`Tedesc0 et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,296,686 B1
`Oct. 23, 2012
`
`USOO8296,686B1
`
`(54) PORTABLE PROMPTING AID FOR THE
`DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED
`
`289: A : g28 E. et al. ..................... 2,335
`6,056,549 A * 5/2000 Fletcher ........................ 434/112
`6,139,494 A 10/2000 Cairnes
`6,168,569 B1
`1/2001 McEwen et al.
`(75) Inventors: Daniel E. Tedesco, Shelton, CT (US);
`6,282,441 B1
`8/2001 Raymond et al.
`Carey M. Tedesco, Shelton, CT (US);
`6,314.405 B1
`1 1/2001 Richardson
`at St. S. 6,336,053 B1* 1/2002 Beatty ........................... TOOf 108
`6,449.460 B2 * 9/2002 Logan ...
`ames A. Jorasch, New York, NY (US);
`... 434,308
`Russell P. Sammon, San Francisco, CA
`6,585,516 B1* 7/2003 Alabaster .......
`... 434/127
`(US)
`6,710,791 B1* 3/2004 Kodama et al.
`T15,835
`
`W 4
`
`CIO ........
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`(73) Assignee: Handhold Adaptive, LLC. Shelton, CT
`US)
`(
`-
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 351 days.
`(21) Appl. No.: 12/391,871
`(22) Filed:
`Feb. 24, 2009
`9
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(60) Eyal application No. 61/195,976, filed on Oct.
`s
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`G06F 3/00
`(52) U.S. Cl. ......................... 715/865; 434/112:434/238
`(58) Field of Classification Search .................. 715/865.
`434/112, 237, 238
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
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`ABSTRACT
`
`(Continued)
`Primary Examiner — William Bashore
`Assistant Examiner — Daeoo Lee
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Withrow & Terranova,
`PLLC
`57
`(57)
`An aid for developmentally disabled individuals takes the
`form of a mobile terminal having software capable of creating
`graphical schedules, graphical countdowntimers, and graphi
`cal choice selections. A caregiver may dynamically program
`and save schedules which present a graphical sequence of
`events to the disabled individual to assist the disabled indi
`vidual in adjusting the changing events of the day. Likewise,
`the countdown timer may assist the individual in preparing
`for an upcoming transition in environment or activity. Still
`further, the graphical choice selections may help a nonverbal
`individual express themselves to a caregiver.
`15 Claims, 28 Drawing Sheets
`
`2
`
`O AT&T
`
`8:22A
`Digital Picture Prompts
`
`s Welcome to
`Digital Picture Prompts
`
`N.
`
`s
`
`Picture Schedule
`
`SetWisual Countdown
`
`58
`
`6.
`
`Offer Choices
`
`
`
`APPL-1007
`APPLE INC. / Page 1 of 44
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`
`APPL-1007
`APPLE INC. / Page 2 of 44
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 23, 2012
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`Sheet 1 of 28
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`US 8,296,686 B1
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`
`
`14
`
`10
`1/
`
`12
`
`oDO AT&T
`
`8:22 AM
`
`D
`
`Calendar
`
`Photos
`
`Camera
`
`Text
`
`C (2
`
`Recorder
`
`O
`| Q 73
`33 ERA
`
`Stocks
`
`Maps
`
`Weather
`
`Calculator
`
`Notes
`
`KeyTasks
`
`FIG. 1
`
`APPL-1007
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 23, 2012
`
`Sheet 2 of 28
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`US 8,296,686 B1
`US 8,296,686 B1
`
`OL
`
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`APPL-1007
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`APPL-1007
`APPLE INC. / Page 4 of 44
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 23, 2012
`
`Sheet 3 of 28
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`US 8,296,686 B1
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`1OB
`
`10A
`
`
`
`FIG. 3
`PRIOR ART
`
`APPL-1007
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`Oct. 23, 2012
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`Sheet 4 of 28
