- Email: [email protected]
Monitor screens use flat square tubes
Cedric
lets disabled
A system to help highly disabled people to communicate in writing or synthesized speech has been developed at the University of Adelaide, Australia, and brought into production by Australian firm Santech Pty. The eye-gaze communicator is intended for people who can neither move nor speak. By looking at words or commands on a screen, the user can control the system so as to communicate at rates of 25
Monitor
screens
‘talk’ with
words min-’ or more, says Santech. Dubbed Cedric, the communicator operates on the basis of reflections from the eye. A TV camera looks at two reflections from one (either) eye, one from the retina and the other from the cornea. Cedric then uses the differential of these reflections to calculate the point on the screen that the user is looking at. Hence the user can make selections from a menu displayed on the VDU.
use flat square tubes
Flat square tubes (FSTs) for TV screens have been introduced by Grundig on three monitor-style models. Each FST model comes with a Euro-AV connector for linking with microcomputers. Euro-AV is a standardized homeentertainment peripherals socket. The single multipin socket allows input and output of RG B and sound signals. FST According to Grundig, increases picture area, gives sharper text images, allows the use of increased viewing angles and cuts down light reflection. ‘All in all, FST promises to make viewing easier on the eye,’ said
marketing manager Paul Agate. FST sizes are based on the metric system. The three models (P40125. P40-145 and P55-145) correspond roughly to portable, 508 mm (20 in) and 356 mm (14 in) tubes, Stereo video recorder VS220 has also been released by Grundig. The recorder features computer-guided electronic locking programming, and digital tracking controls. The time-used-and-left readout uses bar codes to recognize cassettes of different sizes. Altogether there are 30 channels including AV. Remote comes as control standard. (Grundig In terna tional L td, 42 Park, S ydenham, Ne wlan ds London SE26, UK) 0
their
eyes
Cedric can control a printer or an alarm, and can be linked to a speech synthesizer. The software can be interfaced to personal computers such as the Apple or Commodore, and gives access to functions already on them. There is no software yet available for communication to other computers through the machine’s RS232 port, but Santech promises that there will be when Cedric goes on sale through its distributors in the UK and USA. The needs of individual will be customers catered for with custom-written software. In its present form, Cedric comprises two pieces: a VDU and a ‘black box’. A one-piece system is expected to replace the present design ‘soon’, according to Santech’s Rod Martin. The size of the screen is limited by present video technology, added Martin; he expects that flat-screen techniques will lead to a considerable increase in portability for the system. The price of the VDU, box and software is unspecified as yet, but will be well over f10 000, says Santech. (Santech Pty Ltd, PO Box 231, Brooklyn Park, South Australia 5023. Tel: 61 8 352 4 722. Telex: AA88765 AD077) 0
DATA
PROCESSING is designed to meet the information needs of the serious computing professional. For senior DP staff and users, DATA PROCESSING provides articles and news on all aspects of management, technology, methods and products. With a worldwide network of correspondents, DATA PROCESSING tracks computing developments for an international readership.
Data Processing is the international journal for computer professionals Examples of coverage are communications data management languages DP management programming methods
l
analysis and design
l
l
productivity measures micro management
l
l
Regular features include l worldwide news
Further details and a sample copy can be obtained from: Mrs Sheila King, Butterworth Scientific Ltd., PO Box 63, Westbury
44
l l l
updates on standards new products book reviews market reports conference calendar
House, Bury Street, Guildford,
Surrey, GU2 SBH, UK.
image and vision computing
lets disabled
A system to help highly disabled people to communicate in writing or synthesized speech has been developed at the University of Adelaide, Australia, and brought into production by Australian firm Santech Pty. The eye-gaze communicator is intended for people who can neither move nor speak. By looking at words or commands on a screen, the user can control the system so as to communicate at rates of 25
Monitor
screens
‘talk’ with
words min-’ or more, says Santech. Dubbed Cedric, the communicator operates on the basis of reflections from the eye. A TV camera looks at two reflections from one (either) eye, one from the retina and the other from the cornea. Cedric then uses the differential of these reflections to calculate the point on the screen that the user is looking at. Hence the user can make selections from a menu displayed on the VDU.
use flat square tubes
Flat square tubes (FSTs) for TV screens have been introduced by Grundig on three monitor-style models. Each FST model comes with a Euro-AV connector for linking with microcomputers. Euro-AV is a standardized homeentertainment peripherals socket. The single multipin socket allows input and output of RG B and sound signals. FST According to Grundig, increases picture area, gives sharper text images, allows the use of increased viewing angles and cuts down light reflection. ‘All in all, FST promises to make viewing easier on the eye,’ said
marketing manager Paul Agate. FST sizes are based on the metric system. The three models (P40125. P40-145 and P55-145) correspond roughly to portable, 508 mm (20 in) and 356 mm (14 in) tubes, Stereo video recorder VS220 has also been released by Grundig. The recorder features computer-guided electronic locking programming, and digital tracking controls. The time-used-and-left readout uses bar codes to recognize cassettes of different sizes. Altogether there are 30 channels including AV. Remote comes as control standard. (Grundig In terna tional L td, 42 Park, S ydenham, Ne wlan ds London SE26, UK) 0
their
eyes
Cedric can control a printer or an alarm, and can be linked to a speech synthesizer. The software can be interfaced to personal computers such as the Apple or Commodore, and gives access to functions already on them. There is no software yet available for communication to other computers through the machine’s RS232 port, but Santech promises that there will be when Cedric goes on sale through its distributors in the UK and USA. The needs of individual will be customers catered for with custom-written software. In its present form, Cedric comprises two pieces: a VDU and a ‘black box’. A one-piece system is expected to replace the present design ‘soon’, according to Santech’s Rod Martin. The size of the screen is limited by present video technology, added Martin; he expects that flat-screen techniques will lead to a considerable increase in portability for the system. The price of the VDU, box and software is unspecified as yet, but will be well over f10 000, says Santech. (Santech Pty Ltd, PO Box 231, Brooklyn Park, South Australia 5023. Tel: 61 8 352 4 722. Telex: AA88765 AD077) 0
DATA
PROCESSING is designed to meet the information needs of the serious computing professional. For senior DP staff and users, DATA PROCESSING provides articles and news on all aspects of management, technology, methods and products. With a worldwide network of correspondents, DATA PROCESSING tracks computing developments for an international readership.
Data Processing is the international journal for computer professionals Examples of coverage are communications data management languages DP management programming methods
l
analysis and design
l
l
productivity measures micro management
l
l
Regular features include l worldwide news
Further details and a sample copy can be obtained from: Mrs Sheila King, Butterworth Scientific Ltd., PO Box 63, Westbury
44
l l l
updates on standards new products book reviews market reports conference calendar
House, Bury Street, Guildford,
Surrey, GU2 SBH, UK.
image and vision computing