NEWABILITIES UCS 1000 WITH TONGUETOUCH KEYPAD     

Record 6 of 14.

--- DISCONTINUED. (Verified 4/2011) RETAINED IN DATABASE FOR REFERENCE. --- The newAbilities UCS 1000 with TongueTouch KeyPad is a modular environmental control unit (ECU) controlled by the touch of the tongue on any of 9 buttons located on a user interface similar to an ordinary orthodontic retainer. The system consists of a TongueTouch Keypad (TTK), FingerTouch Keypad (FTK), an Interactive Menu Display (IMD), Keypad Receiver, and a wheelchair-mounted Universal Controller. TONGUETOUCH KEYPAD: The Tongue-Touch Keypad is a battery-operated, radio frequency transmitting device with nine pressure-sensitive keys activated by the tongue. This unit is designed to provide independent, unobtrusive control of everyday electronic and mechanical equipment. The unit remains located within the mouth during use, with no obtrusive attachments surrounding the head. The sealed unit is made from biocompatible materials and may be worn at all times except during dental hygiene and while eating hard food. The manufacturer states, however, that the keypad cannot be dislodged or bumped into the person during spastic episodes or from wheelchair movement. In addition to using the unit to control appliances, it may also be used as a nurse or attendant call button at any time of day or night. FINGERTOUCH KEYPAD: The 9-key FTK is available for therapists and attendants who need to operate the system for evaluations or to assist users. It works similar to the TTK using radio frequency transmission to send commands to the UCS 1000 Keypad Receiver to operate the system. KEYPAD RECEIVER: This unit captures the radio frequency signals sent from the TTK or the FTK, and determines whether the signals are TTK/FTK commands or background noise. It contains a special antenna and electronics. Once the signal commands have been received and recognized, it sends information to the Universal Controller for interpretation to operate external equipment. UNIVERSAL CONTROLLER: This unit processes the information sent from the Keypad Receiver. This microcomputer-based sub-system utilizes software to determine operations; this feature offers flexibility and upgradeability to the system. For optimum mobility, the System is powered by a wheelchair battery supply. INTERACTIVE MENU DISPLAY: This liquid crystal display may be attached to the Universal Controller to give the user constant visual feedback as to how to operate the UCS 1000 using the TTK or FTK interface units. The IMD is driven by the Unviersal Controller computer, and all display functions are software based. This allows the user several advantages which conventional single or dual switch systems with limited feedback capabilities may not provide, including a consistent method of operation for all devices, ease of learning and use, nearly unlimited number of devices which can be operated by one user interface, and the addition of devices to be controlled through software upgrades rather than hardware modifications. POWER: Battery operated; battery life estimated at 6 months to one year. A low power message appears on the display to warn the user there are only 5 to 10 days of use left before having to replace the battery. A second TTK is provided with the System to use as backup. OPTIONS: A reusable Evaluation TongueTouch Keypad (ETTK) is available for assessing a potential user's ability to operate the TTK and to ascertain the user's needs. Application Packages are combinations of software and hardware which allow the controller to operate additional equipment such as household and office equipment (BP 100), powered wheelchairs (WP 100), and as a keyboard interface for a computer (CP 100, with Miracle Typer Software). COMPATABILITY: For use on Apple Macintosh computers with the CP 100 computer package; a computer is not necessary, however, to use other UCS 1000 Application Packages.

Notes: UCS 1000, TongueTouch Keypad, FingerTouch Keypad, Interactive Menu Display, and their abbreviations are trademarks of newAbilities Systems, Inc. ** The WP 100 wheelchair controller option is pending Federal Drug Administration (FDA) clearance.

Price: Contact manufacturer.

This product record was updated on April 11, 2011.

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Record 6 of 14.