Objective
The Comspec project aims to develop and evaluate a common modular software platform on industry standard hardware for the production of communication aids and access systems for disabled and older people.
Economics alone highlights the impossibility of using existing tools to create sufficient bespoke specialised systems to adequately cover the breadth and expanding range of individual needs. The Comspec project aims to produce powerful development tools for use by the Rehabilitation Technology (RT) industry and easy-to-use configuration tools for rehabilitation professionals to create or adapt devices. The Comspec system will help to prevent further fragmentation of the RT industry by providing an open software architecture to support future enhancements and functionality, including 'plug-in' modules from software houses, end-user applications from system integrators (e.g. therapists, teachers, and rehabilitation professionals), and configuration and development tools.
The Comspec project is scheduled to be completed in two phases. The first phase is the current TIDE project TP1169 which will result in system software for the Windows platform, two exemplar Comspec applications (an environmental control system and a symbol-based communication aid), an introductory course, a small scale evaluation programme, and a study on options for future support and marketing.
For software developers, the Comspec software resulting from TP1169 will comprise a programming environment and tools, and an initial library of re-usable C++ modules for input and output functions, rate enhancement, mouse/keyboard emulation, symbolic and text manipulation, and environmental control.
For rehabilitation professionals, state-of-art user-friendly configuration tools will be available to create or adapt aids for personal communication, computer access, and control of a range of devices. For the first time, the non-technical rehabilitation professional will be able to directly manipulate and connect objects on the screen representing functional components, and thus create or adapt end-user communication aids. In addition, user parameters (e.g. scan time) can be readily set or adjusted to meet the needs of individual end-users.
The second phase, for which resources will be sought elsewhere (i.e. outside of the TP1169 funding), will focus on the completion of the pre-competitive Comspec system for a number of platforms (e.g. Windows, Macintosh, NextStep) and applications into full-featured marketable products, a comprehensive user evaluation programme, training and support materials, training courses, and creating a structure to maintain and support the on-going development and marketing of the Comspec system.
Technical Approach: The proposed Comspec architecture is based on object oriented design principles, re-use of software components, and the application of industry standard platforms and application framework generators. The architecture includes asynchronous inter-process communication to provide a general mechanism for accessing external software and hardware connected to the Comspec system. The Comspec system will implement the feedback and control mechanisms of the architecture and include essential modules for handling input (e.g. from switches, mouse, keyboard), scanning techniques, rate enhancement, speech output, and interaction with other software. Additional modules will be implemented for symbol-based communication and learning; interfacing to standard control systems, such as the M3S bus; wheelchair control, industry standard serial communication; and infra-red links to environmental control systems.
The Comspec project will transfer into the RT industry the principles of modular object-oriented design and development, and multi-platform portability. The current project will focus on developing and evaluating the Comspec system for the Windows platforms. In addition, a study will be undertaken to prepare for porting Comspec to the emerging new generation of system platforms, such as NextStep, Pink, and Taligent.
Impact and Expected Results: The Comspec project will create, for the first time, a common platform for RT software. Comspec's open software architecture will support the adaptation and creation of additional functionality (in the form of modules), and provide an advanced configuration tool for non-technical rehabilitation professionals to tailor the modular system to client needs. The project aims to achieve the following outcomes: Specification Documents; System Software, Modules and Tools for Developers; Configuration Tools for Rehabilitation Professionals; Additional Modules for Environmental Control and Personal Communication; End-User Evaluation Report; Dissemination and Marketing Report.
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Programme(s)
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Topic(s)
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Funding Scheme
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Coordinator
OX3 8DD Oxford
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.