Voice activated decision support
A coaching device and method for providing emergency medical care instructions is shown. The device can include a memory, an audio input, an audio output, a visual display, and a processor. The memory stores a file set made up of multiple question files. The question files include audio data representing a spoken question, at least one valid answer proposed for the question, and visual material. The visual material can be a text version of the question or a valid answer or a visual illustration of the subject matter of the question. Each question file is linked with at least one other question file. A program manages the question files by playing a question, detecting a spoken valid answer to the spoken question, and loading another question file linked to the detected answer. The modular set of interrelated questions provides the rescuer with highly interactive instructions.
1 . A coaching device useful for providing emergency medical care instructions to a relatively untrained user, comprising:
(A) an addressable memory;
(B) an audio input;
(C) an audio output;
(D) a visual display;
(E) a computer processor operatively interconnecting said memory, audio input, audio output, and visual display;
(F) a file set comprising multiple question files stored in the memory, the question files comprising audio data representing a spoken question, at least one valid answer proposed for the question, and visual material selected from
a text version of the question,
a text version of a valid answer,
a visual illustration of the subject matter of the question,
or a combination of these, and
each said question file having a link with at least one other said question file, the linked question files being related as a prior question and a subsequent question, and the link associating the subsequent question with a valid answer given to the prior question;
(G) a program stored in the memory adapted to cause the processor to:
load a question file,
direct an audio signal associated with the question file to the audio outlet to speak an audible question,
direct a display signal associated with the question file to the display to provide an illustration pertinent to the spoken question on the display;
detect a spoken valid answer to the spoken question in the audio input; and
load another question file linked to the detected answer.
2 . The coaching device of claim 1 , wherein said question file comprises data defining a plurality of the following parameters:
a name for the file;
the text of the question;
a question audio file to recite the question;
a question picture file to provide a visual illustration concerning the question; and
a repeat question delay.
3 . The coaching device of claim 1 , wherein said question file comprises data defining a name for the file and a question audio file to recite the question.
4 . The coaching device of claim 3 , wherein said question file further comprises data defining the text of the question.
5 . The coaching device of claim 3 , wherein said question file further comprises a question picture file to provide a visual illustration concerning the question.
6 . The coaching device of claim 3 , wherein said question file further comprises data defining a repeat question delay.
7 . The coaching device of claim 3 , wherein said processor further comprises a speech recognition engine and said question file further comprises a grammar tag that allows the speech recognition engine to decipher spoken text for selecting a linked file.
8 . The coaching device of claim 3 , wherein said question file further comprises data defining a speech recognition phrase that will trigger the selection of a linked file.
9 . The coaching device of claim 3 , wherein said question file further comprises data defining the link to another question file.
10 . An electronically implemented coaching method useful for providing emergency medical care instructions to a relatively untrained user, comprising:
(A) providing a multiplicity of question files comprising audio data representing a spoken question, at least one valid answer proposed for the question, and visual material that is:
a text version of the question,
a text version of a valid answer,
a visual illustration of the subject matter of the question,
or a combination of these
(B) loading a question file in a processor;
(C) asking a spoken question by playing an audio file of the question;
(D) directing a display signal associated with the question file to the display to provide an illustration pertinent to the spoken question on the display;
(E) detecting a spoken valid answer to the spoken question; and
(F) loading another question file linked to the detected answer.