Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02718303 2010-10-12 / ( G
Industry Industrle
Canada Canada 2010/10/12
11111 286- 10
II
II~
OPIC p001573074
II~~ CIPO
Petition to the
Canadian Intellectual Patent Office
Patent Title: Inter-Oral Touchpad
Revision i 17-08Date
-2010 Matthew he device is an internal-o alt
1.1 computer touchpad which is
Osterloo used by individual to control a computer cursor. The
device is attached through a ps/2 or USB cable to a
omputer. The device is intended to allow quadriplegics
and other individual with severe disabilities to gain
independence by augmenting computerized devices.
mwo84@yorku.ca, matthewosterloo@gmail.com or
Matthew Osterloo (647)-502-7448
Confidential Information Notice: The information contained in this
document is confidential and proprietary to Matthew Osterloo
Proprietary and Confidential. Property of Matthew Osterloo & MWO
Industries, Ontario Business Number 200301133
CA 02718303 2010-10-12
Table of Contents
COVER PAGE
...............................................................................
...................................................................
TABLE OF CONTENTS
...............................................................................
..................................................... II
FORM 8?
...............................................................................
......................................................................... III
SMALL ENTITY DECLARATION
...............................................................................
..................................... IV
ABSTRACT
...............................................................................
........................................................................ V
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
...............................................................................
....................................... VI
DESCRIPTION
...............................................................................
................................................................ VIII
..................... MECHANICAL OPERATIONS AND ASSEMBLY
..............................................................VIII
.....................
CORNERS........................................................................
.............................
.....................
BUTTONS........................................................................
.............................X
.....................WIRING THE
TOUCHPAD.......................................................................
.............XI
..................... THE
CASING.........................................................................
........................
..................... COMPUTER SYSTEM
...............................................................................
...... XIII
CLAIMS
...............................................................................
........................................................................ XXII
DIAGRAM COMPONENTS
...............................................................................
......................................xxrv
PHOTO INDEX
...............................................................................
......................................................... xxv
1 ist of Figure
Figure 1 I
Figure 2
Figure
Figures I
Figu
Figure 8 '
Figure 9
Figure 10
Proprietary and Confidential. Property of Matthew Osterloo & MWO v
Industries, Ontario Business Number 200301133
CA 02718303 2010-10-12
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Touchpads are well-known input devices for digital systems including personal
computers,
games, hand held personal organizers, POS units, and the like. Touchpads
operate by detecting
the presence and movement of a pointing element manipulated by a user, e.g., a
pen, a stylus, or
a user-finger. Detected pointing element movement is translated electronically
into movement of
a cursor on a display screen, into commands, or other input that is
recognizable by a machine or
device with which the touchpad is used. Generally, a touchpad assembly
includes a touchpad, a
cable, a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA), a support lens, and a shield
over the top of the
assembly.
Using existing touchpad's, individual living with various disabilities
meagerly benefit from
touchpad technology. If coated in a water resistant material and fully water
proofed, touchpad's,
can be augmented to be repositioned into various bodily orifices such as the
mouth. Few devices
have been engineered to be water resistant and to interface with the users
tongue to permit
computer access, while mounted on the side of the human mouth.
The closest similar device found through a patent search is U.S. 7071844,
which is a mouth
mounted input device which is fitted to the roof of the human mouth. The
device resembles a
dental retainer in shape and form. The device being propositioned within this
patent application
differs compared to this American patent in that the device being recommended
here is housed in
the cavity between the jaw and the cheek (Image 1) and not fitted to the top
of the mouth against
the pallet (although the device can be moulded and positioned against the
pallet). Second, the
device proposed here does not include a "the stimulator provides pulsed
electrical stimulation to
the mouth to present alphanumeric information"'. Thirdly, the device proposed
within this
application does not have a central processing unit included as does US.
7071844 as stipulated
in claim 7 of the associated patent application. Lastly, the touchpad being
used in this patent
application is not curved and is flat.
Further patents relating to this proposed patent include KR20040065974 (A) -
EU hiding
touchpad to prevent inflow of water, and W003060680 (A2) - RUGGEDIZED, WATER
SEALED, SECURITY ENHANCED TOUCHPAD ASSEMBLY. Both of these patents apply to
laptop mounted touchpad's and are intended to make laptops more durable and
resistant to
moisture and user abuse. They often take the form of structural changes to
laptop wrist guards
1 http://www.patentvest.com/console/reports/docs/grant/07071844.htmI
Proprietary and Confidential. Property of Matthew Osterloo & MWO Industries,
Ontario Business
Number 200301133 ix
CA 02718303 2010-10-12
(KR20040065974) or resin injection to prevent theft and food spillage as
detailed in the
invention background of device W003060680.
The proposed device has augmented an existing and widely applied device to a
new application
which targets a new and specific consumer base. This device particularly
targets individuals with
mobility impairments and lack of bodily control. It targets a sub-section of
the disabled
community by being intended for individuals with only limited tongue mobility
such as
quadriplegics and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS/ Lou Gehrig Disease)
patients, whom
have often lost most of their control over all muscle groups except sometimes
for those muscles
closest to the brain and higher up on the spinal cord. This device shows
utility and function by
permitting people with these forms of severe physical disabilities to fully
operate a computer
with their tongue alone. No head movement is required and neither is finger
movement (the latter
being the primary intended human interactive style with existing touchpad's).
The presented configuration not an obvious application of the device; in the
past, companies
have mounted the touchpad via stand in front of the user's lips with metal and
plastic mounting
arms, but this involves user head movement to move the face within proximity
to the mounted
touchpad, then extending the tongue beyond the confines of the oral cavity to
interact with the
touchpad. It is more obvious for the device to be mounted in front of the
mouth than inside of it.
