COMPLETE
This invention relates to the concept of inexpensive switching modality that can be operated by the movement of tongue without taking the tongue out and without having direct contact of foreign material (like sensors) with tongue.

People having disability, especially quadraplegia will always have problem in their day today life activity. These people can only move their tongue and can easily talk. Tongue muscle rarely gets fatigue. So, one can easily utilize the movement of tongue for operating the switch of the household equipments like bulb, fan, and alarm, for operating the wheel chair, operating the T.V. or A.C. remote, to move the mouse pointer on the laptop or desktop without taking tongue out or without placing sensor inside the mouth (that prevents infection).

4. DESCRIPTION (Description shall start from next page.)

In this invention, the sensing of the tongue movement occurs from the surface of the facial area below the lips and above the chin. The movement and pressure provided by the tongue inside of vestibule of oral cavity provides the required bulging from the area below the lips and above the chin. This bulging touches the sensor and this touch is sensed by the microcontroller.

Chin frame is a part of invention to support the array of sensors. The sensors are placed just apart from the skin. The position of bulging from the mouth is detected by the sensors. The specific position is coded as a specific output with the help of microcontroller. In this invention, 5 sensors are placed in a particular sequence. Different positions of tongue movement (bulging) are sensed by different sensors and send to the microcontroller, according to the signal, output signal is transmitted through a RF transmitter. At the other end, receivers receives the signal and again send to another microcontroller, according to the signal received, this microcontroller controls the different appliances.

This invention can be single mode or multimode.
Single mode

1. For operating household appliances.
2. For operating wheel chair.
3. For T.V. remote controller.
4. For mouse pointer movement in computer.
Multimode

Two or more than two processes above mentioned in single mode forms the multimode operation.
The array of sensors can be pressure sensor or capacity touch sensor.
The frame can be metallic or plastic.

To assist with the understanding of the invention, illustration and details will be made using drawing for reference, which shows one representation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows the schematic representation of the frame with sensors.
FIG. 2 shows the block diagram of circuitry.
FIG. 3 shows the placement of the frame on the face.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1 can be seen that the sensors 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are attached on a strip 6 with the chin frame 7 and this frame 7 is wearable and portable. The sensors 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 are made from metal and all are connected to their respective connecting wire to carry the signal.

FIG. 2 shows the detailed block diagram and arrangement of entire circuitry and working of the device. The sensors 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 on the frame 7 receive the signal and transfer it to the microcontroller 8. The sensors 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 are utilizing capacitive sensing method. Thus there is no requirement of any costly sensor. Only small metal plates or points can acts as sensors. Among sensors 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 only the sensor 1, 2, 3, 4 controls the external device and sensor 5 performs the action of mode change. By making a bulge 26 in the area just lower from the lips with the help of pressure and movement generated by the tongue, one can touch the sensor 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Initially the microcontroller 8 senses the mode selection. By touching sensor 5 once within a limited time one can activate mode 1. In the same way, touching twice within a limited time, one can activate mode 2. Similarly, the no. of touch with in the given time will give the mode of action.

According to the mode selection, the microcontroller will activate the mode. For this invention, MODE-I 9 is for regulating the household appliances. Any sensor among 1, 2, 3, and 4 will send the signal to microcontroller 8. This microcontroller sends signal to the output pin, from there a RF transmitter 10 transmits the signal. On the other end a RF receiver 11 receives the signal and sends to another microcontroller 12. The microcontroller 12 reads the signal and according to the signal received, it activates the relay 14 to operate other appliances like bulb 24, fan 25 etc..

The quadraplegic person needs an attender for day today activities. So, an alarm system 13 is also incorporated in the microcontroller 8. In this invention, when sensor 3 is touched continuously for more than a certain time (example: 2 sec), it will activate the alarm 13 and as the person stops touching, the microcontroller 8 deactivates the alarm 13.

In this invention, MODE-II 15 controls the wheelchair. This mode can be selected by pressing or touching the sensor 5 twice within a given time.

For the operation of wheel chair, touching the sensor 3 sends the signal for moving front 16 , in a similar fashion touching sensor 4, 2 and 1 sends signal for moving left 17, right 18 and back 19 respectively. If there is no touch, microcontroller 12 activates the break. One RF receiver 1 lwith microcontroller 12 can be easily configured for any powered wheel chair.

As MODE-III 20, one can control the T.V. or A.C. 21. The attachment of RF receiver and, microcontroller to T.V. or A.C. is required for this purpose.

As MODE-I V 22 one can move the pointer of mouse 23.

FIG.3 24 shows the wearing fashion of the module. It can be seen that the person is wearing this device like a spectacle with the support of ears. It can be fasten from the back side with an elastic rubber for more support.

25 explains the tongue movement and the production of bulging 26 for the touch of the sensor. The position of bulging can be easily controlled by the person, thus one can easily control the device.

We claim,

1. A tongue operated wireless switching module comprising a wearable chin frame with an array of sensor with multi or single mode operation comprises of microcontroller to receive the signal from the sensor, a RF transmitter, a RF receiver and another microcontroller to decode the signal coming from the receiver, an alarm system, and
relays.

2. The device as claimed in 1 where in the alarm can be attached to any of the two microcontrollers or to the relay.

3. The device as claimed in 1 where in the number of relays may vary according to the number of home appliances which has to be controlled.

4. The device of claim 1 where in the modes and switching sequence can be set according to the convenience.

5. The tongue operated wireless switch module of claim 1 where in the frame can be made of any low cost or high cost material.

6. A tongue operated wireless switch module substantially as here in described and illustrated in in the figures of reference.