Features List: ChatPC by Saltillo Corporation

Questions related to Dedicated devices: (Integrated hardware and software)

Programming may be done directly on the device? Yes

Can a page be saved and then used as a template for creating another page? Yes, duplicate page.

Can individual pages be backed up and shared using a computer? No, only the entire set of pages.

Can an entire user set of pages be backed up and shared using a computer? Yes

Can individual pages be edited on a computer and then transferred to the device? Individual pages can be edited but must be sent to ChatPC as part of a configuration (set of pages).

Can an entire user set of pages be edited on a computer and then transferred to the device? Yes

Built in Access:

Integrated touch screen? Yes

Touch screen activated by a finger touch or is a stylus or finger nail needed? Yes, finger touch or stylus

Adjustable touch screen features to allow user to drag hand across touch screen without false activations?

Active Matrix display? Yes

Color or Monochrome display? Color

Back lit screen? Yes

Adjustable view angle and brightness? Brightness is adjustable. View angle does not need to be adjusted

Glare guard? No

Screen size? 4" diagonal

Screen pixels? 240 x 320

Screen colors? 65,536

Optical head pointer of some type? Please specify. No

Built in switch jacks? how many? No

Switch access for turning the device on and off? Pushbutton On and off, Timeout for off

Volume controlled through hardware? Yes

Volume controlled through software? Yes

Joystick or multiple switch access port for directional control? No

Direct output to a printer? No

Input/output to computer? Specify type of connection. ChatPC is built upon a Cassiopeia EM-500 computer, a full function Pocket PC computer.

Other ports? Please specify. Serial/USB connection to Desktop computer

Strategic placement of connectors and ports that could be damage by weather? Connectors are placed on under side of unit or covered by rubber housing. There is also a carrying case with plastic access panel available.

Size, Weight, Capacity, Price and Battery Life:

Dimensions? 5.75" x 3.5" x 2.1"

Weight? 17 oz.

Price? $1695

Capacity: Recording time? 45 minutes to 12 hours, depending on recording quality and other items stored in memory.

Capacity: Number of pages/boards or symbols? Hundreds of pages. Thousands of symbols. (3900 symbols come with device. Many more can be added.

Capacity: Upgradable? Please explain. Software can be updated remotely through a connection to a PC.

Battery life at rest? About 2 weeks.

Battery life with continual use? 4-5 hours

Full battery charge time if applicable? 4 hours

Type of battery? Main - Lithium Ion, Backup - Lithium, Amplifier - NiCad

Able to be connected to wheelchair battery? No, unless special adapter is created.

Mounting and Case Options:

Briefly describe carrying case and mounting options for this device. Carrying case has a clear window so that the device can be used while in the case. The device is inserted upside down so that it can be flipped up with one hand and be ready for use. Available with either a shoulder strap or waist belt.

Questions about Software: please specify platform: Dedicated Device

Macintosh, Windows, Windows CE, Palm OS, other? Pocket PC (updated version of Windows CE for Palmtop computers)

Is there specific hardware recommended or is there bundled pricing with a particular piece of Hardware? please specify. Software only comes bundled with hardware.

Software price? NA

Bundled with hardware price? $1695

Access Options:

Touch screen and mouse access option? Touch screen only

Optical head pointer with delayed activation? No

Adjustable touch screen features to allow user to drag hand across touch screen without false activations? Yes

Single switch automatic scanning? NA

Single switch inverse scanning? NA

Single switch step scanning with time delay? NA

Two switch step scanning? NA

Row column scanning? NA

Group item scanning? NA

Joystick or multiple switch access for directional control. NA

Auditory scan? NA

Auditory scan with option for a different prompt than the message? NA

Option to have separate speakers for auditory scan and main voice? NA

Auditory touch or auditory label without activation until second touch for individual's with visual impairment to search the display? NA

Zoom or enlargement feature upon search or activation? No

Switch control for turning device on and off. Timeout for off, Pushbutton for on.

Touch or mouse access also active during switch access? NA

Can multiple access methods be combined on one page? For example switches for next and back and scanning for vocabulary items. NA

Environmental control from display? No

Transparent computer access? (works with any computer software) No

Wireless computer access option? NA

Software Design:

Message bar for text? Yes

Message bar for text and pictures? No, text only.

Option for no message bar? Yes

Individual buttons hold only text? Yes

Individual buttons hold text and graphic on the same button? Yes

Individual buttons can hold text, graphic and commands on the same button? Yes

Individual buttons may contain a message and a command function such as branching? Yes

When graphics are used, what are text options: #characters, font size and # of lines? Font: 11 point to 40 point. 1 line. Characters per line determined by key size and font size.

Is text size determined on each button or globally for all buttons? both

What are options for graphic size: variable or pre-set - such as small medium and large? Automatically adjusted based on key size.

Are graphic size options determined on each button or globally for all buttons? Automatically adjusted based on key size.

Buttons are arranged on a selected grid - all buttons are the same size? Yes

Please specify grid options. 2x2, 2x3, 3x3, 3x4, 4x4, 4x5, 5x5, 1x4 phrase, 2x6 phrase, 2x 8 phrase.

May buttons be of varying sizes on the same page? No

May button information be copied and pasted or swapped with another button on the same page? Yes

Can buttons be easily re-sized and rearranged on the page? Easily rearranged not re-sized.

May buttons may be arranged in scanning groups? NA

Do buttons that branch have a visual difference that indicates it will Branch (Is this changeable or set?) Yes, set

With the function: Go to Previous page, does the software remember sequence of at least the last 5 pages so the user doesn't get stuck in a loop when there is more than one next page to branch to on a topic? Yes

A single button or series of buttons can be copied from one page with all attributes and pasted onto another page. This is a valuable tool for updating multiple pages. Yes

Is there a "chat mode" or some way for user to activate speech to talk with someone without placing that text into the display message that the user is working on, but then continue working after the chat? Keys can be programmed to speak but not display in the text area.

Price? $1695

Symbol set options:

Ability to create and add your own symbols ( please note if this may be done on the dedicated device or only on the computer and downloaded to the device.) Yes, (on a desktop computer)

Ability to use black and white symbols with colored background that leaves the symbol white? Yes, depends on symbol definition.

Ability to use colored symbols? Yes

Ability to add digitized photos? Yes

Standard symbols included? Please specify type: All Mayer Johnson PicSyms (including addendums)

Symbol sets available for additional cost? Please specify options: PCS, Imaginart, Pictograms: No, although many other symbols can be imported.

Pre-designed sets of vocabulary available? Please Specify: Two predesigned vocabulary sets available. One is a demonstrator. The other is designed by Gail VanTatenhove for adults with MRDD

Icon prediction for two symbol sequencing? NA

Ability to mark symbols to be retrieved in a search by the user? No

Word prediction? No

User defined dictionaries? No

Grammar prediction? No

Picture / Word Prediction? No

Speech:

Synthesized text to speech? (for spelling and sounding out words) Please specify type: Yes, DecTalk

Digitized speech? Yes

Option for buttons to speak upon activation? Yes

Option for buttons not to speak when activated, but wait for speak display function to activate speech? Yes

Can sounds be recorded within the program as needed or do they need to be saved and imported? Yes (can either be recorded on the device or imported)

May separate voices be used for auditory scan and main voice? NA

General information about manufacturer:

Do they have a network of trainers? No

Cost and availability of training? Print materials included

How much training is usually needed/recommended to get up and running with the device? Several hours with print materials

What is average repair time? 1-2 weeks

Are loaners or rentals available? Yes

What tech support is available?

Ease of programming? (I'm not sure how to ask this!) Easy to learn and program.

Other:

Age appropriateness look? Appropriate for all ages

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