WO2016147167A1 - A communications system, and a method for communicating a human feeling electronically - Google Patents

A communications system, and a method for communicating a human feeling electronically Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2016147167A1
WO2016147167A1 PCT/IE2016/000002 IE2016000002W WO2016147167A1 WO 2016147167 A1 WO2016147167 A1 WO 2016147167A1 IE 2016000002 W IE2016000002 W IE 2016000002W WO 2016147167 A1 WO2016147167 A1 WO 2016147167A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
images
electronic
stored
communications system
messages
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IE2016/000002
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Robert Emmet LAFFAN
Original Assignee
Laffan Robert Emmet
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Laffan Robert Emmet filed Critical Laffan Robert Emmet
Publication of WO2016147167A1 publication Critical patent/WO2016147167A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09B—EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS
    • G09B21/00—Teaching, or communicating with, the blind, deaf or mute
    • G09B21/009—Teaching or communicating with deaf persons
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/247—Telephone sets including user guidance or feature selection means facilitating their use
    • H04M1/2474—Telephone terminals specially adapted for disabled people
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/26—Devices for calling a subscriber
    • H04M1/27—Devices whereby a plurality of signals may be stored simultaneously
    • H04M1/274—Devices whereby a plurality of signals may be stored simultaneously with provision for storing more than one subscriber number at a time, e.g. using toothed disc
    • H04M1/2745—Devices whereby a plurality of signals may be stored simultaneously with provision for storing more than one subscriber number at a time, e.g. using toothed disc using static electronic memories, e.g. chips
    • H04M1/27467—Methods of retrieving data
    • H04M1/27475—Methods of retrieving data using interactive graphical means or pictorial representations
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/72—Mobile telephones; Cordless telephones, i.e. devices for establishing wireless links to base stations without route selection
    • H04M1/724—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
    • H04M1/72403—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
    • H04M1/7243—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality with interactive means for internal management of messages
    • H04M1/72439—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality with interactive means for internal management of messages for image or video messaging

Definitions

  • a communications system and a method for communicating
  • the present invention relates to a communications system, and to a method for communicating a human feeling electronically, and in particular, though not limited to a communications system and a method for permitting a person with speech impairment to communicate a human feeling remotely to another person.
  • the present invention is directed towards providing such a communications system and a method.
  • a communications system comprising a first electronic storing means for storing in electronic form a first image indicative of at least one person cross-referenced with a telephone number of that at least one person in electronic form, a second electronic storing means for storing in an electronic form a plurality of second images indicative of at least a plurality of respective human feelings, cross-referenced with a plurality of respective corresponding messages in electronic form, a visual display means for displaying the first and second images sequentially or simultaneously, a means for selecting one or more of the at least one first image and for selecting at least one of the second images, a means for preparing one or more electronic data packages comprising one or more messages in response to the selected second images, and a communications module configured to set up a telephone call to the telephone number or numbers corresponding to the one or more selected first images.
  • each first image comprises an image representative of at least the face of a person of whom that first image is to be indicative.
  • each first image comprises a photographic representation of at least the face of the corresponding person.
  • each second image comprises a visually perceptible representation of the human feeling.
  • the visually perceptible representation of each human feeling comprises a photographic representation of the human feeling.
  • at least some of the second images stored in electronic form in the second electronic storing means are indicative of human desires.
  • the visually perceptible representation of each human desire comprises a photographic representation of the human desire.
  • human feelings are hunger, which may be represented by a selection of foods, for example, fruits; the feeling of sickness, which may be represented by a representation of a human face with a sad expression, and which may also include a thermometer projecting from the mouth of the human face; thirst, which may be represented by a representation of one or more beverage bottles; a desire to go outside, which may be represented, for example, by a representation of a park; the need to go to the toilet, which may be represented by a representation of a toilet pan and a cistern.
  • a third electronic storing means for storing in electronic form a plurality of third images indicative of one or more of food items, beverages, articles, activities, illnesses, and people, cross-referenced in the third electronic storing means with one or more words in electronic form descriptive of the one or more food items, beverages, articles, activities, illnesses, and people.
  • the visual display means is configured to display the third images simultaneously or sequentially with the first images and the second images.
  • a means is provided for selecting one or more of the plurality of third images.
  • a signal processor for controlling the display of the first, second and third images.
  • the signal processor is configured to display the second images in response at least one of the first images being selected.
  • the signal processor is configured to display the third images in response to one or more of the second images being selected.
  • a plurality of the second images are simultaneously displayed on the visual display means.
  • a plurality of the second images are simultaneously displayed on the visual display means in one screenshot.
  • a plurality of the third images are simultaneously displayed on the visual display means.
  • a plurality of the third images are simultaneously displayed on the visual display means in one screenshot.
  • the messages stored electronically and cross-referenced with the second images are stored as respective word strings suitable for reproduction as a text message.
  • the messages stored in electronic form cross-referenced with the second images are stored in the second electronic storing means in the form of voice messages.
  • the messages stored in electronic form cross-referenced with the second images are stored in the second electronic storing means in the form of synthesised voice messages.
  • the word or words which are stored in electronic form cross-referenced with the third images in the third storing means are stored as single words or in a word string suitable for forming a text message.
  • the signal processor is configured for assembling a text message from the messages and words stored in electronic form cross-referenced in the second and third electronic storing means of the selected second and third images.
  • a fourth electronic storing means for storing one or more response messages in electronic form, the signal processor being responsive to a signal received from the one or more telephones, the number or numbers of which telephone calls have been set up in response to the selected one or more of the first images, the response messages stored in the fourth electronic storing means on the visual display means.
  • the response messages are indicative of one of an indication that the human feeling or desire is being attended to or will be attended to in due course.
  • at least one of the response messages are indicative of one of an indication that the human feeling or desire cannot be attended to or will not be attended to.
  • the invention also provides a method for communicating a human feeling to another person remotely, the method comprising storing in an electronic form in a first electronic storing means a first image indicative of at least one person storing in an electronic form in the first storing means a telephone number of the at least one person, and cross-referencing the telephone number with the first image of that at least one person in the first electronic storing means, storing in electronic form in a second electronic storing means a plurality of second images indicative of at least a plurality of respective human feelings, and storing in electronic form in the second electronic storing means a plurality of messages corresponding to the respective human feelings, and cross-referencing the messages with the respective corresponding human feelings in the second electronic storing means, displaying on a visual display means the first and second images sequentially or simultaneously, selecting one or more of the at least one first images and selecting at least one or more of the second images, preparing one or more electronic data packages comprising one or more messages corresponding to the selected one or more of the second images, setting up a telephone call to the telephone number or
  • a particularly important advantage of the invention is that it permits a speech impaired person to readily communicate over a telecommunications network.
  • the system and method according to the invention permits a juvenile, and particularly, a juvenile who has not reached the learning stage where they can spell words which could otherwise be transmitted in the form of a text message, to communicate over a telecommunications network.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a block representation of the communications system according to the invention
  • Fig. 2 illustrates a screenshot presented by a communications system of Fig. 1 according to the invention
  • Fig. 3 illustrates another screenshot presented by the communications system of Fig. 1, and
  • Figs. 4 to 12 illustrate further screenshots presented by the communications system of Fig. 1.
  • a communications system for communicating electronically via a telecommunications network a human feeling of a person with, for example, a speech impairment, to another person.
