U.S. patent number 3,651,512 [Application Number 05/034,749] was granted by the patent office on 1972-03-21 for visual display communication apparatus for enabling a handicapped or infirm individual to communicate information.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Fairchild Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to George D. Summers.
United States Patent |
3,651,512 |
Summers |
March 21, 1972 |
VISUAL DISPLAY COMMUNICATION APPARATUS FOR ENABLING A HANDICAPPED
OR INFIRM INDIVIDUAL TO COMMUNICATE INFORMATION
Abstract
An apparatus for permitting a handicapped or infirm individual
to visually communicate information including a display unit that
has a display panel that has a series of compartments containing
lamps and has translucent windows located over the compartments
that have messages or other similar information. An illuminating
circuit is provided to cause sequential illumination of the lamps
in either a vertical or horizontal direction upon receipt of
appropriate input signals. Various control units are also provided
for permitting a handicapped or infirm individual to readily
transmit input signals to the illuminating circuit to cause
sequential illumination of the lamps.
Inventors: |
Summers; George D. (Bethesda,
MD) |
Assignee: |
Fairchild Industries, Inc.
(Montgomery County, MD)
|
Family
ID: |
21878351 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/034,749 |
Filed: |
May 5, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/4.13; 40/573;
340/286.01; 340/286.07; 434/112 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08B
5/36 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G08B
5/22 (20060101); G08B 5/36 (20060101); G08b
007/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;340/324,325,334,337,365,225,286,381,372,373
;40/13R,13L,132R,132D |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Caldwell; John W.
Assistant Examiner: Curtis; Marshall M.
Claims
I claim:
1. A visual display communication apparatus for enabling a
handicapped or infirm individual to communicate information
comprising:
a display unit having a display panel comprising:
a horizontal and vertical series of compartments,
translucent windows having a message or similar information that
the handicapped or infirm individual may wish to convey located
over the front of at least some of said compartments, and
individual illuminating means individually located within at least
some of said compartments for illuminating said windows,
said compartments having walls comprising a translucent material
that is adapted to permit transmission of light from the individual
illuminating means located within one compartment to the adjacent
compartments so that messages or similar information on the windows
of the adjacent compartments are at least partially illuminated to
permit the handicapped or infirm individual to read the messages or
similar information and select the message or similar information
the individual wishes to convey;
an illuminating circuit connected in circuit relationship with said
illuminating means, said illuminating circuit having sequential
circuit means for controlling the sequential illumination of only
one individual illuminating means at one time both up and down in a
vertical direction or back and forth in a horizontal direction to
illuminate the window having the message the handicapped or infirm
individual may wish to convey;
a control unit adapted to be operable by the handicapped or infirm
individual having control circuit means that is adapted to
communicate with said sequential circuit means, said control
circuit means having at least one vertical input switch means for
permitting the handicapped or infirm individual to provide an input
signal to said sequential circuit means for causing sequential
illumination of said individual illuminating means in a vertical
direction upon activation by the handicapped or infirm individual
and having at least one horizontal input switch means for
permitting the handicapped or infirm individual to provide an input
signal to said sequential circuit means for causing sequential
illumination of said individual illuminating means in a horizontal
direction upon activation by the handicapped or infirm individual;
and
means for providing electrical energy to energize said illuminating
circuit and said control circuit.
2. The visual display communication apparatus of claim 1 wherein
said vertical and horizontal input switch means are adapted to be
operated by the pressure of a portion of the body of the
handicapped or infirm individual.
3. The visual display communication apparatus of claim 2 wherein
said control unit includes a substantially flat base member and
wherein said vertical and horizontal input switch means are located
on said substantially flat base member.
4. The visual display communication apparatus of claim 2 wherein
said control unit comprises a hand piece adapted to be grasped by
the handicapped or infirm individual.
5. The visual display communication apparatus of claim 4 wherein
said hand piece comprises a cylindrical member.
6. The visual display communication device of claim 5 wherein said
vertical and horizontal input switch means comprise switches having
projections located on one end of said cylindrical member for
activating said switches.
