Individual discreet prompting device with remote

• US 6,724,298 B2
• Filed: 08/07/2001
• Issued: 04/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Smith J. Michelle
• Original Assignee: Smith J. Michelle
• Inventors: Smith, J. Michelle
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US09/923,622
• Publication Number:
  US 20030030544A1
• Time in Patent Office: 987 Days
• Field of Search: 340/407.1, 340/7.6, 340/573.1, 340/407.2, 340/539, 340/965, 340/309.15, 340/309.16, 340/539.1, 368/1, 368/10, 368/230, 368/245, 434/113, 434/114
• US Class Current: 340/407.1
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/00 Teaching, or communicating with, the blind, deaf or mute audible presentation of material to be studied G09B5/04; devices or methods for replacing direct visual or auditory perception by another kind of perception A61F9/08, A61F11/04; audible indication of meter readings or of colour G01D7/12; watches for blind persons G04B25/02; speech analysis, speech recognition G10L; sound-recording or reproducing, per se G11B

Abstract

A remotely activated sensory stimulation device comprised of a case, a tactile stimulatory means, a receiving unit, a transmitting unit and a controller. The amplitude and frequency of the tactile stimulation is adjustable to provide different prompts or to alter the prompt. The device is further camouflaged with a second functionality to eliminate any social stigma. The device is useful for teaching individuals with a variety of learning disorders including Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Claims

1. A programmable sensory stimulation device for treating and training a user having a learning or behavioral disability worn by a user at a point of contact, the device comprising:

a case;

a tactile stimulation apparatus coupled to said case, said tactile simulation apparatus comprising one or more vibrating devices producing adjustable vibrational stimuli for producing tactile stimulation of the user at the point of contact with said case;

a controller for activating said tactile stimulation apparatus and adjusting the frequency and amplitude of the vibrations of the vibrational stimuli in response to the user'"'"'s behavioral response;

a receiver coupled to said controller, said receiver enables remote activation of said

wherein tactile stimulation of the vibrational stimuli is provided to the user at the point of contact of said case.

2. The programmable sensory stimulation device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a clock circuit having a visual display coupled to said case and said device is camouflaged as a wristwatch.

3. The programmable sensory stimulation device as recited in claim 1 wherein said case is adapted to be attached to a belt.

4. The programmable sensory stimulation device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a transmitter in communication with said receiver by optical, electromagnetic or sonic means.

5. The programmable sensory stimulation device as recited in claim 1 wherein the tactile stimulation apparatus further comprises an electromechanical motor in communication with said case.

6. The programmable sensory stimulation device as recited in claim 1 wherein the tactile stimulation apparatus further comprises a piezoelectric transducer in communication with said case.

7. The programmable sensory stimulating device as recited in claim 5 wherein said electromechanical motor has an eccentric weight for generating a vibration.

8. The programmable sensory stimulation device as recited in claim 4 wherein the revolutions per minute of said electromechanical motor are variable and adjustable to produce the desired frequency and amplitude of the vibrations.

9. The programmable sensory stimulating device as recited in claim 1 wherein the tactile stimulation apparatus comprises a magnetic device for generating a vibration.

10. The programmable sensory stimulation device as recited in claim 1 wherein the said variable frequency ranges from approximately 5 MHz to about 300 MHz.

11. The programmable sensory stimulation device as recited in claim 1 wherein the frequency and amplitude of the tactile stimulation apparatus can be remotely adjusted.

12. The programmable sensory stimulation device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a power supply.

13. The programmable sensory stimulation device as recited in claim 1 wherein the tactile stimulation apparatus can be remotely activated by another individual.

14. A method of instruction of a disabled individual comprising

providing a sensory simulation device to the said individual, said tactile simulation device comprising:

a case;

a tactile stimulation apparatus coupled to said case, said tactile simulation apparatus comprising one or more vibrating devices producing adjustable vibrational stimuli for producing tactile stimulation of the user at the point of contact with said case;

a controller for activating said tactile stimulation apparatus and adjusting the frequency and amplitude of the vibrations of the vibrational stimuli in response to the user'"'"'s behavioral response;

a receiver coupled to said controller, said receiver enables remote activation of said controller; and

adjusting the frequency and amplitude of the vibrations of the vibrational stimuli in response to the individual'"'"'s behavioral response.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein frequency and amplitude of the vibrations are decreased in a stepwise manner as the individual exhibits a desired behavioral response.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the adjusting step is performed remotely to provide the minimum stimulation to elicit the behavioral response.