Speech Generating Device Directed Messaging via Network Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Speech generating devices (SGDs) face challenges such as slow conversational throughput, inadequate emotional expression, and difficulty in directing communications to specific conversation partners, leading to undesired interactions and limited privacy in communication.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a speech generating device with a display and input system that allows users to select between playing communications through a speaker and transmitting them via a communication network, enabling social cue and emotional proxies, and allowing users to designate conversation groups and control message sharing levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the SGD uses traditional broadcast mode to output text at predefined volume, then nearby individuals can hear the communication, but the user cannot direct the communication to a specific conversation partner and privacy is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the broadcast communication into directed communication channels by allowing users to select specific conversation partners or groups to receive the communication, rather than broadcasting to all nearby individuals uniformly. This segmentation enables privacy control while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a communication network as an intermediary between the SGD and the conversation partner. Instead of direct broadcast, the network mediates the transmission, allowing selective delivery to specific recipients while maintaining the user's ability to communicate easily.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the SGD provides only local speaker output, then the device remains simple, but the user cannot communicate privately or remotely with specific individuals
Solution Approach 1:
The SGD is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a traditional local speaker device and as a networked communication device. The same hardware can operate in broadcast mode or connect to communication networks for directed transmission, increasing adaptability without requiring separate dedicated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the local speaker output function with network transmission capabilities into a single integrated SGD system. By combining broadcast and network communication functions in one device, the system achieves versatility while managing complexity through consolidation rather than separation.
3Ease of operation
If the user inputs text slowly at 8-10 words per minute, then the user can take time to formulate responses, but dead time increases and conversation partners may interrupt or finish sentences for the user
Solution Approach 1:
The communication network acts as an intermediary that decouples the user's slow input process from the conversation flow. While the user takes time to formulate responses at their own pace, the network can manage the transmission timing, reducing dead time and preventing interruptions by coordinating when communications are sent and received.
Data Source
AI summary
Speech generating devices, communication systems, and methods for communicating using the devices and systems are disclosed herein. In certain examples, the speech generating device includes a display device and an input device configured to generate a communication to be displayed on the display device, wherein the speech generating device is configured to allow a user to select between playing the generated communication through a speaker and transmitting the generated communication via a communication network to a computing device separate from the speech generating device. In certain examples, the computing device may be designated with other computing devices of other conversation partners within a conversation group.