7. The visual communication apparatus of claim 6 wherein said
projections are located in a triangular pattern.
8. The visual display communication apparatus of claim 6 wherein
said vertical and horizontal input switch means are adapted to be
operated by the breath of the handicapped or infirm individual.
9. The visual display communication apparatus of claim 8 wherein
said vertical and horizontal input switch means include
paddle-shaped activating members.
10. The visual display communication apparatus of claim 1 wherein
said walls are adapted to transmit between about 20 percent and
about 50 percent of the light that is incident on the surface of a
wall from the individual illuminating means located in one
compartment to the adjacent compartment.
11. The visual display communication apparatus of claim 1 wherein
said control unit is connectable to and disconnectable from said
illuminating circuit.
12. The visual display communication apparatus of claim 1 further
comprising at least one additional alternative control unit adapted
to be connectable to and disconnectable from said illuminating
circuit.
13. The visual display communication apparatus of claim 1 further
comprising audible means connected in circuit relationship with
said illuminating circuit, said audible means being operable by
said control unit.
14. The visual display communication apparatus of claim 1 wherein
said sequential circuit means includes bidirectional stepping
relays.
15. The visual display communication apparatus of claim 1 wherein
said vertical and horizontal input switch means comprise two
vertical input switches and two horizontal input switches.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The ability of one individual to readily communicate with others is
almost a necessity in many instances in our modern complex world.
Unfortunately, due to illness, speech impediments and the like many
individuals experience great difficulty in communicating their
needs and desires to others. Many patients are unable to
communicate effectively due to paralysis or disease. With such
patients it may be essential for the patient to be able to
communicate with the physician and other individuals that are
caring for him since his proper care and treatment may depend upon
the patient providing information on his physical condition or on
his senses. In a similar manner it may be important from the
standpoint of the patient's mental health to be able to readily
communicate his feelings to others and it may be a source of
intense frustration for the patient if he is not able to freely
communicate his desires and feelings.
In some instances, the patient may be able to communicate with
others by writing the information on paper. However, this is
tedious and if the patient is weak or paralyzed, written
communication may be impossible. In a similar manner, the patient
could respond to questions that are presented to him by moving his
head or some other body member. However, this method requires that
the individual who is forming the questions to guess what the
patient may want to communicate and thus it is not an efficient and
effective method of communicating.
At the present time people travel freely from one country to
another and this creates problems in communicating due to language
barriers. Foreign language translation dictionaries and translators
have been used to overcome these language barriers. However, the
use of a dictionary takes considerable time and translators may be
difficult to obtain and they can be expensive. These translation
problems are particularly acute in cases where a foreign patient is
hospitalized in a country in which he is unable to speak the native
language.
The present invention overcomes these difficulties and permits an
individual to readily communicate with others even though he is
unable to readily converse with others.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to communication apparatus and more
particularly to a visual communication apparatus that have a
display panel that can be illuminated and a control unit that is
adapted to be easily operated by a handicapped or infirm
individual.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a
communication apparatus that permits an individual to visually
communicate with others.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a
communication apparatus that can be readily used by an individual
who is unable to speak.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a
communication apparatus that can be easily utilized by individuals
who are sick or weak.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a
communication apparatus that can be used by an individual who is
unable to use his hands.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a
communication apparatus that permits an individual to easily select
the message or information that he wishes to convey.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a
communication apparatus that is adaptable to visually convey a wide
range of information.
