Utilization of infant activated audio player

Abstract

To provide a non-transitory computer readable medium utilizing an audio device used to stimulate and improve speech sound differentiation in infants, preterm infants, and / or premature infants using oro-motor responses.SOLUTION: One aspect of the present disclosure is a non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions for utilizing an oro-motor device to activate an audio device including a language system, a sensing device, and an interface. The language system provides at least one of a first recommendation or a second recommendation, a sensor threshold and sensor readings, a duration of audio output, and specific parameters for audio output. Based upon a signal from the sensing device indicating that the sensor threshold has been exceeded, the language system sends an instruction to the audio device to emit an appropriate audio recording that conforms to the specific parameters for audio output for an assigned duration of audio output.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §371 to International PCT Application No. PCT / US08 / XXX,XXX, filed October 8, 2018, entitled "Use of an Infant-Activated Sound Player," published in 2019 under International Publication No. WO / 2019 / XXX,XXX, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 569,088, filed October 9, 2017, entitled "Use of an Infant-Activated Sound Player." Priority is claimed to all above-identified applications and publications, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to audio devices and sensor combinations, and more particularly to audio devices and sensor combinations for use in neonatal care with or without a system used to stimulate and improve speech discrimination in infants, premature infants, and / or premature infants using oral-motor responses. [Background technology]

[0003] Studies have shown that infants born prematurely and prematurely, and / or with neurological injuries, experience delays and / or disabilities resulting from hospitalization (e.g., hospitalization necessary for survival). Lack of vocal interaction, particularly with parents, is a major factor in developmental delay and / or disability. Infants who lack such vocal interaction tend to have poor speech discrimination. There is a time window during which speech discrimination occurs in both infants and preterm infants. During that time window, sound discrimination is impaired in preterm infants compared to full-term infants. Poor speech discrimination in preterm infants predicts poor language outcomes at age 2 years. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] Kovacs, A. M. and J. Mehler, "Increases in Cognitive Function in Bilingual Infants at 7 Months of Age," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Volume 106, No. 16, 2009, pp. 6556-6560, U.S. Department of the Interior, 10.1073 / Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 0811323106 [Non-patent document 2] Kovacs, A. M. and J. Mehler, "Increases in cognitive function in bilingual infants at 7 months of age," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Volume 106, Issue 16, 2009, pp. 6556-6560, U.S. Department of the Interior 10.1073 / Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 0811323106 [Non-patent document 3] Kalashnikova, Marina et al., "Infant-directed speech facilitates cortical tracking of speech in 7-month-old infants," Proceedings of the Scientific Review, Vol. 8, No. 1, 2018, U.S. Department of the Interior: 10.1038 / s41598-018-32150-6 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Typically, premature and premature infants are housed in small isolation beds or cribs. They are held skin-to-skin for approximately 45 minutes two to three times daily. These premature and premature infants often lack parental interaction, the normal stimulation and benefits that parents provide. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure includes a method of activating an audio device using an oral-motor device, the method including providing an oral-motor device including a sensor and a depressible portion; generating an output signal when the depressible portion is compressed to produce a first measured force that exceeds an age-appropriate predetermined threshold applied to the depressible portion; playing an age-appropriate audio recording on the audio device for a predetermined duration in response to the output signal; and increasing the age-appropriate predetermined threshold to a threshold that is increased proportionally to the difference between the first measured force on the depressible portion and the age-appropriate predetermined threshold.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing machine-executable instructions for activating a voice device utilizing an oral-motor device. The non-transitory computer-readable medium storing machine-executable instructions includes a language system in electronic communication with the voice device, a sensing device including a sensor, and an interface, the interface configured to receive user data, the sensing device configured to send a signal to the language system, the language system providing at least one of a first recommendation or a second recommendation for sensing device sensor usage, a sensor threshold and sensor reading of the sensing device, a duration of audio output, and identifying specific parameters for the audio output. Based on a signal from the sensing device indicating that the sensor threshold has been exceeded, the language system sends instructions to the voice device to emit an appropriate audio recording that conforms to the specific parameters for the audio output for the allotted duration of the audio output.

[0008] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure includes a language system including an audio device coupled to an oral-motor device. The system includes the oral-motor device including a pacifier containing a sensor that generates an output signal when the pacifier portion is compressed to a pressure that exceeds a first measured pressure that exceeds an age-appropriate predetermined threshold. The audio device includes a microcomputer in electronic communication with the oral-motor device, a microphone, a speaker, and an interface, the microcomputer including a language algorithm, and the language system responds to user input received through the interface and assigns a sensor threshold and sensor reading for the oral-motor device, assigns a duration for an audio output, and identifies specific parameters for the audio output. The language system transmits instructions to the audio device to emit an appropriate audio recording that conforms to the specific parameters for the audio output for the assigned duration of the audio output based on the output signal from the oral-motor device indicating that the age-appropriate predetermined threshold has been exceeded.

