Speech therapy variable code learning translator

The Speech Therapy Translator converts minimal manipulations to aural conversation using basic words and statements necessary for rehabilitating patients who are speech handicapped. The system is also used for language and minor utterance translation. Applications in the fields of animal sound and language translation, Linguistic Anthropology, and aids to the permanently speech-handicapped are evident. The main feature of the system is that the sight sense is not needed for fluent conversation. There are three primary modes of operation. The first mode is DC switch excitation. The switches are attached to the fingers, eyelids or convenient movable positions on the body. The second mode of operation utilizes audio microphone inputs. The microphones, with sufficient amplification, are sensitive to touch excitation. The microphones are also activated by various pulse-type sounds. These sounds are in the nature of clicks, whistles, or cricket sounds. The basic system contains two active coding channels and the sounds for this mode must be made directional. If the patient is incapable of any minor utterances, this mode could not be used. The third mode uses selective filters, external to the basic system. Preselected sounds such as (e) and (uh) excite the two channels of the system. The coding arrangement sets up the translation process from the step incrementing channel operation to the selected word in the voice synthesizer. This third mode may also contain phase time delay coding detection which is coded into the translation process. The third mode may be used for animal sound verses action response translation and applications in Linguistic Anthropology.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The Speech Therapy Translator is an immediate translator. Initial speeds 
are adjustable and will vary with improvement during the code-learning 
process. When used in speech therapy, the variable code-learning 
translator allows the patient to speak at rates conducive to the response 
capability of the patient and with external adjustments will increase 
speaking rates as the patient improves. A patient incapable of speaking 
may speak with normal conversation by manipulating touch switches, 
tapping, or uttering almost inaudible grunts or clicks into a throat 
microphone. The system is basic and will translate animal gibberish to 
English or any other language. Bird whistles and ultra sound detection 
reveal interesting code to language translations. Word capacity is 
increased by adding another channel to the system or by increasing the 
number of steps to the existing two channels. 
The Speech Therapy Translator is made-up of two code channels and 
registers, a delay toggle and reset channel, a logic decoder, relays and a 
voice synthesizer. Channel #1 and channel #2 are the code channels. These 
code channels may be excited by DC switches or touch microphones. A code 
channel contains a pre-amplifier (amp-1), a second pre-amplifier (amp-2), 
a one-shot mono-stable multivibrator (OS-2) and a pulse amplifier-inverter 
(amp-6). The pulse amplifier-inverter feeds a dual JK Flip-Flop (FF). The 
dual JK Flip-Flop counts from 000 to 011 and by decade logic (7400 and 
7404) is converted to 0 to 3. Outputs are provided for LEDs (light 
emitting diodes) and external code tuning. Channel #1 and channel #2 are 
identical. Channel #1 excites the TOP register and channel #2 steps the 
BOTTOM register.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring to FIGS. 1 & 2, assume that touch microphones have been placed in 
the input circuits as in FIG. 4-B. Tapping microphone MIC #1 will step the 
TOP register. Tapping microphone MIC #2 will step the BOTTOM register. The 
double zero (00T) re-set positions of the registers does not enter into 
the code-word system. The first zero in the code is the re-set position of 
register #1. The second zero is the re-set position of register #2. The 
third character in the code, (T), is the toggle pulse which ANDs with all 
code combinations. Tapping the touch microphones in both channels will 
produce the following codes: TOP 1 BOTTOM 0, TOP 2 BOTTOM 0, TOP 3 BOTTOM 
0, TOP 0 BOTTOM 1, TOP 0 BOTTOM 2, TOP 0 BOTTOM 3, TOP 1 BOTTOM 1, TOP 1 
BOTTOM 2, TOP 2 BOTTOM 1, TOP 3 BOTTOM 1, TOP 2 BOTTOM 2, TOP 3 BOTTOM 3. 
These code combinations AND along with the TOGGLE (T) pulse to produce 
twelve words: 10T (I), 20T (SEE), 30T (YOU), 01T (ARE), 02T (O), 03T (K), 
11T (AM), 12T (WE), 21T (YES), 31T (EGGS), 22T (PEE), 33T (AND). Using 
just the 3 bit two register system, the codes 13T, 23T and 32T will add 
three additional words. These additional words must be pre-programmed in 
the voice synthesizer. 
