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 Title: |
US5392735:
Marine mammal communication device
[ Derwent Title ]
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| Country: |
US United States of America
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| Inventor: |
Xitco, Jr., Mark J.; Kissimmee, FL
Gory, John D.; Orlando, FL
Perkins, Kerry M.; Simi Valley, CA
Monroe, Marshall M.; Glendale, CA
Redmann, William G.; Simi Valley, CA
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| Assignee: |
The Walt Disney Company, Burbank, CA
other patents from WALT DISNEY COMPANY (617665) (approx. 101)
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| Published / Filed: |
1995-02-28
/ 1992-10-30
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| Application Number: |
US1992000968817
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| IPC Code: |
Advanced:
A01K 15/02;
Core:
A01K 15/00;
IPC-7:
A01K 15/02;
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| ECLA Code: |
A01K15/02;
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| U.S. Class: |
Current:
119/712;
119/905;
Original:
119/712;
119/905;
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| Field of Search: |
119/174,201,702,712,719,905
434/231,232,322
341/023,27
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| Priority Number: |
| 1992-10-30 |
US1992000968817 |
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| Abstract: |
An innovative communication device and learning tool that enables marine mammals, such as dolphins, to communicate with humans and with each other. The communication device includes a keyboard having a plurality of hollow keys. Each key includes a switch which can be activated by the dolphin, and a two- or three-dimensional object which can be distinguished by dolphins from other objects in other keys both visually and through echolocation. A microprocessor based controller can be used to associate audible feedback, such as unique words or phrases, with each key and to generate that word or phrase when the proper key is selected. Thus, a dolphin can select a word or phrase by locating the associated key and by activating the switch for that key to communicate with humans or with another dolphin. Likewise, a human can activate the switch to generate a spoken word or phrase to communicate with a dolphin. A photosensor switch can be advantageously used as a non-contact switch to enable the dolphin to use its rostrum or other body parts to select a key by breaking an optical beam generated across the opening of the key. Thus the dolphin simply swims towards the object in the key to activate the switch by breaking the beam. In addition to controlling the audible feedback when a key is selected, the controller can be used to record a log of events of the session, including the keys selected and the time at which such selections occurred, as well as observer comments.
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| Attorney, Agent or Firm: |
Haverstock, Medlen & Carroll ;
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| Primary / Asst. Examiners: |
Swiatek, Robert P.;
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| Maintenance Status: |
E2 Expired Check current status
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| INPADOC Legal Status: |
Show legal status actions
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| Family: |
None
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First Claim:
Show all 54 claims |
What is claimed is:
1. A communication device for communication between marine mammals and humans comprising:
- a submersible keyboard, said keyboard having at least one panel in which a plurality of hollow keys are disposed, said at least one panel having a front surface and a plurality of openings, each key having
- a housing open at a first end and mounted at said first end to an opening in said panel,
- an object situated in said key housing near said panel opening, said object comprising an echolocatable object providing a unique echoic or visual representation of an audible language element, and,
- a switch means which can be activated by a marine mammal to produce a signal when a key is selected; and,
- an audio generator coupled to each key for detecting said signal and generating said audible language element when said switch is activated.
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| Background / Summary: |
Show background / summary
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| Drawing Descriptions: |
Show drawing descriptions
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| Description: |
Show description
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| Forward References: |
Show 6 U.S. patent(s) that reference this one
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| Foreign References: |
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| Other Abstract Info: |
DERABS G95-105683
DERG95-105683
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| Other References: |
D. Reiss and B. McCowan, "Spontaneous and Productive Use of Facsimiles of Computer Generated Whistles By the Bottlenosed Dolphin," Abstracts-8th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals (1989).
L. M. Herman, "Receptive Competencies of Language Trained Animals," Adv. Study Behav., 17:1-60 (1987).
(60 pages)
L. M. Herman, "The Language of Animal Research . . . " Psychol. Rec., 38:349-362 (1988).
(14 pages)
L. M. Herman, "In Which Procrustean Bed Does the Seal Lion Sleep Tonight?" Psychol. Rec., 39:19-49 (1989).
(32 pages)
M. J. Xitco, "Echolocation Matching For Shape, Material and Internal Structure," a paper presented at the 18th Annual Conference of the International Marine Animals Trainers Association, Chicago, 1990.
L. M. Herman, et al., "Generalization of Visual Matching By a Bottlenosed Dolphin: Evidence for Invariance of Cognitive Performance With Visual and Auditory Materials," J. of Exper. Psychology, V. 15, No. 2, pp. 124-136 (1989).
(13 pages)
R. J. Schusterman and R. C. Gisiner, "Artificial Language Comprehension in Dolphins and Sea Lions: The Essential Cognitive Skills," Psychol. Rec., 38:311-348 (1988).
(38 pages)
R. J. Schusterman and R. C. Gisiner, "Please Parse the Sentence: Animal Cognition in the Procrustean Bed of Linguistics," Psychol. Rec., 39:3-18 (1989).
(16 pages)
L. M. Herman, et al. "Comprehension of Sentences By Bottlenosed Dolphins," Cognition 16:129-219 (1984).
(91 pages)
L. M. Herman, "Cognition and Language Competencies of Bottlenosed Dolphins," in Dolphin Cognition and Behaviour: A Comparative Approach (R. J. Schusterman et al., eds), pp. 221-251, (Erlbaum, Hillsdale, N.J., 1986).
S. Savage-Rumbaugh et al., "Language Learning in Two Species of Apes," Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev., 9:653-665 (1985).
(13 pages)
E. S. Savage-Rumbaugh, "Language Learning in the Bonobo; How and Why They Learn," Biological and Behavioral Determinants of Language Development, (N. Krasneger et al. eds) (Erlbaum, N.J., 1991).
E. S. Savage-Rumbaugh, "A New Look At Ape Language: Comprehension of Vocal Speech and Syntax," Nebraska Symposium on Motivation 1987 (Current Theory and Research in Motivation (R. A. Dienstbier et al., eds), 35:201-255, (U. Neb. Press 1988).
(55 pages)
S. Savage-Rumbaugh et al., "Symbols: Their Communicative Use, Comprehension and Combination By Bonobos," in Advances in Infancy Research, (L. P. Lipsitt and C. Rovee-Collier, eds.), pp. 221-278, (Ablex Publishing Co., Norwood, N.J., 1990).
S. Savage-Rumbaugh, "Spontaneous Symbol Acquisition and Communicative Use By Pygmy Chimpanzees," J. Exp. Psychol.: Gen., 115:211-235 (1986).
(25 pages)
C. A. Ristau and D. Robbins, "Language In The Great Apes: A Critical Review," in Advances in the Study of Behavior, (J. S. Rosenblatt et al., eds.), pp. 141-181, (Academic Press, New York, 1982).
L. Herman and P. Forestell, "Reporting Presence or Absence of Named Objects By A Language Trained Dolphin," Neuroscience & Behavioral Rev., 9:667-681 (1985).
(15 pages)
P. Morrel-Samuels et al., "Cerebral Asymmetries for Gesture Recognition in the Dolphin," Abstracts-8th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals (1989).
P. Forestell et al., "Reporting By A Language Trained Dolphin on Relationships Between Objects Named In Complex Instructions," Abstracts-8th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals (1989).
Herman, L. et al., "Recognition and Imitation of Television Scenes By Bottlenosed Dolphins," Abstracts-8th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals (1989).
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