Alan
I don't know if there is a computer solution as described, but the BIME
smart house web pages list a couple of phones that you dial by pressing the
photo of the recipient. Last I enquired there were availability problems
and one of the phones required you to press "memory" first. There is an
Ameriphone that does it properly but it wasn't available in the UK. Perhaps
Roger Orpwood would have an update?
Barry Taylor, Clinical Scientist
Bioengineering Department
Tulley Medical Physics Building, Hull Royal Infirmary
Anlaby Road, Hull HU3 2JZ
Tel 01482 675928, fax 01482 675750
> ----------
> From: Alan Turner-Smith[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Reply To: A discussion list for Assistive Technology professionals.
> Sent: 20 November 2002 11:38
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: voice recognition for "confused of another city
>
> Dear all,
>
> I have received the following about a "new idea" from a colleague in
> social science. I would have thought that this gentleman's needs would be
> met by a good EAT referral centre without having to develop new
> equipment/software (although I suspect any device may be difficult for
> this particular client to come to terms with).
>
> Can anyone confirm that opinion or make other suggestions? I'd like to
> know because this technology could be another useful tool for older
> people in general.
>
> Hasn't anyone created a voice-recognition SMS (text telephone) system yet?
>
> Thanks
> Alan
>
> >My father is 90 and lives in another city. He is too confused to write
> >letters or even to phone, as he does not remember phone numbers. I use
> >voice recognition software for my correspondence, and have often thought
> >that a simplified version could be designed for confused older people
> such
> >as him. If he could touch a screen to indicate to whom he wanted the
> >message sent, and then pick up a microphone, or speak into a clearly
> marked
> >space on a box, he could be in much greater communication with others.
> So I
> >am suggesting the use of voice recognition coupled with email and a touch
> >sensitive screen, to enable this.
> >
> >It would require rigorous attention to simplifying the design of the PC
> and
> >the software. The PC would need to be designed purely for that one
> purpose.
> >For example, the PC would need to be voice-activated or activated by
> lifting
> >the microphone. There would need to be a list of names on the
> touch-screen
> >for the person to touch: touch would activate the email address of that
> >person and the voice recognition software, showing a large message on the
> >screen 'start talking into the microphone'.
> >
> >Voice recognition is not yet 1005 accurate and each user needs to train
> the
> >software to recognise his/her voice. This would probably need to be
> >overseen by someone else, either a carer or whoever markets the system.
> It
> >does not take more than 30 minutes or so. For the purposes I envisage,
> 95%
> >accuracy is quite adequate.
> >
> >I would be happy to take this further if you wish
> >
> >Dr Lester Sireling
> >Consultant Psychiatrist
> >Barnet Psychiatric Unit
> >Wellhouse Lane
> >Barnet , Herts
> >EN5 3DJ
> >0208-216 4616
> >
> >--- End Forwarded Message ---
>
>
> __________________________________________________
> Dr Alan R Turner-Smith, Reader in Rehabilitation Engineering
> Centre of Rehabilitation Engineering www.kcl.ac.uk/core
> Dept Medical Engineering & Physics
> King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, LONDON, SE5 9RS
> Tel: +44 (0)20 7346 1650 Fax: +44 (0)20 7346 1651
>
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