Electronic anti-stuttering device providing auditory feedback and disfluency-detecting biofeedback
US6231500A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 2, 1995 |
| Grant date | May 15, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 2, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG10L2025/783
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Improvements to a biofeedback device for treating stuttering are disclosed. The device monitors aspects of speech production. When stuttering phenomena are detected, the device provides fluency-enhancing auditory feedback to reduce stuttering. As the user develops speech motor skills (typically taught by a speech pathologist), the device senses reduced stuttering phenomena and reduces auditory feedback. When the user can talk fluently without feedback, he discontinues using the device and continues to talk fluently. The improvements disclosed in this continuation-in-part are a biofeedback feature that monitors the user's vocal pitch; micropower impulse radar to monitor the user's muscle activity; and a fluency-enhancing auditory feedback feature that provides the sound of the user's vocal chords without the sounds added by nasal and oral cavities.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.