The device proposed is mounted in a tiny, naturally occurring pocket inside
the mouth, which is a
truly unique notion. The device is mounted between the cheek tissue and the
mandible (teeth and
gums) on the interior of the mouth, and not to the roof of the mouth. It is
kept in place by
pressure being exerted from each side by the gums and teeth on one side and by
the cheek tissues
in the back. The device is prevented from slipping into the throat by the
molars and the tapered
tissue structures in the back of the oral cavity.
From all research conducted, no computer manufacturers, computer peripheral
manufacturers or
medical/prosthetic companies have yet to patent and commercially distribute
this form of device;
surely demonstrating its novelty and justifiable merit in receiving a patent.
Proprietary and Confidential. Property of Matthew Osterloo & MWO Industries,
Ontario Business
Number 200301133 x
CA 02718303 2010-10-12
Description:
{The device was originally invented for my friend Jason Nichols who is
quadriplegic and
incapable of speaking due to a stoma. Due to Jason's quadriplegia and his
spasms, he is
incapable of using any form of electronic devices with the exception of head
operated switches
to control his wheel chair. I decided to develop Jason a computer peripheral
that would allow
him to fully use a computer. I am capable of such an undertaking due to my
extensive computer
background affinity for technology. I have previously been employed by York
University to
maintain computer equipment: as well I have been employed by the Toronto
District School
Board and Scadding Court Community Center to build computers for individuals
living with
disabilities. Lastly, through a collaborative process with my Professor
Shannon Bell of York
University, we opted to make completion of my project applicable to my final
term mark.}
The device is intended to be an oral prosthetic that can permit computer
access to
individuals with minimal bodily capacity. As the oral cavity on humans is
quite finite, one of the
smallest commercially available touchpads was acquired. In this case it was a
Synaptics
micromini touchpad, originally built and integrated into the eeePC by Asus(D
Computers. The
touchpad is approximately seven centimetres tall, ten centimetres long and two
millimetres thick.
It comfortably fits inside a male adult's oral cavity. It is to be noted that
this device is not
intended to sit on the pallet or against the tongue. The device is intended to
rest laterally between
the mandible (jaw) and the cheek with the touch sensitive surface of the PCB
(printed circuit
board) facing towards the tongue. When the teeth are parted, the tongue is
able to move across
the surface of the touchpad's sensing area, activating the conductive sensors
and consequently
moving a cursor on the computer screen.
Mechanical operations and assembly:
The touchpad has one surface which is flat and touch sensitive. The touch
sensitive aspect
of the chip transmits electrical signals to wires when it is powered. The rear
surface of the
touchpad is printed circuit boar, with exposed connectors, topographic
circuits, and microchips.
There is nothing on any of the other sides, as they are too thin
(approximately 2 mm) to serve
any beneficial purpose. As such only the front (touch sensitive axis) and the
rear (topography and
connectors) will be discussed in this application and not the sides of the
chip.
The touchpad uses has a 12pin connector which was intended to transfer power
as well as
information between the laptop/computer CPU (central processing unit) and the
touchpad
topographic chipset and receptive components. The 12pin connector is located
on the back of the
PCB. The 12pin micromini chip design by Synaptics and used on the Asus eeePC
is a ps/2
variant as opposed to a USB variant and thus limits its rewiring capabilities.
This is important
because the chip uses ps/2 configurations to send power and information and
this differs from the
USB protocols. The prototype model uses ps/2 protocols to transfer information
through the
12pin connector. (if a computer device can not support ps/2 as it is becoming
antiquated, a
Proprietary and Confidential. Property of Matthew Osterloo & MWO Industries,
Ontario Business
Number 200301133 Xi
CA 02718303 2010-10-12
generic high-end ps/2 to USB converter can be used to permit the device to
function with USB
only imputes).
The ps/2 wire can be changed to Bluetooth, Radio frequency, Infra-Red, USB,
USB 2.0,
or any other kind of proprietary or generic plug which can support signal
transference. The next
generation produced will probably be wireless and most likely Bluetooth
enabled. The device is
most promising when wirelessly connected to a computer. It is known that the
device discussed
herein, and the connection mediums (Bluetooth, Radio frequency, Infra-Red,
USB, USB 2.0)
uses compatible technology, and it should be noted that it is requested that
the wireless capacity
of the device be recognized as inherent to the nature of this device and
patented as such here
forthwith.
In order to rewire the chip into a ps/2 cord, the 12pin connector has to be
rewired. The
twelve leads within the 12pin connector must be rewired into six leads to be
ps/2 compatible. To
do this, the maker procured the proper width 12pin Flat Flexible Cable (FFC),
which is .5 mm
wide, from a supplier. The desired length of the wires which were purchased
were twice the
standard length, ensuring that each wire supplied two (2) connective ends (and
essentially two
fully functional wires when assembled), and that it would be the most cost
effective purchase.
The 12pin FFC were cut in half to lengths of approximately 6 centimetres, so
each of the two
ends had one end capable of mounting with a 12pin socket. A soldering iron was
used to heat the
plastic coating on the severed end of the FFC to remove the wires from their
insulating plastic
shielding. When all twelve (12) of the wires leads are cleared of plastic and
exposed to a suitable
length (approximately three centimetres), they have to be solder from 12 wires
into six pairs of
two (2) wires each. To do this, the Synaptics manuals from the internet
describes the proper
wire layout (graph 2) essential to rewiring to a ps/2 pin out. As explained
within the Synaptics
manual, the specific chips leads are as such: leads one and twelve are the
ground wires, leads two
and three are the Left Switch wires, leads four and five are the 5 Volt wires,
leads six and seven
are the DATA wires, leads eight and nine are CLOCK wires, leads ten and eleven
are Right
Switch wires. The wires are soldered together to ensure proper connections are
made. Care cas to
be take to fold over the 1 & 12 leads and to solder them together while
avoiding contact with
other leads which invariably would cause a short circuit. Test circuit by
using Volt Meter and
battery to confirm completed circuits.
