The "Aware-System" - Prototyping An Augmentative Communication Interface
By Adams, Lori K.; Hunt, Lisa M.; RESNA 26th International Annual Conference 2003,Publication Date: 2003
Paper describes the Aware System, which utilizes electrocephalogram (EEG) technology to manipulate an environmental control and communication system. The Aware System was created for people with a condition called locked-in syndrome, which leaves people cognitively intact yet with little or no ability to move, making it impossible to use traditional assistive technologies. The design of the Aware System incorporates communication, environmental control, and affective capabilities. Brain signals are acquired and translated while the system passes this information to the interface. The Aware System’s interface design considers the different forms of communication that a user may need. Buttons are arranged vertically, in a zigzag formation down the screen to help prevent accidental selection. A “My History” option allows users to store conversational topics for different visitors, while a “My Messages” feature allows the user to store narratives for later use. The Aware spelling system allows for free-form conversation, and assists the user with word and sentence prediction. For example, the user can select the letters “bl,” which could yield a prediction of “blanket,” or “blue.” Based on the word selected, the system then predicts a sentence based on contextual information, such as who is in the room, time of day, history, and user habits. The user may bypass all predictive features to form a unique phase or sentence when necessary. The Aware System prototype was developed in Macromedia Dreamweaver 4.0. The system was undergoing evaluations at the time the article was written.
Published by: Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) (Website:http://www.resna.org)
