Helpiphone: a successful case of technology transfer

This paper presents a successful technology transfer from University research to industry for an easy access speaker phone. This telephone, was specifically conceived for people with severe upper limbs impairments, but can be used by anyone just using standard alphanumeric keypad. It can be fully operated with one or two external sensors (switches) by scanning menu voices or even remotely with an IR interface. External switches can be connected by means of one or two 3.5 mm jacks: manual scanning and confirmation (two switch function) or automatic scanning and manual confirmation (single switch function with automatic timed scanning) are available. Menus are presented on a high-contrast LCD display and are reproduced by a loud digital vocal-guide. Any user can store telephone numbers and recall them with an easy interface. Moreover, an emergency call to a previously stored number set can be done by holding for a while any switch or remote key. Configuration and functioning parameters can be customized by menu, tailoring the system on user preferences. Industrial experience on assistive technology (AT) devices and user needs was fundamental in order to define the telephone functional specifications. Then all the design phases from the conception of the idea, through architectural electronic system design, up to the first prototype implementation and testing were developed according to a platform based design approach [1]. Preliminary usability and effectiveness assessments were performed by selected users and feedback gathered in order to improve the AT device before engineering and samples production. The partnership between University and private company, the in depth knowledge of user needs, the adopted platform based design approach and above all the intention to bring to the market research solutions to improve quality of life for people with special needs, have been the key to create this user-oriented product.