[Colloq] Thesis Proposal - Karl Wiegand - Disambiguation of Imprecise User Input Through Intelligent Assistive Communication - June 21st, 2:30pm, 366 WVH

[Jessica Biron]

Ph.D. Thesis Proposal for Karl Wiegand 

"Disambiguation of Imprecise User Input Through Intelligent Assistive 
Communication" 

Date: Friday, June 21st, 2013 
Time: 2:30 pm ET 
Location: 366 WVH 

Thesis: Intelligent interfaces can mitigate the need for 
linguistically and motorically precise user input to enhance the ease 
and efficiency of assistive communication. 

Abstract: 

Many people with severe speech impairments use icon-based augmentative 
and alternative communication (AAC) systems. These systems typically 
present users with hierarchical arrays of icons that are sequentially 
selected to construct messages, which are then spoken aloud by 
text-to-speech (TTS) engines. Although ease and speed of message 
construction are essential, current systems are often slow and require 
repetitive physical movements that are fatiguing. 

This dissertation challenges three main assumptions common to 
icon-based AAC systems. These assumptions influence interface design 
decisions and place increasing demands on the user rather than the 
system. The current work leverages natural language processing, 
machine learning, and context-sensing capabilities to design 
intelligent communication interfaces that shift the cognitive and 
physical burden from the user to the system to allow for faster, less 
fatiguing communication. This work also has broader impact for 
continuous modalities, such as brain wave and eye gaze activity, for 
other communication and entertainment applications. 

Proposal Documents: [http://www.ccs.neu.edu/home/wiegand/proposal.html] 

Committee: 

Rupal Patel (Advisor) 
Javed Aslam 
Amy Sliva (temporarily on leave) 
David Smith 
Shaun Kane, University of Maryland (External Member)