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`US 8,296,686 B1
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`CARETAKERACQUIRES MOBILE TERMINAL
`
`career courtscasternal
`
`CARETAKERLOADS SOFTWARE ONTO MOBILE TERMINAL 102
`
`CARETAKER ACCESSES SOFTWARE ON MOBILE TERMINAL
`
`
`
`RECEIVE
`PICTURE
`SCHEDULE
`SELECTION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`106
`
`RECEIVE
`SET VISUAL
`COUNTDOWN
`SELECTION 108
`
`RECEIVE
`OFFER
`CHOICES
`SELECTION 110
`
`
`
`RECEIVE
`CREATE NEW
`SCHEDULE
`SELECTION 112
`
`
`
`
`
`OFG. 14
`
`TO FIG. 19
`
`PRESENT MENU OF
`SCHEDULE
`CATEGORIES 11
`
`RECEIVE CATEGORY
`SELECTION 18
`
`RECEIVE
`ACCESSSAVED
`SCHEDULE
`SELECTION
`
`114
`
`
`
`
`
`PRESENT MENU OF
`THEMATICALLY
`LINKED CONS
`120
`
`
`
`RECEIVE IMAGE
`SELECTION 122
`
`DISPLAY
`PARTIALLY-FINISHED
`SCHEDULE 124
`
`RECEIVE COMMAND
`TO SET TIME 126
`
`PRESENT MENU OF
`SAVED SCHEDULES
`134
`
`RECEIVE SELECTION
`OF SCHEDULE
`136
`
`DISPLAY SELECTED
`SCHEDULE 132
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`
`128
`
`
`
`
`
`SAVE OR SHOW
`130
`FIG. 4
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`APPL-1007
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`Sheet 5 of 28
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`US 8,296,686 B1
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`
`
`oOO AT&T
`
`8:22 AM
`Digital Picture Prompts
`
`O
`
`s Welcome to
`Digital Picture Prompts
`
`Picture Schedule
`
`Offer Choices
`
`FIG. 5
`
`APPL-1007
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`
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 23, 2012
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`Sheet 6 of 28
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`US 8,296,686 B1
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`
`
`goO AT&T
`
`8:22AM
`Digital Picture Prompts
`
`C
`
`Create a
`Picture Schedule
`
`Create New Schedule
`
`ACCeSS Saved Schedule
`
`FIG. 6
`
`APPL-1007
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`Oct. 23, 2012
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`Sheet 7 of 28
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`US 8,296,686 B1
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`
`
`oDO AT&T
`
`8:22 AM
`Digital Picture Prompts
`
`Select Your
`First Image
`
`68A
`
`Emotions I Feelings
`
`Therapy
`
`Take I Select Photo
`
`ShOW All
`
`FIG. 7
`
`APPL-1007
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`Oct. 23, 2012
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`Sheet 8 of 28
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`US 8,296,686 B1
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`
`
`goO AT&T
`8:22 AM
`{BACK Digital Picture Prompts
`
`O
`
`O) Select Your
`First Image
`
`.
`
`70
`
`70
`
`72
`
`1.
`Fork
`
`70
`
`More
`
`APPL-1007
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`Oct. 23, 2012
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`Sheet 9 of 28
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`US 8,296,686 B1
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`
`
`ooD AT&T
`
`8:22AM
`Digital Picture Prompts
`
`Schedule Under
`Construction
`
`Add Another
`image
`
`80
`
`Finish and
`Show Schedule 82
`
`APPL-1007
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`Oct. 23, 2012
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`Sheet 10 of 28
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`US 8,296,686 B1
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`oOO AT&T
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`8:22AM
`
`FIG 10
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`Oct. 23, 2012
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`Sheet 11 of 28
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`US 8,296,686 B1
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`
`
`go AT&T
`
`8:22 AM
`Digital Picture Prompts
`
`Save This Schedule?