[0009] The above and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains upon consideration of the following description of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the drawings unless otherwise stated. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an oral-motor device and an audio device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 2 is a diagram illustrating the oral-motor device of FIG. 1 taken along section line 2-2 of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 2 is a view of the oral-motor device of FIG. 1 taken along section line 2-2 of FIG. 1 in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4A] 2 is a diagram showing the oral-motor device of FIG. 1 taken along section line 2-2 of FIG. 1 according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4B]2 is a diagram showing the oral-motor device of FIG. 1 taken along section line 2-2 of FIG. 1 according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an electrical schematic diagram of the electrical elements contained in an audio device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 1 is a flow diagram of a method for utilizing an audio device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 10 is a flow diagram of a method for utilizing an audio device according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 10 is a flow diagram of a method for utilizing an audio device according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 10 is a flow diagram for utilizing a system for use in an audio device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0012] Apparatus and method components are represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the figures, showing only specific details relevant to an understanding of the disclosed embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the present disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Reference is now made generally to the drawings in which like numbered features refer to like elements throughout unless otherwise specified. The present disclosure relates generally to an audio device and sensor combination, and more particularly to an audio device and sensor combination for use in neonatal therapy with or without a system used to stimulate and improve speech discrimination in infants, premature infants, and / or premature infants using oral-motor responses.

[0014] 1, an infant, child, or adult-activated sound player or audio device 10, which includes a rectangular shape and houses electronic components 19 including a speaker 38, is connected to an oral-motor device or pacifier 50. The oral-motor device 50 and audio device 10 are for promoting active learning in premature infants by using audio output from the audio device (e.g., parent-provided speech, a mother's voice, a female voice, etc.) to teach the premature infant how to interact with the oral-motor device while using the oral-motor device to teach the infant how to recognize speech (e.g., creating a learning feedback loop). In addition, audio device 10 includes a system (see FIG. 9) for exposing infants, children, and adults to a non-native language, thereby enhancing the infants', children's, and adults' speech sound discrimination in the non-native language to which they are tuned.

[0015] In one exemplary embodiment, audio device 10 includes an exterior material of a rubbery or flexible polymeric material, such as, for example, polypropylene. Other shapes for the audio device are contemplated, such as square, spherical, ellipsoidal, super-oval, and super-ellipsoidal shapes. In one exemplary embodiment, audio device 10 has an overall maximum diameter, height, and / or width of approximately ten inches (10''). Audio device 10 includes a plurality of spaced apart openings 20, 22 for accessing electronic components 19, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0016] 5, first opening 20 includes a USB input 20A, and second opening 22 includes a charging input 22A for electronic component 19. In another exemplary embodiment, audio device 10 includes a single opening, which includes both a charging port and a USB port. In yet another exemplary embodiment, audio device 10 lacks an opening. Audio device 10 includes at least one short-range wireless interconnect signal transceiver 62, and audio input is input through the short-range wireless transceiver.

[0017] The oral-motor device 50 is in wired communication 58 with the audio device 10 and / or in wireless communication with the audio device through a transceiver 60. The oral-motor device 50 includes a pacifier portion 52, a sensor housing 53, a sensor 54, a guard portion 56, and a grip portion 57. In an exemplary embodiment, such as when the oral-motor device 50 is wireless, the oral-motor device includes a power source 64 (such as a lithium-ion battery). The sensor 54 is connected to the power source 64 (see, e.g., FIG. 5 ) and / or a power source (e.g., battery 30 as illustrated in FIG. 5 ) within the audio device 10. Furthermore, the sensor 54 is in communication with and / or powered by the audio device 10 through the wire 58 or the transceiver 60. In one exemplary embodiment, the grip portion 57 and / or the guard portion 56 include the transceiver 60. In another exemplary embodiment, the grip portion 57 and / or the guard portion 56 are connected to the wire 58.

[0018] The pacifier portion 52 is deformable and hollow. The pacifier portion 52 comprises one or more of latex (e.g., natural latex rubber, non-vulcanized rubber, etc.), a polymer (e.g., a synthetic polymer such as silicone), or a hard plastic, etc. The guard portion 56 comprises a hard plastic or a metal, etc. In one exemplary embodiment, the pacifier portion 52 and the guard portion 56 comprise the same material and / or unitary design that forms the sensor housing 53. The guard portion 56 includes an opening to prevent obstruction of the infant's breathing in the event that the oral-motor device 50 is swallowed. In one embodiment, the grip portion 57 includes a ring (not shown).

