Input aids

Abstract

To provide an input assist device that allows a patient of serious neurological disease who hardly moves his or her cervix to easily operate an information terminal such as a PC and a tablet.SOLUTION: An input assist device 1 comprises: a support plate 18 which is fitted to one side of a rectangular frame 10 and supported in the mouth of an operator; a core rod 21 which is inserted into the one side and the opposite side of the frame 10; a press part 23 which is fitted to an end part of the core rod 21 on the side of the support plate 18 and pressed with the tongue of the operator; an operation part 22 which is fitted to the end part of the core rod 21 on the opposite side from the press part 23; and a biasing part 31 which is provided inside the frame 10 to bias the core rod 21 toward the support plate 18.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an input assist device, and more particularly to an input assist device for an information terminal intended for people with severe neuromuscular disorders. [Background technology]

[0002] As input operation methods for persons with limb trunk functional disabilities using information terminals such as PCs (personal computers) and tablet terminals, various methods have been developed, such as a method in which input operation is performed by holding a rod-shaped input assistance device (mouth stick) in the mouth (e.g., Patent Document 1), a method in which input operation is performed using muscle action potentials (e.g., Patent Document 2), and a method in which input operation is performed using signals generated by gaze detection (e.g., Patent Document 3). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-5728 A [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-34630 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-73273 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The mouse stick, which is an input assistance device described in Patent Document 1, is held in the mouth by a person with limb and trunk dysfunction and by moving the head back and forth, the tip of the mouse stick can be used to press a tablet screen, keyboard, etc., to operate an information terminal such as a PC or tablet.

[0005] However, people with severe neuromuscular diseases, such as those with high cervical spinal cord injuries, progressive muscular dystrophy, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), have difficulty moving their necks. Therefore, it is difficult for people with severe neuromuscular diseases to operate information terminals such as PCs and tablets using conventional input assistance devices that are operated by moving the head back and forth.

[0006] The method of performing input operations using muscle action potentials according to Patent Document 2 and the method of performing input operations using signals generated by gaze detection according to Patent Document 3 allow input operations without requiring neck movement. However, there are problems such as the devices used being expensive and the need for training due to the difficulty of operation. Another problem is that false detections are likely to occur due to involuntary movements unrelated to the user's will.

[0007] Therefore, there is a demand for an input assistance device that can be easily used by people with severe neuromuscular diseases without requiring neck movement.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide an input assistance device that makes it easier for people with severe neuromuscular diseases who have difficulty moving their neck to operate information terminals such as PCs and tablets. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the input assistance device of the present invention comprises: A support plate attached to one side of a rectangular frame body and supported by an operator by biting it in the oral cavity; A mandrel inserted through one side and an opposite side of the frame body; A pressing part attached to the end of the mandrel on the support plate side and pressed by an operator with his / her tongue; An operating part attached to an end of the mandrel opposite to the pressing part; The frame has an urging portion disposed inside the frame and urging the mandrel toward the support plate.

[0010] The operation unit is conductive. This may also be the case.

[0011] The support plate is U-shaped and made of acrylic resin. This may also be the case.

[0012] In addition, the pressing portion has a depression on a pressing surface pressed by a tongue. This may also be the case.

[0013] Moreover, the biasing portion is a coil spring. This may also be the case. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the input assistance device of the present invention, the mandrel is pushed out by pressing with the tongue to perform operations, so that even people with severe neuromuscular diseases who have difficulty moving their necks can perform input operations on information terminals such as PCs and tablets. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view of an input-assisting device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a pressing portion of the input-assist device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an initial state of the input auxiliary device; [Figure 4] 4 is a schematic diagram showing an input state of the input auxiliary device; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, an input-assistance device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the input-assistance device 1 of the present invention includes a frame 10, a support plate 18, a shaft 21, an operation unit 22, a pressing unit 23, and a biasing unit 31.

[0017] The frame 10 is a roughly rectangular frame that houses and supports the components related to the input-assistance device 1, such as the spindle 21 and the biasing unit 31. The frame 10 according to this embodiment includes two side guides 11 (11R, 11L) that form the long side walls, and slide guides 12 and 13 that form the short side walls. The slide guide 12 is located on the side of the support plate 18 that the operator holds in his mouth, and the slide guide 13 is located on the side of the operation unit 22 that operates the touch panel, keyboard, etc. of the information terminal.

[0018] The slide guides 12 and 13 are members having through holes 12a and 13a through which the spindle 21 is inserted. The slide guide 12 is rectangular parallelepiped-shaped, and a through hole 12a is formed in the longitudinal direction so as to pass through the center of the slide guide 12. The slide guide 13 includes a rectangular plate-shaped base portion 13b and a protruding portion 13c extending in the movable direction of the spindle 21, and a through hole 13a is formed between the base portion 13b and the protruding portion 13c.

