Voice activated decision support

• US 20060223042A1
• Filed: 05/18/2005
• Published: 10/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Picis Incorporated (Constellation Software Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Picis Incorporated (Constellation Software Incorporated)
• Inventors: Epler, John E., Elfenbein, Ron, Spencer, Eric R., Vanrooyen, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US11/131,866
• Publication Number:
  US 20060223042A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/323
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/00 Electrically-operated teaching apparatus or devices working with questions and answers mechanically operated G09B3/00; computing arrangements G06F

Abstract

A coaching device and method for providing emergency medical care instructions is shown. The device can include a memory, an audio input, an audio output, a visual display, and a processor. The memory stores a file set made up of multiple question files. The question files include audio data representing a spoken question, at least one valid answer proposed for the question, and visual material. The visual material can be a text version of the question or a valid answer or a visual illustration of the subject matter of the question. Each question file is linked with at least one other question file. A program manages the question files by playing a question, detecting a spoken valid answer to the spoken question, and loading another question file linked to the detected answer. The modular set of interrelated questions provides the rescuer with highly interactive instructions.

Claims

1. A coaching device useful for providing emergency medical care instructions to a relatively untrained user, comprising:

(A) an addressable memory;

(B) an audio input;

(C) an audio output;

(D) a visual display;

(E) a computer processor operatively interconnecting said memory, audio input, audio output, and visual display;

(F) a file set comprising multiple question files stored in the memory, the question files comprising audio data representing a spoken question, at least one valid answer proposed for the question, and visual material selected from

a text version of the question,

a text version of a valid answer,

a visual illustration of the subject matter of the question,

or a combination of these, and

 

each said question file having a link with at least one other said question file, the linked question files being related as a prior question and a subsequent question, and the link associating the subsequent question with a valid answer given to the prior question;

(G) a program stored in the memory adapted to cause the processor to;

load a question file,

direct an audio signal associated with the question file to the audio outlet to speak an audible question,

direct a display signal associated with the question file to the display to provide an illustration pertinent to the spoken question on the display;

detect a spoken valid answer to the spoken question in the audio input; and

load another question file linked to the detected answer.

2. The coaching device of claim 1, wherein said question file comprises data defining a plurality of the following parameters:

a name for the file;

the text of the question;

a question audio file to recite the question;

a question picture file to provide a visual illustration concerning the question; and

a repeat question delay.

3. The coaching device of claim 1, wherein said question file comprises data defining a name for the file and a question audio file to recite the question.

4. The coaching device of claim 3, wherein said question file further comprises data defining the text of the question.

5. The coaching device of claim 3, wherein said question file further comprises a question picture file to provide a visual illustration concerning the question.

6. The coaching device of claim 3, wherein said question file further comprises data defining a repeat question delay.

7. The coaching device of claim 3, wherein said processor further comprises a speech recognition engine and said question file further comprises a grammar tag that allows the speech recognition engine to decipher spoken text for selecting a linked file.

8. The coaching device of claim 3, wherein said question file further comprises data defining a speech recognition phrase that will trigger the selection of a linked file.

9. The coaching device of claim 3, wherein said question file further comprises data defining the link to another question file.

10. An electronically implemented coaching method useful for providing emergency medical care instructions to a relatively untrained user, comprising:

(A) providing a multiplicity of question files comprising audio data representing a spoken question, at least one valid answer proposed for the question, and visual material that is;

a text version of the question,

a text version of a valid answer,

a visual illustration of the subject matter of the question,

or a combination of these

(B) loading a question file in a processor;

(C) asking a spoken question by playing an audio file of the question;

(D) directing a display signal associated with the question file to the display to provide an illustration pertinent to the spoken question on the display;

(E) detecting a spoken valid answer to the spoken question; and

(F) loading another question file linked to the detected answer.