The present invention provides a visual display communication
apparatus for enabling a handicapped or infirm individual to
communicate information that includes a display unit having a
display panel including a horizontal and vertical series of
compartments, translucent windows having a message or similar
information that the handicapped or infirm individual may wish to
convey located over the front of at least some of the compartments,
and individual illuminating means individually located within at
least some of the compartments for illuminating said windows. An
illuminating circuit is also provided that is connected in circuit
relationship with the illuminating means, and the illuminating
circuit has sequential circuit means for controlling the sequential
illumination of only one individual illuminating means at one time
both up and down in a vertical direction or back and forth in a
horizontal direction to illuminate the window having the message
the handicapped or infirm individual may wish to convey. A control
unit is also provided that is adapted to be operable by the
handicapped or infirm individual and has control circuit means that
is adapted to communicate with the sequential circuit means. The
control circuit means has at least one vertical input switch means
for permitting the handicapped or infirm individual to provide an
input signal to the sequential circuit means for causing sequential
illumination of the individual illuminating means in a vertical
direction upon activation by the handicapped or infirm individual
and has at least one horizontal input switch means for permitting
the handicapped or infirm individual to provide an input signal to
the sequential circuit means for causing sequential illumination of
the individual illuminating means in a horizontal direction upon
activation by the handicapped or infirm individual. Means are also
provided for providing electrical energy to energize the
illuminating circuit and the control circuit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be hereinafter more fully described with
reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the communication apparatus of this
invention with certain parts broken away;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a control unit that forms
a part of the communication apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the
communication apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 with certain parts
broken away;
FIG. 4 is an electrical schematic showing an illuminating circuit
and control circuit forming a part of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view with certain parts broken away of an
alternative embodiment of the control unit of this invention;
and
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of the
control unit of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring first to FIGS 1 through 3 there is shown the
communication apparatus 10 of this invention that comprises a
display unit 11 that has a display panel 12 located on its front
face and a control unit that comprises a hand piece 13 that is
operably connected to the display unit by means of an electrical
cable 14. The display panel 12 comprises a lattice 15 formed of
crossbars of slightly translucent material in a frame 16 that form
a horizontal and vertical series of compartments 17. The rear of
each compartment 17 is closed by a panel 18. Translucent windows 19
having a message or similar information are located over and are
connected to the front of the compartments 17. Illuminating means
comprising lamps 20 through 27 are located within the compartments
17 and are mounted on the panels 18 for illuminating the windows
19.
The control unit that comprises the hand piece 13 is cylindrical in
shape and is adapted to be grasped by the hand of an individual who
is operating the control unit. Four input switches are located on
the upper end of the cylindrical member or hand piece 13 that are
adapted to be operated by the thumb or finger of the hand that is
grasping the unit. Input switch 28 comprises a projection 28A that
is located on the upper end of the hand piece 13 that is adapted to
be operated to close the switch when the thumb or finger is moved
upward to push against the right angle extension 29 on the
projection. Input switch 30 comprises a projection 30A on the upper
end of the hand piece 13 is adapted to be operated to close the
switch when the thumb or finger is pressed against the projection
in a downward direction. Input switch 31 comprises a projection 31A
on the upper end of the hand piece 13 that is adapted to be
operated to close the switch when the thumb or finger is pressed
against the projection in an outward direction by moving the finger
or thumb to the left and input switch 32 comprises a projection 32A
on the upper end of the control unit is adapted to be operated to
close the switch when the thumb or finger is pressed against the
projection in an outward direction by moving the finger or thumb to
the right. As indicated in FIG. 2 the switch projections 28A, 31A,
and 32A are located in a triangular pattern on the upper end of the
hand piece 13. A space is provided between the switch projections
that permits a finger or thumb to be positioned between the switch
projections 31A and 32A with the thumb or finger pointing at the
switch projection 28A. The switch projection 30A projects slightly
above the upper and of the hand piece 13 into the area to be
occupied by the finger or thumb at a location between the switch
projections 31A and 32A. In view of this arrangement of the switch
projections 28A, 30A, 31A and 32A they are adapted to be operated
by the simple upward or downward or left and right movement by the
one finger or thumb of the hand that is grasping the hand piece 13
and thus the control unit is operable with a minimal amount of
effort.
