs 5. After the device processes the signal corresponding to the effect to a certain grouping zone 5, a voice message sounds from the speaker, for example, the word “water” or “I want to drink” for the case when the patient is thirsty. Medical personnel or relatives who are in the same room as the patient hear a voice message and can take appropriate action (for example, bring water).

Using the push buttons 4, which are responsible for the volume of voice messages, the user (medical staff or patient) can change the volume of voice messages to the desired level.

In addition to the communication function, the device has another important function. Duplication of the image of the first region 7 with the text of the second region 6 and a voice message helps the patient not to lose the connection between the meaning of the word, its spelling and sound, which helps to restore the speech function.

Thus, the implementation of the device in a single housing 1, as well as the use of simple constituent elements, simplifies the design of the device. In addition, the use of the touch screen 2 for the function of selecting the necessary grouping zone 5 increases the reliability of the device by reducing the possibility of sending the wrong signal to the control unit corresponding to the wrong grouping zone 5 that the patient was exposed to.

Claims (1)

A communicator for people with speech impairments, comprising a housing, a touch screen with a front surface and sensors, a speaker, a control unit, a memory unit, a digital-to-analog converter, and a speaker, a control unit, a memory unit and a digital-to-analog converter are installed in the case, and the touch screen is installed in the case providing access to its front surface, a hole is made in the case in front of the speaker, the sensors are grouped into at least two grouping zones, and in each grouping zone the sensors are divided into related to the first region and related to the second region, while the first region displays information of the graphic type, and in the second region the text type, interconnected by meaning, the memory unit is configured to store a file corresponding to the first region, a file corresponding to the second region, and the file corresponding simultaneously to the first region and the second region of one grouping zone, the control unit is connected to the touch screen and the memory unit and is configured to transmitting a file corresponding to the first region for display by the sensors of the first region, a file corresponding to the second region for displaying by the sensors in the second region, and upon receipt of a signal from the sensor belonging to one of the grouping zones, transmit a file corresponding simultaneously to the first region and the second area of this grouping zone, from the memory unit to the digital-to-analog converter and then from the digital-to-analog converter to the speaker.

Images