Assistive Technologies for the Deaf: A Study of the Search for Indexed Patents at the Brazilian National Institute of Industrial Property

Abstract

This article presents a patent search study of 'Assistive Technologies for Deaf People.' The aim is to investigate patented technologies in Brazil, deposited with the National Institute of Industrial Property, to identify the tools developed for deaf people and to identify market opportunities for the advancement and development of new technologies that benefit the information and communication of deaf people. The methodological approach is a systematic review followed by a prospective study. Nineteen documents with extensive coverage deposited in the INPI's patent database were selected. Finally, the prospection showed a significant indication of assistive technologies, the vast majority of which favor the communication of deaf people, prioritizing Sign Language, thus ensuring linguistic accessibility, autonomy, and social inclusion.