At this point the ps/2 cable is prepared. An old ps/2 mouse had the hand
portion cut off to
leave only an extended cable and plug. The outer wire is stripped a few inches
near the severance
point to reveal the internal four wires (and occasionally an additional ground
wire {discard this
ground wire}). These four wires were stripped as well about 1cm. A volt meter
and battery was
used to trace the pin layout from each pin in the ps/2 plug, to the
corresponding wire within the
coated cable sheath. As standard in ps/2 pin layouts: pin 1 is DATA, pin 2 is
inactive, pin 3 is
ground, pin 4 is Voltage, pin 5 is CLOCK and pin 6 is inactive (pin two (2)
and six (6) do not
have wires running from them) (insert google pictures of ps/2 pin out). Then
the stripped FFC
wires are very carefully soldered to the corresponding ps/2 leads to avoid
connections and shorts.
Once again test circuit by using Volt meter and battery. Soldering is done
with silver based solder
to avoid exposing customers and workers to lead and other heavy metals. When
the leads are
soldered together, each lead is covered in electrical tape or a similar
insulating material to mimic
the wire insulation in a ps/2 cord and this is intended to prevent electrical
short shorting.
The ps/2 cable should now have a socket at one end, a cord which is cut and
stripped,
Proprietary and Confidential. Property of Matthew Osterloo & MWO Industries,
Ontario Business
Number 200301133 xii
CA 02718303 2010-10-12
four leads connected to a FFC cable, and at the very end the 12pin FFC
connector. the buttons
are created next.
Corners:
The corners of the touchpad can be filed or cut down on some chip models to
make the
corners of the chip more comfortable within the mouth, thus reducing the
likelihood of gum
irritation (image 8). The drawback to this process is that some touchpad's can
not be modified in
such a way as severing any part of the pad will render the whole pad or entire
sections incapable
of functioning. Other can only have a small section of the corner field down
without recourse. It
is recommended that filing of the corners be done after initially connecting
the FFC to the chip
socket and after a voltmeter testing of the circuit, yet before taping any
wired down or gluing
anything.
The button:
The button(s) upon the device was derived from a laptop computer keyboard. As
there
were not enough buttons readily available that was water tight, small enough
to fit with the
device, and cost effective enough to be beneficial, a button was adapted from
a laptop keyboard.
The keyboard was fully disassembled until all that was left was the thin
plastic sheets with
rubber nipple glued to them at the very core of the unit. The sheet discussed
here, is composed of
three separate thin plastic sheets. Two of the sheets have electrically
conductive metal etched on
one side to form a circuit. The third sheet is positioned between the other
two sheets. The middle
sheet has holes cut into it, to permit one conductive etching to contact the
other sheets
conductive etching, when force is applied to a nipple above it.
An individual nipple is cut out of the plastic sheet with a section of the
circuitry beneath
it. The plastic sheet is trimmed to remove sharp edges. The plastic sheet is
glued to the touchpad
in the desired location. A small gage wire (approximately 20 gage), about
seven (7) centimetres
long is stripped of its insulating plastic coating at each end (approximately
one centimetre).
Carefully the plastic sheets are separate and one end of the stripped wire is
placed between the
first and second sheet atop the electrically conductive material, making
contact. The wire and the
conductive etching form a circuit. The wire is bonded in place with adhesive
or tape (preferably a
conductive bonding agent but puperglue works as long as it does not touch the
exposed metal
ends, for it will cover them in glue and essentially insulate the ends!). A
second wire with the
same specifications is places between the second and third layers of plastic.
The second wire is
glued in place just as the first wire was. The other ends of the stripped
wires are folded around
the side of the touchpad and brought to the back of the PCB. One of the two
wires is soldered to
the FFC wire 2/3, while the second end is soldered to the GROUND wire (pin 3,
FFC wires
1/12). All connections are covered in electrical tape or glue to ensure
completed circuits and
reduced risk of short circuiting.
When pressure is applied to the nipple, the downward force causes the etched
material to
push through the hole in the second layer of plastic, resulting in contact
between the first and
Proprietary and Confidential. Property of Matthew Osterloo & MWO Industries,
Ontario Business
Number 200301133 xiii
CA 02718303 2010-10-12
third layer of electrically conductive etched plastic. This completes a
circuit which essentially
travels from the chip to the button, to the ground cable, then to be processed
by the computer.
If a second button is desired; the same procedure is applied using wires 10/11
as the
RIGHT click and the GROUND (pin 3, FFC wires 1/12) on the FFC.
Wiring the touchpad
The native FFC connector end is then inserted into the 12pin connector on the
Synaptics touchpad and the locking mechanism as closed to prevent movement of
the FFC.
The FFC is bent backwards to have it positioned over the center of the chip
and prevent the FFC
wire from lying outside the perimeter of the touchpad chip topography. Once
complete, the FFC
wire is secured in place to prevent movement and disconnection from the 12pin
connector (with
electrical tape or another suitable water resistant adhesive). The four leads
from the ps/2 cable
are taped together to create one lead which looks and acts simply an extension
of the mouse
cable. The cable was bent to exit the perimeter of the chip from the desired
side dependent on
chip configuration {chips have different left, right, up, down
configurations}. Lay the PS/2 wire
down the center of the chip and the wire should travel off one of the short
ends of the chip. This
ensures that the wire can comfortably exit the mouth through the corner of the
mouth with little
discomfort, and does not continuously irritate the top or bottom gums. This
also helps to prevent
accidental biting on the wire, and helps to keep the device it in its intended
position.