As best illustrated in FIG. 3, the crossbars of the lattice 15 form
the walls of the compartments 17 in which the various lamps such as
the lamp 24 are located. In the preferred embodiment of the
invention the lattice comprises a translucent material such as an
acrylic plastic that is adapted to transmit between about 20
percent and about 50 percent of the light that is incident on its
surface from the illuminating means located in one compartment, to
the compartment immediately adjacent to that compartment so that
the messages or other similar information on the windows 19 of the
adjacent compartments are partially illuminated. This permits the
individual who is using the communicator 10 to read the messages on
the windows 19 of the adjacent compartments in a dark room and thus
makes it easier to select the message that the individual wishes to
illuminate and convey.
The communication apparatus 10 also comprises an illuminating
circuit 33 and an associated control circuit 34 that are
illustrated in FIG. 4. The illuminating circuit 33 is located
within the display unit 11 and is adapted to selectively energize
or illuminate the lamps 20 through 27 located on the display panel
12. The illuminating circuit 33 has means for sequentially causing
the illumination of the lamps in a vertical or up and down
direction comprising a bidirectional stepping relay 35 that is
electrically connected to the lamps and has means for sequentially
causing the illumination of the lamps to the right and left in a
horizontal direction comprising a bidirectional stepping relay 36
that is electrically connected to the lamps. The stepping relay 35
comprises suitable relay coils 37 and 38 that are adapted to
actuate the associated armature 39 upon proper energization thereof
and the stepping relay 36 comprises suitable relay coils 40 and 41
that are adapted to actuate the associated armature 42 upon proper
energization thereof as will be described. The illuminating circuit
33 also comprises diodes 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, and 50 that
are electrically connected respectively to the lamps 20,
21,22,23,24,25, and 27 that in a conventional manner prevent
electric current from flowing in a reverse direction through the
diodes and thus from flowing through the lamps that are not
selected to be illuminated.
Electrical power is supplied to the illuminating circuit 33 from a
suitable source of electrical power such as a battery 51, that may
be located within the display unit 11, through suitable conductors
52 and 53 that are connected respectively to the positive and
negative terminals of the battery. The conductor 52 is connected to
the bidirectional stepping relays 35 and 36 through a conductor 54
which is in turn connected to conductors 55, 56, 57, and 58 which
are communicable respectively with relay coils 37, 38, 40, and 41.
The conductor 54 is also connected to the conductor 59 which is
communicable with the armature 39 of the stepping relay 35. The
conductor 53 is connected to the armature 42 of the bidirectional
stepping relay 36 through a conductor 60 which is communicable with
the armature. The armature 39 of the stepping relay 35 is adapted
to contact either terminal 61, 62, or 63 upon proper energization
and deenergization of the relay coils 37 and 38 and similarly the
armature 42 of the stepping relay 36 is adapted to contact either
terminal 64, 65, or 66 upon proper energization and deenergization
of the relay coils 40 and 41.
The terminal 61 is connected to a conductor 67 which is connected
to conductors 68, 69, and 70 which are respectively connected to
lamps 20, 23, and 26. The lamps 20, 23, and 26 are respectively
connected to diodes 43, 46, and 49 which in turn are respectively
connected to common conductors 71, 72, and 73 that are respectively
connected to the terminals 66, 65, and 64 of the stepping relay 36.
The terminal 62 of the stepping relay 35 is connected to a
conductor 74 which is connected to conductors 75, 76, and 77 that
are respectively connected to the lamps 21, 24, and 27. The lamps
21, 24, and 27 are respectively connected to diodes 44, 47, and 50
which are in turn respectively connected to conductors 78, 79, and
80 which are in turn connected respectively to the common
conductors 71, 72, and 73. Terminal 63 of the bidirectional
stepping relay 35 is connected through a conductor 81 to conductors
82 and 83 that are respectively connected to the lamps 22 and 25.
The lamps 22 and 25 are respectively connected through conductors
84 and 85 to the common conductors 71 and 72. The lamp 21 is also
connected to a bell 86 through a conductor 87 and the bell 86 is in
turn connected through a conductor 88 to the conductor 81. The
relay coils 37 and 38 of the stepping relay 35 are respectively
connected through conductors 89 and 90 to electrical connectors 91
and 92 and in a similar manner the relay coils 40 and 41 of the
stepping relay 36 are respectively connected through the conductors
93 and 94 to electrical connectors 95 and 96. The conductor 53 that
is connected to the negative terminal of the battery 51 and the
conductor 60 that is connected to the armature 42 are also
connected through a conductor 97 to an electrical connector 98.