  • the telecommunications network in this embodiment of the invention would be suitable for the transmission of and the reception of text messages and typically would be a cellular telecommunications network.
  • the telecommunications network may also be suitable for computer to computer
  • the system 1 comprises a signal processor, which in this embodiment of the invention comprises a programmable logic controller 3 which controls and operates the system 1.
  • a visual display means namely, a touch screen 5 is operated under the control of the programmable logic controller 3 for displaying one or more first images indicative of at least one or more persons with whom the person with the speech impairment may wish to communicate.
  • the first images are selectable by the speech impaired person by touching the displayed image on the touch screen 5.
  • a communications module 7, which comprises a modem or other suitable interface means, is operated under the control of the programmable logic controller 3 to set up and make one or more telephone calls as will be described below to the person or persons the first image or images of which are selected.
  • a first electronic storing means namely, a first electronic memory 9 which is addressable by the programmable logic controller 3 stores the first images in electronic form which are indicative of the persons, with whom telephone calls can be set up by the communications module 7, cross-referenced with the telephone numbers in electronic form of those persons.
  • the first images which are stored in electronic form in the first electronic memory 9 are photographic representations of the persons with whom telephone calls can be set up.
  • two first images are stored, one of the first images being a photographic representation of the face of the father of the speech impaired person, namely, the first image 10a as illustrated in Fig. 2, and the other of the first images is an image of the face of the mother, namely, the image 10b, also illustrated in Fig. 2.
  • the two first images 10 will be simultaneously displayed on the touch screen 5 by the programmable logic controller 3. Accordingly, by touching either or both of the two first images 10, the programmable logic controller 3 in response to the touch signals received from the touch screen 5 retrieves the telephone number or numbers stored in the first memory 9 corresponding to the selected first image or images, so that one or two telephone calls, as the case may be, can be subsequently set up by the programmable controller 3 to the retrieved number or numbers, as will be described below.
  • a second electronic storing means namely, a second electronic memory 14, which is addressable by the programmable logic controller 3, stores in electronic form a plurality of second images indicative of at least a plurality of respective human feelings and human desires cross-referenced with a plurality of respective corresponding messages in electronic form.
  • Fig. 3 illustrates nine typical second images 15a to 15i which are indicative of corresponding human feelings and human desires.
  • the human feelings and desires 15a to 15i are simultaneously displayed on the touch screen 5 by the programmable logic controller as a single screenshot.
  • the human feelings and human desires which are represented by the second images 15 are presented on the touch screen 5 in visually perceptible form, namely, picture type or photographic type representations of the human feelings and desires.
  • the messages which correspond to the second images 15 and which are stored in the second electronic memory 14 are messages which in this embodiment of the invention are stored electronically as word strings, which are stored in a manner suitable for the formulation of text messages, and are suitable for transmission via a cellular telephone network, and describe the corresponding human feeling or desire.
  • the word strings which are stored in the second electronic memory and which are cross-referenced with the second images 15 are as follows.
  • the word string which is stored in the second electronic memory and cross-referenced with the second image 15a therein reads "I am hungry”.
  • the word string which is stored in the second electronic memory 14 and cross-referenced therein with the second image 15b reads "I am thirsty".
  • the word string which is stored in the second electronic memory 14 and cross-referenced therein with the second image 15c reads "I want".
  • the word string which is stored in the second electronic memory 14 and cross-referenced therein with the second image 15d reads "I am feeling”.
  • the word string which is stored in the second electronic memory 14 and cross-referenced therein with the second image 15e reads "I want to go outside”.
  • the word string stored in the second electronic memory 14 and cross- referenced therein with the second image 15f reads "I want to see my friends".
  • the word string which is stored in the second electronic memory and cross-referenced therein with the second image 15g reads "I am sick".
  • the word string which is stored in the second electronic memory 14 and cross-referenced therein with the second image 15h reads "I see”.
  • the word string which is stored in the second electronic memory and cross-referenced therein with the second image 15i reads "I want to go to the toilet” and may refer also to other hygiene desires;
  • the second images 15 are displayed on the touch screen 5 by the programmable logic controller 3 as one screenshot in response to the one or more first images 10 having been selected by the person with the impaired speech by touching the relevant first image or first images as the case may be on the touch screen 5.
  • the appropriate one of the nine second images 15a to 15i is selected by touching the relevant second image 15 on the touch screen 5.
  • the programmable logic controller 3 fetches the word string which is cross-referenced with the selected one of the second images 15a to 15i and stores the word string in an electronic temporary storing memory, typically a random access memory 17 where it is stored for forming into a complete text message for transmission through the communications module 7.
  • a third electronic memory means in this embodiment of the invention a third electronic memory 18 is addressable by the programmable logic controller 3 and stores a plurality of third images 19 in electronic form which are indicative of items, articles, feelings, activities, people, illnesses and hygiene-type activities or articles which a speech impaired person may desire or require.
  • the third images 19 are stored and displayed as photographic representations of the articles, feelings, activities, people, illnesses and hygiene-type activities or articles.
  • the third images 19 are stored in electronic form in the third electronic memory 18, and are displayed on the touch screen 5 by the programmable logic controller 3 in sets 22a to 22i, see Figs. 4 to 12, and each set 22a to 22i is displayed as a single screenshot.
  • the screenshot sets 22 of the second images 19 are displayed on the touch screen 5 by the programmable logic controller 3 in response to the corresponding one of the second images 15 being selected. For example, if the second image 15a is selected indicating that the speech impaired person is hungry, a set of twenty third images 19a to 19u of the set 22a are then displayed on the touch screen 5 as a single screenshot, see Fig. 4.
  • the third images 19 which are stored electronically in the third memory 18 are cross-referenced in the third memory 18 with a word or words which describe the article or item illustrated by the representation of the corresponding third image 19.
  • the third image 19a of the first screenshot set 22a which represents an apple is stored in the third electronic memory 18 cross-referenced therein with the word "apple”.
  • the third image 19b which represents an orange is stored in the third electronic memory 18 cross-referenced with the word "orange”.
  • the third image 19c which represents a banana is cross- referenced in the third electronic memory 18 with the word "banana” and so on to the twentieth third image 19u which represents chips, and is stored electronically in the third electronic memory 18 cross- referenced therein with the word "chips”.
  • the speech impaired person has selected the second image 15a indicating that the person is hungry, the first screenshot set 22a of the twenty third images 19a to 19u is displayed under the control of the programmable logic controller 3 on the touch screen 5.
  • the speech impaired person can then select the appropriate third image 19 which he or she requires to satisfy the hunger, for example, the speech impaired person could select the third image 19k indicating that he or she wished to have sausages.
  • the speech impaired person could also select a second or more third images 19 from the first screenshot set 22a, for example, the third image 19u indicating that he or she also wants "chips".
  • the programmable logic controller 3 would fetch the words which are cross-referenced with the two third images 19k and 19u in the third electronic memory 18, namely, the words "sausage" and "chips". These two words would then be stored in the random access memory 17 along with the already stored word string "I am hungry”. The programmable logic controller 3 then assembles these words stored in the random access memory 17 to form the string of words "I am hungry I want sausage and chips".
  • This string of words is then packaged into a text message and the programmable logic controller 3 operates the communications module 7 to set up a telephone call with the cellular phone of the number corresponding to the first image 10 which had already been selected, and on the call being set up by the communications module 7 the text message is then transmitted through the telephone call which has been set up to the cellular phone of the number by the selection of the first image. If the two first images had been selected, the programmable logic controller 3 operates the communications module 7 to set up the second telephone call to the cellular phone of the second number corresponding to the other first image 9 selected, and the text message is transmitted through the setup telephone call to that cellular phone.
