Communication device for visually impaired persons
View Patent ↗A communication device for visually impaired persons assists the user to determine the function of each key and input on the modern-day device. The communication device includes a plurality of surface sensors that when activated, guide the user in call placement, routing, control options and general communications. The device may include a vibration feature that causes an area on the device to vibrate. A whisper audio feature may audibly coach the user when sensed areas are touched. Additionally, a networked device may provide third party assistance to the user. The techniques of the various embodiments provide effective guidance without disrupting the user, the called party or others in proximity to the user, such as in an office-type environment.
1. A communication device for a visually impaired user comprising:
a plurality of sensed areas comprising one or more of the following, a plurality of function keys on a surface of the device, a handset, one or more input jacks, an audio receiver and an audio transmitter;
a plurality of surface sensors coupled to the sensed areas, the surface sensors being activated by the user's touch;
a logic processor coupled to the surface sensors and configured to provide a plurality of commands based upon the activated surface sensor;
a whisper audio storage having a plurality of pre-recorded audio messages, the audio messages representative of a function of each sensed area and retrieved upon command from the logic processor; and
an audio mixer configured to couple the audio message with an audio conversation for play-back to the user at the audio receiver,
wherein only the user hears the audio message corresponding to the sensed area activated by the user's touch.
2. The communication device for the visually impaired user of claim 1 , further comprising a vibration feature that upon command from the logic processor causes the sensed area to vibrate.
3. The communication device for the visually impaired user of claim 1 , further comprising a remote networked device bi-directionally coupled to the logic processor, wherein a third party assistant is able to monitor the visually impaired user's activity on the communication device.
4. The communication device for the visually impaired user of claim 3 , wherein the logic processor is configured to receive a third party audio message from the third party assistant and send the third party audio message to the audio mixer for play-back to the visually impaired user.
5. The communication device for the visually impaired user of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sensed areas further comprises a display on the surface of the device.
6. The communication device for the visually impaired user of claim 5 , wherein the user's touch of the surface sensor coupled to the display causes the user to hear the audio message corresponding to a displayed text on the display.
7. The communication device for the visually impaired user of claim 6 , wherein as the user's touches the display and the displayed text changes, so does the corresponding audio message played to the user.
8. The communication device for the visually impaired user of claim 1 , wherein the surface sensors comprise capacitive sensors.
9. The communication device for the visually impaired user of claim 1 , further comprising a biometric feature that recognizes a fingerprint of the user to determine if a valid key has been selected.
10. The communication device for the visually impaired user of claim 1 , further comprising a disable feature so the user can temporarily disable the audio message play-back.
11. The communication device for the visually impaired user of claim 1 , further comprising a remote networked device bi-directionally coupled to the logic processor, wherein a third party assistant is able to monitor the visually impaired user's activity on the communication device.
12. The communication device for the visually impaired user of claim 11 , wherein the logic processor is configured to receive a third party instruction from the third party assistant, the third party instruction causing the logic processor to activate the vibrator.