The control circuit 34 is illustrated in FIG. 4 that represents the
electrical circuit of the hand piece 13 and the cable 14 that is
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The control circuit 34 comprises
electrical connectors 101, 102, 103, 104, and 105 that are adapted
to be electrically connected respectively to the connectors 91, 92,
98, 95, and 96 of the illuminating circuit 33. The connectors 101,
102, 104, and 105 are connected respectively through conductors
106, 107, 108, and 109 to switches 28, 30, 32 and 31 that are
normally in an open position and the conductor 103 is connected
through conductor 110 to a common conductor 111 which is connected
to terminal 112 associated with the switch 28 and terminal 113
associated with switch 31. The common conductor 111 is also
connected to terminals 114 and 115 associated respectively with
switches 30 and 32 through the respective conductors 116 and
117.
In order to facilitate a clear understanding of the operation of
the circuit 33 and the control circuit 34 illustrated in FIG. 4 in
connection with the display unit 11 and control unit illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2, a description of a typical operational cycle will be
given. Assuming that the electrical connections 101, 102, 103, 104,
and 105 of the control circuit 34 have been connected respectively
to the electrical connectors 91, 92, 98, 95, and 96 of the
illuminating circuit 33, the momentary closing of the input switch
28 by upward movement of the thumb or finger of the hand grasping
the hand piece 13 causes electric current to be communicated from
the battery 51 through the conductor 52, through the common
conductor 54, through the conductor 55 to the relay coil 37 thereby
causing the armature 39 to move from its initial position as shown
in contact with terminal 62 to a position where it is in contact
with terminal 61. From the relay coil 37 electric current flows
through conductor 89 and the connectors 91 and 101, through the
conductor 106, and through the switch 28 and the terminal 112 to
the common conductor 111. From the common conductor 111, electric
current flows through conductor 110 and the connectors 103 and 98,
through the conductors 97 and 53 to the negative terminal of the
battery 51. When the armature 39 is in contact with terminal 61,
electric current will flow from the battery 51 through the
conductors 52, 54, and 59 through the armature 39 and the terminal
61 to the conductor 67. Since the armature 42 of the stepping relay
36 is in contact with the terminal 65 a circuit is completed
through the common conductor 72 and thus from the conductor 67
current will flow through the conductor 69, through the lamp 23 and
thus causing its illumination and the corresponding illumination of
the translucent window 19 located over the compartment 17 that
contains the lamp 23 as illustrated in FIG. 1. From the lamp 23,
current will flow through the diode 46, through the common
conductor 72, through the terminal 65, the armature 42, through the
conductors 60 and 53, to the negative terminal of the battery 51.
It will be appreciated that with the armatures 39 and 42 in their
present positions current can only flow through the lamp 23 since
the appropriate diodes prevent current from flowing through the
other lamps. It also will be appreciated that switch 28 need be
closed only momentarily for switching purposes. When it is released
by the operator, the lamp 23 will remain illuminated.
If the individual also is grasping the hand piece 13 then
momentarily closes the input switch 30 with his thumb or finger
this causes electric current to be communicated from the battery 51
through the conductor 52, through the common conductor 54, through
the conductor 56 to the relay coil 38, thereby causing the armature
39 to move from its present position in contact with terminal 61 to
a position where it is in contact with terminal 62 and thus
electric current is no longer supplied through the terminal 61 to
illuminate the lamp 23. From the relay coil 38 current flows
through the conductor 90, through the connectors 92 and 102,
through the conductor 107 and through the switch 30, through the
terminal 114 and the conductor 116 to the common conductor 111.