[0019] The slide guides 12 and 13 are arranged apart from each other so that the through holes 12a and 13a are coaxial. The through holes 12a and 13a are set to be, for example, about 1 mm larger than the cross-sectional diameter of the mandrel 21 so that the mandrel 21, which has a circular cross section, can smoothly protrude and retract.

[0020] The side guides 11 (11R, 11L) are rectangular plate-like members, and one end in the longitudinal direction is connected to a side surface parallel to the through hole 12a of the slide guide 12. The other end in the longitudinal direction of the side guide 11 is connected to a side surface parallel to the through hole 13a of the base portion 13b of the slide guide 13. The method of connecting the side guides 11R, 11L to the slide guides 12, 13 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, screw fastening. The two side guides 11 are disposed to face each other with the slide guides 12, 13 in between, and constitute the frame 10 together with the slide guides 12, 13.

[0021] The support plate 18 is a member for holding the input-assist device 1 by the operator holding it in his / her mouth. The support plate 18 is a substantially U-shaped plate so that the operator can bite and hold it with the teeth of the upper and lower jaws, and is attached to the slide guide 12 so as to protrude outside the frame 10. The support plate 18 according to the present embodiment is divided into two support plates 18R and 18L, one on the left side and the other on the right side, and is made up of the support plate 18L that is bitten by the teeth on the left side and the support plate 18R that is bitten by the teeth on the right side, and is configured so that the support plate 18L and the support plate 18R form a substantially U-shape. This allows the support plate 18 to be attached at a position that does not interfere with the through hole 12a formed in the center of the slide guide 12, so that the spindle 21 can slide smoothly relative to the frame 10.

[0022] The material of the support plate 18 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, an acrylic resin such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA).

[0023] In addition, the support plate 18 is fixed to the slide guide 12 with a screw, and the support plate 18 can be replaced by removing the screw. This allows the operator to select and attach a support plate 18 that is easy to support based on the size of the operator's jaw, the alignment of teeth, etc., thereby improving the operability of the input-assistance device 1.

[0024] In addition, since the support plate 18 can be easily removed by removing the screws, the support plate 18 can be easily disinfected and washed, and the input-assist device 1 can be kept clean.

[0025] The axle 21 is a cylindrical member that transmits input operations by the operator to the information terminal, and is inserted into the frame 10 parallel to the side guide 11. There is no particular limitation on the material of the axle 21, but it is preferable to use a lightweight material so that the operator can easily operate it. The axle 21 in this embodiment is made of aluminum. Furthermore, the axle 21 in this embodiment is cylindrical with a circular cross section, but is not limited to this and may be an elliptical cylinder, a square cylinder, or the like.

[0026] The pressing part 23 is a member attached to one end of the mandrel 21, and is operated by the operator by pressing it with his tongue in the oral cavity. The pressing part 23 is substantially disk-shaped, and the center of one of the main surfaces is attached to the mandrel 21. As shown in FIG. 2, the pressing part 23 according to this embodiment has a pressing surface 23a that is pressed by the operator's tongue, which is recessed. This allows the pressing force of the operator's tongue to be efficiently transmitted to the mandrel 21, so that the operator can operate the mandrel 21 with less force. The material of the pressing part 23 is not particularly limited, but the pressing part 23 according to this embodiment is made of aluminum.

[0027] There is no particular limitation on the method of connecting the pressing part 23 and the spindle 21. In this embodiment, a female screw part formed on the mounting surface of the pressing part 23 with respect to the spindle 21 is screwed into a male screw part formed on the end of the spindle 21 to connect them. This allows the pressing part 23 having an appropriate size, curvature of the pressing surface 23a, etc. to be selected based on the shape, length, etc. of the operator's tongue and attached to the spindle 21, thereby improving the operability of the input-assistance device 1.

[0028] The operation unit 22 is attached to the other end of the shaft 21, i.e., the end opposite to the pressing unit 23. The operation unit 22 is a member for performing input operations on a touch panel, keyboard, etc. of an information terminal. The operation unit 22 is formed of a conductive material so as to be able to operate a capacitive touch panel. The operation unit 22 in this embodiment is made of aluminum.

[0029] There is no particular limitation on the method of connecting the mandrel 21 and the operation unit 22. In this embodiment, the mandrel 21 and the operation unit 22 are fixed by fastening a female thread formed on the operation unit 22 to a male thread formed integrally with the mandrel 21 at the tip of the mandrel 21. This allows the hardness, weight, etc. of the operation unit 22 to be selected and replaced, so that the operator can select and use an operation unit 22 that is easy to operate.

[0030] The biasing portion 31 is a member that biases the mandrel 21 in the direction of the pressing portion 23 relative to the frame 10. The biasing portion 31 according to this embodiment is a compression coil spring that is arranged on the tip side of the frame 10, i.e., on the slide guide 13 side, as shown in Fig. 1. More specifically, the biasing portion 31 is arranged between the slide guide 13 and a ring-shaped stopper 26 that is fixed to the mandrel 21 by a screw 25. As a result, the stopper 26 is pressed against the slide guide 12 side by the expanding force of the compression coil spring that is the biasing portion 31.