[0019] Several sensor 54 types are contemplated for detecting when an infant or premature infant is interacting (e.g., sucking) on ​​the oral-motor device 50. As shown in the illustrated exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, an airflow sensor 54a is included within the oral-motor device 50. When the infant interacts by applying pressure along arrows 53a, 53b to compress the pacifier portion 52, the pacifier portion deforms, causing air to escape from the interior space within the pacifier portion. The airflow sensor 54a measures the amount and / or velocity of air being expelled from the pacifier portion 52. The airflow sensor 54a converts the amount and / or velocity of air into an output signal 59 indicative of the pressure 53a, 53b the infant is applying to the pacifier portion 52. The output signal 59 is communicated to the audio device 10 (e.g., via a wireless or wired 58 signal). In one embodiment, the transceiver 60 of the oral-motor device 50 transmits the output signal 59 to the transceiver 62 of the audio device 10 (see FIG. 5).

[0020] 3, pressure sensor 54b is within pacifier portion 52. When an infant interacts with pressure sensor 54b, the pressure sensor measures the amount of pressure 53a, 53b applied to pacifier portion 52. Pressure sensor 54b converts the measured pressure into an output signal 59 indicative of the pressure 53a, 53b applied to pacifier portion 52. Output signal 59 is communicated to audio device 10 in the same manner as described above with respect to airflow sensor 54a.

[0021] In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 4A-4B, air expulsion sensor 54c is within pacifier portion 52. Figure 4A shows pacifier portion 52 having a first internal volume before an infant interacts with the pacifier portion. Figure 4B shows pacifier portion 54a having a second internal volume after an infant interacts with the pacifier portion. Air expulsion sensor 54c monitors the amount of air expelled so that the total internal volume of pacifier portion 52 is known. For example, pacifier portion 54a having a second internal volume will require a greater force to expel the first air volume than is required to expel the first air volume from pacifier portion 54a.

[0022] As the infant interacts with the air expulsion sensor 54c, the air expulsion sensor measures the amount of pressure 53a, 53b applied to the pacifier portion 52 by measuring the amount of air expelled. The expulsion sensor 54c converts the measured pressure into an output signal 59 indicative of the pressure 53a, 53b applied to the pacifier portion 52. The expulsion sensor 54c or smart elements of the audio device 10 and / or pacifier 50 determine the internal volume change caused by the infant interaction and correlate the amount of expelled air with the current internal volume to determine the pressure applied by the infant to the pacifier portion 52. The output signal 59 is communicated to the audio device 10 in the same manner as described above with respect to the airflow sensor 54a.

[0023] 5, the electronic components 19 of audio device 10 in one exemplary embodiment are shown. In the exemplary embodiment shown, electronic components 19 include a speaker 38 configured to emit sound, electrical circuitry 34 that converts audio signals and / or short-range wireless interconnect signals received through first opening 20 into audio input for speaker 38, a microcomputer 32 that receives, compares, calculates, analyzes, and / or interprets sensor signals from pacifier 60 and that communicates with circuitry 34, and / or a power source such as a battery 30 that powers at least one of the electronic components. In another exemplary embodiment, electronic components 19 include a light source (not shown), such as a light emitting diode, that indicates that one or more features of audio device 10 are functioning.

[0024] In one exemplary embodiment, speaker 38 may include a miniature box speaker; one example of a suitable miniature box speaker includes the Dayton Audio CE38M-8 1-1 / 2" Mini Speaker 8 Ohm manufactured by Dayton Audio®. Microcomputer 32 includes a microprocessor; one such exemplary microprocessor is believed to be the SainSmart Nano v.3.0 manufactured by SainSmart®. Electrical circuitry 36 includes a printed circuit board (PCB) comprised of application specific integrated circuits; one such PCB is believed to be a prototyping board having item number G19388. In an exemplary embodiment, microcomputer 32 includes an MP3 player 36. MP3 player 36 is in electrical communication with other elements of electrical component 19, such as circuitry 34, speaker 38, and / or battery 30.

[0025] In one exemplary embodiment, the MP3 player 36 stores and plays audio, and one such MP3 player is believed to be the DiyMall Mini MP3 Player manufactured by DiyMall®. In this exemplary embodiment, the battery 30 powers the electrical components 19 for a duration of more than 10 hours, and one such battery 30 is a lithium-ion battery. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many different speakers, microcomputers, circuits, and / or battery types can be utilized for this application.

[0026] In the illustrated example, the audio input for the speaker 38 includes a USB port 20A accessible through the first opening 20. The USB port 20A is in wired communication 44 with an input / output (I / O) port of the microcomputer 32. A charging input 22A for the battery 30 is in wired communication 40, 42 with the microcomputer 32 and the battery 30, respectively. The speaker 38 is in wired communication 46 with the I / O port of the microcomputer 32. In the exemplary embodiment, the speaker 38 is in wired communication directly with the MP3 player 36.

