Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMTThe aim of this project was to create a base for increasing the interoperability between different hardware platforms to support assistive technologies. For this, an application development system for a set-top-box (STB) based on Linux and Java was implemented serving as a central plattform for the integration of distributed applications in assistive technologies. For user interaction, the opportunities for selection and display of function have been planned and implemented. By using the open Java compatible OSGI frameworks (Open Services Gateway initiative), a meta protocol for compiling to an existing target format were introduced. As a simple example, a light was controlled from the TV set using the remote control of the STB. The actual light was controlled using the KNX home automation protocol.
Responsibilities of Fraunhofer IDMT
This project, carried out at the Jade University of Applied Sciences, was supervised by the Oldenburg Branch for Hearing, Speech and Audio Technology HSA. On one hand, experiences of the Oldenburg Branch in assistive technologies were beneficial to the project, on the other hand, the Oldenburg Branch set up requirements that are common when using acoustic user interfaces.