Dynamic Word Tree Interface for Assistive Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with autism, global developmental delays, acquired brain injury, or progressive neurological diseases often struggle with vocal communication, relying on assistive communication tools like AAC, which may hinder the development of written communication skills and the association between pictures, text, and sound.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic user interface that utilizes word trees, allowing users to select words and phrases by navigating through a structured tree-like system, with additional tiles presented based on logical or lexicographical relations, and metrics recorded to optimize communication efficiency and efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional AAC tools with picture symbols are used, then communication accessibility is improved, but development of written communication skills deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines picture symbols with corresponding text words and speech audio within a unified word tree structure. Each node contains multiple modalities (image, text, audio) that work together, allowing users to access communication functions while simultaneously developing literacy skills through repeated exposure to the relationship between pictures, text, and spoken language.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates progress tracking that monitors user interactions with words and phrases. Based on this feedback, the word tree dynamically adapts by adding new words, phrases, and grammatical structures that build upon demonstrated skills, thereby promoting continuous development of written communication abilities while maintaining ease of access.
2Productivity
If comprehensive phrase construction options are provided, then communication effectiveness is improved, but interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent organizes the communication interface into a hierarchical word tree structure with nodes representing individual words and phrases. This segmentation allows comprehensive phrase construction capabilities to be broken down into manageable, navigable units. Users can traverse the tree systematically to build complex phrases from simpler components, maintaining interface simplicity while enabling communication effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The word tree introduces a hierarchical dimension to the interface, organizing communication options across multiple levels (individual words, phrases, sentences). This dimensional organization allows comprehensive phrase construction capabilities to be accessed through systematic navigation rather than presenting all options simultaneously, thereby reducing perceived complexity while maintaining full functionality.
3Ease of operation
If static communication boards are used, then ease of use is improved, but adaptability to user progress deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic word tree structure that automatically evolves based on user interaction patterns and progress metrics. As users demonstrate mastery of certain words and phrases, the system dynamically adds new nodes, expands phrase options, and introduces more complex grammatical structures. This maintains ease of use for current skill levels while continuously adapting to accommodate progress, eliminating the need for manual reconfiguration.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject technology include a device for assistive communication that includes a communication module and an analytics module. The communication module may present a first set of word tiles for selection, receive a first selected word tile from the first set of word tiles, present a second set of word tiles based on the first selected word tile from the first set of word tiles, receive a second selected word tile from the second set of word tiles, and generate a phrase based on the first selected word tile and second selected word tile. The analytics module may access the second selected word tile from the first set of word tiles, add the second selected word tile to a set of selections of a plurality of selections, and determine the second set of word tiles based on the plurality of selections.