Morse code application for wireless environmental control systems for severely disabled individuals

Some physically-disabled people with neuromuscular diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, or other conditions that hinder their ability to write, type, and speak, require an assistive tool for purposes of augmentative and alternative communication in their daily lives. In this paper, we designed and implemented a wireless environmental control system using Morse code as an adapted access communication tool. The proposed system includes four parts: input-control module; recognition module; wireless-control module; and electronic-equipment-control module. The signals are transmitted using adopted radio frequencies, which permits long distance transmission without space limitation. Experimental results revealed that three participants with physical handicaps were able to gain access to electronic facilities after two months' practice with the new system.