Once the wire is positioned it was taped down with electrical tape or an
analogous
adhesive. Following this task, the entire back side of the chip was taped over
with electrical tape,
primarily to prevent saliva from short circuiting the chip but also to prevent
damage to the
transistors, and to soften the corners of the device and prevent gum
irritation. A few small pieces
are secured over the plastic sheet on the front of the chip to make the button
water tight/water
resistant from saliva seepage. Test circuit by plugging into PS/2 outlet on
computer.
One final layer of water tight adhesive can be applied to the back of the chip
for
additional saliva and water protection, and a small strip of electrical tape
approximately three
centimetres can be positioned over the front of the chip to limit the contact
area. This second
piece of tape served multiple functions: further prevent saliva leakage,
prevent the gums from
triggering the touch sensors and protect the teeth and touchpad from each
other.
The Casing;
The casing is a crucial component of the device. It must be water resistant
and
also non-toxic to humans as it is exposed to the oral cavity. Thus the case
can be made from a
number of different elements including but not limited to: denture grade
plastics, non-toxic
metals (aluminums or stainless steel, titanium), medical grade later rubbers
or medical grade
silicone rubbers, other medical grade polymers as well as natural rubbers. The
possibilities are
numerous and not limited to those mentioned herein. The goal is to have a
comfortable, safe and
water-resistant casing for the electrical components. The way in which this
patent differs from a
device such as "WO03060680 (A2) - RUGGEDIZED, WATER SEALED, SECURITY-
ENHANCED TOUCHPAD ASSEMBLY" is that 1) the water resistant materials are not
injected
to prevent theft, 2) they are not injected inside the device alone, as they
comprise the casing of
the herein described object, 3) the material that can be used are limited to
medical grade
ingredients. 4) The water sealing on W003060680 is designed for less intensive
application than
Proprietary and Confidential. Property of Matthew Osterloo & MWO Industries,
Ontario Business
Number 200301133 xiv
CA 02718303 2010-10-12
this proposed device; in that the water sealing is intended to prevent spills
of finite nature such as
beverages as opposed to continuous bodily secretions. The proposed device is
intended to be
immersed in oral liquid for extended periods of time demonstrating the
divergence in the
application of the water resistant capacities.
For the prototype, liquid latex rubber was used as a casing material due to
its water
repellent qualities. Prior to coating the touchpad and about 10 cm of cable in
liquid later rubber,
the area of the touchpad that would be exposed to be contacted by the tongue
was to be prepared.
A small round rubber "O" rings (about 3/4 wide) was secured to the front touch
sensitive portion
of the chip with plasticine. The ring had enough pressure applied to it to
bond thoroughly to the
touch sensitive surface. Once any excess plasticine was removed, the device is
ready for casing.
The device is held laterally by the cord, and immersed in liquid latex
covering the whole of the
touchpad and about ten (10) cm of the ps/2 cord. The device was removed from
latex and
permitted to drip excess liquid latex back into the latex storage container.
The device was then
set to hang laterally for 24 to 48 hours to permit the latex to cure fully.
Once the latex was fully
cured, the device was immersed one more time to guarantee a water tight seal
around the wires
and circuitry. This layer is permitted to dry for 24 to 48 hours. A third
coating is possible if
desired. Once fully cured, a sharp knife is used to score the latex around the
base of the rubber
"O" ring. The latex is removed from the "0" ring, and the plasticine that was
used to connect the
"O" ring to the touchpad is also cleared away. The touchpad and latex is left
to cure for another
12 to 24 hours.
When these stages are completed, the device is plugged into a computer ps/2
socket to
ensure the product works. On many computers and operating systems, the
computer need to be
rebooted to accept the device; yet this is not universal. The device is
usually automatically
accepted by newer versions of Microsoft Windows due to preinstalled software
drivers, but not
always. If not automatically accepted and recognized as a `human interface
device', Synaptics
drivers must be downloaded to ensure the device is recognized and will operate
properly.
This device can be manufactured in various different ways, substituting
analogous parts
such as proprietary or generic cables, transmission frequencies (Bluetooth v.
Infrared) or casings.
The novelty of the device is multiple; the device is a water resistant
electrical touchpad
which is constructed in such a way using small scale devices that make it
particularly unique.
Smaller than standard laptop touchpad's, this device has taken one of the
smallest commercially
available touchpad's on the market and uses it as a standard fitting size for
this product
The device is fully functional and operates as is expected in every regard.
Proprietary and Confidential. Property of Matthew Osterloo & MWO Industries,
Ontario Business
Number 200301133 xv
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Computer system for speech programs and wheelchair navigation systems
With computer technology developing over the last three decades to be
affordable to the general
public and bundled with user friendly interfaces, the individual that have
most to benefit from
their applications are often left by the wayside as their needs are vastly
different from the
standard users needs. Individuals with complex physical and intellectual
difficulties are often
those most in need of computer devices to aid their discourse and actions, yet
due to a varied set
of situations, the standard computer and interface is inadequate for
individuals living with many
disabilities. This paper will outline the development and the applicable uses
of a new device that
will permit more individuals to have access to computers, especially when
needed most while
removing many of the vulnerabilities of existing computer systems, notably
their size, structuring
and human interface.
The paper will be divided as such: the first section will deal with existing
systems, hardware,
and then software. Followed by this will be a brief synopsis of what the
author views to be
standard weaknesses within the market available hardware and its applications
to the disabled
community. After this section will be an explanation of how these hindrances
have been
overcome and lastly how the new product will offer the potential to
revolutionize communication
devices as well as computer systems geared towards individual living with
variable disabilities. It
should be noted that the authors experience tends to be more familiarized with
physical
disabilities and quadriplegia in particular.
With fear of oversimplifying and generalizing the following discourse, a few
general arguments
will be made in regard to individual personal computers. Primarily they tend
to be off the shelf,
mass produced Microsoft Windows or Apple operating system based computational
systems.