[0031] The biasing force of the biasing portion 31 is preferably set so that the operator can operate it with a light force. For example, in a state where the stopper 26 and the slide guide 12 are in contact and the axle 21 is retracted toward the pressing portion 23 (hereinafter referred to as the initial state), the force F0 at which the axle 21 starts to move when the operator presses the pressing portion 23 with his tongue is preferably set to 30 g or less. Also, in a state where the axle 21 protrudes from the frame 10 to operate a touch panel, keyboard, etc. with the operation portion 22 (hereinafter referred to as the input state), the force F0 with which the biasing portion 31 presses the axle 21 is preferably set to 30 g or less. N For example, when the input force F is in a state where the axle 21 protrudes by about 10 mm, N It is preferable to set it to 50 g or less.

[0032] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state where the operator holds the input-assisting device 1 in the mouth, i.e., the initial state. In the initial state, the operator is not pressing the pressing part 23, so the spindle 21 recedes toward the support plate 18. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state where the operator presses the pressing part 23 with his tongue, thereby protruding the spindle 21, i.e., the input state. In the input state, the spindle 21 is protruded from the frame 10, and the operation part 22 is brought into contact with and pressed against the touch panel of the information terminal, thereby performing an input operation.

[0033] In this way, the operator presses the pressing portion 23 at the position where the operator wants to perform an input operation, and performs input to a touch panel, keyboard, etc. Then, when the operator releases the tongue from the pressing portion 23, the mandrel 21 returns to the initial position by the biasing force of the biasing portion 31. Therefore, the operator can easily perform an input operation by pushing out the tongue and making small movements of the jaw.

[0034] The pressing part 23, the stem 21 and the operation part 22 according to this embodiment are made of conductive material such as aluminum. Therefore, by pressing the pressing part 23 with the tongue and bringing the operation part 22 into contact with a capacitive touch panel, the capacitance of the touch panel changes through the stem 21 and the operation part 22, enabling input operation to the touch panel of an information terminal such as a PC or tablet. In addition, since the operation part 22 and the tongue are electrically connected and maintain conductivity, it is possible to scroll the screen displayed on the touch panel by moving the input-assisting device 1 up and down while continuing to press the pressing part 23 with the tongue.

[0035] As described above, in the input-assist device 1 according to the present embodiment, the operator presses the pressing portion 23 with the tongue to protrude the stem 21 and operate the touch panel of the information terminal, so that even a person with severe neuromuscular disease who has difficulty moving his / her neck can perform input operations on an information terminal such as a PC or tablet.

[0036] Although the axle 21 according to the present embodiment is of one type, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an axle 21 of an appropriate length may be selected from axles 21 of different lengths prepared in advance. This allows the distance between the touch panel of the information terminal and the user's face to be adjusted, making it easier for the user to focus their eyes and improving operability.

[0037] In the input-assist device 1 according to the present embodiment, the center of gravity is located on the oral cavity side by arranging large and heavy parts such as the support plate 18 and the frame 10 on the part that will be on the oral cavity side when in use. This reduces the burden on the user and makes operation easier.

[0038] Moreover, the stopper 26 according to this embodiment is fixed to the spindle 21 with a screw 25. Therefore, the position of the stopper 26 relative to the spindle 21 can be easily changed. This makes it possible to easily adjust the biasing force of the biasing part 31 to suit the operator, thereby improving the operability of the input-assistance device 1. [Industrial Applicability]

[0039] The present invention is suitable for assisting people with severe neuromuscular diseases who have difficulty moving their neck to input data onto devices such as PCs and tablets. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1 Input auxiliary device, 10 Frame, 11 (11R, 11L) Side guide, 12 S Slide guide, 12a through hole, 13 Slide guide, 13a through hole, 13b base a support plate, 13c protrusion, 18 (18R, 18L) support plate, 21 shaft, 22 operating part, 23 pressing part, 23a pressing surface, 25 screw, 26 stopper, 31 biasing part

Claims

1. A support plate attached to one side of a rectangular frame body and supported by an operator by biting it in the oral cavity; A mandrel inserted through one side and an opposite side of the frame body; A pressing part attached to the end of the mandrel on the support plate side and pressed by an operator with his / her tongue; An operating part attached to an end of the mandrel opposite to the pressing part; A biasing portion is disposed inside the frame and biases the mandrel toward the support plate.

13. An input assistance device comprising:

2. The operation unit is conductive.

2. The input assistance device according to claim 1 .

3. The support plate is U-shaped and made of acrylic resin.

3. The input assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the input assistance device is a device that supports an input of a user.

4. The pressing portion has a depression on a pressing surface pressed by a tongue.

4. The input assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the input assistance device is a device that supports an input of a user.

5. The biasing portion is a coil spring.

5. The input assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the input assistance device is a device that supports an input of a user.

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