  • the other screenshot sets 22b to 22i of the third images 19 which are illustrated in Figs. 5 to 12, and which are displayed on the touch screen 5 by the programmable logic controller 3 correspond to other ones of the second images 15 which are illustrated in Fig. 3.
  • the third images 19 of the second screenshot set 22b are displayed with twenty third images 19a to 19u on the touch screen 5 in response to selection by the speech impaired person of the second image 15b indicating that the person is thirsty.
  • the third images 19a to 19u in the second screenshot set 22b illustrate beverages which the speech impaired person may select to satisfy the thirst.
  • Each of the third images 19 of the second screenshot 22b are stored in the electronic third memory 18 and are cross-referenced in the third memory 18 with the corresponding word which describes the beverage which the third image represents.
  • the second screenshot set 22b is displayed thereby allowing the speech impaired person to select the drink which he or she may desire to satisfy the thirst, for example, the third image 19b of the second screenshot set 22b.
  • the programmable logic controller constructs a word string from the word string which is cross-referenced with the selected second image 15 which is already stored in the random access memory 17 and the word describing the beverage which in this case would read "I am thirsty I want apple juice".
  • Fig.6 illustrates a third screenshot set 22c of third images 19a to 19u of articles which a speech impaired person, having selected the second image 15c indicating that that person had a human want, might want.
  • the programmable logic controller 3 displays the third screenshot set 22c.
  • the person having selected the second image 15c can then select one or more of the items in the third screenshot set 22c.
  • the third images 19a to 19u of the third screenshot set 22c are stored in the third electronic memory 18 in electronic form and are cross-referenced therein with the words which describe the articles which are represented by the third images which are indicated adjacent the corresponding third images 19 in the third screenshot set 22c.
  • Fig. 7 illustrates a fourth screenshot set 22d of third images 19a to 19m which is displayed in response to selection of the second image 15d.
  • the third images 19 of the fourth screenshot set 22d represent human feelings which can be selected by the speech impaired person.
  • the third images 19a to 19m of the fourth screenshot set 22d are stored electronically in the third electronic memory 18 and are cross- referenced in the third electronic memory 18 with the words which describe the feelings represented by the third images 19a to 19m, so that the programmable logic controller can select appropriate words to produce a text message for transmission through the communications module 7 as already described with reference to the first screenshot set 22a. For example, if the third image 19f of the fourth screenshot set 22d were selected the constructed text message would read "I am feeling happy".
  • Figs. 8 to 12 illustrate further screenshot sets 22e to 22i of third images 19 which illustrate, in the case of the fifth screenshot set 22e of third images 19 of Fig. 8, activities which the speech impaired person may wish to partake in on selection of the second image 15e, indicating that the person wished to go outside.
  • the sixth screenshot set 22f illustrated in Fig.9 illustrates third images 19a to 19p which include photographic representations of people that the speech impaired person may wish to meet in response to selecting the second image 15f.
  • the seventh screenshot set 22g of Fig. 10 illustrates third images 19 of illnesses and/or ailments which the speech impaired person who selected the screenshot 15g may have and may wish to communicate to the person whose image appeared in the first image 10 selected.
  • the eighth screenshot set 22h illustrates third images 19 of animals, birds, fish, insects, colours and articles which the speech impaired person may wish to select after selecting the second image 15h, in order to communicate a text message to read, for example, "I see a bird” if the third image 19c had been selected from the eighth screenshot set 22h of third images 19.
  • the ninth screenshot set 22i of third images 19 of Fig. 12 illustrate various hygiene activities which the person may wish to communicate having selected the second image 15i.
  • Each of the third images 19 of each of the first to the ninth screenshots sets 22a to 22i are stored in the third electronic memory 18 in electronic form cross-referenced in the third electronic memory 18 with the corresponding word or words which describes the corresponding third image 19.
  • the system 1 also comprises a fourth electronic storing means, namely, a fourth electronic memory 25 which stores a plurality of response messages which the person receiving the call from the speech impaired person may wish to make to the speech impaired person. These responses are stored and cross-referenced in the fourth electronic memory 25 with identifying numbers or words.
  • the person receiving the call and wishing to make a response to the speech impaired person texts the number or word which is cross-referenced with the relevant response message.
  • the programmable logic controller 3 on receiving the text message selects the response message from the fourth electronic memory 25 which corresponds to the number or word received in the text message and displays it on the touch screen 5.
  • the stored response messages may, for example, read "I will attend to your request" or "I cannot attend to your request at present".
  • stored response messages may also include images, videos or video clips or the like, which the person receiving the call from the speech impaired person may wish to have displayed on the touch screen 5 in order to keep that person occupied until the person who receives the call from the speech impaired person can take the appropriate action requested by the speech impaired person.
  • the screenshot of the first images 10, the screenshot of the second images 15 and appropriate ones of the screenshot sets 22a to 22i of the third images 19 are displayed for predefined time periods, typically, thirty seconds, and if no selection is made from the displayed screenshot set 22 of the third images, after the predefined time period of thirty seconds the programmable logic controller 3 constructs the data package from the words which have been fetched as a result of the selection of the second image or images 15 and the data package is transmitted as a text message as already described through the communications module 7.
  • the programmable logic controller 3 is configured, and the first electronic memory 9, the second electronic memory 14, the third electronic memory 18 and the fourth electronic memory 25 are configured so that a user can set up the system 1, and during set-up, can store bespoke images, words, messages, videos, video clips and other data in the respective first, second, third and fourth memories. Additionally, the programmable logic controller 3 is also configured so that one or more of the bespoke images, messages, words, videos, video clips and the like stored in the respective first, second, third and fourth electronic memories may be replaced with other bespoke images, messages, words, videos, video clips and the like, so that as a child grows older, the images, messages, words, videos, video clips and the like can be changed to be more appropriate to the age of the child.
  • the programmable logic controller 3 In use, initially on start up of the system, the programmable logic controller 3 displays the first images 10a and 10b on the touch screen 5. The speech impaired person selects one or both of the first images 10a and 10b. The programmable logic controller 3 fetches the telephone number or numbers of the person or persons of the selected image or images 10a and 10B and the telephone number or numbers are stored in the random access memory 17. The programmable logic controller 3 then displays the second images 15 in order to allow the speech impaired person to select the human feeling, desire or want which the speech impaired person wishes to express. On selection of the appropriate second image 15 the programmable logic controller 3 fetches the word string from the second electronic memory 14 which corresponds to the selected second image 15, and stores the word string in the random access memory 17.
  • the programmable logic controller 3 displays the appropriate one of the first to the ninth screenshot sets 22a to 22i.
  • the speech impaired person selects the appropriate third image 19 from the displayed screenshot set 22a to 22i.
  • the programmable logic controller 3 fetches the word or words corresponding to the selected third image 19 and stores the fetched word or words in the random access memory 17 along with the word string already stored therein from the selected second image 15.
  • the programmable logic controller 3 then constructs a text message from the words stored in the random access memory 17.
  • the programmable logic controller 3 then operates the communications module 7 to set up a telephone call to the telephone number or numbers correspond to the selected first images 10a and 10b and the text message is then transmitted under the control of the programmable logic controller 3.