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more switches are in wired communication with one or more I / O ports of the microcomputer 32. Activation of a first switch turns the audio on or off, activation of a second switch fast-forward the audio, and activation of a third switch rewind the audio. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the one or more switches may perform multiple functions in response to activation, such as changing the audio interval setting, audio volume, etc. In another exemplary embodiment, the interval setting of the audio device 10 is programmable to control the number of times each day the audio is emitted. Additionally, the battery 30 allows the audio device 10 to be cordless, preventing cord-associated hazards such as a baby becoming fatally entangled or strangled by a cord inside an isolation bed or crib.

[0028] 5, electronic component 19 includes an interface 37 in wired communication with an I / O port of microcomputer 32. Interface 37 can be used to change the duration, decibel level, daily playback interval of the audio, and / or other assigned functions of one or more switches. In addition, interface 37 can be used to select one or more audio selections stored on an MP3 player and / or on a USB drive connected to USB port 20A. In another exemplary embodiment, interface 37 is present on a secondary device 39 in communication with audio device 10 via a short-range interconnect signal.

[0029] The audio device 10 provides benefits to the developing brain when used with an infant. The audio device 10 is programmed, through the language system 21 or some other program, to perform a predetermined function 67 in response to receiving an output signal 59 from the oral-motor device 50 indicating that pressure exceeding a pressure threshold 69 has been applied to the pacifier portion 52, where the pressure threshold 69 is determined based on age, maturity, and / or previous pressure successfully applied by a premature or premature infant and / or full-term infant or child. Here, age refers to chronological age and / or developmental age. In one exemplary embodiment, the predetermined function 67 is to play a pre-recorded, age-appropriate audio recording 71 of a caregiver's voice (e.g., a mother's voice, a relative's voice, a female voice, etc.). The audio recording 71 plays for a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 10 seconds) and stops unless a second signal is received from the oral-motor device 50 indicating that a sensed pressure exceeding the pressure threshold 69 has again been applied to the pacifier portion.

[0030] In another exemplary embodiment, microcomputer 32 of audio device 10 executes language system 21 that receives parameters including inputs such as the infant's age, preferred language, duration of singing versus duration of reading, etc. Language system 21 is in electrical communication through microcomputer 32 with output screens such as the screen of secondary device 39, attachment screen, interface 37, etc. Language system 21 stores, through the memory of microcomputer 32, voice recordings in different languages ​​for different ages, instructions for using the language algorithm, pressure thresholds 69 associated with different ages, etc.

[0031] In one exemplary embodiment, secondary device 39 is a remote computer system. The computer system may include desktops, laptops, tablets, handheld personal computing devices, IANs, WANs, and the World Wide Web running any number of known operating systems, and may have access to remote data storage, such as the cloud, a host operating computer, and communications via the World Wide Web or Internet. In another exemplary embodiment, microcomputer 32 includes a function-specific circuit board having, for example, an application-specific analog circuit (ASIC) that runs language system 21.

[0032] In another exemplary embodiment, microcomputer 32 includes a processor, data storage, and computer system memory including read-accessible memory (“RAM”), read-only memory (“ROM”), and / or input / output interfaces. Microcomputer 32 executes instructions through a processor via either internal or external non-transitory computer-readable media that communicates with the processor through input interfaces and / or electrical communications, such as from secondary device 39 or oral-motor device 50. In yet another exemplary embodiment, microcomputer 32 communicates with networks, such as the Internet, a LAN, a WAN, and / or the cloud, input / output devices, such as flash drives, remote devices, such as smartphones or tablets, and displays, such as interface 37.

[0033] In one exemplary embodiment, the language system 21 stores voice recordings 71 in various languages ​​for various ages, instructions for using the language algorithm, pressure thresholds 69 associated with various ages, etc. through the memory of the microcomputer 32. In another exemplary embodiment, the language system 21 retrieves voice recordings in various languages ​​for various ages, instructions for using the language algorithm, and pressure thresholds 69 associated with various ages stored remotely, such as on the cloud or via the internet. In this exemplary embodiment, the voice recordings 71 include recordings of a caregiver speaking infant-directed utterances (e.g., "Who's hungry baby? Are you hungry baby?"), where the infant-directed utterances include utterances directed to infants, children, and / or adults. The voice recordings 71 include active reading and / or singing, including recording sounds that elicit engagement from the listening individual.

