I-Talk: Eye Controlled, Direct Selection AAC Device

描述（由申请人提供）：沟通是生活的基本必需品。有语言障碍的残疾人依赖于辅助和替代性通信（AAC）设备。这些设备通常通过在键盘上键入或使用开关扫描来访问。虽然肌萎缩侧索硬化症（ALS）患者的身体状况往往恶化到难以或无法使用键盘和开关的程度，但眼球运动通常保持完整。我们建议建立一个新的AC系统的可行性操作的眼球运动。我们认识到，市场上有几种眼控系统，但它们都存在一系列类似的问题，包括设置和使用困难、通信速度慢以及需要不断重新校准。我们的系统采用了最先进的眼睛 跟踪硬件与创新的，速率增强键盘，旨在为ALS患者提供口头交流。 我们的长期目标是开发一个系统，便于家庭和护理人员 安装和支持，无需校准，并提供直观的用户界面-所有这些都是为了最大限度地提高针对其眼睛指向的个人的功能通信。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Communication is a basic necessity of life. Individuals with disabilities that impair speech rely on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices. These devices are typically accessed by typing on a keyboard or by scanning using a switch. While individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) often deteriorate physically to the point where keyboard and switch access is difficult or impossible, eye movement usually remains intact. We propose to establish the feasibility of a new AC system operated by eye movement. We recognize that there are several eye control systems on the market, but they all suffer from a similar set of problems including difficulty in set up and use, slow communication rates, and the need for constant recalibration. Our system employs state-of-the-art eye tracking hardware with innovative, rate-enhancing keyboards that are designed to provide access to verbal communication for people with ALS. Our long-term goal is the development of a system that is easy for families and caregivers to install and support, which requires no calibration, and which provides an intuitive user interlace - all with the goal of maximizing functional communication for individuals for whom eye pointing is indicated.