From the common conductor 111 current then flows to the negative
terminal of the battery 51 in the manner previously described. When
the armature 39 is in contact with the terminal 62, electric
current will flow from the battery 51, through the conductors 52,
54, and 59 through the armature 39 and the terminal 62 to the
conductor 74. Since the armature 42 of the stepping relay 36 is
still in contact with the terminal 65 a circuit is completed
through the common conductor 72 and thus electric current will flow
from the conductor 74 through the conductor 76 through the lamp 24
and thus cause its illumination and the corresponding illumination
of the translucent window 19 that is located over the compartment
17 that contains the lamp 24. From the lamp 24 current will then
flow through the diode 47, through the conductors 79 and 72,
through the terminal 65, the armature 42, through the conductors 60
and 53 to the negative terminal of the battery 51.
Should the individual operating the control unit 13 again
momentarily close the input switch 30 this results in the relay
coil 38 again being energized in the manner previously described
and causes the armature 39 to be moved from the position in contact
with terminal 62 to a position in contact with terminal 63 so that
the lamp 24 will be extinguished and current will then flow to the
armature 39 as previously described and through the terminal 63 and
the conductor 81, through the conductor 83 and the lamp 25, through
the diode 48 and the conductor 85, through the conductor 72 to the
battery 51 as previously described and thus the lamp 25 will be
illuminated and cause corresponding illumination of the translucent
window 19 covering this lamp.
If the individual who is grasping the hand piece 13 then
momentarily closes the input switch 31 with the appropriate
movement of his thumb or finger this causes current to be
communicated from the battery 51 through the conductor 52, through
the conductor 54, through the conductor 58 to the relay coil 41
thereby causing the armature 42 to move from its present position
as shown in contact with the terminal 65 to a position where it is
in contact with the terminal 66. From the relay coil 41 current
then flows through the conductor 94, through the connectors 96 and
105, through conductor 109, through the switch 31 and the terminal
113 to the conductor 111 and then to the negative terminal of the
battery 51 in the manner previously described. When the armature 42
is in contact with the terminal 66, electric current will flow from
the battery 51 through the conductors 52, 54 and 59 through the
armature 39, the terminal 63 to the conductor 81. Since the
armature 42 of the stepping relay 36 is in contact with the
terminal 66 a circuit is completed through the conductors 81 and 71
and thus electric current will flow from the conductor 81 through
the conductor 82, through the lamp 22 and cause its illumination
and the corresponding illumination of the translucent window 19
that is located over the compartment 17 that contains the lamp 22.
Current will also flow from the conductor 81 through the conductor
88 to the bell 86 to cause the bell to ring. From the bell 86,
electric current will flow through the conductor 87 to the outlet
of the lamp 22 that is connected to the diode 45. From the lamp 22
electric current will then flow through the diode 45 through the
conductors 84 and 71 through the terminal 66, the armature 42,
through the conductors 60 and 53 to the negative terminal of the
battery 51.
If the individual operating the control unit 13 then momentarily
closes the input switch 32 this results in electric current flowing
from the battery 51 through the conductor 52, the conductors 54 and
57 to the relay coil 40 thereby causing the armature 42 to move
from its present position where it is in contact with the terminal
66 to a position where it is in contact with terminal 65 and thus
electric current is no longer supplied to illuminate the lamp 22
and to ring the bell. From the relay coil 40 current flows through
the conductor 93, through the connectors 95 and 104, through the
conductor 108, the switch 32 and the conductor 117 to the conductor
111 and then to the negative terminal of the battery 51 in the
manner previously described. When the armature 42 is in contact
with the terminal 65, electric current will flow from the battery
51 through the conductors 52, 54, and 59 through the armature 39
and the terminal 63 to the conductor 81. Since the armature 42 of
the stepping relay 36 is in contact with the terminal 65 a circuit
is completed through the common conductor 72 and thus electric
current will flow from the conductor 81 through the conductor 83,
through the lamp 24 and thus cause its illumination and the
corresponding illumination of the translucent window 19 that is
located on the compartment 17 that contains the lamp 25. From the
lamp 25 electric current then flows through the diode 48, through
the conductor 85, through the common conductor 72 to the terminal
65 and then to the negative terminal of the battery 51 in the
manner previously described.
