Novita Research Report - 2004 to 2007 - Novita Children's Services

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64Project titleContributorsSummaryMethodResultsImplicationsStatusDeveloping a ‘no-touch’ switch and interface for a computer and specialisedcommunication deviceCristina Larenas (Flinders University), Anne-Louise Smith (Flinders Medical Centre), SharmilRandhawa (Flinders University), David Hobbs, Annabel Gregory, Jodie Hobbs (FlindersMedical Centre)For many people with a physical limitation, accessing and interacting with the environment isachieved through the use of a specialised switch. Assistive technology (AT) switches comein all shapes, sizes and functionality, depending on the needs of the user and the device orpiece of equipment that is being controlled. For example, a ‘wand’ switch provides singlelevel switch access for clients who have gross hand or arm function, whereas a ‘sip n puff’switch offers two levels of switching capability and is controlled by the user’s breath.Most switches require a physical press to be made to activate the switch, while a few offer‘light touch’ or ‘touch but no pressure’ activation when a sustained physical press is difficultfor the client to achieve. The aim of this project was to develop an easy to use ‘no-touch’switch and appropriate interface to allow a person with a disability to control a computer anda specialised communication device. A no-touch switch would enable someone with a highlevelspinal cord injury, or a condition like ‘locked in syndrome’, who is unable to control anyof their limbs or head, to be able to interact with other specialised devices.The project was jointly initiated by Flinders Biomedical Engineering and NovitaTech followingan enquiry about assistance for someone who acquired a brain-stem stroke and was‘locked in’. The project was submitted to the Flinders University School of Informatics andEngineering as a Final Year Honours Project for consideration, and was divided into fourstages:1. A literature review of current switches and switch practices, including reviewing knownresources and existing ‘no-touch’ switch methodologies, determining what is being usedand identifying the advantages, disadvantages and shortfalls of current systems2. Investigate current and new methodologies that would enable ‘no touch’ activation andselect a suitable technology3. Design and construct a system using the chosen technology4. Interface the system to a computer and existing communication device.After the initial literature review, the focus of the project shifted slightly to the important issueof communication at night-time, when the user may need to communicate with their carersabout being turned in bed, getting a drink or passing on important information.Eye blinking was seen as one method of alerting the system to the fact that the user needsattention, and this activity was targeted using a webcam with infrared (IR) capability incombination with a computer program called MATLAB to detect both the eyes and theaction of deliberate blinking. The prototype system that was developed used the fact that eyepupils have a high reflectance under IR illumination to identify the eyes, and detected blinksby comparing consecutive frames. The system successfully detected the eyes when testedunder varying conditions, resolutions, illuminations and distances from the camera, but wasless successful when detecting blinking events.The prototype system completed at the end of the academic year demonstrated that acamera with IR capability, when set up appropriately, was reliable at detecting a person’seyes at night-time. The robustness of the overall system, including how the system acquiresand processes real-time information to reliably and accurately use blinking as a controlmechanism still needs to be explored further and tested. This form of gesture recognitionmay prove to be more reliable than existing ‘no-touch’ switch methodologies.Completed
65Project titleContributorsFundingSummaryInvestigating telecommunications needs and solutions for older people and peoplewith a disabilityToan Nguyen, Rob Garrett, Sally Hunter (Independent Living Centre, WA), Sylvia Nicholls(Royal Perth Hospital), Rebecca Daniloff (Cerebral Palsy League of Queensland), PaulDash (Cerebral Palsy League of Queensland), Katy Caynes (Cerebral Palsy League ofQueensland), Richard Denton (Flinders University), Tara Schofield (Flinders University)• Australian Government Department of Communications, Information Technology and theArts, Telecommunications Research Grant Program• The Australian Communication Exchange• Telstra Disability Services• Nokia• MotorolaMobile phones have the potential to provide great opportunities for social inclusion, securityand quality of life for people with a disability or the ageing, but unfortunately only few benefitfrom the technology and opportunities they provide compared to mainstream users.As a result of extensive telecommunications research conducted within NovitaTech, key staffmembers have developed considerable expertise in making telecommunications equipmentaccessible and useable by people of all abilities and effectively provide telecommunicationsservice and support to people with disabilities within metropolitan areas. However thisservice and support has never been tested at a national level.The aim of this project was to develop the tools and processes necessary to demonstratethat successful accessible telecommunications service and support can be provided topeople with a disability or the ageing when the accessible telecommunications expert isremote to the end-user. This research is an important first step to validate the feasibility for thedevelopment of a national service delivery model to provide accessible telecommunicationsservices and support to all Australians with a disability or those who have limited functionalityas a result of ageing.MethodThe project was delivered on two levels – an accessible telecommunications trial and aworkshop. The aim of the trial was to provide accessible telecommunications solutions to fourparticipants (two in Perth and two in Brisbane) who needed access to telecommunicationsequipment and services. The trial was carried out with the help of a trained key local personin each city.The aim of the workshop was to promote and educate the general public about existingtechnology and services that can enable people with a disability or the ageing with functionallimitations to effectively use a fixed or mobile phone. The workshop was also intendedas an education and training program for key local persons to assist with the provision oftelecommunications solutions to meet the needs of the trial participants.Modern telecommunications technologies with video streaming capability were used tomonitor progress and provide support during the trial.
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Research Report2004-2007Connecting
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Welcome to Research at NovitaWelcom
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Page 28 and 29: 28MethodA quasi-experimental design
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Page 52 and 53: 52ResultsThe prototype URC that was
Page 54 and 55: 54ResultsImplicationsStatusReferenc
Page 56 and 57: 56MethodThe following process was u
Page 58 and 59: 58ImplicationsStatusThe project was
Page 60 and 61: 60ImplicationsStatusReferencesFamil
Page 62 and 63: 62ResultsThe workshop series began
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Page 68 and 69: 68MethodResultsImplicationsStatusAt
Page 76 and 77: 76MethodThe drive for developing an
Page 78 and 79: 78ImplicationsThe ongoing use and i
Page 80 and 81: 80ImplicationsStatusThis system is
Page 82 and 83: 82Other refereed publicationsNguyen
Page 84 and 85: 84Australian Group on Severe Commun
Page 86 and 87: 86Mobility 2005, Exeter, UK• Outc
Page 88 and 89: 88Grants and awards received*Novita
Page 90 and 91: 902005 Australian and New Zealand A
Page 92: Head Office171 Days RoadRegency Par
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Novita Research Report - 2004 to 2007 - Novita Children's Services

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