Patent · US Expired

System for evaluating and promoting development in persons with severe disabilities

US6511442B1 · kind B1 · utility

13Cited by
3References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 3, 2000
Grant dateJan 28, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 3, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B5/16
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A novel system for augmenting human function using personal augmentation devices (PADs), controlled by physiological signals for the purpose of navigating and manipulating the external environment is provided. The system utilizes a variety of sensors connected to a data acquisition box (DAQ) to detect movement of a user. The DAQ, which is comprised of a microprocessor, will control the PAD according to the sensed user movement, thus mapping user input to user output. Controlling of the PAD provides important feedback to the user concerning manipulation of their external environment. In one embodiment, feedback concerning movement of the PAD is provided using a virtual reality system. This system allows people with severe disabilities to remotely interact with their environment using a PAD, thereby unlocking cognitive abilities, promoting curiosity, and providing sense of entitlement to explore, as well as allowing development to continue. A feature of this system is to map the user's inputs with outputs as a function of feedback. Users will then be able to learn input-output mappings based on the level of their physical control.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.