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Content archived on 2022-11-15

Modular environmental control & communications system

Objective

Wheelchair users need to have remote control over domestic appliances in their environment. They need to have a greater degree of flexibility in the devices which are controlled, and the position or orientation of the wheelchair when these devices are being controlled. This project will develop a wheelchair-mounted mobile controller for devices connected to a commercial home control bus.

The system will be based on a mobile laptop computer and radio communications module, and a fixed location radio module with an interface adapter to the target home control bus. Special software running on the laptop computer provides a suitable user interface to the home control bus. A small hardware module connected to the laptop enables alternative input devices to be used in place of the keyboard. The project deliverables will be a proposal for a wireless mobile terminal communication standard and a prototype system implementing the proposed standard.

At present the system consists of a number of discrete component parts; i.e. telephone, bus controller, computer etc. In the extension phase development will concentrate on producing an integrated unit containing all these modules. This will permit the system to be smaller, lighter and cheaper, especially to those users who would not normally require a computer for other purposes. The whole unit will be easier to move between wheelchairs, and from wheelchair to bed etc.

The radio channel will carry commands and status reports between the user and the home control bus system, allowing direct interaction with any device connected to any point on the home control bus. The maximum usable distance from the mobile radio communications module to the fixed radio communications module should be sufficient to cover a normal domestic or working environment. The system is intended to be expandable in the future to carry voice communications as well as data.

The system will be designed to be extremely modular and make reference to relevant work already done by the Esprit Home Systems (HS) project. The approach is to consider the total terminal system as a single independent device capable of being connected to Home Systems or any other commercial home control bus. Thus the radio link is not a formal part of HS or any other bus, but a separate internal part of the user interface system. Since the primary long-term target bus is Home Systems the internal structure reflects the structure of Home Systems.

The consortium is designed to allow a blend between technical expertise, commercial experience and the interests of the users. The industrial partner, QED, has experience in the supply of equipment to disabled people for Environmental Control and communication. The research institutions participating have strong experience in the development of systems for handicapped people.

Topic(s)

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Call for proposal

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Funding Scheme

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Coordinator

Central Remedial Clinic
EU contribution
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Address
Vernon Avenue, Clontarf
Dublin 3
Ireland

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Total cost
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Participants (3)