Spatiomotor Capture System for Blind Spatial Training

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional rehabilitation methods for individuals with visual impairments are often tedious and expensive, failing to effectively activate cross-modal brain plasticity for robust non-visual mental representations of space and objects, which are crucial for spatiomotor coordination and decision-making.

Innovation Solution

A multipurpose spatiomotor capture system utilizing touchscreen tablets with shared monitors and interface devices, providing non-visual stimulation through raised-line tactile images, vibration, or audio signals, allowing for memory-guided drawing tasks that record and analyze finger movements to enhance spatial memory and cognition, enabling precise motor planning and execution independently of sighted helpers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional rehabilitation methods are used for visual impairment, then training can be provided, but the process becomes tedious and expensive while failing to effectively activate cross-modal brain plasticity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of cross-modal brain plasticity activationVSAvoidtedious and expensive training process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical/manual rehabilitation methods with a computerized system that uses touchscreen tablets, haptic feedback, and audio signals to deliver structured training tasks. This substitution automates the delivery of cognitive-kinesthetic training, making it more efficient and effective at activating cross-modal brain plasticity while reducing the tedious nature of traditional therapy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables individuals with visual impairments to independently complete drawing tasks and spatial cognition exercises without requiring constant assistance from trained therapists. The automated feedback mechanisms and structured task sequences allow users to self-manage their rehabilitation process, reducing the time and resource burden on healthcare providers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If non-visual stimulation devices are developed for spatial memory training, then cross-modal plasticity can be activated, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial memory training effectivenessVSAvoidmultifunctional tactile/kinesthetic stimulation system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple stimulation modalities (tactile, haptic, audio) and training functions into a single unified platform using touchscreen tablets. This multi-functional design allows the system to deliver various types of spatial cognition training and non-visual stimulation through one device, reducing overall system complexity compared to using separate specialized devices for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines tactile feedback, haptic stimulation, audio signals, and touchscreen interaction into an integrated training platform. By merging these previously separate components into a single cohesive system, the patent reduces the complexity that would arise from coordinating multiple independent devices while maintaining comprehensive training capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If drawing tasks are used as rehabilitation tool, then diverse spatial manipulation abilities can be trained, but the system requires sophisticated recording and analysis capabilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial manipulation training coverageVSAvoidspatiomotor recording and analysis system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex manual recording and analysis procedures with automated computer-based tracking of finger movements on touchscreen tablets. This substitution uses software to capture, store, and analyze drawing trajectories, eliminating the need for sophisticated physical recording equipment while maintaining comprehensive data collection capabilities for assessing spatial manipulation skills.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20240363023A1Multipurpose Spatiomotor Capture System for Both Non-Visual and/or Visual Training and Testing in the Blind and the Sighted

Publication Date: 2024.10.31 LIKOVA LORA T

AI summary

A multipurpose capture system for both the training and behavioral assessment of spatial cognition, such as spatial memory and spatial analysis, and motor control for both navigation and manual performance. In one embodiment the system consists of two touchscreen tablet computers that share a common third monitor 4, and may share additional interface devices if necessary (e.g., keyboard and mouse) via wireless connections A participant is positioned adjacent to the pair of tablets and being unsighted, cannot visually process the stimuli, or the exploration or drawing trajectories. The participant explores the non-visual image structure with hand or fingers, the non-visual image being provided by raised-line tactile images, and/or vibration, and/or sound. A variety of memory-guided drawing tasks are performed on a tablet, and the results are interpreted to provide feedback to the participant.