There are some modified variants to the existing human interface devices such
as large key
keyboards, ball mice and track pads, joy sticks, and key guards. Each device
tends to be a
separate unite that must be purchased in addition to the off the shelf
computer, with the exception
of track pads which are standard in laptops. Consequently, the standard mouse
and QWERTY
keyboard as it may be standard is sub-standard for many individuals with
disabilities ranging
from dyslexia to fine motor-impairments.
Some high ends systems such as the Mayer-Johnson VMAX and EyeMAX systems, as
well as
the MyTobii systems have done much to reconcile the human interface issue by
focusing on eye
Proprietary and Confidential. Property of Matthew Osterloo & MWO Industries,
Ontario Business
Number 200301133 Xvi
CA 02718303 2010-10-12
gaze technology to guide the cursor. These systems are revolutionary in their
own capacities for
advancing hardware and software to such an extreme. As a result many
individual with paralysis
of the body are able to interact with computers to facilitate variable
operations, yet these devices
have their own weaknesses, notably; size, weight, location, battery life,
computational power,
limited production demand, cost of development and sales cost to the consumer.
The primary
issues tend to stem from these systems initial development in the early part
of the decade and as
such have not kept pace with computer development for the most part. The
second part of the list
of issues, deal with the economic barriers that are inherent to these forms of
systems in that they
are intended for small populations. As such these system fail to be
justifiable purchases for many
individual that would only use them sporadically as they have enough
capacities to make use
without them, or that they do not have the adequate feel for many individual
that have never used
computers before and are not use to the regime of dealing with a cybernetic
contraption.
As of yet we have not discussed the issue of switched which play a vital role
in many disabled
individuals communication strategies. Switched rely on a software interface to
allow the
computer to be manipulated with either a single or two click options,
replacing all of the options
for a keyboard and a mouse with software that presents variable menus and
options to operate the
computer with essentially one or two associated click buttons. The draw back
to these systems
tends to be their time requirements to achieve a given task as well as their
rigid nature. The
switch is a good option for many as attested to by Dr. Stephan Hawkins, yet is
limited in its
capacities.
On the software side of the issue, software is capable of undertaking
practically any task that can
be theorized. Through software bundles, non-verbal individual can speak, text
can be
manipulated and transformed into icons and pictographs for easier
communication, as can be
attested by the expanse of the internet and the applications of software seem
to be quite limitless
with imagination and perseverance. Thus many hardware systems such as the
MyTobii and the
V/Eyemax systems integrate custom software packages into their hardware to
make their
interfaces more personable and simple to use. The systems amongst the variety
of other
applications available from free download sites and pay sites infinitely
expand the potential to
augment communications and adaption of computer systems to individual needs.
As such the
primary advantage of software is that successive generations of software have
the capacity to be
bundled efficiently with other software to multiply the potential of a single
device. Example, by
merging an onscreen keyboard with a voice simulator, one has a programmable
speech
generating device.
The issue of hardware weaknesses is unapparent to most individual that do not
spend time with
individual with disabilities. Due to these individuals unique life
structuring, the issues they face
are fundamentally different that say to that of an able bodies university
student with their full
faculties. A university student may carry a computer to school in a backpack
or a satchel, remove
the computer, open it, plug the charger into the wall then when returning to
their departure point;
they will reverse the operations and proceed on their way. An individual with
an advanced
cognitive disability or with a severe physical disability may not be able to
plug in the laptop to
the charger without assistance, limiting the use and potential of such
devices. This is only the
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most apparent situation, yet a more complex and hypothetical situation will be
presented.
Johnnie is a young male desiring to attend university. He is very active in
the community as he
possesses his full cognitive faculties. Johnnie is in a wheelchair and does
not have the use of his
hands or feet. As such he has been granted a laptop, funded by the government
and or by the
university or another institution or family member. Thus Johnnie can use his
laptop but due to
the inability to plug it in, only when an attendant is around or he has aid of
a fellow individual to
perform certain operations such as opening the lid etc. furthermore due to the
standard size of
laptops, ranging from 11" to 17" monitors, the devices are quite large, and
tend to be mounted to
the wheelchair at face level on a tubular steel bar that is often designed to
swing in and out.
These arms mean the computer should be put away prior to movement and re-setup
after
movement limiting functional use time. Also the limited range of integrated
wireless cards often
prevents functioning internet capacities while in private or public transit.
These are just some of
the over simplified issue shat develop with using market available laptops for
individual with
complex disabilities.
As such, a new system is being proposed which takes into account the multiple
advancements in
hardware capabilities, as well as software and ergonomics. The system
developed by Matthew
Osterloo or York University in Toronto, Canada, had restructured the way
computers and
wheelchair prone individual interact. The primary display of the system is not
the standard laptop
monitor; rather it is an external monitor. The standard operation size at
present is a 7" monitor.
The monitor due to its slim size and low weight and durable construction can
permanently be
mounted in front of the user with no need to move it with the exception of
when the user is
transferring into or out of their chair. The display is small enough that the
majority of users will
be able to see it clearly from about 12"- 18" away yet be small enough to
permit a field of vision
when moving or engaging in face to face communication with someone else. The
monitor can
clip in and out and due to the light size can use a flexible arm to mount in
practically any
position even on standing and reclining wheelchairs. The monitor will have a
built in
rechargeable battery as well as a wireless VGA adapter permitting the entire
monitor to be 1)
rechargeable, 2) wireless in all capacities 3) to function with a second
monitor so that even if one
is charging, a second one can be swapped onto the arm to prevent down time.
Attached to the
monitor is a rotating IP camera that permits face to face communication from
afar as well as a
tracking feature for guardians of individual that may be lost or have
cognitive impairments.
