Marine mammal communication device

A method for training marine mammals to communicate using a communication device having a submersible keyboard with at least one panel in which one or more hollow keys are disposed, each said hollow key having an object disposed therein which is distinguishable by the marine mammal from other objects and a switch which can be activated by said marine mammal, the communication device further comprising a computer for receiving a signal generated by the switch when said switch is activated by said marine mammal and providing feedback in the form of an audible language element associated with the selected key, said method comprising the steps of:

• submerging said keyboard in an aquatic environment containing one or more marine mammals;
• permitting the marine mammals to echolocate or visually distinguish the object in each key to locate a desired key and to select that key by activating said switch to generate the spoken word or phrase associated with the selected key;
• and
• reinforcement of correct selection by human recognition of and an appropriate response to the keys selected by the marine mammal.

A method for communication by marine mammals using a communication device having a submersible keyboard with at least one panel in which a plurality of hollow keys are disposed, each said hollow key having an object disposed therein which is distinguishable by the marine mammal from other objects in other keys, each said key associated with a specific audible language element which has been learned by the marine mammal, and a switch which can be activated by said marine mammal when a key is selected, the communication device further comprising a computer for receiving and processing a signal generated by said switch, said method comprising the steps of:

• submerging said keyboard in an aquatic environment containing one or more marine mammals;
• permitting the marine mammals to select the keys which are associated with the language elements which the marine mammals wish to use, said keys being selected by activating said switch;
• and
• observing the key selections and responding to the key selections made by the marine mammal when an understandable message is communicated.

A communication device for communication with marine mammals comprising:

• a panel;
• a key disposed in said panel and having
• an open end,
• an object disposed therein which is distinguishable by the marine mammal, and
• an optical switch which can be activated by said marine mammal, said switch including an optical beam generator means positioned at said open end for radiating an optical beam across said open end, and a photosensor, aligned with and positioned opposite said optical beam generator means for detecting the radiated optical beam, whereby said switch generates a signal when an object passes between said optical beam generator and said photosensor, thereby indicating the key has been selected;
• and,
• a controller for receiving and processing said signal.