[0034] In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the audio recordings include pre-recorded, age-appropriate audio recordings in a foreign language (e.g., Spanish, French, Mandarin, Cantonese, Farsi, etc.). The foreign language audio recordings 71 include recordings of infant-directed speech in the selected language. The foreign language audio recordings 71 include active reading and / or singing. Infants and / or children exposed to pre-recorded, age-appropriate audio recordings in a given foreign language have been found to have significantly greater speech discrimination capabilities in that language after an average of 20 sessions with the audio device 10 and language system 21. In one exemplary embodiment, the sessions include exposing infants, children, and / or adults to pre-recorded, age-appropriate audio recordings in the foreign language. For example, infants, children, and / or adults exposed to pre-recorded, age-appropriate audio recordings in French have shown a significantly and statistically significant increase in their ability to discriminate French over languages ​​to which the infant is not exposed. Furthermore, there was no adverse outcome whereby infants or children improved their discrimination of sounds in the foreign language at the expense of poorer performance in their native language.

[0035] The recorded speech will be "baby-directed" with intent, prosody, and / or an emotional envelope directed toward infants (e.g., as in the publications disclosed below). The suggestions and / or recorded speech will also be baby-directed and "active" with the intended reader's involvement in mind. Additionally, the content will meet age-appropriate norms for auditory content as per Table 1 (below).

[0036] The audio output parameters for the pre-recorded age-appropriate audio recordings in both English and foreign languages ​​are based on the infant ages disclosed in Table 1 below. (Table 1) JPEG2025172968000002.jpg231158 JPEG2025172968000003.jpg215159

[0037] The pressure threshold 69 parameters based on the infant's age are disclosed in Table 2 below. (Table 2) JPEG2025172968000004.jpg32159

[0038] 6, an exemplary method 600 of oral-motor infant-activated audio emission is shown. At 602, an oral-motor device 50 present in the mouth of an awake infant transmits a signal indicative of the pressure with which the infant interacts with the pacifier portion 52 of the oral-motor device. At 604, audio device 10 receives the signal from oral-motor device 50. At 606, in response to the signal exceeding threshold 69 (e.g., indicating that the pressure applied by the infant exceeds pressure threshold 69), audio device 10 plays an age-appropriate audio recording 71 for a predetermined duration 75. In one exemplary embodiment, predetermined duration 75 is determined based on the attention span of a premature or premature infant (e.g., predetermined duration 75 does not exceed the duration of the premature infant's attention span). At 608, in response to the signal being below threshold 69 (e.g., indicating that the pressure applied by the infant is below pressure threshold 69), audio device 10 does not play age-appropriate audio recording 71 for predetermined duration 75. At 610, steps 602-608 are repeated until audio device 10 has played age-appropriate audio recording for a total age-appropriate duration 77 (e.g., as determined based on the age and maturity of the infant and the known attention span of infants of that age and / or maturity).

[0039] 7 illustrates a second exemplary method 700 of oral-motor infant-activated audio emission. At 702, the oral-motor device 50, present in the mouth of an awake infant, transmits a signal indicating that the sensed pressure of the infant interacting with the pacifier portion 52 exceeds a maturity- and / or age-appropriate predetermined threshold 69. At 704, the audio device 10 receives the signal from the oral-motor device 50. At 706, the audio device 10 plays an age-appropriate audio recording for a predetermined duration 75. At 708, the audio device 10 increases the threshold 69 based on previously measured pressures of a premature / premature infant applied to the pacifier portion 52. For example, if the infant is sucking 5 mmHg above the threshold 69, the threshold 69 will be increased to that pressure or just below that pressure. In this exemplary embodiment, one or more thresholds 69 fall within the 5 mmHg bracket. Thus, because the infant must gradually increase their effort to hear the caregiver's voice, the oral-motor device 50 promotes better sucking behavior and better captures the infant's attention. At 710, the audio device 10 repeats until the age-appropriate audio recording has been played for a total age-appropriate duration (e.g., as determined based on the infant's age and maturity and the known attention span of infants of that age and / or maturity). In one exemplary embodiment, the caregiver's voice is used to comfort or reassure the infant or child and / or help soothe the infant or child as they fall asleep (such as when the infant or child is in a daycare center, hospital room, or otherwise away from the caregiver). In another exemplary embodiment, the caregiver's voice is used to help wake the infant or child from anesthesia (e.g., with or without the oral-motor device 50). In yet another exemplary embodiment, the caregiver's voice is used to educate the infant or child by having the caregiver have an audio recording containing age-appropriate information.

