Tongue operated magnetic sensor based wireless assistive technology
AssigneeNorth Carolina State University
InventorsMaysam Ghovanloo, Gautham Krishnamurthy
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Abstract
An assistive apparatus and method for remote control of an appliance by a subject are provided. The apparatus can comprise a tracer unit affixed to the tongue of the subject such that a change in position of the tongue changes position of the tracer; at least one sensor for detecting a position of the tracer unit; and a transmitter for transmitting a sensor signal to an appliance based on the detected position of the tracer unit, wherein the sensor signal effects control of the appliance. A method for tracking movement, position, or both of a tongue in a subject using the assistive apparatus is also provided.
Claims72
An assistive apparatus for remote control of an appliance by a subject, comprising:
- (a) a tracer unit structurally adapted for non-obstructive affixation to the tongue of the subject such that a change in position of the tongue changes position of the tracer, wherein the tracer unit comprises a permanent magnet;
- (b) at least one sensor for detecting a position of the tracer unit, based on detecting the magnetic field of the magnet in the tracer unit by the at least one sensor, wherein the at least one sensor is structurally adapted for non-obstructive placement proximal the tracer unit;
- and
- (c) a sensor control unit for transmitting a sensor signal to an appliance based on the detected position of the tracer unit.
A method for remote control of an appliance by a subject, comprising:
- (a) providing in the mouth of a subject a tracer unit non-obstructively affixed to the tongue such that a change in position of the tongue changes position of the tracer unit, wherein the tracer unit comprises a permanent magnet;
- (b) detecting the position of the tracer unit based on detecting the magnetic field of the magnet in the tracer unit by a sensor;
- (c) generating a sensor signal based on the detected position of the tracer unit;
- and
- (d) transmitting the sensor signal to an appliance, wherein the sensor signal effects control of the appliance.
A method for tracking movement, position, or both of a tongue in a subject, comprising:
- (a) providing in the mouth of a subject a tracer unit non-obstructively affixed to the tongue such that a change in position of the tongue changes position of the tracer, wherein the tracer unit comprises a permanent magnet;
- (b) detecting the position of the tracer unit based on detecting the magnetic field of the magnet in the tracer unit by a sensor;
- (c) generating a signal based on the detected position of the tracer unit;
- and
- (d) analyzing the signal to thereby track movement, position, or both of the tongue.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.