Pen-Input Voice-Output Computer for the Speech Impaired

Phase I R&D will establish the feasibility of a pocket-sized "Talking Pen" device with pen-input and voice-output. This device would provide speech impaired, mobile people a means of more easily communicating with hearing persons. Current solutions based upon Personal/Portable Computers have two serious limitations. First, the computer/keyboard unit is not conveniently portable and certainly not pocket sized; thus, the system can not provide speech along with easy mobility. Second, typing is not an efficient input mechanism for real time conversation on a pocket-sized unit. The "Talking Pen" device is designed to overcome both of these limitations. A solution to the mobility limitation is enabled by the current trends in pen-input digitizers, recognition technology, and high density electronics. A solution to the input, efficiency limitation is offered by pen-input combined with a pen-input "shorthand" language whose outline will be developed in Phase I.