  • the person receiving the text message if they wish can text an appropriate word or number to select a desired response message, image or images, video or video clips stored in the fourth electronic memory 25 for display on the touch screen 5.
  • the system according to the invention may be provided with first, second and third images and the cross-referenced words, messages and the like already stored in the first, second and third electronic memories, and response messages, videos, video clips and the like stored in the fourth electronic memory, and a user could commence using the system 1 with those stored first, second and third images with the cross-referenced messages and words stored in the first, second and third electronic memories, and also with the response messages, videos, video clips and the like stored in the fourth electronic memory.
  • a user could also then replace the already stored images and data in the first, second, third and fourth electronic memories with bespoke images, messages, words, response messages, videos and video clips.
  • the system 1 may be provided without any first, second and third images with cross-referenced messages and words stored in the first, second and third electronic memories, and also without any response messages, videos, video clips stored in the fourth electronic memory, and a user prior to commencing use of the system 1 would store their own bespoke first, second and third images cross-referenced with bespoke messages and words in the first, second and third electronic memories and with bespoke response messages, videos and video clips stored in the fourth electronic memory.
  • the second images have been described as illustrating pictures of human feelings and human desires and wants, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that many other human feelings and human desires and wants may be displayed as second images.
  • the signal processor has been described as comprising a programmable logic controller 3, any other suitable signal processing means which is programmable may be used.
  • the communications module 7 may be incorporated into the signal processor, and the first, second, third and fourth memories may also be incorporated in the signal processor. Indeed, it is also envisaged that in certain cases, the fourth memory may be dispensed with.
  • the communications system While it is desirable to provide the communications system with a third electronic memory for storing the third images, in certain cases, it is envisaged that the third memory may be dispensed with, and third images would not be displayed.
  • the text message could be constructed from the selection of one or more of the second images.
  • visual display screen has been described as comprising a touch screen, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that any suitable visual display screen may be used besides a touch screen, and the image would be selected by a cursor, which could be moved around the visual display screen for selecting the relevant first and second images by a mouse, touchpad or the like.
  • a laptop computer or a tablet computer could be programmed to carry out the method according to the invention, or alternatively, a smartphone programmed with a suitable app could also be used to carry out the method according to the invention of the system according to the invention.

Abstract

A system (1) comprises a programmable logic controller (3) which controls the display on a touch screen (5) and also controls a communications module (7) for setting up a telephone call with a cellular phone. A first electronic memory (9) stores a first image (10) of one or more individuals with whom a telephone call is to be set up, a second electronic memory (14) stores second images (15) indicative of human feelings and desires cross-referenced with word strings which describe the feeling or desire, while a third electronic memory (18) stores third images (19) indicative of representations of food items, beverages, and other articles and activities cross-reference with a word or words describing the food item, beverage, activity and the like. The programmable logic controller (3) displays the first images (10) on the touch screen (5) to allow selection by a speech impaired person indicating the telephone number to which a telephone call is to be set up. The programmable logic controller (3) then displays the second images (15) to allow selection of the human feeling or desire which the speech impaired person wishes to express, and the programmable logic controller (3) then displays the third images (19) to allow selection of the desired food, beverage, article or activity. On selecting the first and second images, the programmable logic controller (3) constructs a text message which is then transmitted by the communications module (7) to the selected phone number in a telephone call set up by the communications module (7).

Description

"A communications system, and a method for communicating
a human feeling electronically"
The present invention relates to a communications system, and to a method for communicating a human feeling electronically, and in particular, though not limited to a communications system and a method for permitting a person with speech impairment to communicate a human feeling remotely to another person.
People with speech impairment find it difficult to communicate with other people over a distance, for example, by phone, where speech is required in order to communicate. While speech impaired people can communicate with people in close proximity to them, by virtue of the fact that they can point to items, articles and the like, and also can gesticulate in order to convey their message, pointing or gesticulating is of no benefit during communications via a telephone call, where speech is essentially the only method of communicating. This very much limits the ability of speech impaired people to communicate over a telephone network. This is particularly so in the case of relatively young speech impaired people, for example, juveniles, and in particular juveniles below the age of ten.
There is therefore a need for a communications system and a method for communicating a human feeling, desire or want electronically, and in particular, to communicating a human feeling, desire or want over a telecommunications network.
The present invention is directed towards providing such a communications system and a method.
According to the invention there is provided a communications system comprising a first electronic storing means for storing in electronic form a first image indicative of at least one person cross-referenced with a telephone number of that at least one person in electronic form, a second electronic storing means for storing in an electronic form a plurality of second images indicative of at least a plurality of respective human feelings, cross-referenced with a plurality of respective corresponding messages in electronic form, a visual display means for displaying the first and second images sequentially or simultaneously, a means for selecting one or more of the at least one first image and for selecting at least one of the second images, a means for preparing one or more electronic data packages comprising one or more messages in response to the selected second images, and a communications module configured to set up a telephone call to the telephone number or numbers corresponding to the one or more selected first images.
In one aspect of the invention each first image comprises an image representative of at least the face of a person of whom that first image is to be indicative. Advantageously, each first image comprises a photographic representation of at least the face of the corresponding person.
In another aspect of the invention each second image comprises a visually perceptible representation of the human feeling. Preferably, the visually perceptible representation of each human feeling comprises a photographic representation of the human feeling. Advantageously, at least some of the second images stored in electronic form in the second electronic storing means are indicative of human desires.
Ideally, the visually perceptible representation of each human desire comprises a photographic representation of the human desire. Examples of such human feelings are hunger, which may be represented by a selection of foods, for example, fruits; the feeling of sickness, which may be represented by a representation of a human face with a sad expression, and which may also include a thermometer projecting from the mouth of the human face; thirst, which may be represented by a representation of one or more beverage bottles; a desire to go outside, which may be represented, for example, by a representation of a park; the need to go to the toilet, which may be represented by a representation of a toilet pan and a cistern.
In one aspect of the invention a third electronic storing means is provided for storing in electronic form a plurality of third images indicative of one or more of food items, beverages, articles, activities, illnesses, and people, cross-referenced in the third electronic storing means with one or more words in electronic form descriptive of the one or more food items, beverages, articles, activities, illnesses, and people. Preferably, the visual display means is configured to display the third images simultaneously or sequentially with the first images and the second images.
In another aspect of the invention a means is provided for selecting one or more of the plurality of third images.
In another aspect of the invention a signal processor is provided for controlling the display of the first, second and third images. Preferably, the signal processor is configured to display the second images in response at least one of the first images being selected. Advantageously, the signal processor is configured to display the third images in response to one or more of the second images being selected. In one aspect of the invention a plurality of the second images are simultaneously displayed on the visual display means. Preferably, a plurality of the second images are simultaneously displayed on the visual display means in one screenshot. Advantageously, a plurality of the third images are simultaneously displayed on the visual display means. Preferably, a plurality of the third images are simultaneously displayed on the visual display means in one screenshot.
In another aspect of the invention the messages stored electronically and cross-referenced with the second images are stored as respective word strings suitable for reproduction as a text message.
Preferably, the messages stored in electronic form cross-referenced with the second images are stored in the second electronic storing means in the form of voice messages. Advantageously, the messages stored in electronic form cross-referenced with the second images are stored in the second electronic storing means in the form of synthesised voice messages.
In one aspect of the invention the word or words which are stored in electronic form cross-referenced with the third images in the third storing means are stored as single words or in a word string suitable for forming a text message.