[0040] 8, a third exemplary method 800 of oral-motor infant-activated audio emission is shown. At 802, the oral-motor device 50 present in the mouth of an awake infant transmits a signal indicating that the infant's sensed pressure interacting with the pacifier portion 52 is below a maturity- and / or age-appropriate predetermined threshold 69. At 604, the audio device 10 receives the signal 59 from the oral-motor device 50. At 706, the audio device 10 lowers the threshold 69 based on the premature infant's previously measured pressure applied to the pacifier portion 52. For example, if the infant is sucking at 5 mmHg below the threshold 69, the threshold 69 would be lowered to that pressure or slightly below that pressure. By lowering the threshold 69, if desired, the infant can be taught to gradually increase the pressure interacting with the pacifier portion 52 and learn how to better suck on the pacifier portion 52. Step 706 is typically repeated until audio device 10 is signaled to play an age-appropriate audio recording based on the infant's interaction with pacifier portion 52. Once audio device 10 has successfully signaled to place an age-appropriate audio recording 71, the audio device typically proceeds to steps 702-710 of method 700. Methods 700 and 800 generate a feedback loop that will generate a customized infant protocol that teaches the infant better sucking habits. The individual infant's sucking habits are stored and applied to subsequent sessions with oral-motor device 50.

[0041] 9 illustrates an exemplary system method 900. At 902, a user (e.g., a parent, caregiver, etc.) creates an account 99 for a particular child. At 904, the user inputs data about the particular child, including, but not limited to, the child's name, age, language preference, native language, and / or singing-to-reading ratio. At 906, in response to the particular child being six months old or younger, the language system 21 outputs a first recommendation. In this exemplary embodiment, the first recommendation includes using the oral-motor device 50 in conjunction with the voice device 10. At 908, the language system 21 assigns a suction threshold 69 and a pause duration to the sensor 54 based on the particular child's age (see Table 2). At 912, the language system 21 instructs the interface 37 to present the user with options for selecting default settings, a non-native language, and / or a non-1:1 singing-to-reading ratio. In some exemplary embodiments, the user selects at least one of a default setting, a non-native language, and / or a non-1:1 singing-to-reciting ratio when entering data about the child at 904. At 914, the user selects a default setting (e.g., a native language and / or a 1:1 singing-to-reciting ratio). At 916, language system 21 assigns the default language as the native language and the default ratio as 1:1. At 918, in response to the user and / or other individual having a pre-recorded audio recording for the child, language system 21 generates age-specific instructions at 920 and displays the instructions (e.g., place an oral-motor 50 device in the child's mouth) to the user through interface 37. In response to language system 21 determining at 922 that the age-specific instructions are being followed, at 924, audio device 10 plays a program 71 specified for the selection made by the user and the child's age (e.g., the default setting).

[0042] In some embodiments, a new user, a user who wants to change the age-appropriate voice recording 71, and / or a user whose child has aged to the new parameters, records a new voice recording. At 934, language system 21 prompts the user to record a voice recording. In one exemplary embodiment, the user is familiar with how to record a voice recording 71 and what appropriate subject matter is (see Table 1). At 936, in response to the user selecting the provide examples option, language system 21 generates child-specific examples of age-appropriate infant-directed utterances (e.g., including the child's name). In this exemplary embodiment, the user follows instructions, including instructions for active reading. In one exemplary embodiment, the instructions include 1-20 commands for recordable subject matter. At 938, the user recites the example, and language system 21 stores the user's voice recording (e.g., in a memory element of microcomputer 32, a remote location accessible to microcomputer 32, etc.). At 940, language system 21 combines the user voice recordings to generate an age-appropriate voice recording that conforms to Table 1. At 920, language system 21 generates age-specific instructions and displays the instructions (e.g., place oral-motor 50 device in the child's mouth) to the user via interface 37. In response to language system 21 determining that the age-specific instructions are being followed at 922, audio device 10 plays a program at 924 including the user's voice recordings and / or mixed user voice recordings specified by selections made by the user and the child's age (e.g., singing-to-reciting ratio over the duration of play, etc.).

[0043] At 910, in response to the child being over six months old, language system 21 outputs a second recommendation. In one exemplary embodiment, the second recommendation includes utilizing a handheld sensor rather than oral-motor device 50. One suitable example of a handheld sensor is an enhanced oral-motor device 50 whose pacifier portion 52 is large enough to be compressed by the infant and provide various output signals 59. In one exemplary embodiment, the handheld sensor includes a ball or toy with an interacting sensor. The interacting sensor includes at least one of a pressure sensor, a tilt sensor, or an accelerometer. In another exemplary embodiment, the handheld sensor includes a mat or other device including an interacting sensor. In an exemplary embodiment, the handheld sensor is a variation used by older children and / or adults. In another exemplary embodiment, the handheld sensor and oral-motor device 50 are collectively referred to as a sensing device. At 930, the user selects a non-1:1 singing-to-reading ratio.

[0044] At 926, the user inputs a non-native language option. At 928, in response to the user inputting the non-native language option, language system 21 instructs (e.g., via a microcomputer) audio device 10 to play age-appropriate non-native singing and / or reciting as determined by Table 1. In one exemplary embodiment, language system 21 provides the user with age-appropriate non-native singing and / or reciting, including baby-directed speech, active reciting, and / or singing from native, non-native language speech. At 920, language system 21 generates age-specific instructions and displays the instructions to the user via interface 37 (e.g., place the oral-motor 50 device in the child's mouth and place the handheld sensor in the child's or adult's hand or within reach). In response to determining at 922 that the language system 21 is following the age-specific instructions, at 924 the audio device 10 plays a program of infant-directed speech designated for the selections made by the user (e.g., singing-to-reading ratio over the duration of play, language, etc.) and the child's age.