The laptop and its components are not positioned with the screen in front of
the user, rather they
are embedded within a durable case that is mounted to the back of the chairs
backrest in a slim
line manner. The device uses a neoprene envelop with Velcro to wrap around the
back of the seat
behind the cushion without causing discomfort. The computer mounts to the back
of the seat
outside the interference of the user. Furthermore due to the slim profile, the
device is kept out of
the way of bags, and essential equipment that may be hanging on the back of
the chair. The
system is designed to have as few wires as possible, primarily one for the
monitor and one for
the power charger, yet in the second generation the monitor will be wireless
with a battery pack
eliminating all wires about the chair, and the charging unit has a retractable
wire design
permitting safe and convenient storage of the wire when not plugged in
(diagram 1).
Within the slim line system behind the seat, the system is structures as so;
the is a state of the art
Proprietary and Confidential. Property of Matthew Osterloo & MWO Industries,
Ontario Business
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7"-10.1" laptop with additional batteries, two fans; one input and one output,
a USB adaptor,
auxiliary battery power for the external display, possibly a CD-ROM if
required and outputs for
all applicable devices (VGA, USB,...). Furthermore the is a retractable power
cord so that it can
not be lost and all adaptors for the associated devices are built in. the most
important feature
perhaps is a modified USB wheelchair drive mechanism that permits the user to
steer the
wheelchair from the laptop desktop very simply and as efficiently if not more
so than with a
switch based wheelchair navigational device. Lastly, the device is recommended
to be attached
to a Rogers* Rocket-stick wireless transmitter permitting wireless
communication anywhere a
cellular signal can be received (ie, in transit). Bundled to the system is the
IP camera.
Integral to the system is an additional battery and wiring system which
permits a) up to 24hrs of
battery time with a low weight component (a few pounds [3-4]) as well as all
the required
adaptors and wiring to make the system completely portable and self sustaining
for an extended
period of time, as the customer base often does not have ability to charge
their system repeatedly
everyday between applications, especially if the system is designed to be
permanently
operational. As such, where as the Vmax system may have a 6hr or 8hr charge,
and the MyTobii
may have a 12hr charge, for the same weight as either system; this proposed
system has the
potential to permit up to 24+ hr operations when using basic applications.
The system proposed is present developed with the exception that the designer
is utilising a Asus
eeepc 701 with a single battery capable of 4.5hrs of battery life, yet with
the new development of
small notebooks with low watt power consumption and reduced setting for power
consumption,
the present generation of notebooks can support up to 12hrs of batter life per
charge. In this case,
two or three batteries are linked in a circuit together in a parallel circuit
to extend the battery life
of the device. Unfortunately a second different battery may be required to
operate the
fan/cooling system as well as to power the external monitor, yet it is fully
feasible to link all the
operations into a single battery source that will be charged from one outlet
in a very short period
of time. As such, due to the heat developed from charging the unit, the
batteries, transforming
power through an adaptor and the notebook itself, an input and output fan are
absolute
requirement for the system to prevent overheating, and damage to the system.
These are not all the specifications of the systems, yet they are the
fundamental aspects of the
physical system developed by Matthew Osterloo of York University, Toronto over
the summer of
2010. The system is unique for a number of reasons, primarily because it uses
so little custom
hardware. The devices user from the IP camera and notebook to the batteries
and wheelchair
navigation system are all individual components available through retail. The
unique aspect of
the project is the way in which it has been bundled together. It permits
anytime web access and
voice synthesizing capabilities with the ability to navigate a wheelchair
while undertaking any
number of other tasks. Furthermore the cost of the device is miniscule
compared to other
devices. The device with external monitors and all other components should
retail for under
$1'000 Canadian, when purchased individually. When these components are
ordered in bulk,
their price diminishes considerably and if the system was to be restructuring
to only use the
computer mother board, and generic items, it is feasible the system could be
manufactured for
$500 or less per unit. It is completely feasible within 5 years to produce the
system for perhaps
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even as little $100 or $200 due to the depreciation of technology and the
advancing speed of
computer devices.
This system retains the existing notebook as one solid component for various
reasons, primarily
diagnostics. The ability for a technician to open the slim line case and
interact with the computer
in a standard fashion or to swap it out entirely in a number of minutes is a
considerably
advantage. It is even possible to position a solid-state memory ship within
the system to act as a
permanent backup which would prevent the loss of personal and sensitive files
as well as
reducing the time required to switch and upgrade systems.
Ideally mounted to the exterior of the system will be an LCD or LED screen
that will be
programmable by the user. Why? For personality. It would permit the user to be
more individual
in their own regards, and modifies the device from being simply a computer to
being an
expressive part of them. In many respects it can act as a designer t-shirt or
as a nametag.
The system is to have a custom Graphic User Interface (GUI) to operate within
a Microsoft
Windows 7 Operating system. The windows 7 operating system is by far the most
advanced
operating system on the market and is very intuitive. The narrator option, the
built in text to
speech as well as voice recognition software along side an onscreen keyboard
with variable size
and click options is impeccable and a testament to Microsoft's accessibility
features and their
foresight. As a result, windows 7, due to its included accessibility features,
low cost, various
human interface structures and its present standard as a market primary OS
will be the default
operating system. Furthermore the system is completely capable of being remote
operated into
using default software from Microsoft as well as third part software permits
the system to be
troublshoot (with the Rogers Rocket-stick*) from anywhere any time from a
central
administrative positions, removing the requirement for technicians to be sent
out on calls and
reducing the overall cost of the overarching systems and personnel. It is
commonly known
within the the tech industry, a large portion of any technology cost is
derived from the human
factor of requiring upkeep and technicians. This system fro the most part
permits complete
independence of the user from a technologist or personal aid, and can permit
almost all
upgrading and tech work to be done from abroad. Also if there are fundamental
problems with
the system, personal data can be automatically downloaded and swapped into a
new device to be
sent out to the customer in short order.