In another aspect of the invention the signal processor is configured for assembling a text message from the messages and words stored in electronic form cross-referenced in the second and third electronic storing means of the selected second and third images.
In a further aspect of the invention a fourth electronic storing means is provided for storing one or more response messages in electronic form, the signal processor being responsive to a signal received from the one or more telephones, the number or numbers of which telephone calls have been set up in response to the selected one or more of the first images, the response messages stored in the fourth electronic storing means on the visual display means. Preferably, at least one of the response messages are indicative of one of an indication that the human feeling or desire is being attended to or will be attended to in due course. Preferably, at least one of the response messages are indicative of one of an indication that the human feeling or desire cannot be attended to or will not be attended to.
The invention also provides a method for communicating a human feeling to another person remotely, the method comprising storing in an electronic form in a first electronic storing means a first image indicative of at least one person storing in an electronic form in the first storing means a telephone number of the at least one person, and cross-referencing the telephone number with the first image of that at least one person in the first electronic storing means, storing in electronic form in a second electronic storing means a plurality of second images indicative of at least a plurality of respective human feelings, and storing in electronic form in the second electronic storing means a plurality of messages corresponding to the respective human feelings, and cross-referencing the messages with the respective corresponding human feelings in the second electronic storing means, displaying on a visual display means the first and second images sequentially or simultaneously, selecting one or more of the at least one first images and selecting at least one or more of the second images, preparing one or more electronic data packages comprising one or more messages corresponding to the selected one or more of the second images, setting up a telephone call to the telephone number or numbers corresponding to the one or more selected first images and transmitting the data packages to the telephone number or numbers.
The advantages of the invention are many. A particularly important advantage of the invention is that it permits a speech impaired person to readily communicate over a telecommunications network. In particular, the system and method according to the invention permits a juvenile, and particularly, a juvenile who has not reached the learning stage where they can spell words which could otherwise be transmitted in the form of a text message, to communicate over a telecommunications network.
The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, which is given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 illustrates a block representation of the communications system according to the invention, Fig. 2 illustrates a screenshot presented by a communications system of Fig. 1 according to the invention, Fig. 3 illustrates another screenshot presented by the communications system of Fig. 1, and
Figs. 4 to 12 illustrate further screenshots presented by the communications system of Fig. 1. Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a communications system according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 , for communicating electronically via a telecommunications network a human feeling of a person with, for example, a speech impairment, to another person. The telecommunications network in this embodiment of the invention would be suitable for the transmission of and the reception of text messages and typically would be a cellular telecommunications network.
However, the telecommunications network may also be suitable for computer to computer
communications, and/or computer to cellular phone communications, such as via broadband communications, e-mail and other such electronic wired or wireless communications.
The system 1 comprises a signal processor, which in this embodiment of the invention comprises a programmable logic controller 3 which controls and operates the system 1. A visual display means, namely, a touch screen 5 is operated under the control of the programmable logic controller 3 for displaying one or more first images indicative of at least one or more persons with whom the person with the speech impairment may wish to communicate. The first images are selectable by the speech impaired person by touching the displayed image on the touch screen 5. A communications module 7, which comprises a modem or other suitable interface means, is operated under the control of the programmable logic controller 3 to set up and make one or more telephone calls as will be described below to the person or persons the first image or images of which are selected.
A first electronic storing means, namely, a first electronic memory 9 which is addressable by the programmable logic controller 3 stores the first images in electronic form which are indicative of the persons, with whom telephone calls can be set up by the communications module 7, cross-referenced with the telephone numbers in electronic form of those persons. The first images which are stored in electronic form in the first electronic memory 9 are photographic representations of the persons with whom telephone calls can be set up. In this embodiment of the invention two first images are stored, one of the first images being a photographic representation of the face of the father of the speech impaired person, namely, the first image 10a as illustrated in Fig. 2, and the other of the first images is an image of the face of the mother, namely, the image 10b, also illustrated in Fig. 2. In this embodiment of the invention it is envisaged that the two first images 10 will be simultaneously displayed on the touch screen 5 by the programmable logic controller 3. Accordingly, by touching either or both of the two first images 10, the programmable logic controller 3 in response to the touch signals received from the touch screen 5 retrieves the telephone number or numbers stored in the first memory 9 corresponding to the selected first image or images, so that one or two telephone calls, as the case may be, can be subsequently set up by the programmable controller 3 to the retrieved number or numbers, as will be described below.
A second electronic storing means, namely, a second electronic memory 14, which is addressable by the programmable logic controller 3, stores in electronic form a plurality of second images indicative of at least a plurality of respective human feelings and human desires cross-referenced with a plurality of respective corresponding messages in electronic form. Fig. 3 illustrates nine typical second images 15a to 15i which are indicative of corresponding human feelings and human desires. The human feelings and desires 15a to 15i are simultaneously displayed on the touch screen 5 by the programmable logic controller as a single screenshot. The human feelings and human desires which are represented by the second images 15 are presented on the touch screen 5 in visually perceptible form, namely, picture type or photographic type representations of the human feelings and desires.
The messages which correspond to the second images 15 and which are stored in the second electronic memory 14 are messages which in this embodiment of the invention are stored electronically as word strings, which are stored in a manner suitable for the formulation of text messages, and are suitable for transmission via a cellular telephone network, and describe the corresponding human feeling or desire. The word strings which are stored in the second electronic memory and which are cross-referenced with the second images 15 are as follows. The word string which is stored in the second electronic memory and cross-referenced with the second image 15a therein reads "I am hungry". The word string which is stored in the second electronic memory 14 and cross-referenced therein with the second image 15b reads "I am thirsty". The word string which is stored in the second electronic memory 14 and cross-referenced therein with the second image 15c reads "I want". The word string which is stored in the second electronic memory 14 and cross-referenced therein with the second image 15d reads "I am feeling". The word string which is stored in the second electronic memory 14 and cross-referenced therein with the second image 15e reads "I want to go outside". The word string stored in the second electronic memory 14 and cross- referenced therein with the second image 15f reads "I want to see my friends". The word string which is stored in the second electronic memory and cross-referenced therein with the second image 15g reads "I am sick". The word string which is stored in the second electronic memory 14 and cross-referenced therein with the second image 15h reads "I see". The word string which is stored in the second electronic memory and cross-referenced therein with the second image 15i reads "I want to go to the toilet" and may refer also to other hygiene desires;
The second images 15 are displayed on the touch screen 5 by the programmable logic controller 3 as one screenshot in response to the one or more first images 10 having been selected by the person with the impaired speech by touching the relevant first image or first images as the case may be on the touch screen 5.
Accordingly, when a speech impaired person wishes to express a human feeling or desire, the appropriate one of the nine second images 15a to 15i is selected by touching the relevant second image 15 on the touch screen 5. When the second image 15a to 15i has been selected by touching the selected second image 15 on the touch screen 5, the programmable logic controller 3 fetches the word string which is cross-referenced with the selected one of the second images 15a to 15i and stores the word string in an electronic temporary storing memory, typically a random access memory 17 where it is stored for forming into a complete text message for transmission through the communications module 7.
