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January 31, 2006
Sounds Pods
Problem
Assistive technology is expensive and oftentimes serves only one
purpose (i.e. a vibrating alarm clock for people who cannot hear).
Goal
Build a customizable, assistive technology device that will allow
hearing impaired individuals to experience the world like everybody
else. give them more awareness of their world. Don't wait for the
devices people to use to change (soda machine, alarm clock). instead
build an intermediary to negotiate signals between unassistive
technologies and those in need of assistance.
Idea/Device
Individual pods, globally connected to a wearable vibrating module and
configured from a pc using bluetooth which will help the wearer become
aware of the sounds around them. different pods would be programmed
to react to different sounds and vibrate the wearable with a different
pattern. the system would come with default sounds but would also be
fully customizable with personal sounds. individual pods will be able
to support multiple sounds and multiple vibration.
the started kit comes with a couple of pods. more can be purchased as needed.
Pod Placement/Uses
near the doorbell chime
next to the alarm clock
next to the tea kettle
next to the smoke detector
on the dog's collar for when it barks
on yourself for detection conversation
Other Ideas
configurable via home computer
pod low on battery alert (or maybe they are plugged in?)
default/sample sounds
different vibrations to detect different pods
Research
I went through the Harris website and I think our idea is still very
strong. What we assumed about the market is correct. There are
plenty of custom alert modules for telephone, doorbell, alarm clock
etc but nothing general to allow a hearing impaired person to
customize what they want to 'hear'. It's as if they are segregated by
the industry. This is what we say is important, why would you care
about anything else?
There are a couple of products that did a little more but they had no
customization component. A baby alert system
(http://www.harriscomm.com/catalog/default.php?cPath=1140_44_1086)
which also does an alarm clock and dorbell and an ADA complaint hotel
room kit. The baby alert system would be a great example for our
project. The hotel room kit did four or five things but it wasn't for
the end user to carry around, it was for the hotel room to be wired.
A hotel owner has to buy one per room.
I also spoke to Spencer and he said that what we are suggesting is
feasible. The fine tuning would involve the direction of the
microphone and the proximity to the nose emitter (alarm clock, etc.)
Posted by mb2811 at January 31, 2006 08:48 PM