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http://www.redherring.com/Article.aspx?a=18553&hed=IBM+Offers+Deaf+Mobile+Alerts§or=Industries&subsector=Biosciences
Big Blue’s U.K. research labs are set to deploy a pilot system to help people with disabilities.
IBM’s software research labs in the United Kingdom said Thursday they have developed a system to send location-specific alerts to the cell phones of hearing-impaired people at airports, workplaces, railway stations, and other locations.
Code-named LAMA, or Location Aware Messaging for Accessibility, the system can send alerts in a range of formats, including images and handset vibrations, said IBM.
When a user enters a location running LAMA, the mobile phone recognizes the system and provides a list of messaging services it can offer. Users can be automatically alerted to public address announcements, which are converted into a user’s preferred format.
The system would help the hearing impaired receive critical information, such as emergency alerts, fire alarms, and security and safety instructions, in the form of text messages, said Sara Basson, program director, human ability, at IBM Research.
“It has a critical use since a lot of emergency alerts are presented through an auditory format today,” said Ms. Basson. “But this is an example of an invention that is for the greater good of society.”
IBM believes the LAMA technology can help more than people with disabilities. Environments where the system could be used include sports events to announce the location of stadium facilities, and scores and substitutions; or at shopping centers to broadcast customer information, public announcements, and in-store promotions.
“With a maturing workforce, there are more people that could benefit from a LAMA-type information system that delivers information,” said Ms. Basson.
Big Blue Gets Extreme
The LAMA system was developed as part of IBM’s Extreme Blue research program at its lab in Hursley near Winchester, U.K.
Location would likely need to make some changes in their infrastructure to accommodate the LAMA hardware and software, but the system supports a variety of wireless technologies.
LAMA makes use of Bluetooth and GPRS (general packet radio service) technologies, and can be adapted to work with Wi-Fi and GSM (global system for mobile communications) networks.
LAMA is due to be pilot-tested in the coming months across the United Kingdom. Users will be able to download the LAMA client software to their mobile phones from a web site.
IBM also plans to offer the technology within some of its products.
“Our hope and vision with a lot of these technologies is that when they do go commercial, they are embedded in existing IBM products,” said Ms. Basson.
Eventually IBM could make LAMA available as part of its customized services offering.
“If someone wants it, they could connect with our services arm, which will create it as a unique offering modified to meet the user’s needs, and also give the training and support that comes with the technology,” said Ms. Basson.
Shares of IBM rose $0.49 to $82.73 in recent trading.
Business Finder
IBM also said its Indian research lab has developed business finder technology for mobile phones that lets consumers find the nearest, most highly rated, and available service vendors like plumbers, electricians, carpenters, and doctors.
"The business finder technology combines sophisticated geographic information system applications and data analysis with mobile telephone networks to provide information, wherever and whenever, to a consumer who is looking for a specific nearby service,” said Dr. Daniel M. Dias, director of IBM India Research Laboratory, in a statement.
The business finder technology would offer users search capability for both “mobile” businesses and vendors such as taxis and plumbers and “static” businesses such as stores and gas stations. It combines location, reputation, dynamic workload, and consumer feedback to match consumers with the closest available service vendors, said IBM.
It can also be used in other industries like transportation, logistics, utilities, healthcare, and manufacturing.
The technology can either be hosted by an individual network operator or can cut across different operators, said IBM.
Big Blue’s U.K. research labs are set to deploy a pilot system to help people with disabilities.
IBM’s software research labs in the United Kingdom said Thursday they have developed a system to send location-specific alerts to the cell phones of hearing-impaired people at airports, workplaces, railway stations, and other locations.
Code-named LAMA, or Location Aware Messaging for Accessibility, the system can send alerts in a range of formats, including images and handset vibrations, said IBM.
When a user enters a location running LAMA, the mobile phone recognizes the system and provides a list of messaging services it can offer. Users can be automatically alerted to public address announcements, which are converted into a user’s preferred format.
The system would help the hearing impaired receive critical information, such as emergency alerts, fire alarms, and security and safety instructions, in the form of text messages, said Sara Basson, program director, human ability, at IBM Research.
“It has a critical use since a lot of emergency alerts are presented through an auditory format today,” said Ms. Basson. “But this is an example of an invention that is for the greater good of society.”
IBM believes the LAMA technology can help more than people with disabilities. Environments where the system could be used include sports events to announce the location of stadium facilities, and scores and substitutions; or at shopping centers to broadcast customer information, public announcements, and in-store promotions.
“With a maturing workforce, there are more people that could benefit from a LAMA-type information system that delivers information,” said Ms. Basson.
Big Blue Gets Extreme
The LAMA system was developed as part of IBM’s Extreme Blue research program at its lab in Hursley near Winchester, U.K.
Location would likely need to make some changes in their infrastructure to accommodate the LAMA hardware and software, but the system supports a variety of wireless technologies.
LAMA makes use of Bluetooth and GPRS (general packet radio service) technologies, and can be adapted to work with Wi-Fi and GSM (global system for mobile communications) networks.
LAMA is due to be pilot-tested in the coming months across the United Kingdom. Users will be able to download the LAMA client software to their mobile phones from a web site.
IBM also plans to offer the technology within some of its products.
“Our hope and vision with a lot of these technologies is that when they do go commercial, they are embedded in existing IBM products,” said Ms. Basson.
Eventually IBM could make LAMA available as part of its customized services offering.
“If someone wants it, they could connect with our services arm, which will create it as a unique offering modified to meet the user’s needs, and also give the training and support that comes with the technology,” said Ms. Basson.
Shares of IBM rose $0.49 to $82.73 in recent trading.
Business Finder
IBM also said its Indian research lab has developed business finder technology for mobile phones that lets consumers find the nearest, most highly rated, and available service vendors like plumbers, electricians, carpenters, and doctors.
"The business finder technology combines sophisticated geographic information system applications and data analysis with mobile telephone networks to provide information, wherever and whenever, to a consumer who is looking for a specific nearby service,” said Dr. Daniel M. Dias, director of IBM India Research Laboratory, in a statement.
The business finder technology would offer users search capability for both “mobile” businesses and vendors such as taxis and plumbers and “static” businesses such as stores and gas stations. It combines location, reputation, dynamic workload, and consumer feedback to match consumers with the closest available service vendors, said IBM.
It can also be used in other industries like transportation, logistics, utilities, healthcare, and manufacturing.
The technology can either be hosted by an individual network operator or can cut across different operators, said IBM.