A third electronic memory means, in this embodiment of the invention a third electronic memory 18 is addressable by the programmable logic controller 3 and stores a plurality of third images 19 in electronic form which are indicative of items, articles, feelings, activities, people, illnesses and hygiene-type activities or articles which a speech impaired person may desire or require. The third images 19 are stored and displayed as photographic representations of the articles, feelings, activities, people, illnesses and hygiene-type activities or articles. The third images 19 are stored in electronic form in the third electronic memory 18, and are displayed on the touch screen 5 by the programmable logic controller 3 in sets 22a to 22i, see Figs. 4 to 12, and each set 22a to 22i is displayed as a single screenshot. The screenshot sets 22 of the second images 19 are displayed on the touch screen 5 by the programmable logic controller 3 in response to the corresponding one of the second images 15 being selected. For example, if the second image 15a is selected indicating that the speech impaired person is hungry, a set of twenty third images 19a to 19u of the set 22a are then displayed on the touch screen 5 as a single screenshot, see Fig. 4.
The third images 19 which are stored electronically in the third memory 18 are cross-referenced in the third memory 18 with a word or words which describe the article or item illustrated by the representation of the corresponding third image 19. For example, the third image 19a of the first screenshot set 22a which represents an apple is stored in the third electronic memory 18 cross-referenced therein with the word "apple". The third image 19b which represents an orange is stored in the third electronic memory 18 cross-referenced with the word "orange". The third image 19c which represents a banana is cross- referenced in the third electronic memory 18 with the word "banana" and so on to the twentieth third image 19u which represents chips, and is stored electronically in the third electronic memory 18 cross- referenced therein with the word "chips". Accordingly, if the speech impaired person has selected the second image 15a indicating that the person is hungry, the first screenshot set 22a of the twenty third images 19a to 19u is displayed under the control of the programmable logic controller 3 on the touch screen 5. The speech impaired person can then select the appropriate third image 19 which he or she requires to satisfy the hunger, for example, the speech impaired person could select the third image 19k indicating that he or she wished to have sausages. Additionally, the speech impaired person could also select a second or more third images 19 from the first screenshot set 22a, for example, the third image 19u indicating that he or she also wants "chips". Assuming that the two third images 19k and 19u were selected, the programmable logic controller 3 would fetch the words which are cross-referenced with the two third images 19k and 19u in the third electronic memory 18, namely, the words "sausage" and "chips". These two words would then be stored in the random access memory 17 along with the already stored word string "I am hungry". The programmable logic controller 3 then assembles these words stored in the random access memory 17 to form the string of words "I am hungry I want sausage and chips". This string of words is then packaged into a text message and the programmable logic controller 3 operates the communications module 7 to set up a telephone call with the cellular phone of the number corresponding to the first image 10 which had already been selected, and on the call being set up by the communications module 7 the text message is then transmitted through the telephone call which has been set up to the cellular phone of the number by the selection of the first image. If the two first images had been selected, the programmable logic controller 3 operates the communications module 7 to set up the second telephone call to the cellular phone of the second number corresponding to the other first image 9 selected, and the text message is transmitted through the setup telephone call to that cellular phone.
The other screenshot sets 22b to 22i of the third images 19 which are illustrated in Figs. 5 to 12, and which are displayed on the touch screen 5 by the programmable logic controller 3 correspond to other ones of the second images 15 which are illustrated in Fig. 3. The third images 19 of the second screenshot set 22b are displayed with twenty third images 19a to 19u on the touch screen 5 in response to selection by the speech impaired person of the second image 15b indicating that the person is thirsty. The third images 19a to 19u in the second screenshot set 22b illustrate beverages which the speech impaired person may select to satisfy the thirst. Each of the third images 19 of the second screenshot 22b are stored in the electronic third memory 18 and are cross-referenced in the third memory 18 with the corresponding word which describes the beverage which the third image represents. Thus, by selecting the second image 15b indicating that the speech impaired person is thirsty, the second screenshot set 22b is displayed thereby allowing the speech impaired person to select the drink which he or she may desire to satisfy the thirst, for example, the third image 19b of the second screenshot set 22b. As already described with the first screenshot set 22a, the programmable logic controller constructs a word string from the word string which is cross-referenced with the selected second image 15 which is already stored in the random access memory 17 and the word describing the beverage which in this case would read "I am thirsty I want apple juice".
Fig.6 illustrates a third screenshot set 22c of third images 19a to 19u of articles which a speech impaired person, having selected the second image 15c indicating that that person had a human want, might want. On selecting the second image 15c the programmable logic controller 3 displays the third screenshot set 22c. The person having selected the second image 15c can then select one or more of the items in the third screenshot set 22c. The third images 19a to 19u of the third screenshot set 22c are stored in the third electronic memory 18 in electronic form and are cross-referenced therein with the words which describe the articles which are represented by the third images which are indicated adjacent the corresponding third images 19 in the third screenshot set 22c.
Fig. 7 illustrates a fourth screenshot set 22d of third images 19a to 19m which is displayed in response to selection of the second image 15d. The third images 19 of the fourth screenshot set 22d represent human feelings which can be selected by the speech impaired person. The third images 19a to 19m of the fourth screenshot set 22d are stored electronically in the third electronic memory 18 and are cross- referenced in the third electronic memory 18 with the words which describe the feelings represented by the third images 19a to 19m, so that the programmable logic controller can select appropriate words to produce a text message for transmission through the communications module 7 as already described with reference to the first screenshot set 22a. For example, if the third image 19f of the fourth screenshot set 22d were selected the constructed text message would read "I am feeling happy".
Figs. 8 to 12 illustrate further screenshot sets 22e to 22i of third images 19 which illustrate, in the case of the fifth screenshot set 22e of third images 19 of Fig. 8, activities which the speech impaired person may wish to partake in on selection of the second image 15e, indicating that the person wished to go outside. The sixth screenshot set 22f illustrated in Fig.9 illustrates third images 19a to 19p which include photographic representations of people that the speech impaired person may wish to meet in response to selecting the second image 15f. The seventh screenshot set 22g of Fig. 10 illustrates third images 19 of illnesses and/or ailments which the speech impaired person who selected the screenshot 15g may have and may wish to communicate to the person whose image appeared in the first image 10 selected. The eighth screenshot set 22h illustrates third images 19 of animals, birds, fish, insects, colours and articles which the speech impaired person may wish to select after selecting the second image 15h, in order to communicate a text message to read, for example, "I see a bird" if the third image 19c had been selected from the eighth screenshot set 22h of third images 19.
The ninth screenshot set 22i of third images 19 of Fig. 12 illustrate various hygiene activities which the person may wish to communicate having selected the second image 15i. Each of the third images 19 of each of the first to the ninth screenshots sets 22a to 22i are stored in the third electronic memory 18 in electronic form cross-referenced in the third electronic memory 18 with the corresponding word or words which describes the corresponding third image 19.
The system 1 also comprises a fourth electronic storing means, namely, a fourth electronic memory 25 which stores a plurality of response messages which the person receiving the call from the speech impaired person may wish to make to the speech impaired person. These responses are stored and cross-referenced in the fourth electronic memory 25 with identifying numbers or words. The person receiving the call and wishing to make a response to the speech impaired person texts the number or word which is cross-referenced with the relevant response message. The programmable logic controller 3 on receiving the text message selects the response message from the fourth electronic memory 25 which corresponds to the number or word received in the text message and displays it on the touch screen 5. The stored response messages may, for example, read "I will attend to your request" or "I cannot attend to your request at present". Additionally, stored response messages may also include images, videos or video clips or the like, which the person receiving the call from the speech impaired person may wish to have displayed on the touch screen 5 in order to keep that person occupied until the person who receives the call from the speech impaired person can take the appropriate action requested by the speech impaired person.