A custom GUI will permit users to send free text messages via internet
websites to anyone on
earth to communicate with guardians or friends. Skype in conjunction with the
IP camera permit
live chat options and the windows 7 voice control system can permit all
aspects of the system to
be voice activated. Most interesting perhaps is that the system is almost
completely customizable
in design, color, shape and appearance. The addition of the AT&T and Cepstral
voice as utilising
the SAPI 5 file structure supported by Microsoft's Windows permits the voice
synthesizing
aspect of the system to more closely reflect the actual personality, culture
and background of the
user.
In addition, a host of free software application or meagrely prices
applications can be bundled
together within the system permitting a huge range of versatility for the
system. Head tracking
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software, pupil tracking software, audio news programs and a pictographic
software permits the
system to be adapted to almost any individual. These application as well as
custom voices and
other software may initially increase the cost of the device, especially if a
screen reading
program just as Freedom Scientific's JAWS is loaded, yet bundle purchases of
most software is
most likely a valid option and will reduce costs substantially.
Prepared by: Matthew William Osterloo
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Why is it important to have cheap and affordable computer for
individual with disabilities? In Ontario, Canada, individuals with
disabilities have various mechanisms by which to get a laptop as a
learning air or a communication aid. The Ontario government operates
the Assistive Devices Program (ADP) as well as the Centralized
Equipment Pool Program (CEPP) and various other programs with specific
mandates. York University has a program which supplies computers as
learning aids to individual with a diagnosed disability and many
elementary and high schools are not distributing laptops to aid
student in their academic careers. It has become an intrinsic part of
Canadian and western society to be connected electronically to our
community which is often replacing many aspects of face to face
communication and is progressively redefining social contact*.
As computers are an invaluable communication tool, their distribution
to individuals with communications impairments is a non-questionable
right. It is as intrinsic as the right of free speech and the right
of open and free communication. Unfortunately in many parts of the
world, these are not intrinsic rights due to economic variables beyond
the control of those living in poverty. It is unfortunate enough that
many children and mothers are not receiving the bare nutritional
rations required for sustaining a healthy lifestyle, yet many of these
issues are too large to be tackled individually, and as such many
amazing individuals from NGO's and other government and private
initiatives combat these issues globally on a daily basis.
Communication though is one aspect in which we can make a conscious
and visible change. With the reduction in the cost of personal
computers, and the development of more powerful components and
software bundles, a new doorway has been opened to the millions of
individuals living* with complex communication and physical
disabilities globally. As almost one third of the world population
lives on less than $1 a day, the affordability of a Eye Gaze system
costing $10,000 or $20,000 is unattainable to entire sections of the
worlds populations. Where these communication devices fail to targets
this specific group, there lies unparallel potential as a captive
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customer base. If a cheap system can be produced for $100 or $200 per
unit with a viable software bundle, any individual with connection to
power lines has the potential to be a customer of a system. The key is
that the prior systems released are unattainable to too many
individuals and as such, the system consciously are not disseminated
due to profit margins; a constantly expanding customer base is already
existing.
In Asia Minor for example, China and India combined possess over one
third of the world's entire population. In excess of 2.4 billion
individual live within the two countries. Countless citizens within
the two states live in poverty, but within each state, there is a
quickly expanding middle class capable of affording a modifiable
communication aid that retails for a few hundred dollars. As both of
these states expand, their internal power grids are becoming more
westernized and capable of sustaining larger loads and more electronic
equipment. We have recently seen this trend emerge as Research In
Motion (RIM) has escalated to being the number one smart phone
manufacturer in the world, distributing millions of phones within
these two countries, and each phone costs considerably more than the
proposed unit. Thus as evident by RIM's success, there is an affluent
middle and upper class within these states (as well as most others)
that are capable of purchasing technology, and furthermore there is a
sophisticated internal power grid capable of feeding the electricity
efficiently to users.
Thus we are left wondering why? Why is a variable question: why have
other companies not expanded? Why is it important to expand? Why would
you want to be part of the expansion? The answer lies in some very
simple answers. To the first why, the profit margins tend not to be
high enough in developing countries to invest expensive equipment when
the state is not the primary purchaser. If a state has a large
destitute population they often can not afford expensive equipment and
as such will be neglected by corporations. Furthermore, often reliable
supply chains are lacking preventing tech support, dissemination,
repair, financial collections etc. Thus the failing of expensive
technology become the primary mechanisms of a cheaply distributed
product. If a product can be purchased for cash, no collections
systems must be initiated. If a system is connected to the World Wide
Web, ti can be troubleshot from anywhere globally. If a system is
simple, durable and easy to repair, it can be replaced, discarded,
recycled or refurbished. Best of all a cheap system is affordable to
NGO's and charitable organizations to purchase at home in the West and
to distribute as aid in the Far East and in third world countries to
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those who need it most.
Charitable organizations that already undertake aid work as part of
their mandate or though their charity often seek out new and inventive
ways to help those in need. As such, expensive units just as
medications are beyond the reach of these organizations, but if we are
to examine the dissemination of generic drugs to third world
countries, it becomes far easier for low cost medications to be bought
in bulk and given to those whom need them most. Technology in many
respects is premised upon the same fundamental strategies. Once the
initial cost of development is invested in a product, the R&D costs
are internalized and progressively the product depreciates in value.
Anti-retroviral drugs that were once beyond the reach of those in
South African states, are now supplied by NGO's and the UN (as well as
states) and the poor are once again granted the ability to live
freely. The same concept applies to cheap computer systems for
individuals with disabilities.
