Adaptive Computing in Design and Manufacture - Assignment Example

Adaptive computer devices These are specialized devices that aid individuals with certain disabilities to work with computer. These devices are also known as assistive devices[Wil04]. Individuals with visual or physical limitations may not if not impossible to use or operate standard mouse and keyboard input devices and,therefore, need this technology that ranges from alternative mouse and keyboard designs to visual or eye tracking devices[Tar07]. These devices include; Keyboard design optionsprovidealternativeability to interact with computer programs through enhanced input methods. Some might be one-handed while others are programmed in unique ways to accomplish normal activity with a single stroke. Some of these keyboards can be overlayed with larger types of keyboard on top to “grow” the buttons and letters of the regular keyboard[Kum05]. Alternative mouse devices This offers some people with limited range of motion and dexterity an effective way to make interact and selections with the computer. Some mouse devices allow the user to operate the mouse with head or foot movement while others offer trackballs and larger buttons to allow effortless manipulation. Lastly the touchpads technology similar to that introduced laptops and desktops, offers the user with the ability to select and move objects with the touch of a fingerprint[Ian04]. Speech input devices User with limited movement of body parts, they can operate and interact with the computer through headsets and specialized programs that will enable the interaction through speech commands. The individuals will speak directly into the microphone on the headset to run programs, make a selection and input data and information[Tar07]. The software of speech recognition is first installed in the computer, afterward it is configured to allow the computerto automatically enter or type as the user executes or dictates spoken commands. Touch-sensitive screens These devices allow data input through touch sensitive screens. This is similar to the touch pad technology. The user will interact with the computer by simply touching the appropriate programs or icons on the screen, and when inputting data and information the user will use an on-screen keyboard[Kum05]. A user with limited physical controls will use a special ‘wand’ which is held in the mouth or attached to the headband to select the appropriate icons on the screen, or else use the fingers to touch the screen for those who are not so much challenged. Usage of switches These devices are used by users who have extremely limited movement to interact with the computer. These technology devices use a small amount of pressure and veryminimaleffort of limited movement. The switches which may look like mouse-pads that are connected to a head-mounted ‘puff’ and ‘sip’ versions or computer and are used with specialized programs. The ‘puff’ and ‘sip’ versions make selections by use of air[Tar07]. Depending on the needs of the user and the abilities, the pad switches can be controlled or operated through the use of different part of the body such as, hand or foot, parts of the head such as the mouth or eyebrows. Air switches attached to the head just like the headsets, but with an attachment of a small tube to interact with the computer instead of the microphone for the headset. This tube also allows the ability to make selections. Eye tracking systems These sophisticated devices allow individuals with severe physical challenges to interact and use the computer. They are more technological-advanced methods deployed, where data input is done by the eye through certain movements to register commands and selections. For this to happen, a specialized camera is first mounted to the computer and made to focus on the user’s eye[Tar07]. Then the software is installed inside the computer machine, to read the gaze and movement directions of the eye, and to register selections as chosen by the movement. To click on an item or icon, one can either linger on the selected icon or use a set of eye blinks. For this client, the above mentioned devices can fit perfectly if issued the correct device with the correctspecification and configuration depending on the major problem the client is facing. Theclient who has limited dexterity with fingers has some physical movement of the hands and arms this gives a wide range of devices for her[Ian04]. For this client it is clear that she cannot use a normal mouse or keyboard to enter data, it might be also a challenge for her to use a touch pad or a touch screen device since she will be straining the arm and the fingers. It is for this reason that I will recommend the following devices; TrackIR by Naturalpoint Thisdevice is a head tracking mouse. The device transmits a signal from the computer, commonly atop of the machine that tracks a reflector on the user’s eyeglasses or head[inf99]. There is also a mouse alternative version of this device which allows the user to move and control the cursor by the use of the head movements. The movements of the headdetermine what direction the on-screen cursor will take after being calibrated. The only limitation of this device is that it only allows movement of the cursor but does not have the clicking function. Tracker pro This is also a head tracking device that replaces the mouse for users with limited hand movement and it works exactly like a mouse. It has all the capabilities of the mouse including clicking. To use it, the user need to plug it in on the USB port and does not require any software installation. Description: it is an intelligent device with a high-resolution camera enclosed with an aluminum solid, making it reliable, smooth, stand-alone, accurate, robust and easy to mount. This device tracks a small dot that can be placed on the user’s glasses or forehead[inf99]. Features: 5 degree field of view Hi-Res CCD camera- perfect pixel tracking, Ultra smooth, can allowdrawing. Vertical or horizontal mounting Use USB plug in and its plug and play. Price: $995.00 and the manufacturer isMadentec. The device can be found in online at Infogrip, Inc. or at their offices at Ventura in California[inf99]. Brainfingers version 614 This is a hand-free computer access device. It has both the hardware and software combinations to control educational software, AAC software and video games. To use it, a user should wear a headband that detects electrical signals from the eye movement, facial muscles and brainwaves. This is a successful solution to people with movement disability. The software receives the signals and decodes them into Brainfingers or virtual fingers that trigger keyboard and mouse events to control third party programs such as Dynavox, IntelliTools, Windows software, Gaze Talk and The Grid. Allows people with MD, CP, TBI, MS(dexterity problem) and Spinal Cord Injury[inf99] The Brainfingerwas created by Brain Actuated Technologies, Inc. And it includes USB cable, free software updates, Brainfingeraccess amplifier, headband the software and grounding cable. System rental is possible before buying. The requirements are 30 MB free HDD, Dual Core processor, Windows Vista, XP and 7. And the device can be ordered from distributors of the manufacturers in Italy, Netherlands, United States and South Africa[inf99] Discover Pro This is access software that works on Windows Vista, 2000, and XP. It can work with IntellKeys USB or with wireless IntellSwitch for scanning access and for on-screen purposes a user can use TrackPro. This software allows multiple professionals to try out a variety of computer access hardware[inf99]. It costs $399.00 in many distributor and outlets of infoGrip, Inc. or on the website[inf99]. Most of these devices mentioned above can be ordered online and delivered to the customer. The equipment may have a trial period to allow the user to test, but the devices are already tested and certified as successful in dealing with the problem they were created or developed for. I have avoided the touch screen devices on the base that they will require the user to either make use of the disabled hands or mouth for that matter[Wil04]. References Wil04: , (Bainbridge, 2004), Tar07: , (Sobh, 2007), Kum05: , (Kumar, 2005), Ian04: , (Parmee, 2004), inf99: , (IT, 1989), Read More