Bristol, England 16th June 2010 - Digital TV software specialist, Ocean Blue Software, has released a white paper that explores the challenges facing health and social care providers, and looks at how assistive TV technology can benefit care communities, whilst reducing costs.
The paper highlights some of the issues and problems surrounding an increasingly ageing population. It also outlines how the NHS, local councils and government are striving to manage the extra pressures of debilitating conditions such as dementia, cancer and heart disease that predominately accompany old age. Will technological advances help to reduce costs, whilst offering a better choice and a greater lifestyle to the elderly and impaired?
Ocean Blue Software Ltd is developing set top box-base healthcare applications that are delivered through a digital TV and an enhanced remote control. Nearly half of older people (about 4.6 million) already consider the television their main form of company.* The system, called Nexus TV™ will incorporate security features, social networking and many more functions to ensure that people feel safe in their own homes. The technology will also help to combat isolation and loneliness as users will be able to interact with the local community; this is all achieved through the television.
The paper illustrates various assistive technology applications and systems that could provide benefits to individuals and care institutions as Ken Helps, CEO of Ocean Blue Software explains: “This is about exploiting familiar technology to give the elderly and vulnerable every possible comfort and security where they most want it - in their own homes,” Helps continues “At the same time, it addresses one of the greatest challenges for the British economy – how to finance support for an ageing population”.
The advantage of utilising the television as a form of assistive technology is that it is a familiar piece of equipment to everyone, as opposed to, for example a computer.
Incorporated into the Nexus TV solution will also be Ocean Blue’s award-winning “Talking TV” technology. This development was carried out in association with the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) to create an accessible mass-market set top box that addresses the needs of the visually impaired. The technology also benefits users with other disabilities, such as dyslexia or colour-blindness, by voicing the programme guide, menus and programme information.
LONDON 10th November 2009 - The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and Ocean Blue Software’s ‘talking TV’ technology has received an Award for Excellence at the 2009 IABM Design and Innovation Awards ceremony.
The awards are held annually and are designed to recognise exceptional design and innovation in broadcast and media technology, particularly those that offer significant solutions or opportunities.
Ocean Blue Software worked in conjunction with RNIB to develop advanced Text to Speech technology for digital TV Products, with the aim of making the viewing of TV more accessible to those with visual impairment.
The technology has been used to create the world's first accessible technology solution designed to provide speech/talk-based TV programming guides and set up menus.
Ocean Blue and RNIB worked as part of a consortium, which included STMicroelectronics and TW Electronics.
Ken Helps, CEO, Ocean Blue Software: “We are delighted to receive this prestigious award. There were a record number of entries this year and we faced some stiff competition”.
“RNIB’s experience in designing products for the visually impaired coupled with our track record for developing world class digital TV software has resulted in the creation of a truly innovative product. We are extremely proud of our ‘talking TV’ technology.”
Steve Tyler, Head of Innovation and Disability Access Services, RNIB says: “This technology is set to revolutionise the way that millions of people across the world use and enjoy digital TV services. It has been fantastic experience to work with Ocean Blue and we were thrilled that the work has been recognised by the broadcast and media technology industry.”
A showcase video of the technology in action has been made and is available to view on the Ocean Blue Software website.