Should the individual operating the control unit then again
momentarily close the input switch 32 this results in the relay
coil 40 again being energized in the manner previously described
and this causes the armature 42 to be moved from the position in
contact with the terminal 65 to a position in contact with the
terminal 64 so that the lamp 25 will be extinguished. Since the
armature 42 of the stepping relay 36 is in contact with the
terminal 64 and the armature of the stepping relay 35 is in contact
with the terminal 63, no electric current will flow between the
terminals 63 and 64 since there is no complete electric circuit
between the terminals and thus the illuminating circuit has been
turned off.
It will be appreciated from the foregoing description of the
operation of the circuit illustrated in FIG. 4 that the individual
who is operating the control unit 13 can cause sequential
illumination of the various lamps both up and down in a vertical
direction and back and forth or right and left in a horizontal
direction by momentarily closing the appropriate input switches 28,
30, 32, and 31 located in the control unit the appropriate number
of times. Consequently the individual can cause the illumination of
the window 19 that has the message or other information located on
it that he wishes to convey.
An alternative control unit 118 that can be used with the display
unit 11 is illustrated in FIG. 5. The control unit 118 comprises
input pressure switches 119, 120, 121, and 122 that are located on
top of a substantially flat circular plastic base member or plate
123. The upper surface of the base plate 123 is completely covered,
except for the switches, by a layer 124 of resilient material such
as sponge rubber. The input switches 119, 120, and 122 comprise a
flat electrically conductive washer 124 and a flat electrically
conductive disk 125 that is located above the washer and normally
held out of contact with the washer by a spring 126 that is
connected to the disk and the base plate. Each switch is covered by
a thin flexible cover 127 that is made out of rubber or some
similar nonconductive flexible material. The switches 119, 120,
121, and 122 are normally open and are adapted to be closed when
downward pressure is exerted against the cover 127 by a body member
of the individual who is operating the control unit 118 so that the
disk 125 is pressed against the washer 124. The disks 125 of the
switches 119, 120, 121, and 122 are capable of being respectively
connected to the electrical connectors 91, 92, 95, and 96 of the
illuminating circuit 33 through the respective electric conductors
128, 129, 130, 131. The flat washers 124 of the switches 119, 120,
121, 122 are respectively connected to a common conductor 132
through conductors 133, 134, 135, and 136. The common conductor is
in turn capable of being connected to the electrical connector 98
of the illuminating circuit 33.
In order to utilize the control unit 118, the conductors 128, 129,
130, 131, and 132 are connected respectively to the connectors 91,
92, 95, 96, and 98 of the logic circuit 33 and the control unit is
placed in the vicinity of the individual who will utilize the
communicator 10. The individual can then press down on the
appropriate input switch to illuminate the lamps in the display
panel 12. For example, if the individual wishes to cause sequential
illumination of the lamps in the display panel 12 in an upward
direction he merely puts momentary pressure upon the switch 119
with his arm, leg or some other body member and this causes the
flat disc 125 to make contact with the washer 124 and results in
electric current from the battery 51 flowing through the connector
91 of the illuminating circuit 33, through the conductor 128,
through the disc 125 and the washer 124 of the switch, through the
common conductor 132, and through the connector 98 to the
illuminating circuit. This results in activation of the relay coil
37 and the illumination of the appropriate lamp in the manner
previously described. In a similar manner the individual can
activate switch 120 to cause current to flow from the connector 92
through the conductor 129, through the disk 125 and washer 124 of
the switch, and through the conductors 134 and 132 to the connector
98 to sequentially illuminate the lamps in a downward direction or
he can activate switch 121 to cause current to flow from the
connector 95, through the conductor 130, through the disk 125 and
washer 124 of the switch, and through the conductors 135 and 132 to
connector 98 to sequentially illuminate the lamps to the right
horizontally. In a similar manner the individual can activate
switch 122 to cause current to flow from the connector 96, through
the conductor 131, through the disk 125 and washer 124 of the
switch, and through the conductors 136 and 132 to the connector 98
to sequentially illuminate the lamps to the left horizontally. The
purpose of the resilient layer 124 is to prevent injury to the
individual operating the control unit 118 in the event that
excessive force is used in attempting to operate the control
unit.
