A communication device for users with limited physical dexterity. More specifically, the presently disclosed technology relates to a communication device, such as a cellular phone, that allows a user having limited physical dexterity to more effectively and accurately provide input into the device. The presently disclosed technology teaches a communication device with at least a touchscreen input device and a physical keyboard, wherein the control capabilities of the touchscreen input device may be disabled and/or re-enabled. The disabling and/or re-enabling may occur based on an input received into an input device or may occur automatically based on the contextual usage of the communication device. Still further, the electronic device may include a touchpad that may comprise a non-slip surface and may be sized and/or shaped such that users with limited physical dexterity may more efficiently navigate the interface of the communication device using the touchpad.

Techniques and systems are provided for assisting a user through a guidance mode activity. Such a user may be visually or otherwise impaired, or a user requiring help for other reasons. In some embodiments, a client device, held or worn by the user, may comprise a video capture device and several sensors, and may send video data and sensor data to a server. The server may comprise a processor and artificial intelligence. The server may send the video data and sensor data to an agent device. The agent device may provide content for display on an agent interface. An agent may view the agent interface, and assist the user in real time through audio instructions or other feedback.

A communication assistive device and a communication assistive method for people with language disorder are provided. The communication assistive method comprises the steps of: receiving input selecting one of images representing sentence components displayed on a screen, the sentence components constituting a sentence to be outputted; combining the received sentence components to generate a sentence; and outputting the generated sentence by voice, wherein input for at least one of the sentence components is performed by selection of an image coding a shape or meaning of a character.

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing scanning options in user interfaces to facilitate the selection of input options in the provided user interface. In some implementations, a method may include displaying a first user interface including a first set of at least three scanning options. Also, the method may include receiving a selection of a first scanning option of the first set, and displaying a second user interface including a second set of scanning options based on the selection of the first scanning option. Further, the method may include receiving a selection of a first scanning option of the second set, and determining that the first scanning option of the second set defines a single input option that does not result in additional input options, and in response performing a command associated with the single input option.

The embodiments of the invention relate to a mobile computing device, such as a cell phone or handheld with expanded features and capabilities for elderly persons, children, and others with either health-related issues or the need to monitoring by friends, family members, healthcare personnel, or others. Illustratively, the invention is a middleware application for a handheld/cellular device, that may be remotely configurable, and interacts with network service providers to provide a single-button solution for elderly people requiring assistance and for the notification of multiple parties regarding the nature of the required assistance.

A hearing assistive system comprises a personal communication device (10) and a head-worn device (20. The personal communication device (10) has a user interface (12) being adapted for user interaction, a processor (11) controlling the user interface (12) and being adapted to run an application program, a short-range radio (13), and an output transducer (15). The head-worn device (20) has an input transducer (24) adapted for converting sound into an electric signal applied to a processor (21) outputting a modified audio signal via an output transducer (25). The application program being adapted to generate and output a data packet (70) on an audio carrier via the output transducer (15). The head-worn device (20) comprises an audio signaling block (26) for detecting and decoding the data packet (70) received by the input transducer (24). The head-worn device (20) comprises a controller (27) for controlling the operation of a short-range radio (28). The audio signaling block (26) is adapted to detect a radio control command included in the data packet (70), and to instruct the controller (27) to control the short-range radio (28), accordingly.

An apparatus and system for minimizing the risk that a cognitively impaired individual will wander or elope, and for locating the individual in case he or she nonetheless successfully wanders or elopes. The system employs a wearable appliance which the cognitively impaired individual should not be able to remove easily. The system also employs a smartphone having an application for use by a care giver. A website and cloud server are employed for communication of data from the wearable appliance to the smartphone and from the smartphone to the website. In an optional embodiment, the smartphone can initiate notifications to other smartphones held by other individuals who can assist in the search.

A system and method provide a stable support for a portable electronic device such as a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant, a smartphone, or the like. The system includes a support structure that rests on a table, a tray or other platform positioned proximate to a person using the portable electronic device. The support structure has a non-skid base positioned on the platform and has an upper surface positioned at a selected angle with respect to the base. The upper surface includes a recess that receives a configuration frame (or insert). The configuration frame includes an opening to receive and retain the portable electronic device. The configuration frame is rotatable to at least two positions to orient the portable electronic device in at least two orientations (e.g., portrait and landscape) with respect to the person. In certain embodiments, the presentation angle of the upper surface is variable.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device may include a camera module obtaining image data of a user, a controller configured to detect at least one feature corresponding to an intention of the user from the image data obtained by the camera module, to obtain a pattern based on the at least one feature, to determine text data corresponding to the pattern, and to convert at least a portion of the text data into voice data, and an output module outputting the voice data. Other various embodiments of the pattern recognition are also provided.

A phone and system is disclosed which includes a programmed button(s) that initiates a telephone call from the phone to a second phone. In some embodiments, the phone may be a toy or instructional equipment configured to provide for example, children a device to learn how to converse over a telephone call with trusted parties. The phone may initiate a phone call request when a programmed button is pressed by connecting with a computing device that has a wireless local area network (LAN) transceiver and a connection to the telephone network (for example, a smartphone, a tablet, or a wearable device). The phone call request may then be re-routed through the telephone network to the second phone being called and communication may occur between the two phones through the intermediary device. Trusted and restricted communication may thus occur between parents/grandparents and children.