By manufacturing and distributing a los cost, durable and
multi-application system, an immense customer base develops. An
individual doesn't have to have a poser wheel chair to use a system,
they can be in bed or a cart of the mounting system is correct. Power
is the only requirement. In time as the system is redeveloped,
superfluous components are expunged, bulk purchases are initiated, and
mass production occurs in low cost venues, the cost of the system
drops infinitely. Even the cost of software is diminished when the
proportion of customers and potential customers becomes a leverage
point and new free and cheaper software becomes available. Best of
all, due to the plethora of available software donated through the
internet, one system can be configured to operate in dozens of
different capacities and thus can be utilised by an extensive customer
base. Lastly, due to the exceptional internal components of the
computer systems, they can operate increasingly complex applications
and as such will be able to run custom software applications with no
augmentation required to the basic design model. One system can be
applied from the hospital to the home, from the wheelchair to the
backpack. Also once the unit is purchased, if the user gets better or
succumbs to their mortality, the system is completely capable of being
donated to another individual or of being given to someone else. It is
not unfeasible to imagine organizations such as the Red Cross
purchasing multiple machines with the expectations that they will
eventually be given back and thus redistributed through their supply
chain to those in need.
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Back in Canada, not every province is lucky enough to have amazing
programs such as ADP and CEPP. Other
provinces such as Saskatchewan do not have comparable programs, thus
there develops a community that is economically marginalized from
affording the present equipment at market rates. As such, even in
Canada there is a community of individual that is not aided by the
social system when it comes to writing aids and computer aids.
In the United State where there is not universal medical system,
private insurance is beyond the reach of many individuals. A system as
such proposed herein, is actually cheaper than a single months worth
of medical coverage for many people. Even at present costs, the system
is cheaper than midrange and high-end laptops and thus will surely
compete effectively in the markets. Adam Smiths notion of the
invisible hand of the market is the pivotal notion. As many individual
can not afford the existing systems, a system must be manufactured
that they can afford. Thus whichever system is released to the market
that is affordable, customizable to permit multiple customer bases,
and `individualized' to express the individual nature of the user will
be guarded by the invisible hand and not hindered by it.
It is a firm belief by many in the Canadian disability community that
the community has not funds. That they cannot afford new equipment.
That they are too costly and not revenue generating and thus,
companies will not succeed if they target their products towards this
community. This is a fallacy and is completely incorrect in the
majority of respects. Yes, an individual on ODSP in Ontario can not
afford to privately buy a $10' 000 computer system, but why should a
system be kept at an artificially high profit margin in order to
increase stock prices? For one, this view takes the individual
disabled communities as individual and refuses to view them as a world
issue. If you have a disabled individual in India, and a similarly
disabled individual on a first nations reserve in Ontario, they are
not two different individual in two different economic spheres. They
are two individual within the same capitalist market and what one
individual does, has repercussions upon the other. If one individual
buys a device, it depreciates the values of the overall manufacturing
process and components, making it more affordable to the other
individual. Secondly, in a global marketplace borders are porous and
open to trade. To view individual with little capital in Ontario,
Saskatchewan or India as three separate groups is false. The reality
is that globally there is a stigma attached to individuals with
disabilities. Many individual are rendered incapable of working due to
their conditions. As such many individual as they are left without the
capacity to work are left without the financial fruits of their
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labour. This is a global condition and one which must be tackled if it
is to be overcome.
Many of the medical devices being brought to market are extremely
expensive to develop by nature such as Pharmaceutical drugs with
extensive R&D periods. Though once generic versions are permitted, the
associated costs are reduced extensively. Thus a product that can
compete in a low cost marketplace stands a chance. to believe that no
one with a disability has finances is incorrect, they just do not have
the same finances as the majority of citizens. If this can be
mitigated, the combined asset value and market potential if the group
can be harnessed and exploited to become a massive customer base
regardless continental affiliation. Altruistic perhaps, but we should
not obfuscate the economic potential of this customer base with simple
and biased rhetoric's predicated upon existing stereotypes. The
capacity to make even a section of such a community computer literate
will necessarily permit these individual to undertake employment
within certain computer industries, as well it will necessarily
develop new companies and make many individual more employable than
they are at present.
To recapitulate, there is massive untapped potential within the
economic sphere for the development of devices geared towards
individuals with various disabilities. To be competitive within the
market, a device has to be cost efficient as well as multi-purposed. A
system that only targets one customer base is incapable of competing
in a global market place; their position is in a niche industry
domestically. Furthermore, any competition within this industry is
beneficial as it opens up the market to more players and integrates
more customers expanding long-term potential for all market entities
and recipients. A few years ago when the initiative was commenced to
produce laptops for $100 and desktops for $200 to be supplied globally
to those living on meagre finances, many though it was unfeasible and
impossible. At present, we are just about at the state where a generic
notebook can be built and shipped for $100 and the only this that is
missing is a sizeable profit. This paper posit that a similar movement
should be initiated that proposes cheap and affordable computers for
individual with disabilities. It is an area of the market that has
growth potential and had a dedicated customer base.
By: Matthew William Osterloo B.A. Hon.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Diagram index:
1. Latex membrane/ covering
2. Touchpad chip
3. 12 pin connector mounted on chip w/ locking mechanism
4. Flat flexible cable (ffc)
5. FFC adapter end
6. Soldered ends of FFC
7. FFC plastic sheath
8. Lead 5+
9. Lead clock
10. Lead Data
11. Lead ground
12. Lead left click
13. Leaf right click
14. Ps/2 adapter
15. Ps/2 cable
16. Ps/2 over sheath
17. Ps/2 individual wired sheaths
18. Ps/2 5+
19. Ps/ clock
20. Ps/2 data
21. Ps/2 ground
22. Small gage wire
23. Nipple
24. Top button plastic film with etching
25. Middle button plastic film with hole
26. Bottom button plastic with etching
27. Glue
28. Tape
29. Solder
30. plasticine
31. "0" ring
Tools:
1. Soldering iron,
2. cutters,
3. file
Proprietary and Confidential. Property of Matthew Osterloo & MWO Industries,
Ontario Business
Number 200301133 xxx
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Proprietary and Confidential. Property of Matthew Osterloo & MWO Industries,
Ontario Business
Number 200301133 xxxi