An additional control unit 137 that can be used with the display
unit 11 is illustrated in FIG. 6. The control unit 137 comprises
four paddle-shaped input switch activating members 138, 139, 140,
and 141 that are respectively rotatably mounted to extensions 142,
143, 144, and 145 of a cross-shaped mounting member 147 by means of
pins 146. Input switches 148, 149, 150, and 151 are respectively
mounted on the back of the extensions 142, 143, 144 and 145 and
they are connected respectively to the activating members 138, 139,
140, and 141 so that rearward movement of the activating member
results in activation or closing of the switch. One terminal of
each switch is connected to a common conductor 152 that is adapted
to be connected to connector 98 of the logic circuit 33 and the
other terminals of the switches 148, 149, 150, and 151 are
connected respectively to conductors 153, 154, 155, and 156 that
are adapted to be connected respectively to the connectors 91, 92,
95, and 96 of the logic circuit.
In order to use the control unit 137 after it has been connected to
the illuminating circuit 33 the unit is placed near the face of a
patient or other such individual through the use of a gooseneck
connector 157 that is connected to the back of the mounting member
147 or through some other similar means. The individual need only
then blow his breath against the appropriate switch activating
member to cause sequential illumination of the lamps on the display
panel 12 in the desired direction. For example, if the individual
blows his breath against the activating member 138 the force of the
breath will cause the activating member to rotate backwards thus
closing the input switch 148 which will result in current flowing
from the illuminating circuit 33 through the connector 91, through
the conductor 153, the switch 148 and the conductor 152, to the
connector 98 of the illuminating circuit to activate the relay coil
37 to cause sequential illumination of the next lamp in an upward
direction on the display panel in the manner previously described
in relation to the other control units. In a similar manner the
patient can blow his breath against the activating member 139 to
close the switch 149 which will result in current flowing from the
illuminating circuit 33 through the connector 92, through conductor
154, the switch 143 and the conductor 152 to the illuminating
circuit to activate the relay coil 38 to cause sequential
illumination of the next lamp in a downward direction on the
display panel 12 in the manner previously described. The patient
can also blow his breath against the activating member 140 to close
the switch 150 which will result in current flowing from the
illuminating circuit 33 through the connector 95, through the
conductor 155 through the switch 150 and the conductor 152 to the
connector 98 of the illuminating circuit to activate the relay coil
40 to cause sequential illumination of the next lamp to the right
in a horizontal direction on the display panel 12 as previously
described. The individual can also blow his breath against the
activating member 141 to close the switch 151 which will result in
current flowing from the illuminating circuit 33 through the
connector 96, through the conductor 156, through the switch 151 and
the conductor 152 to the connector 98 of the illuminating circuit
to cause sequential illumination of the next lamp to the left in a
horizontal direction on the display panel 12 as previously
described. Since the patient or individual using the control unit
137 does not have the physically touch the activating members this
embodiment of the control unit is particularly adapted to be used
by a person who is weak or paralyzed.
It will be appreciated that the number of lamps on the display
panel 12 can be readily increased or reduced by adding or reducing
the appropriate circuit elements in a manner that will be apparent
to those skilled in the art. Various types of bidirectional
stepping relays or the like can be substituted for the
bidirectional stepping relays 35 and 36 illustrated in FIG. 4. Six
step, 6 volt DC bidirectional plate type stepping relays, part No.
SP-2- 06- 6VDC available from Dale Electronics, Inc., Sioux
Division of Yorkton, South Dakota 57078 have been found to be
satisfactory when used in a communicator having a larger number of
lamps.
Although the invention has been described with reference to certain
preferred embodiments, it will be understood that variations and
modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *