Sports signalling device for hearing impaired persons

• US 6,794,989 B2
• Filed: 06/19/2002
• Issued: 09/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kara Jean Naegely, Lara Terminiello, Shannon Fitzgerald
• Original Assignee: Kara Jean Naegely, Lara Terminiello, Shannon Fitzgerald
• Inventors: Naegely, Kara Jean, Fitzgerald, Shannon, Terminiello, Lara
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US10/174,802
• Publication Number:
  US 20030006903A1
• Time in Patent Office: 825 Days
• Field of Search: 340/407.1, 340/691.1, 340/691.4, 340/691.5, 340/815.4, 340/815.65, 340/539.11, 340/323.R, 340/573.1, 340/825.19, 482/1, 434/247, 704/271
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 1/08 using electric transmission ; transformation of alarm signals to electrical signals from a different medium, e.g. transmission of an electric alarm signal upon detection of an audible alarm signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/00 Deaf-aid sets , i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception electrical stimulation of auditory nerves to promote the auditory function A61N1/36038; optical stimulation of auditory nerves to promote the auditory function A61N5/0622

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for providing instructions to a hearing impaired individual performing a sports activity thereby instructing the hearing impaired individual to perform a particular action in a sports activity.

Claims

1. A wireless device useful for a hearing impaired person(s) for enabling said person to receive instructions from another person while participating in a sport-related activity comprising:

a) a transmitter unit comprising at least two means for receiving a physical impulse for transmitting instructions as a wireless output signal, wherein said means for receiving a physical impulse comprises at least two depressible buttons or keys;

b) a portable unit adapted to be carried by the hearing impaired person responsive to said wireless signal thereby providing instructions to said person by first generating a signal comprising a vibration and then generating a second signal providing a color illuminating visual signal(s), wherein each visual signal is in the form of a different color illumination and wherein each different color illumination individually corresponds to an individual depressible button or key of the transmitter unit.

2. A wireless device according to claim 1, wherein said portable unit is worn on the wrist.

3. A method for transmitting instructions to a hearing impaired person(s) playing sports comprising the steps of:

a) placing a first instruction into a transmitter;

b) transmitting said first instruction from a transmitter to a wireless receiver, wherein said wireless receiver is fastened to said person playing sports, wherein said first instruction initiates a vibrating signal received by the person playing sports;

c) placing a second instruction into the transmitter;

d) transmitting said second instruction from the transmitter to the wireless receiver, wherein said second instruction initiates a color illuminated visual signal;

e) placing additional successive instructions into the transmitter and transmitting said additional successive instructions from the transmitter to the wireless receiver, wherein said additional instructions successively initiate a vibrating signal and then a color illuminated signal.