`Name it as:
`
`(a)(W)(E)(R) (TDCY) (UDO (o) (P)
`(A)(s) (D) (F) (G) (HDGJD (KCL)
`(f) (z) CX)(C)(V)(B)(N) (M) Ce)
`
`FIG. 11
`
`APPL-1007
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 23, 2012
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`Sheet 12 of 28
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`US 8,296,686 B1
`US 8,296,686 B1
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`APPL-1007
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 23, 2012
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`Sheet 13 of 28
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`US 8,296,686 B1
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`
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`oOO AT&T
`
`8:22AM
`
`D
`
`Access a Saved
`Picture Schedule
`
`Trip to Airport
`
`Medicine ROutine
`
`Preparing for School
`
`Wednesday Play Group
`
`October 25
`
`APPL-1007
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`Oct. 23, 2012
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`Sheet 14 of 28
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`US 8,296,686 B1
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`DISPLAY CREATE COUNTDOWN SCREEN
`
`RECEIVE TIME FOR COUNTDOWN
`
`RECEIVE ALERT SELECTION
`
`RECEIVE IMAGE COMMAND
`
`DISPLAY IMAGE CATEGORIES
`
`150
`
`152
`
`154
`
`156
`
`158
`
`RECEIVE CATEGORY SELECTION
`
`160
`
`DISPLAY MAGES
`
`RECEIVE IMAGE SELECTION
`
`162
`
`164
`
`168
`
`SAVE
`
`(ED)
`
`SAVE OR START
`166
`
`START
`
`DISPLAY COUNTDOWN
`
`170
`
`FIG. 14
`
`APPL-1007
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`Sheet 15 of 28
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`US 8,296,686 B1
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`
`
`noG AT&T
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`8:22 AM
`Digital Picture Prompts
`
`Set a
`Visual Countdown
`
`%
`2%
`
`APPL-1007
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`Oct. 23, 2012
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`Sheet 16 of 28
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`208
`
`
`
`
`
`210
`
`oOO AT&T
`
`8:22 AM
`Digital Picture Prompts
`
`O
`
`Select Image for
`When Timer Ends
`
`
`
`O Safety D
`Activities
`CDays sweather)
`Meal Time
`Home & School C seasonal D
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Emotions I Feelings
`
`Therapy
`
`Take I Select Photo
`
`ShOW All
`
`16
`
`18
`
`FIG. 16
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`APPL-1007
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`Sheet 17 of 28
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`212
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`214
`
`goO AT&T
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`8:22 AM
`Digital Picture Prompts
`
`O
`
`Select Image for
`When Timer Ends
`
`Wash Hands
`
`N.E.
`
`FIG. 17
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`APPL-1007
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`U.S. Patent
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`DISPLAY CATEGORIES
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`2 5 O
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`RECEIVE FIRST CATEGORY SELECTION
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`RECEIVE FIRST IMAGE SELECTION
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`DISPLAY CATEGORIES
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`RECEIVE SHOW CHOICES COMMAND
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`DISPLAY CHOICES
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`RECEIVE CHOICE SELECTION
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`CONFIRM SELECTION VIA MEDIA OUTPUT
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`FIG. 19
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`Offer Choices
`Select First Choice
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`Emotions I Feelings
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`Therapy
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`Take | Select Photo
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`Show All
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`FIG. 20
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`Offer Choices
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`FIG. 23
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`1.
`PORTABLE PROMPTING AD FOR THE
`DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED
`
`PRIORITY
`
`The present application claims priority to and the benefit of
`U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/195,976,
`filed 14 Oct. 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference
`in its entirety.
`
`10
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`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present disclosure is directed to providing devices,
`systems and methods for providing a sensory aid for the
`developmentally disabled.
`
`15
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`BACKGROUND
`
`With a growing population, the number of developmen
`tally disabled children grows. Additionally, the rates at which
`children have been diagnosed as developmentally disabled,
`and particularly diagnosed with autism, have steadily
`increased. While there is a continuum of disabilities that fall
`under the general heading of developmentally disabled, many
`individuals that are developmentally disabled experience dif
`ficulty in developing normal speech and language abilities
`and may also suffer from sensory processing dysfunction
`(SPD). SPD encompasses those situations where a person has
`one or more senses that are hyposensitive or hypersensitive.
`These dysfunctions and their manifestations make it diffi
`cult for such individuals to adapt to dynamic settings and in
`particular they may have difficulty transitioning between
`activities. This difficulty is compounded by the aforemen
`tioned language barriers that may exist.
`Conventional approaches have not been able to provide a
`convenient tool that allows caregivers to communicate effec
`tively with such individuals and prepare such individuals for
`known upcoming changes, especially in contexts such as
`ordinary life in the community, which is markedly more
`dynamic and rich with sensory stimuli as compared to rela
`tively sterile and controlled therapeutic settings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates a front elevational view of a mobile ter
`minal.
`FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the components of a
`conventional mobile terminal.
`FIG. 3 illustrates a variety of networks in which a mobile
`terminal may operate.
`FIG. 4 illustrates a first flow chart showing a portion of an
`exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
`FIG. 5 illustrates a first screen shot showing a screen shot
`associated with the flow chart of FIG. 4.
`FIG. 6 illustrates a second screen shot associated with the
`flow chart of FIG. 4.
`FIG. 7 illustrates a third screen shot associated with the
`flow chart of FIG. 4.
`FIG. 8 illustrates a fourth screen shot associated with the
`flow chart of FIG. 4.
`FIG.9 illustrates a fifth screen shot associated with the flow
`chart of FIG. 4.
`FIG. 10 illustrates a sixth screen shot associated with the
`flow chart of FIG. 4.
`FIG.11 illustrates a seventh screen shot associated with the
`flow chart of FIG. 4.
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`FIG. 12 illustrates an eighth screen shot associated with the
`flow chart of FIG. 4.
`FIG. 13 illustrates a ninth screen shot associated with the
`flow chart of FIG. 4.
`FIG. 14 illustrates a second flow chart showing a second
`portion of an exemplary embodiment of the present disclo
`SUC.
`FIG. 15 illustrates a first screen shot associated with the
`flow chart of FIG. 14.
`FIG.16 illustrates a second screen shot associated with the
`flow chart of FIG. 14.
`FIG. 17 illustrates a third screen shot associated with the
`flow chart of FIG. 14.
`FIG. 18 illustrates a fourth screen shot associated with the
`flow chart of FIG. 14.
`FIG. 19 illustrates a third flow chart showing a third portion
`of an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
`FIG. 20 illustrates a first screen shot associated with the
`flow chart of FIG. 19.
`FIG.21 illustrates a second screen shot associated with the
`flow chart of FIG. 19.
`FIG. 22 illustrates a third screen shot associated with the
`flow chart of FIG. 19.
`FIG. 23 illustrates a fourth screen shot associated with the
`flow chart of FIG. 19.
`FIG. 24 illustrates a fifth screen shot associated with the
`flow chart of FIG. 19.
`FIG. 25 illustrates a sixth screen shot associated with the
`flow chart of FIG. 19.
`FIG. 26 illustrates a first exemplary database suitable for
`use with the present disclosure.
`FIG. 27 illustrates a second exemplary database suitable
`for use with the present disclosure.
`FIG. 28 illustrates a screen shot associated with an alter
`nate embodiment of the present disclosure.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`A mobile terminal with a display screen may be used with
`the software described herein to allow caregivers to create a
`schedule using appropriate graphical elements, which may be
`presented to the disabled individual so that the disabled indi
`vidual may be graphically prepared for upcoming transitions
`or changes. Likewise, the caregiver may program graphical
`timers for use with the disabled individualso that the disabled
`individual has a graphical indication of an amount of time
`remaining until a change in activity is to occur. Such timers
`may be incorporated into the schedule so that as a transition
`nears, a timer may be displayed to the disabled individual.
`Still further the caregiver may program the mobile terminal to
`display two graphical elements for display to the disabled
`individual from which the disabled individual may select a
`choice. During creation of these graphical tools, the caregiver
`may be given the opportunity to select the images by selecting
`images from predefined categories of thematically-linked
`images. The image grouping may facilitate dynamic creation
`of the graphical tools and/or allow the disabled individual to
`participate in the creation of the graphical tools.
