Interactive synthetic speech CPR trainer/prompter and method of use
DCFirst Claim
1. A hand portable interactive prompter device for prompting a human operative to carry out sequential steps included in different sequences of a technique, said device comprising:
- programmed processor means storing representations of each step in each sequence, including pauses separating predetermined successive steps, and programmed to retrieve a particular sequence in response to input signals supplied thereto and to repeat selected sequences in the absence of said input signals;
speech synthesizer means coupled to said processor means for generating audible sounds, including voice prompts, in response to at least some of the representations included in a retrieved sequence, and for producing pauses in response to pause representations; and
plural manually operable selector means each being individually operated by said human operative to supply a respective input signal to said processor means for selecting a particular sequence to be retrieved, the particular selector means that is operated being a function of the response of said human operative to said audible sounds and voice prompts;
whereby the human operative carries out the steps in a sequence of said technique as enunciated by said audible sounds and voice prompts, operates a selector means as instructed by the enunciations to initiate another sequence of steps and fails to operate a selector means so as to cause a sequence to be repeated.
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Abstract
An interactive trainer/prompter device serves to provide visual and synthetic-speech prompts to a human operative to achieve a task that requires skills that may be critical, but infrequently required. In favorable embodiment, the trainer/prompter device is employed for cardio pulmonary resuscitation. The device has a plurality of actuator push buttons and indicator lamps, and provides synthetic voice prompts. The human operative follows synthetic-speech instructions, and interacts with the device by depressing the appropriate push button, for example, to indicate that a victim is not breathing, or has no detectable pulse.
184 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A hand portable interactive prompter device for prompting a human operative to carry out sequential steps included in different sequences of a technique, said device comprising:
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programmed processor means storing representations of each step in each sequence, including pauses separating predetermined successive steps, and programmed to retrieve a particular sequence in response to input signals supplied thereto and to repeat selected sequences in the absence of said input signals; speech synthesizer means coupled to said processor means for generating audible sounds, including voice prompts, in response to at least some of the representations included in a retrieved sequence, and for producing pauses in response to pause representations; and plural manually operable selector means each being individually operated by said human operative to supply a respective input signal to said processor means for selecting a particular sequence to be retrieved, the particular selector means that is operated being a function of the response of said human operative to said audible sounds and voice prompts; whereby the human operative carries out the steps in a sequence of said technique as enunciated by said audible sounds and voice prompts, operates a selector means as instructed by the enunciations to initiate another sequence of steps and fails to operate a selector means so as to cause a sequence to be repeated.
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2. An interactive method of training and/or prompting a human operative to carry out different sequences of steps of a technique, said method comprising the steps of:
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retrieving from storage means a particular sequence of representations of the steps included in that sequence; synthesizing from at least some of said representations audible sounds, including voice prompts, to instruct said human operative of respective steps in said technique to be performed by said human operative; providing pauses following at least some of said audible sounds and voice prompts; generating a signal as a function of the response of said human operative to selected ones of said audible sounds and voice prompts; using the generated signal to retrieve a sequence of representations of the steps included in a particular sequence; and repeating a sequence of representations in the absence of a generated signal.
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3. Portable interactive prompter apparatus for use by a person who has previously been trained in the practice of an established protocol comprised of plural sequences of predetermined physical actions to be performed by the person and including decisions to be made to change or repeat sequences depending upon observations made by the person during the performance of a sequence, said portable interactive prompter apparatus comprising:
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first decision selector means operable by the person for starting the operation of said apparatus; processor control means coupled to said first decision selector means and responsive to the operation of said first decision selector means for controlling said prompter apparatus to initiate a first sequence; first prompt means controlled by said processor control means for producing a first sequence of prompts corresponding to a first sequence of predetermined physical actions to be performed by the person, said first prompt means producing a pause following each of predetermined prompts of said first sequence, each pause being of sufficient time duration to enable the person to complete the respective physical action called for by the respective preceding prompt before the next-following prompt is produced; second decision selector means operable by the person separate and apart from the physical actions carried out by said person during the performance of said established protocol and operable as a function of observations made by the person during said first sequence of prompts, said second decision selector means being coupled to said processor control means for supplying a signal indicative of the operation thereof and said processor control means responding to said signal for controlling said prompter apparatus to initiate a second sequence and responding to the absence of said signal for controlling said prompter apparatus to repeat said first sequence; and second prompt means controlled by said processor control means for producing a second sequence of prompts corresponding to a second sequence of predetermined physical actions in response to the operation of said second decision selector means, thereby prompting the person to perform the predetermined physical actions of said second sequence, said second prompt means producing a pause following each of predetermined prompts of said second sequence, each pause being of sufficient time duration to enable the person to complete the respective physical action called for by the respective preceding prompt before the next-following prompt is produced; whereby said apparatus interacts at each stage in the established protocol with said person by prompting the person as to each physical action to be performed at each stage of each sequence in the protocol, thereby guiding said person in the performance of the protocol. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification