Talking Keyboard for User Guidance in Multifunction Systems

Abstract

For the important task of function selection when using technical systems, e.g. measurement and programming devices or consumer products, a talking keyboard is proposed which offers user guidance adapted to man's skills. This keyboard is equipped with a voice output module and special keys fitted with two sequentially activated switching contacts. By means of the first contact the user is enabled to select vocal user guidance information whereas by the second contact the selection of a particular function is achieved. By closing the first contact repeatedly, spoken hints with more and more details are available. The user can, however, suppress or interrupt these instructions by switching over to the second contact. In this way the talking keyboard may be used adaptively by untrained and trained users as well. Furthermore, it is suited for blind operation under severe visual load conditions, or in the dark, and it serves to the visually handicapped. For a prototype of the talking keyboard, a moderately priced voice output module with a vocabulary of 150 words was selected. For test purposes, selection is effected via a process computer. For practical use, selection is realized by a microprocessor. Pilot experiments with untrained users of a simulated machine tool show, that the time spent in consulting the operating manual during the task is clearly reduced.