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This paper introduces a single-key text entry application for users with severe physical impairments. The tool combines the idea of a scanning ambiguous keyboard (which promises unusually high entry rates) with intentional muscle contractions as input signals (which require much less physical effort compared to key presses). In addition to the program architecture, the paper presents the results of several evaluations with participants with and without disabilities. An entry speed of 6.59 wpm was achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visually impaired persons are able to get large amounts of information through sound, especially speech, but because sound information is time-sequential it is difficult to gain an overall understanding of content in a short time, presenting inevitable issues. This paper described a solution we have proposed a framework for fast listening methods (e.g. for 3 times normal speed or more over) that are the equivalent of visual ˵skimming″ of textual reading materials. Currently we have completed a basic study and preliminary tests indicate positive results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital scanners are commonplace and are used in many different applications to obtain three-dimensional shapes and linear and circumferential measurements. Even though scanners can be highly accurate, measurements obtained from scanners can vary depending on how an object is scanned, aligned and processed. In this study, we examined the effect of three different alignment methods of foot scans and their effects on ten different measurements. Variations among methods in capturing foot length are relatively small relative to arch length. The foot girths can be quite sensitive to the registration process depending on the complexity of the algorithms used. As expected, linear and girth measurements based on anatomical landmarks will always be independent of any registration process and are thus good ways to obtain repeatable measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The web has become the most commonly used gateway to information, commerce and entertainment. As a result, accessing online resources without any barriers has turned to be of utmost importance for all the citizens of the Information Society. One common obstacle faced by users with motor impairments of the upper limbs is their difficulty to interact with a computer application using standard input devices, such as the keyboard and the mouse. This paper presents a browser add-on, named FireScanner, providing access to the web for people with hand motor impairments, through the scanning technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the relevance of the cell selection phase in the overall performance of a text entry system based on scanning and with an ambiguous keyboard. Most of the layouts are designed trying only to minimize the ambiguity of the keyboard, and taking into consideration only the disambiguation process when entering text. Nevertheless, the number of scan cycles necessary for selecting the cells has great importance in the overall performance. As we show, the performance depends on the number of cells and the linguistic model used in the cell selection phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An integrated 3-dimensional beam tracking system was developed to adapt scanned ion beams to moving targets and tested in terms of its speed and accuracy. The system response time was deduced to be ~ 1 ms for lateral beam tracking and 16±2 ms for a longitudinal shift of 5 mm in water equivalence. Accuracy of the lateral beam tracking was measured with a multi-wire position detector to ≤ 0.16 mm standard deviation. Accuracy of fast longitudinal beam tracking was measured and parameterized. A 5 mm water equivalence (WE) longitudinal beam shift results in an accuracy of 1.08 and 0.48 mm WE in root mean square for required time durations of 10 and 50 ms, respectively , to maintain a specific particle range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Treatment of intra-fractionally moving targets with scanned ion beams requires motion mitigation techniques due to interplay effects. We implemented Gating (paused irradiation) and Beam Tracking (position adaptive irradiation) at GSI and performed experimental studies to validate both techniques. Gating requires mitigation of interplay effects within the gating window. An increased overlap, e.g. larger beam spots at constant spacing of rasterpoints was successfully tested. At 5 mm gating windows and 1 mm spacing, 10 mm FWHM beam spot sizes are required. Beam Tracking accuracy was studied in comparison to stationary irradiations with an ionization chamber array. Within the target volume deviations of 0.3 ± 1.5 % were measured. Clinical implementation at the Heidelberg Ion Beam therapy (HIT) will start with Gating. The mid-term goal is Beam Tracking because treatment planning studies for lung tumors showed that Tracking results in a reduced dose to the ipsilateral lung in comparison to Gating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has already been shown in the past that it is possible to leverage tiny muscular contractions produced at will (e.g., by frowning) in order to give someone complete control over a PC [1]. The underlying interaction technique is ideal for persons with severe motor impairments who are in need for an alternative, non-standard way to operate a computer. This paper deals with a scanning-based computer application of that approach to enable its user to control