Interspecies Communication Assistance Device

1
Interspecies Communication Assistance Device

• Hannah Medford and Terri Schehl
• COMP 290

2
Product Specifications

• A device enabling speech impaired individuals to
  give commands to their assistance animals.
• Commands can be recorded by the trainer and
  changed as needed.
• Touch activated large buttons for those with
  limited motor control
• Small size, attachable to wheelchair

3
Commercially Available Products

• A sophisticated PC version
• An unsophisticated version used in classrooms
• An expensive portable version
• We feel we can make a less expensive product
  better suited to the task of instructing service
  animals

Skypoint.com 695.00
enablingdevices.com 99.95
4
Components

• Sound chip ISD 2560
• Logic chips - NOR 4001B, NAND 4011B,
• CD74HCT157E
• Speaker
• Box
• 4 Buttons
• 2 Switches
• Approximate cost of unit 22

5
Device Block Diagram
6
ICAD - Interspecies Communication Assistance
Device

• Eight recorded commands
• Four buttons and a switch
• On/off switch
• Rerecordable requires top to be removed
• Jacks for speaker and microphone

7
Improvements

• Larger buttons
• Switch which is easier to operate
• Smaller box
• Smaller speaker
• Wheelchair mount
• Needs to be soldered together

8
Treat Dispenser

• For those in wheel chair with limited motor
  control and assistance dogs
• Easily dispense single treat
• Allows for reinforcement and bonding with
  assistance animal

9
Our Design

• Gross motor control necessary
• Pull top of dispenser down to release treat
• Stores 10 Milk-Bone dog treats
• Materials gumball tube, MMs dispenser, tape,
  glue
• Cost 7

10
Improvements

• Reliability needs improvement zero or all the
  treats may be dispensed
• 1 treat is dispensed 80 of the time
• Other design possibilities Stepper motor to
  turn wheel, Solenoid to push treat out of spring
  loaded dispenser

11
Conclusions

• Several trainers mentioned a need for a treat
  dispenser, and currently no product is available.
  
• Our design requires improvement, however, it is
  inexpensive and easy to build.

12
Conclusions

• The communication device is a cheaper
  alternative, but still needs improvements.
• With a few small modifications it is functional
  for those with no motor control challenges.