Coded data generation or conversion – Bodily actuated code generator – For handicapped user
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-14
2001-05-01
Horabik, Michael (Department: 2635)
Coded data generation or conversion
Bodily actuated code generator
For handicapped user
C341S020000, C345S215000, C345S215000, C345S215000, C434S323000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06225920
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a computer apparatus/program for storing and displaying verbal and pictorial instructions to enable persons with developmental disabilities or memory center damage or deficiency to perform routine functions.
Various developmental disabilities (such as mental retardation and autism), traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and brain disorders and diseases (such as Alzheimer's) result in a person having temporary, long term, or permanent loss of short-term memory and other cognitive capabilities. In many cases, long term memory may be unaffected and very simple tasks can be learned. Other things, such as how to perform the steps of a job task, how to get home from a doctor's office, whether, when and how to take medications, for example, cannot be reliably remembered or mastered.
It is desirable for a computer with reminder capabilities and other assistance capabilities to be developed as a cognitive orthodic to augment the individual's ability to recall and perform routine tasks, as well as more involved tasks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a very small computer-based categorical and graphically oriented system for organizing, navigating and controlling the presentation of information for individuals who can benefit from assistive technology, such as those with cognitive or memory center disabilities. Within the context of this invention, “presentation” means the delivery of information structure navigational information, information content, and on-condition prompts to the user of the invention by means of displayed text, graphics, or video, audio output, or other media.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a computer-based environment for developing, maintaining and presenting individualized, user-specific information content.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a portable computing apparatus is provided for enabling a cognitively impaired person to function in a living environment. The portable computing apparatus includes a display for conveying output information to the person and for receiving input information from the person. The computing apparatus also includes a processor, coupled to the display, for providing output information to the display and receiving input information from the display. The computer apparatus further includes a non-volatile memory, coupled to the processor, for storing program code which, when executed by the processor, presents a plurality of first level virtual buttons on the display for selection by the person. Each first level virtual button corresponds to a different selectable category. The first level virtual buttons are configured to correspond to the abilities and life needs of a particular cognitively impaired person. The program code when executed by the processor detects selection of one of the first level virtual buttons by the person and in response causes a second level virtual button or information content to be presented to the user. A hierarchy of selections is thus formed.
A means is provided, by an authoring facility hosted on a separate PC, to develop the user's content and download it to the portable computer apparatus.
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patent: 6065076 (2000-05-01), Sorenson
Horabik Michael
Pepper Hamilton LLP
Villacorta Gilberto M.
Wong Albert K.
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