[0045] At 932, in response to the user selecting a non-1:1 singing-to-speaking ratio and the user also selecting a non-native language, language system 21 instructs audio device 10 through microcontroller 32 to play audio based on the user's input singing-to-speaking ratio and language selection. In response to the user also selecting a non-native language, language system 21 proceeds to method step 920. In response to the user only selecting a non-1:1 singing-to-speaking ratio, language system 21 proceeds to method step 934 and proceeds as described above with respect to method steps 934-940, 920-924.

[0046] The audio device 10 enables voice recognition by providing the infant with the parent's voice when the parent is unavailable, while also promoting active learning in infants by providing the parent's voice in response to successful pacifiers. Infant-directed speech sounds are known to improve infant language development, and active learning using a combination of speech-activated pacifiers and parental speech recognition promotes more successful speech outcomes in premature and / or two-year-old infants. In many hospitals, parent visits are infrequent and last for a short period of time. The audio device 10 allows the infant to receive their parents' speech in a safe and developmentally appropriate manner, while helping teach the infant how to focus on the pacifier and speech. Furthermore, the audio device 10 can be programmed to emit sounds at preset decibel levels, for preset durations, and at preset intervals, thereby avoiding inappropriate (e.g., too loud, too long, too high-pitched) sound exposure. Exposure to inappropriate sounds can harm an infant's brain development. Furthermore, if a caregiver or parent selects pre-recorded age-appropriate audio recordings in a particular foreign language, the infant or child will demonstrate pronounced phonetic discrimination capabilities in that particular language after 20 sessions, preparing them to acquire the language skills of both speaking and understanding that particular language as they develop language skills as they get older.

[0047] The benefits of a bilingual brain develop during infancy, when the brain's flexibility to language is at its highest. Even before birth, infants excel at distinguishing between phonemes (sounds) in different languages. However, as infants get older, their brains become adept at the native language they're exposed to during their early years. Typically, there are 800 distinct phonemes utilized across multiple languages, with the average language utilizing approximately 40-70 distinct phonemes. For English, approximately 44 phonemes are utilized. Typically, infants raised in monolingual homes lose the ability to distinguish between phonemes not used in their native language and, as a result, lose the ability to form those same phonemes when they begin to speak. When a child is exposed to multiple languages ​​early in life, for example, via audio device 10, the brain develops the ability to retrain other parts of the brain for language processing and inhibit one set of phonemes in favor of another set depending on which language the infant is exposed to (e.g., utilizing decision-making, attention span, and / or executive functions associated with delayed onset of dementia and Alzheimer's disease later in life). Infants who are exposed to multiple languages ​​will have brains that more easily learn the particular non-native language to which they are exposed, and will likewise have an overall advantage for learning non-native languages ​​(e.g., non-native languages ​​to which they have not been exposed).See Kovacs, A. M. and J. Mehler, "Increases in Cognitive Function in Bilingual Infants at 7 Months of Age," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Vol. 106, No. 16, 2009, pp. 6556-6560, U.S. Department of the Interior, 10.1073 / Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 0811323106; Kovacs, A. M. and J. Mehler, "Increases in Cognitive Function in Bilingual Infants at 7 Months of Age," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Vol. 106, No. 16, 2009, pp. 6556-6560, U.S. Department of the Interior, 10.1073 / Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 0811323106. Bulletin 0811323106, Kalashnikova, Marina et al., "Infant-directed speech facilitates cortical tracking of speech in 7-month-old infants," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Vol. 8, No. 1, 2018, U.S. Department of the Interior: 10.1038 / s41598-018-32150-6, and Kalashnikova, Marina et al., "Infant-directed speech facilitates cortical tracking of speech in 7-month-old infants," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Vol. 8, No. 1, 2018, U.S. Department of the Interior: 10.1038 / s41598-018-32150-6.

[0048] In the foregoing specification, particular embodiments have been described. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present teachings.

[0049] Benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause a benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced should not be construed as critical, necessary, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims. The present disclosure is defined solely by the appended claims, including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as published.

