Lecture 3 - Environmental Control & Alternative Access
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This document discusses environmental control systems and indirect access options. It defines environmental control systems as technologies that allow disabled people to control equipment in their environment. It describes factors to consider when selecting environmental control technologies, such as the equipment to control, the user's abilities, and available funding. Examples of indirect access options that require an additional switch or scanning device are provided, including switch access and on-screen keyboards. Different types of environmental control units are outlined, including those using AC power, infrared, radio, and ultrasound signals.
Lecture 3 - Environmental Control & Alternative Access
- 1. Lim Hua Beng & Patrick Ker Occupational Therapy School of Health Sciences Environmental Control & Alternative Access
- 2. Recommended Reading Angelo. J. & Trefler, E. (1998). A survey of people who use integrated control devices. Assistive Technology, 10 , 77-83. De Jonge, D. (1993). The human issues and environmental control. 1 st Australian Conference on Technology for people with disabilities , Adelaide. De Jonge, D. (1993). Special access: Indirect access. 1 st Australian Conference on Technology for people with disabilities , Adelaide. Goosens, C. & Crain, S.S. (1992). Utilising switch interfaces with children who are severely physically challenged. Austin: Pro-ed.
- 3. Objectives At the end of this lecture, students will be able to: Define environmental control systems Describe the factors to be considered when investigating environmental control options Define indirect access options Describe the factors to be considered when investigating indirect options
- 4. Environmental Control We use this feature all the time without realising it is environmental control Operating the air conditioner using a remote controller Switching channels on the TV using an infra-red controller In some “smart” apartment buildings, one can even set the temperature, lights and music on using the mobile phone before one arrives home All these are examples of environmental control With technological advances, the options of environmental controls is only limited by the capabilities of a microchip
- 5. What is environmental control technology? It is to enable disabled people to control equipment/ systems in their environment by adapting the equipment, the controller or access options A mouthstick to push the mechanical switch of a fan is a low technology example of environmental control technology The Imperium ECU
- 6. What is environmental control technology? These devices enable persons without mobility, sufficient dexterity, or cognition to control household devices or make changes to the immediate environment. ECUs maximize a person’s functional ability and provide independence in many environments.
- 7. Factors to consider for environmental technologies Consider: the equipment/s to be controlled Type & number of equipment The environment the device/s will be used Abilities of the person to control the device Devices in the environment the Imperium ECU can control
- 8. Factors to consider for environmental technologies Consider: The functions of each appliance that requires alternative control: On/ off funtion Variable functions (eg. Volume) Combination of both Imperium Menu System
- 9. Factors to consider for environmental technologies Consider: The positioning of the person when controlling the system Positioning of the various devices to be controlled Complete set of the Imperium ECU system
- 10. Factors to consider for environmental technologies Consider Funding available Knowledge & skills to set up the system Availability of on-going technical support Cintex voice activated ECU
- 11. Consider movement/s which can be used to control the ECU Direct Access options Controlling the environmental control unit (ECU) directly Indirect Access Requires adapted switch/ switches or voice activation to control the ECU Combination of both The often prescribed Gewa Prog environmental control technology
- 12. Examples of ECU The Pilot and Pilot Light voice activated ECU
- 13. Indirect Access Options Indirect options is required when a person is not able to control the controller of the device directly There is a need for another inter-phase device that enables the person to use their existing abilities to control the devise This usually requires an additional switch or sequential scanning device
- 14. Two most common indirect access options Using a multiswitch or joystick Switch access using a scanning device Example of an on-screen keyboard used when a person cannot access an ordinary keyboard. A person can use a mouse or a button switch using the scanning mode to access the keyboard Featured Gus! Keyboard
- 15. Types of Scanning Step Scan Scan moves from one cell or row at a time Automatic Row-Column Scan moves from row to row/ column to column and when selected will scan each cell for that row or column Inverse row column When switch is activated, the row or column will be scanned. Scanning will stop when switch is deactivated Quadrant Scan Each quadrant of the keyboard will be scan sequentially instead of by step or row scanning
- 16. Types of Switches Mechanical switches like button, latch or puff switch Electronic switches like infra-red or EMG switch
- 17. What types of ECUs are available? AC power Infrared Radio control Ultrasound
- 18. What types of ECUs are available? AC power This type of system uses the electrical wiring already in your home. Each item to be controlled (lamp, radio, etc.) is plugged into a control box, which in turn is plugged into an electrical outlet. The user has an input device that communicates with each control box via the existing wiring system. A different control box is needed for each appliance. These systems are inexpensive and easy to install.
- 19. What types of ECUs are available? Infrared These ECU devices send an infrared signal to the control unit, which in turn sends another infrared signal to the appliance. This type of ECU is seen in most of our TV and VCR remote controls. In order for the device to work, the remote must be aimed directly at the control box with nothing blocking its path.
- 20. What types of ECUs are available? Radio control With this type of device, the remote sends radio waves to the control unit, which then sends the message to the appliance. This is the same technology that powers garage door openers. The remote and the control box can be in different rooms and still work, but the system has a range limit of 50-200 feet. Interference from another nearby control unit is also possible.
- 21. What types of ECUs are available? Ultrasound This type of ECU uses high frequency sound waves as the input and output signal. The sound wave will bounce around the room until it reaches the control box and delivers its message. The control box then sends a command signal to the appliance being controlled. The input device and the control box must be in the same room to work.
- 22. The QuickStart Environmental Control Kit by AbleNet contains everything needed to introduce switch-activated electrical and battery systems The Tash Soft Switch in a velvet case has auditory and tactile feedback, but is soft enough to mount for head use. Tash’s Sicare Pilot converts spoken commands into signals that control numerous devices within multiple environments.
- 23. Eye-Operated Assistive Technology for Environmental Control F. Shi and A. Gale (UK) Keywords Human-computer interface, eye tracking and control Abstract Individuals with severe disabilities are very dependant upon carers, even for the simplest of everyday acts. However, suitable assistive technology can give such individuals improved independence. The ability to control environmental and other ICT devices in the home is an important factor for individuals with severe movement impairments and the development of an eye-operated control system for such individuals is described. This allows an individual firstly to identify a device and then choose to operate it primarily by using their eye gaze. A user focussed approach was used by first identifying what devices a user with restricted mobility would want to operate as well as involving potential users, carers and associated professionals through the development process. Whilst such a system does not represent the best interactive approach for all users in all situations it does represent an important and useful option for individuals with movement restrictions.