A Universal Interface for Telecommunication
By Cheng, Dominic P.K.; Wong, Bond K.P.; RESNA 2001: Annual Conference Proceedings, Vol. 21, No. 1, pp. 103-105Publication Date: June 2001
Paper describing a universal interface for telecommunication that is suitable for communication with and without motor and sensory disabilities. The goal of the designers was to enable users to communicate with one another using one or a combination of text, graphics, speech, and video. A sub-notebook personal computer with a built-in touch screen, modem, and LAN were used to implement the universal interface for telecommunication. Visual Basic 6 was used to implement a graphical user interface, and the main menu allows a user to choose input methods and modes for interpersonal communication. In addition to the standard keyboard and mouse, input using voice or software scanning keyboard was considered. The user would then be able to choose the methods of communication that he or she desires, and a sub-menu can allow the user to specify the foreground and background color of displayed text for optimal legibility. All captions used digital speech, and chat/message board functions were made available. This project shows that it is technically possible to have a universal interface, designed for the needs of any user to access any application.
Published by: Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) (Website:http://www.resna.org)
ISBN: 0-932101-43-7
This publication is included in the library of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), accession number O14162