[0050] Furthermore, in this document, relational terms such as first and second, upper and lower, etc. may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring an actual relationship or ordering between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "has," "having," "includes," "including," "contains," "containing," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover an open-ended inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus comprising, having, including, or containing a list of elements does not include only those elements, but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent in such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by "compries...a," "has...a," "includes...a," or "contains...a" does not preclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus comprising, having, including, or containing the apparatus, unless further constrained. The terms "a" and "an" are defined herein as one or more than one, unless expressly stated otherwise. The terms "substantially," "essentially," "approximately," "about," or any other version thereof, are defined as close to what would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In one non-limiting embodiment, the term is defined as, for example, within 10%, in another possible embodiment, within 5%, in another possible embodiment, within 1%, and in yet another possible embodiment, within 0.5%. The term "coupled," as used herein, is defined as temporarily or permanently connected or in contact, but not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure "configured" in a particular way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways not listed.

[0051] Unless a material or component thereof of any of the above embodiments is specified, it should be understood that suitable materials for the intended purpose are known by those skilled in the art.

[0052] The "Summary of the Disclosure" is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Moreover, in the foregoing Detailed Description, various features may be seen grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of brevity of the disclosure. This method of disclosure should not be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. That is, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as separately claimed subject matter. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 10 Audio Devices 38 Speaker 50 Oral-Motor Devices 52 Pacifier part 71 Audio Recording

Claims

1. a language system in electronic communication with a speech device, a sensing device including a sensor, and an interface; a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing machine-executable instructions for utilizing a motion device to activate the audio device, the non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising: The interface is configured to receive user data, and the sensing device is configured to send a signal to the language system, which: a first recommendation or a second recommendation for using the sensing device sensor; sensor thresholds and sensor readings of the sensing device; The duration of the audio output, specific parameters for audio output; providing at least one of and wherein the language system, based on the signal from the sensing device indicating that the sensor threshold has been exceeded, sends a command to the audio device to emit an appropriate audio recording conforming to the specified parameters for audio output for the allotted duration of audio output. Non-transitory computer-readable medium.

2. 10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the language system instructs the interface to provide the user with at least one of a default option, a non-native language option, and a non-1:1 reading-to-singing ratio.

3. 3. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 2, wherein in response to the language system receiving an instruction to provide the non-native language option, the language system instructs the audio device to provide singing and reciting in a non-native language that fits the identified specific parameters and to emit audio including singing and reciting in the non-native language for the assigned duration.

4. 3. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 2, wherein in response to the language system receiving an instruction to provide the non-1:1 reading-to-singing ratio option, the language system instructs the audio device to generate a reading-singing mixture corresponding to the selected singing-to-reading ratio and to emit audio including the reading-singing mixture for the allotted duration.

5. 3. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 2, wherein in response to the language system receiving an instruction to provide the default option, the language system instructs the audio device to generate a pre-recorded audio recording corresponding to a default singing-to-speaking ratio and a default language, and to emit audio including the default singing-to-speaking ratio and the default language for the allotted duration.

6. 3. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 2, wherein in response to the language system receiving an instruction to provide the default option, the language system sends an instruction to the audio device to generate a sample of an appropriate subject to be recorded by a user and to record the user reciting the sample to generate a user recording.

7. 7. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 6, wherein the samples include user-input data including at least one of a child's name, a song selected based on the child's age, and a recitation selected based on the child's age.

8. 7. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 6, wherein the language system at least one of modifies and combines the user recordings to conform to the specified parameters for audio output to include modified or combined user recordings that include the appropriate voice recording.

9. 1. A language system including an audio device coupled to a movement device, the movement device includes a pacifier portion containing a sensor, the sensor generating an output signal when the pacifier portion is compressed to a pressure that exceeds a first measured pressure that exceeds an age-appropriate predetermined threshold; the audio device includes a microcomputer in electronic communication with the movement device, microphone, speaker, and interface, the microcomputer including a language system that, in response to user input received through the interface, assigns sensor thresholds and sensor readings for the movement device, assigns durations for audio output, and identifies specific parameters for audio output, and the language system sends instructions to the audio device based on the output signal from the movement device indicating that a predetermined age-appropriate threshold has been exceeded to emit an appropriate audio recording that conforms to the specific parameters for audio output for the assigned duration of audio output. A language system comprising:

10. 10. The language system of claim 9, wherein the specific parameters for audio output include at least one of an age-dependent volume, an age-dependent number of daily and weekly intervals, and age-appropriate content.

11. 10. The language system of claim 9, wherein the age-appropriate predetermined threshold is increased to an increased threshold value proportional to the difference between the first measured application of pressure to the pacifier portion and the age-appropriate predetermined threshold.

12. 10. The language system of claim 9, wherein the interface displays to the user options to emit audio including at least one of a default recording, a non-native language recording, and a non-default read-to-sing ratio recording.

13. 10. The language system of claim 9, wherein, in response to a user selecting a non-native language recording, the system identifies non-native language singing and reciting that meets the identified particular parameters and instructs the audio device to emit audio including the non-native language singing and reciting for an assigned duration.

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