`Still other graphical prompts may be programmed by the
`caregiver to facilitate graphical interaction rather than oral
`interaction with the disabled individual. Likewise, new
`graphical elements may be captured by a camera either inter
`nal to the mobile terminal or external to the mobile terminal
`and uploaded to the mobile terminal. Likewise, video, audio
`or other elements (e.g., vibration output) may be incorporated
`into the schedule, timers, or choices so as to facilitate com
`munication with the disabled individual.
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`The use of a mobile terminal provides a highly portable,
`stylish, and malleable tool through which caregivers may
`adjust to the dynamic Surroundings of the disabled individual
`and provide customized graphical elements to assist in com
`municating with the disabled individual.
`An overview of some of the hardware elements is provided
`before addressing some of the methods and potential Screen
`configurations associated with embodiments of the present
`disclosure. A mobile terminal 10 is illustrated in FIG.1. An
`exemplary suitable mobile terminal 10 may be the APPLE(R)
`10
`IPHONETM (or IPODTM) and may include a user interface 12
`that includes a speaker 14, a microphone 26 (FIG. 2), a touch
`screen display 16, and a command entry button 18. One or
`more icons 20 may be displayed on the touch screen display
`16. The user may enter commands by touching an icon on the
`touchscreen display 16 or by using the command entry button
`18 as is well understood. One such icon 22 may launch
`software that effectuates embodiments of the present disclo
`sure. In one embodiment, the software is developed by a third
`party. The practice of third-party software development on
`the IPHONETM platform is commonplace today, with tens of
`thousands of applications available for sale through the
`APPLE(RAPP STORE, and other mobile terminal manufac
`turers are embracing Such third-party development of mobile
`software applications. Thus, while the IPHONETM is particu
`larly contemplated, the disclosure is not so limited, and any
`readily portable handheld computing device may be appro
`priate including personal digital assistants, cellular tele
`phones, WINDOWS MOBILETM enabled devices (e.g., the
`HTC TOUCH DIAMONDTM), or the like. Further specific
`30
`examples of such mobile terminals include the BLACK
`BERRYTM line of wireless devices manufactured by
`Research in Motion of Waterloo, Ontario, Calif.; the T-MO
`BILE G1 or other mobile terminals operating on the
`ANDROID platform developed by Google, Inc. of Mountain
`35
`View, Calif.; the PRADATM or other mobile terminals manu
`factured by LG ELECTRONICS MOBILECOMM U.S.A.,
`INC. of San Diego, Calif.; the INSTINCTTM or other mobile
`terminals manufactured by SAMSUNG TELECOMMUNI
`CATIONS AMERICA, LLC; the XPERIATM X1 or other
`40
`mobile terminals manufactured by SONY ERICSSON
`MOBILE COMMUNICATIONSAB of Sweden; the N96 or
`other mobile terminals manufactured by NOKIA GROUP of
`Finland; the PRETM or other mobile terminals manufactured
`by PALM, INC. of Sunnyvale, Calif., or the like. Software of
`45
`the present disclosure may operate in conjunction with any of
`these hardware platforms, or in conjunction with any plat
`forms similar to these.
`A block diagram of the mobile terminal 10 is illustrated in
`FIG. 2. The mobile terminal 10 includes the elements already
`illustrated and further includes, within the user interface 12, a
`camera 24 and the aforementioned microphone 26. The user
`interface 12 is operatively coupled to a central processor
`(CPU) 28. The CPU 28 is also operatively coupled to memory
`30 with software 32 stored therein, an accelerometer 34,
`transceiver circuitry 36, which in turnis coupled to an antenna
`38, one or more wired ports 40, a battery 42, and any other
`miscellaneous peripherals 44 as is common in the mobile
`terminal industry (e.g., an internal clock, a vibration unit, a
`GPS receiver, a thermometer, pressure sensor, a light sensor,
`an infrared sensor, a temperature sensor, a motion detector, an
`altimeter, a radio frequency identification (RFID) transpon
`der or receiver, or the like).
