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Connecting AAC Device via Mobile Handset to the Outside World

By Williams, Maini; Proceedings of the RESNA 25th International Conference, Vol. 22, No. 1, pp. 96-98
Publication Date: June/July 2002

Paper describing a method of operating a mobile telephone from an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) system for both speech communication and Internet access. The configuration of the AAC system/mobile phone connection required no customization with the exception of modifications to the earphone/microphone assembly. An industry standard protocol calls for computers to use assistive technology (AT) commands to control modems; Nokia mobile phones with internal modems can be controlled by accessing a restricted AT command set. The restricted AT command set in the mobile phone enables the user to initiate, dial, and end phone calls by utilizing an external device. The connection between the phone and the other device has three options: (1) serial, (2) infrared, and (3) Bluetooth. Devices that have Bluetooth capabilities can set up a network together due to point-to-multipoint connection possibilities. The AAC device used in the study was a Pathfinder manufactured by the Prentke Romich Company. The Pathfinder is a speech output communication device for people with speech disabilities. The user interface of the Pathfinder consists of a static keyboard and a touch screen. The Pathfinder supports all three language representation methods: (1) single meaning pictures, (2) alphabet-based methods, and (3) semantic compaction. The Pathfinder output is synthetic and/or digitized speech. Since the Pathfinder has an infrared connection and a serial port as well as a card slot that can be used with the Bluetooth, it is an ideal system to use to test various interface configurations. The system was tested by simply making calls using AT commands. The methods of communication described in the paper were deemed by the author to be both simple and effective.

Assistive Products Discussed: PATHFINDER
PATHFINDER PLUS
Published by: Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA)   (Website:http://www.resna.org)

ISBN: 00-932101-44-5
This publication is included in the library of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), accession number O14486
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