Brainwave responsive wheelchair

• US 6,587,713 B1
• Filed: 12/14/2001
• Issued: 07/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bertha Freeman
• Original Assignee: Bertha Freeman
• Inventors: Freeman, Bertha
• Primary Examiner(s): Nasser, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US10/023,506
• Time in Patent Office: 564 Days
• Field of Search: 600/554-5, 600/300, 600/586
• US Class Current: 600/544
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 4/00 Methods or devices enabling patients or disabled persons to operate an apparatus or a device not forming part of the body operating or control means for prostheses A61F2/48, A61F2/68
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/18 by patient's head, eyes, facial muscles or voice
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/045 Rear wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/10 Parts, details or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1054 Large wheels, e.g. higher than the seat portion
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/015 Input arrangements based on nervous system activity detection, e.g. brain waves [EEG] detection, electromyograms [EMG] detection, electrodermal response detection

Abstract

A brainwave responsive wheelchair for providing control of an electric wheelchair by a physically handicapped person, includes a wheelchair having a seat portion, a back portion, a pair of back wheels and a pair of front wheels. A motor for selectively rotating the back wheels independent of each other is mechanically coupled to the back wheels. An actuator for selectively rotating the back wheels is operationally coupled to the motor. The actuator is mounted to the back portion and includes a control that is electrically coupled to the motor. A brainwave responsive device is operationally coupled to the control. The brainwave responsive device includes an input device. The input device is electrically coupled to the control and adapted for reading brainwaves. The control actuates the motor with respect to distinct brainwave patterns.

Claims

1. A brainwave-responsive wheelchair comprising:

a wheelchair including a seat portion a back portion, a pair of back wheels and a pair of front wheels, a motor for selectively rotating said back wheels independent of each other being mechanically coupled to said back wheels;

an actuator for selectively rotating said back wheels being operationally coupled to said motor, said actuator being mounted to said back portion, said actuator including;

a control being electrically coupled to said motor;

a microphone for detecting audible tones being electrically coupled to said control, said microphone being located to be positionable adjacent to a mouth of the user, wherein said control actuates said motor with respect to specific spoken commands detected by said microphone; and

a brainwave responsive device being operationally coupled to said control, said brainwave responsive device including an input device, said input device being electrically coupled to said control and adapted for reading brainwaves, wherein said control actuates said motor with respect to distinct brainwave patterns.

2. The brainwave-responsive wheelchair as in claim 1, wherein said input device is located for being removably positioned on a head of a user of said wheelchair.

3. The brainwave-responsive wheelchair as in claim 1, wherein said input device is an electroencephalograph.

4. The brainwave-responsive wheelchair as in claim 1, further including a keypad for actuating said motor being operationally coupled to said control, each of said keypads being mounted on one of said wheelchair.

5. The brainwave-responsive wheelchair as in claim 1, further including a keypad for actuating said motor being operationally coupled to said control, each of said keypads being mounted on one of said wheelchair.

6. A brainwave-responsive wheelchair comprising:

a wheelchair including a seat portion, a back portion, a pair of armrests, a pair of footrests, a pair of back wheels and a pair of front wheels, a motor for selectively rotating said back wheels independent of each other being mechanically coupled to said back wheels;

an actuator for selectively rotating said back wheels being operationally coupled to said motor, said actuator including a housing being mounted to said back portion, said actuator including;

a control being electrically coupled to said motor, said control being mounted in said housing;

a brainwave responsive device being operationally coupled to said control, said brainwave responsive device including an input device mounted on said housing and located for being removably positioned on a head of a user of said wheelchair, said input device being electrically coupled to said control and adapted for reading brainwaves, said input device including an electroencephalograph, wherein said control actuates said motor with respect to distinct brainwave patterns;

a microphone for detecting audible tones being electrically coupled to said control, said microphone being mounted on said housing and being located to be positionable adjacent to a mouth of the user, wherein said control actuates said motor with respect to specific spoken commands detected by said microphone; and

a pair of keypads for actuating said motor being operationally coupled to said control, each of said keypads being mounted on one of said armrests.