`FIG. 3 illustrates a variety of networks through which
`mobile terminals 10 may communicate. For example, a first
`mobile terminal 10A may communicate with a second mobile
`terminal 10B through a local wireless network such as a
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`BLUETOOTHTM, infrared, or other short range communica
`tion protocol. Additionally, or alternatively, the second
`mobile terminal 10B may communicate with a cellular net
`work such as the Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) 46
`through a cellular base station 48. The PLMN 46 may com
`municate with the Public Switched Telephone Network
`(PSTN) 50 and/or the Internet 52. One or more computers 54
`may be communicatively coupled to the Internet 52 and may
`include a wireless transceiver to communicate wirelessly
`with a third mobile terminal 10C or a docking station 56 to
`communicate via a wired line with a fourth mobile terminal
`10D. More information on networks and communication pro
`tocols can be found in the Rules of Interpretation and General
`Definitions set forth below. Suffice to say that the particular
`network or communication protocol is not central to embodi
`ments of the present disclosure.
`Against this backdrop of hardware, an overview of an
`exemplary method is presented Starting with reference to
`FIG. 4 as a flow diagram interspersed with additional Figures
`for Supporting explanatory and exemplary Screen shots. Ini
`tially, the caregiver acquires a mobile terminal 10 (block 100).
`This acquisition may be a gift, a purchase, a lease, borrowing,
`or otherwise. For example, the disabled individual may pur
`chase the mobile terminal 10 and loan it to the caregiver for
`the purposes of carrying out embodiments of the present
`disclosure. Alternatively, the caregiver may purchase the
`mobile terminal 10 for use by and/or with the disabled indi
`vidual. The caregiver may load the software embodying the
`present disclosure onto the mobile terminal 10 (block 102). If
`the mobile terminal 10 has a disk drive or other data storage
`device or functionality (e.g. flash memory), the Software may
`be loaded from a disk or other source. Otherwise, the software
`may be loaded onto a computer 54 (e.g., via disk transfer or
`download) and transferred to the mobile terminal 10 through
`the docking station 56 or wirelessly. As still another alterna
`tive, the mobile terminal 10 may download the software
`through the PLMN 46 or other technique as desired. The
`software could be preloaded on the mobile terminal 10 such
`that when the lease or purchase is made, the software is
`immediately accessible. The software itself may be free, paid
`or subsidized in whole or part by a third party (such as a
`School district or other governmental agency or private foun
`dation). Note that while it is contemplated that the caregiver
`performs these and other steps, it is also possible that the
`disabled individual performs these and the other steps.
`The caregiver accesses the Software through the user inter
`face 12 of the mobile terminal 10 (block 104), such as by
`tapping the appropriate icon 22 on the display 16. Activating
`the Software may call up a screen Such as that illustrated in
`FIG. 5, where the software causes a number of choices to be
`displayed to the user. The choices, in this exemplary embodi
`ment, comprise picture schedule (block 106, FIG. 4; icon 58
`FIG. 5); set a visual countdown (block 108, FIG. 4; icon 60
`FIG.5); and offer choices (block 110, FIG. 4; icon 62, FIG. 6).
`The user may select an appropriate icon by touching the
`display 16 at an appropriate location, Scrolling through the
`prompts with the command button 18, or other technique as
`desired.
`To continue the example, assume the user selects picture
`schedule at block 106. A screenshot, such as that illustrated in
`FIG. 6 may appear. The user may be offered the choices of
`creating a new schedule (block112, FIG.4, icon 64 FIG. 6) or
`accessing a saved schedule (block 114, FIG. 4, icon 66, FIG.
`6). If the user selects create a new schedule, the mobile
`terminal 10 may display a screen shot such as that illustrated
`in FIG. 7, wherein icons 68 for various schedule categories
`are presented (block 116, FIG. 4). The user may select an
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`appropriate icon 68, (causing the control system to receive the
`selection (block 118)) such as icon 68 for meal time to start
`creating a schedule that is thematically linked to the category
`of a meal time or at a minimum view images that are themati
`cally linked to the category for inclusion in a schedule. An
`alternate approach, wherein the first user indicates a time and
`Subsequently selects an associated icon (perhaps from a cat
`egory of icons) is also contemplated. Additionally, rather than
`select a stored image, the user may elect a “take photo now
`(or similarly labeled)