The screenshot of the first images 10, the screenshot of the second images 15 and appropriate ones of the screenshot sets 22a to 22i of the third images 19 are displayed for predefined time periods, typically, thirty seconds, and if no selection is made from the displayed screenshot set 22 of the third images, after the predefined time period of thirty seconds the programmable logic controller 3 constructs the data package from the words which have been fetched as a result of the selection of the second image or images 15 and the data package is transmitted as a text message as already described through the communications module 7. In this embodiment of the invention the programmable logic controller 3 is configured, and the first electronic memory 9, the second electronic memory 14, the third electronic memory 18 and the fourth electronic memory 25 are configured so that a user can set up the system 1, and during set-up, can store bespoke images, words, messages, videos, video clips and other data in the respective first, second, third and fourth memories. Additionally, the programmable logic controller 3 is also configured so that one or more of the bespoke images, messages, words, videos, video clips and the like stored in the respective first, second, third and fourth electronic memories may be replaced with other bespoke images, messages, words, videos, video clips and the like, so that as a child grows older, the images, messages, words, videos, video clips and the like can be changed to be more appropriate to the age of the child. In use, initially on start up of the system, the programmable logic controller 3 displays the first images 10a and 10b on the touch screen 5. The speech impaired person selects one or both of the first images 10a and 10b. The programmable logic controller 3 fetches the telephone number or numbers of the person or persons of the selected image or images 10a and 10B and the telephone number or numbers are stored in the random access memory 17. The programmable logic controller 3 then displays the second images 15 in order to allow the speech impaired person to select the human feeling, desire or want which the speech impaired person wishes to express. On selection of the appropriate second image 15 the programmable logic controller 3 fetches the word string from the second electronic memory 14 which corresponds to the selected second image 15, and stores the word string in the random access memory 17. Depending on the second image 15 which has been selected, the programmable logic controller 3 then displays the appropriate one of the first to the ninth screenshot sets 22a to 22i. The speech impaired person then selects the appropriate third image 19 from the displayed screenshot set 22a to 22i. The programmable logic controller 3 fetches the word or words corresponding to the selected third image 19 and stores the fetched word or words in the random access memory 17 along with the word string already stored therein from the selected second image 15. The programmable logic controller 3 then constructs a text message from the words stored in the random access memory 17. The programmable logic controller 3 then operates the communications module 7 to set up a telephone call to the telephone number or numbers correspond to the selected first images 10a and 10b and the text message is then transmitted under the control of the programmable logic controller 3.
On receipt of the text message the person receiving the text message if they wish can text an appropriate word or number to select a desired response message, image or images, video or video clips stored in the fourth electronic memory 25 for display on the touch screen 5.
It will be appreciated that the system according to the invention may be provided with first, second and third images and the cross-referenced words, messages and the like already stored in the first, second and third electronic memories, and response messages, videos, video clips and the like stored in the fourth electronic memory, and a user could commence using the system 1 with those stored first, second and third images with the cross-referenced messages and words stored in the first, second and third electronic memories, and also with the response messages, videos, video clips and the like stored in the fourth electronic memory. A user could also then replace the already stored images and data in the first, second, third and fourth electronic memories with bespoke images, messages, words, response messages, videos and video clips. Alternatively, it will be appreciated that the system 1 may be provided without any first, second and third images with cross-referenced messages and words stored in the first, second and third electronic memories, and also without any response messages, videos, video clips stored in the fourth electronic memory, and a user prior to commencing use of the system 1 would store their own bespoke first, second and third images cross-referenced with bespoke messages and words in the first, second and third electronic memories and with bespoke response messages, videos and video clips stored in the fourth electronic memory. While the second images have been described as illustrating pictures of human feelings and human desires and wants, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that many other human feelings and human desires and wants may be displayed as second images. Further, it will be appreciated that while the signal processor has been described as comprising a programmable logic controller 3, any other suitable signal processing means which is programmable may be used. Needless to say, the communications module 7 may be incorporated into the signal processor, and the first, second, third and fourth memories may also be incorporated in the signal processor. Indeed, it is also envisaged that in certain cases, the fourth memory may be dispensed with.
While it is desirable to provide the communications system with a third electronic memory for storing the third images, in certain cases, it is envisaged that the third memory may be dispensed with, and third images would not be displayed. The text message could be constructed from the selection of one or more of the second images.
While the visual display screen has been described as comprising a touch screen, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that any suitable visual display screen may be used besides a touch screen, and the image would be selected by a cursor, which could be moved around the visual display screen for selecting the relevant first and second images by a mouse, touchpad or the like.
Additionally, it is envisaged that instead of providing the system as comprising a separate signal processor and display screen, it is envisaged that a laptop computer or a tablet computer could be programmed to carry out the method according to the invention, or alternatively, a smartphone programmed with a suitable app could also be used to carry out the method according to the invention of the system according to the invention.

Claims

Claims
1. A communications system comprising a first electronic storing means for
storing in electronic form a first image indicative of at least one person cross-referenced with a telephone number of that at least one person in electronic form, a second electronic storing means for storing in an electronic form a plurality of second images indicative of at least a plurality of respective human feelings, cross-referenced with a plurality of respective corresponding messages in electronic form, a visual display means for displaying the first and second images sequentially or simultaneously, a means for selecting one or more of the at least one first image and for selecting at least one of the second images, a means for preparing one or more electronic data packages comprising one or more messages in response to the selected second images, and a communications module configured to set up a telephone call to the telephone number or numbers corresponding to the one or more selected first images.
2. A communications system as claimed in Claim 1 in which each first image
comprises an image representative of at least the face of a person of whom that first image is to be indicative.
3. A communications system as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 in which each first
image comprises a photographic representation of at least the face of the corresponding person.
4. A communications system as claimed in any preceding claim in which each
second image comprises a visually perceptible representation of the human feeling.
5. A communications system as claimed in any preceding claim in which the
visually perceptible representation of each human feeling comprises a photographic representation of the human feeling.
6. A communications system as claimed in any preceding claim in which at least
some of the second images stored in electronic form in the second electronic storing means are indicative of human desires.
7. A communications system as claimed in Claim 6 in which the
visually perceptible representation of each human desire comprises a photographic representation of the human desire.
8. A communications system as claimed in any preceding claim in which a third
electronic storing means is provided for storing in electronic form a plurality of third images indicative of one or more of food items, beverages, articles, activities, illnesses, and people, cross-referenced in the third electronic storing means with one or more words in electronic form descriptive of the one or more food items, beverages, articles, activities, illnesses, and people.
9. A communications system as claimed in Claim 8 in which the visual display
means is configured to display the third images simultaneously or sequentially with the first images and the second images.
10. A communications system as claimed in Claim 8 or 9 in which a means is
provided for selecting one or more of the plurality of third images.
11. A communications system as claimed in any preceding claim in which a
signal processor is provided for controlling the display of the first, second and third images.
12. A communications system as claimed in Claim 11 in which the
signal processor is configured to display the second images in response at least one of the first images being selected.
13. A communications system as claimed in Claim 11 or 12 in which the
signal processor is configured to display the third images in response to one or more of the second images being selected.
14. A communications system as claimed in any preceding claim in which a
plurality of the second images are simultaneously displayed on the visual display means.
15. A communications system as claimed in any preceding claim in which a
plurality of the second images are simultaneously displayed on the visual display means in one screenshot.
