This effort is part of Project Curbcuts at the Trace Center, University of WI-Madison. (For more information about Project Curbcuts, please send email to "curbcuts@trace.wisc.edu".)
The first stages of this project will require the collection of ideas and concerns for the application of infrared technology, not only in the disability field, but also the emerging electronic "smart" appliance (e.g., office fax machines, copiers, TV set-top boxes, etc.) and electronic information fields (e.g. computers, electronic building directories, ATMs, kiosks, etc.).
A series of meetings are planned, both formal and informal (e.g., via this cyber forum on the internet). Hopefully, the input from consumers, researchers, and developers gathered and refined during these meetings will lead to the development of a infrared communication link "standard". You should find the minutes from these meetings in this directory.
This infrared communication link "standard" would be intended for use by consumers and developers. For developers, following the "standard" should allow for a wider range of devices and services to be accessible for their products. For consumers, the main purpose of this "standard" would be to provide a common means for individuals with disabilities to both locate and interact with electronic systems they encounter. The "standard" should allow for both navigation (e.g., locating of "infrared equipped devices) and for interaction. For example, this standard should define a communications link to allow an individual who is physically challenged, to use their personalized access device to interact with an electronic building directory in order to locate a particular person or service. As another example, this standard should define a mechanism to allow an individual who is blind, to use their specialized access device to locate a information kiosk while moving through an airport.
Prior to achieving this kind of interaction, however, we'll need to determine solutions and answers for the numerous questions and problems encountered while deploying this technology. One area where infrared technology is already in use, is for file transfers between laptop / PDA devices and desktop computers. Another area using infrared technology is the wireless LANs. Also, the development of an infrared communication link "standard" should be done in cooperation with the "talking signs" developers such that the two technologies could interact and work together, at the very least not interfere with each other.
The long term goal would be to develop and maintain a infrared communication link "standard", whose ideas and protocols are incorporated into a wide variety of main stream electronic devices for the benefit of all consumers.
If you have questions or comments, please email them to Mark Novak at "menovak@facstaff.wisc.edu". You are also welcome to join the infrared list serve discussion by sending email to:
<listproc@trace.wisc.edu>
Put no heading or signature in your email, and in the body of your message type:
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