Laser pointing in a safe context for people with disabilities

描述（由申请人提供）：拟议的系统为严重残疾人士提供了一种重要的新方法，使他们在无法说话的情况下进行交流。目前，所有的增强通信系统都需要一个人直接与该设备交互，以产生信息。这需要一个人在操作设备方面接受过重要的培训，对于许多残疾人来说，在他们可以使用它之前，需要频繁和精确的设置。这个被提议的系统被命名为LaserCam，它为辅助设备用户提供了利用他们的环境——由三维物体、照片和通信符号组成——进行通信的能力。用户在这个预定义的“激光安全”通信区域中选择目标，使用一种特别安全的定制激光瞄准目标。设想的系统允许一个促进者设计一个访问方案，使用户能够无缝地从低技术的合作伙伴解释指向到高科技的独立计算机访问。第一阶段的任务包括开发图像处理软件和安全的计算机控制激光器。残障人士将对该系统进行评估。该系统为那些不能说话的严重残疾人提供了一个通过安全激光进行有效交流的机会。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The proposed system offers people with severe disabilities an important new method for communicating when speaking is not possible. Presently all augmentative communication systems require a person to interact directly with that device in order to generate messages. This requires that a person have significant training in operating the device, and for many people with disabilities requires frequent and precise setup before they can use it. The proposed system, named LaserCam, offers assistive device users the ability to use their environment - made up of three dimensional objects, photographs, and communication symbols - to communicate. The user selects objects in this predefined "laser-safe" communication area by targeting the objects with a custom laser that is exceptionally eye safe. The envisioned system permits a facilitator to design an access scheme that enables the user to progress seamlessly from low-tech partner interpreted pointing, to high-tech independent computer access. The Phase 1 tasks include the development of image processing software and a safe computer controlled laser. People with disabilities will evaluate the system. The proposed system provides people with severe disability who cannot talk the opportunity to communicate effectively by pointing with a safe-laser.