초록 ▼

Apparatus is provided for facilitating communication of a multi-symbol message by a speechless, handicapped person. The apparatus includes a plurality of independently selectable symbol indicators, preferably arranged in a matrix, and each including an electrically energizable light source such as a

Apparatus is provided for facilitating communication of a multi-symbol message by a speechless, handicapped person. The apparatus includes a plurality of independently selectable symbol indicators, preferably arranged in a matrix, and each including an electrically energizable light source such as a light emitting diode that is energized when the symbol is selected. As an aid to message composition, an individually selected one of the symbol indicators serves as a cursor. The apparatus receives signals supplied by an actuator accessory for defining commands including a cursor-move command and a record command. Upon completion of message composition, the apparatus provides for automatically selecting each symbol indicator that had served as the cursor at the time of receipt of a record command.

대표청구항 ▼

In a matrix communicator for a speechless, handicapped person, the matrix communicator having display means which defines a symbol repertory and which responds to a matrix address by indicating a symbol selected from the symbol repertory, and having register means which stores the matrix address and

In a matrix communicator for a speechless, handicapped person, the matrix communicator having display means which defines a symbol repertory and which responds to a matrix address by indicating a symbol selected from the symbol repertory, and having register means which stores the matrix address and which responds to command-defining signals to update the matrix address as the handicapped person composes a multi-symbol message, an improvement comprising: means for receiving command-defining signals for defining a plurality of types of commands including a record command and a playback command; first-in, first-out memory means; the first-in, first-out memory means including means responsive to sequentially received record commands for compiling a list of matrix addresses, each matrix address in the list being the matrix address stored in the register means at the time of receipt of a respective one of the sequence of record commands; the first-in, first-out memory means further including timing means responsive to a received playback command for causing the list of matrix addresses to be provided to the display means one-by-one in the same order in which they were compiled so that each of a plurality of symbols forming a message are thereby indicated.