Strawman Protocol for the Infrared Communications Link

PART I: Protocol for communication from the "aid" to the "information device"

THERE ARE 3 COMMANDS THAT CAN BE SENT BY AN ASSISTIVE DEVICE ("AID")

	SHORT-NAME	COMMAND	DESCRIPTION OF COMMAND
1.	RESET	#R <ret>	reset system to start (local home)
2.	LIST	#L <ret>	send a list of information and action items
3.	ACTIVATE	#item reference number <ret> or "verbal name of item" <ret>	activate this item

NOTE: when the user sends the "list" command, the device may optionally display the names or reference numbers next to the items on the screen to facilitate access by users who can see the screen but who must use an alternate device connected via the IR-l ink to "push" the buttons etc.

PART II: Protocol for communication from the "information device" to the "aid"

ALL INFORMATION SENT BY THE "INFORMATION DEVICE" IS IN RESPONSE TO COMMANDS FROM THE USER (AID)

In response to RESET

• the DEVICE sends "RESET received" and then "DONE" when done

In response to LIST

• the Device sends a tab delimited table listing all items currently displayed and "accessible" for reading or action.

• each information or action item has one line in the table describing it

In response to ACTIVATE

• the DEVICE would send " received" and then "Done" when done. (no return between so they would appear on the same line of the users display.)

Details on the Description table sent in response to LIST command

• each information or action item "on the screen" has one line in the table describing it

• each line would consist of the following pieces of information for an item. These pieces of information would be separated by tabs: (fields 4 and 5 may be optional)
  1. reference number for the item (e.g. #2)

  2. verbal name for the item (e.g. "Main Menu")

  3. value (e.g. whether a checkbox was set or not)

  4. type or description (e.g. button, scrolling field, etc.)

  5. position (e.g. bottom right of screen, etc.)

• the first line in the table would always represent a "virtual" item on the screen which would provide information about the current screen (or context). The line itself would contain the name of the screen (or context).

• in addition activating this first item (first line) would cause information about the current screen to be sent to the user. Activating this item (line) successively would cause more information to be given as follows:
  1st activation, Where the user is

  2nd activation, The function of this screen (context)

  3rd activation, The choices available here

  4th activation, Description of the layout of the items on screen

  5th activation, Graphic description of the screen or context

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