the immediate environment, e.g., by making a phone call, toggling the lights, or sending particular Infra-Red (IR) remote signals. Although the software is primarily targeted at people with disabilities, it is ready – and (in certain situations) even expected – to be used by able-bodied individuals as well. A user study evaluating the remote control module of the system has been conducted with twelve non-impaired subjects, and the results are discussed herein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on object scanning using sensors. The objects are articles in daily use. Everyday objects, such as cups, bottles and vessels are good models to scan. The sensor scan represents the objects as 3D images on the computer monitor. Our research proposes a new device to scan real world objects. The device is a square frame, similar to a picture frame, but, except for the frame, is empty. The infrared sensors are arranged on the device frame. These sensors detect the object and extract the coordinates from the detected object. These coordinates are transmitted to the computer and the 3D creation algorithm represents these coordinates as a 3D image. The operating principle is simple, similar to scanning a person at a checkpoint. The user passes the object through the sensor frame to obtain the 3D image, creating the 3D image corresponding to the real object. Thus, the user can easily obtain the 3D object image. This approach uses a low-cost infrared sensor, rather than a high-cost sensor, such as a laser. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An initial user study evaluating the HAnds-free Mouse COntrol System (HaMCoS) will be presented. The system allows its user to fully operate a Windows® PC without using the hands. It requires a special piezo-based input sensor in order to pick up the muscular activity of a single dedicated muscle of the user. The idea is to detect intentional contractions of the monitored muscle, and to use this information for emulating a two-button mouse device. In addition, the software framework renders any keyboard input unnecessary, so HaMCoS represents a comprehensive input method for persons who are unable to reliably employ the hands (e.g., tetraplegics). The paper will take a closer look at the specifics of the system followed by a discussion of the experiences gained by potential end users in a first case study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving augmentative communication systems is necessary for severely physically handicapped people because of the low rate of text entry that doesn΄t even permit them to communicate simultaneously with other people. This paper presents a reduced virtual keyboard based on scanning with only one switch. The scan matrix consists of only two cells, so ambiguity is present due to the assignment of 26 characters to both keys. In order to disambiguate, users enter each letter in two stages. An estimation of the text entry rate for an expert user is 10.1 words per minute using a scan rate of 0.5 seconds, although this value should be adapted for each individual, leading to different rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem-oriented policing works to identify why things are going wrong and to frame responses using a wide variety of innovative approaches (Goldstein 1979). Using a basic iterative approach of problem identification, analysis, response, assessment, and adjustment of the response, this adaptable and dynamic analytic approach provides an appropriate framework to uncover the complex mechanisms at play in crime problems and to develop tailor-made interventions to address the underlying conditions that cause crime problems (Eck and Spelman 1987; Goldstein 1990). Researchers have found problem-oriented policing to be effective in controlling a wide range of specific crime and disorder problems, such as convenience store robberies (Hunter and Jeffrey 1992), prostitution (Matthews 1990), and alcohol-related violence in pubs and clubs (Homel, Hauritz, Wortley et al. 1997). Indeed, there is very promising evidence of the effectiveness of the approach (Braga 2002; Committee to Review Research 2004; Weisburd and Eck 2004). But is the “problem-oriented policing” that researchers have evaluated similar to the model of problem-oriented policing that its originators proposed? There is substantial evidence that, too often, the principles envisioned by Herman Goldstein are not being practiced in the field. Deficiencies in current problem-oriented policing practices exist in all phases of the process. A number of scholars have identified challenging issues in the substance and implementation of many problem-oriented policing projects, including: the tendency for officers to conduct only a superficial analysis of problems and then rush to implement a response, the tendency for officers to rely on traditional or faddish responses rather than conducting a wider search for creative responses, and the tendency to completely ignore the assessment of the effectiveness of implemented responses (Cordner 1998; but also see Clarke 1998; Read and Tilley; Scott and Clarke 2000). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Offers a unique approach to lifeguarding education. Effectiveness of lifeguards in preventing drowning in the U.S.; Factors that contribute to the shortage of lifeguards; Discussion of Frank Pia's Recognition, Intrusion and Distraction (RID) theory of unwitnessed drowning; Statement of the 10/20 rule in lifeguarding; Step-by-step instructions on how to perform the five-minute scanning strategy in drowning prevention.