When either channel is activated, the OR Circuit (OR-3) triggers one-shot 
#1. (OS-1) delays the re-set until the code of the word is completed. The 
5 megohm potentiometer in OS-1 allows longer or shorter times to complete 
the codes. As the patient learns codes and reaction time quickens, the 
delay time may be shortened and the patient will talk faster. The trailing 
edge of the delay pulse will now drive OS-4 which generates the toggle 
pulse for AND coincidence along with the channel codes. OS-5 is driven by 
the trailing edge of the toggle pulse. OS-5 generates the re-set pulse to 
clear both registers to make-ready for a new code combination. The one 
megohm limiter in series with the 5 megohm potentiometer in OS-1 should be 
selected so that variation by the 5 megohm potentiometer will produce 
delay times between one and 3 seconds for one word formations. 
The voice synthesizer may be a commercial speak and spell unit converted 
for the translator by arrangement. The synthesizer may also be a 
programmed chip from Texas Instruments or National Semiconductor 
Corporation. Special programmed synthesizers are necessary for larger word 
capacity. Word capacity is increased by adding another channel to the 
system or by increasing the number of steps in the existing two channels, 
or both. 
All terminals in any code combination are assumed to be 3 to 5 volts. This 
level is necessary to activate the AND circuits properly. FIG. #1 is a 
block diagram of the Speech Therapy Translator. FIG. #2 is the schematic 
diagram. The logic for word selection is contained in the six 7408 
Quad-And circuits. The first and third AND circuits of the 7408s receive 
the code combinations. The second and fourth AND circuits receive the 
outputs of the code combinations and the toggle pulse. These outputs drive 
amplifiers 10 through 21, which drive Relays 1 through 12. The relay 
switch contacts may be soldered to the switch connections of a Speak and 
Spell Voice Synthesizer, a pre-programmed Texas Instruments, or a National 
Semiconductor Voice Synthesizer. FIG. 4-B shows the microphone connections 
for the system. FIG. 4-A shows the positions of the fingers for tap 
operation. 
FIG. 3 shows a one-microphone connection to a pre-amplifier feeding two 
filters. The operational amplifier filters select pre-determined aural 
spectra for sound to be used. It previously has been noted that clicking 
sounds could be used instead of tapping microphones, but there must be 
directivity during the two-channel excitation. This third mode uses only 
one microphone and the channels are selective due to the frequency 
differential of sounds made by the patient. Two sounds have been analyzed 
extensively for this mode. The sound (e) and the sound (uh) are basically 
monkey sounds. The sounds (e) and (uh) were selected because of the spread 
of their frequencies for ease of tuning and minimum cross-talk. 
Oscillograms have revealed that the sound (e) has from 2.5 khz to 3.5 khz 
content as shown in FIG. 5A. The sound (uh) has 250 hz to 350 hz content. 
These two ranges are filtered by filters 1 and 2 in FIG. 3. The patient 
may step the registers in the translator by uttering the sounds (e) and 
(uh). There is some aural spectrum analysis necessary to determine 
patients differentiating sounds. Once this analysis is complete, the 
filters may be tuned. FIG. 5B shows an oscillogram for the (uh) sound. 
One-shots OS-2 and OS-3 may be adjusted to encompass sound trails which 
would multi-trigger registers. 
An experimental model uses Magnecraft W102MX-2, 200 ohm 6-volt DC Relays. 
With larger word capacities, solid state relays are used to conserve 
space. 
Word capacity is increased by increasing the number of data channels and by 
increasing the number of steps per channel T=N.sup.x -1; where T equals 
the total number of words, N is the number of steps per channel and x is 
the number of channels. 
FIG. 6A shows a code chart for the four strap, two channel system. The 
number of levels or steps is the base number 4. The exponent 2 is the 
number of channels. Since the code 00 is reset, the word capacity for FIG. 
6A is 15 words. The voice synthesizer contains only 12 words, codes 13, 23 
and 32 are not used. A voice synthesizer with 15 words must be added to 
make full use of this combination. 
FIG. 6B shows how word capacity may be increased. The system in 6B uses 2 
channels and 5 levels or steps. Five squared is 25, less re-set (00) 
yields a 24 word system. A synthesizer with 24 words must be added. 
FIG. 6C shows a 63 word capacity system. The system uses three channels, 
with four levels or steps in each channel. Four cubed is 64, less re-set 
(00) yields a 63 word system. A synthesizer with 63 words must be added. 
Thus it will be seen that I have provided a novel immediate, word-by-word 
speaking translator for speech handicapped persons and those speech 
handicapped having sight loss, comprising a circuit having a pair of 
inputs, each feeding a separate code-data channel and code register, a 
voice synthesizer in the output of said registers, and means to step said 
registers to feed logic and select predetermined words in said voice 
synthesizer controlled by a common control channel (fed by data channels), 
which delays, toggles and resets the system. 
While I have illustrated and described several embodiments of my invention, 
it will be understood that these are by way of illustration only and that 
various changes and modifications may be contemplated in my invention and 
within the scope of the following claims.