16. A communications system as claimed in any preceding claim in which a plurality of the third images are simultaneously displayed on the visual display means.
17. A communications system as claimed in any preceding claim in which a
plurality of the third images are simultaneously displayed on the visual display means in one screenshot.
18. A communications system as claimed in any preceding claim in which the
messages stored electronically and cross-referenced with the second images are stored as respective word strings suitable for reproduction as a text message.
19. A communications system as claimed in any preceding claim which the
messages stored in electronic form cross-referenced with the second images are stored in the second electronic storing means in the form of voice messages.
20. A communications system as claimed in any preceding claim which the
messages stored in electronic form cross-referenced with the second images are stored in the second electronic storing means in the form of synthesised voice messages.
21. A communications system as claimed in any preceding claim in which the
word or words which are stored in electronic form cross-referenced with the third images in the third storing means are stored as single words or in a word string suitable for forming a text message.
22. A communications system as claimed in any preceding claim in which the
signal processor is configured for assembling a text message from the messages and words stored in electronic form cross-referenced in the second and third electronic storing means of the selected second and third images.
23. A communications system as claimed in any preceding claim in which a
fourth electronic storing means is provided for storing one or more response messages in electronic form, the signal processor being responsive to a signal received from the one or more telephones, the number or numbers of which telephone calls have been set up in response to the selected one or more of the first images, the response messages stored in the fourth electronic storing means on the visual display means.
24. A communications system as claimed in any preceding claim in which at least
one of the response messages are indicative of one of an indication that the human feeling or desire is being attended to or will be attended to in due course.
25. A communications system as claimed in any preceding claim in which at least
one of the response messages are indicative of one of an indication that the human feeling or desire cannot be attended to or will not be attended to.
26. A method for communicating a human feeling to another person remotely,
the method comprising storing in an electronic form in a first electronic storing means a first image indicative of at least one person storing in an electronic form in the first storing means a telephone number of the at least one person, and cross-referencing the telephone number with the first image of that at least one person in the first electronic storing means, storing in electronic form in a second electronic storing means a plurality of second images indicative of at least a plurality of respective human feelings, and storing in electronic form in the second electronic storing means a plurality of messages corresponding to the respective human feelings, and cross-referencing the messages with the respective corresponding human feelings in the second electronic storing means, displaying on a visual display means the first and second images sequentially or simultaneously, selecting one or more of the at least one first images and selecting at least one or more of the second images, preparing one or more electronic data packages comprising one or more messages corresponding to the selected one or more of the second images, setting up a telephone call to the telephone number or numbers corresponding to the one or more selected first images and transmitting the data packages to the telephone number or numbers.
27. A method as claimed in Claim 26 in which each first image comprises an
image representative of at least the face of a person of whom that first image is to be indicative.
28. A method as claimed in Claim 26 or 27 in which each first image comprises a
photographic representation of at least the face of the corresponding person.
29. A method as claimed in any of Claims 26 to 28 in which each second image comprises a visually perceptible representation of the human feeling.
30. A method as claimed in any of Claims 26 to 29 in which the visually
perceptible representation of each human feeling comprises a photographic representation of the human feeling.
31. A method as claimed in any of Claims 26 to 30 in which at least
some of the second images stored in electronic form in the second electronic storing means are indicative of human desires.
32. A method as claimed in Claim 31 in which the visually perceptible
representation of each human desire comprises a photographic representation of the human desire.
33. A method as claimed in any of Claims 26 to 32 in which a third electronic
storing means is provided and a plurality of third images are stored in the third electronic storing means, the images being indicative of one or more of food items, beverages, articles, activities, illnesses, and people, the third images being cross-referenced in the third electronic storing means with one or more words in electronic form descriptive of the one or more food items, beverages, articles, activities, illnesses, and people.
34. A method as claimed in Claim 33 in which the visual display means is
configured to display the third images simultaneously or sequentially with the first images and the second images.
35. A method as claimed in Claim 34 in which one or more of the plurality of third
images are selectable.
36. A method as claimed in any of Claims 26 to 35 in which a signal processor is
provided for controlling the display of the first, second and third images.
37. A method as claimed in Claim 36 in which the signal processor is configured
to display the second images in response at least one of the first images being selected.
38. A method as claimed in Claim 36 or 37 in which the signal processor is configured to display the third images in response to one or more of the second images being selected.
39. A method as claimed in any of Claims 26 to 38 in which a plurality of the
second images are simultaneously displayed on the visual display means.
40. A method as claimed in any of Claims 26 to 39 in which a plurality of the
second images are simultaneously displayed in one screenshot.
41. A method as claimed in any of Claims 26 to 40 in which a plurality of the third
images are simultaneously displayed on the visual display means.
42. A method as claimed in any of Claims 26 to 41 in which a plurality of the third
images are simultaneously displayed on the visual display means in one screenshot.
43. A method as claimed in any of Claims 26 to 42 in which the messages stored
electronically and cross-referenced with the second images are stored as respective word strings suitable for reproduction as a text message.
44. A method as claimed in any of Claims 26 to 43 which the messages stored in
electronic form cross-referenced with the second images are stored in the second electronic storing means in the form of voice messages.
45. A method as claimed in any of Claims 26 to 44 which the messages stored in
electronic form cross-referenced with the second images are stored in the second electronic storing means in the form of synthesised voice messages.
46. A method as claimed in any of Claims 26 to 45 in which the word or words
which are stored in electronic form cross-referenced with the third images in the third storing means are stored as single words or in a word string suitable for forming a text message.
47. A method as claimed in any of Claims 26 to 46 in which the signal processor
is configured for assembling a text message from the messages and words stored in electronic form cross-referenced in the second and third electronic storing means of the selected second and third images.
48. A method as claimed in any of Claims 26 to 47 in which a fourth electronic
storing means is provided for storing one or more response messages in electronic form, the signal processor being responsive to a signal received from the one or more telephones, the number or numbers of which telephone calls have been set up in response to the selected one or more of the first images, the response messages stored in the fourth electronic storing means on the visual display means.
49. A method as claimed in any of Claims 26 to 48 in which at least one of the
response messages are indicative of one of an indication that the human feeling or desire is being attended to or will be attended to in due course.
50. A method as claimed in any of Claims 26 to 49 in which at least one of the
response messages are indicative of one of an indication that the human feeling or desire cannot be attended to or will not be attended to.
PCT/IE2016/000002 2015-03-13 2016-03-14 A communications system, and a method for communicating a human feeling electronically WO2016147167A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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IES2015/0073 2015-03-13
IES20150073 2015-03-13

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20040185895A1 (en) * 2003-03-07 2004-09-23 Alain Aisenberg Group specific simplified cellular telephones
US20050025290A1 (en) * 2003-04-01 2005-02-03 Eamon Doherty Telephone interface for a handicapped individual
US20140028709A1 (en) * 2012-07-27 2014-01-30 Semantic Compaction Systems System and method for effectively navigating polysemous symbols across a plurality of linked electronic screen overlays

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20040185895A1 (en) * 2003-03-07 2004-09-23 Alain Aisenberg Group specific simplified cellular telephones
US20050025290A1 (en) * 2003-04-01 2005-02-03 Eamon Doherty Telephone interface for a handicapped individual
US20140028709A1 (en) * 2012-07-27 2014-01-30 Semantic Compaction Systems System and method for effectively navigating polysemous symbols across a plurality of linked electronic screen overlays

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