EyeComTec - assisting technology for people with complex communication needs
We are EyeComTec (a division of LAZgroup SA) – a group of developers creating assistive software.
Our mission is to create efficient and readily-available solutions in the field of augmentative and alternative communication technologies.
EyeComTec software products are intended for mobility impairment sufferers, or those who are afflicted with serious motor loss.
All programs developed in our company allow people with significantly limited mobility to communicate (type texts) and control computers by using any available and retained physical activity:
- pressing buttons, levers, and pedals using any powerful muscle group
- performing visual manipulations through mimics and eye movements
- producing vocal sounds or other noises.
We are dedicated to making all our technologies easily available to anyone who has a need. After analyzing the field of software and AAC-hardware for those who suffer from full or partial paralysis, we discovered two main problems:
- The majority of devices and software solutions are sold at an incredibly high price. Those who have limited motor activity, and their families, simply don’t have enough money to buy and use this type of software.
- Hardware is the biggest part of these solutions available on the market, and so immediate purchase and operation of the software can often be difficult. It is hard to find the right hardware equipment that can successfully aid sufferers of physical impairment, even in large cities, while postal delivery can take up to several weeks after completing an online order.
That’s why our main goal is to eradicate this situation for those who need it most. At EyeComTec, we strive to make assistive software solutions affordable, immediate, and easily available for everyone.
The concept of EyeComTec is uniquely different compared to the majority of solutions available on the market today. All assistive communication technologies and other input interfaces developed by our company are 100% software. This guarantees that our products can be easily obtained from anywhere in the world, and can be safely used on any computer – even laptops.
We have developed a wide range of assistive technology software solutions, optimized so they can used on affordable low-end specification computers or netbooks with built-in web-cameras. This means all you need to get started with the software is a reliable device you feel comfortable using.
Software products from our company can be easily used by those with various physical limitations or diseases, such as:
- various forms of paralysis, including infant cerebral palsy
- degenerative diseases of the central nervous system, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- tumors and other brain and spinal cord lesions
- consequences of a recent heart attack or a stroke
- nerve compression syndrome of the spinal cord
- multiple sclerosis and Guillain-Barré syndrome
- locomotor system dysfunction
- muscle atrophy
- uncontrolled muscle activity (tremors, tics, myoclonus and muscle dystonia)
- recent traumas or accidents resulting in full or partial loss of motor activity.
EyeComTec is currently one of the leaders in the field of software development for the paralyzed and physically impaired. We never stop our active work in this field, and we always seek to improve and develop our innovative solutions. Our company brings assistive technologies to a completely new level of development, making them easily available and affordable for those who really need them.
Main advantages of our software
The most important feature of EyeComTec products is that they can be used by those with various levels of motor freedom. Depending on the physical state of the patient, different combinations of assistive programs can be used.
EyeComTec software can be used in various medical and rehabilitation centers, as well as at home. In the case of degenerative diseases when the condition of a patient becomes worse (e.g. ALS), the patient can use the virtual keyboard to communicate with others easily. With limited mobility, the patient will retain the most important thing in their life – the possibility to communicate and to be heard.
Our company understands the importance our technologies have on those with physical limitations, and to represent this we offer free software licenses for those who really need it (for more information, please check the “License agreement” section).
Assistive technologies from EyeComTec have a wide range of unique advantages:
- A total software solution, making it possible to use almost immediately and in virtually any place in the world. There’s no need to wait for order processing and product shipping – the user can communicate immediately after installation and initial setting procedures.
- An optimized code and a small file size makes our software possible to download and install at an incredibly fast rate. All programs have low technical requirements and can even be installed on low-end specification laptops. Furthermore, all programs have a group of parameters, which allows significant improvement of the overall operation speed.
- All programs are 100% portable and can be launched from any external storage device (e.g. a flashcard). There’s no need to install the application on the computer, because an executive file can be launched.
- Each program has a wide range of settings and parameters. Several dozens of parameters are able to be adjusted, fine tuning the application to create the most comfortable and convenient atmosphere.
- Various languages allow patients to communicate natively.
- An unlimited amount of user profiles makes it possible to change the program settings incredibly fast. This makes it possible to transfer all settings from your old PC to a new one. One personal computer for several users or patients can also be used.
- Customers who purchase commercial licenses are able to use extended versions of the software with additional functionality
List of Augmentative and Alternative Communication products made by EyeComTec
ECTkeyboard
ECTkeyboard (EyeComTec Keyboard) is a program with a text matrix that allows individuals with limited motor skills to type text. The program works with eye tracking applications (ECTtracker and analogues), allowing to select characters through blinking, muscle contractions or other actions. ECTkeyboard has a flexible interface configuration, language input and character selecting delays. Saves all settings in files for subsequent work.
- [More]
- [Download⁄Buy]
- [Quick Guide]
ECTtracker
ECTtracker (EyeComTec Tracker) is an eye-tracking program that works in conjunction with applications to capture video and control programs. Based on the state of the eye (open, closed, one eye opened) it transmits the control key codes to the receiver program. Thus the user can run the program and type the text by opening and closing the eyes. Requires no installation and has flexible configuration options.
- [More]
- [Download⁄Buy]
- [Quick Guide]
ECTlistener
ECTistener software, created and developed by EyeComTec (www.eyecomtec.com) is intended to analyze sound signals from any microphone. Depending on the length and volume of the signal, ECTlistener emulates key strokes and sends control codes to the receiving software.
- [More]
- [Download⁄Buy]
- [Quick Guide]
ECTcamera
ECTcamera (EyeComTec Camera) is a video capture program to work with a webcam or an external device connected to the computer. It allows you to scale the displayed image, save partial or full screen screenshots or videos. Supports "hot keys", saving all the settings in the configuration files, switching quickly between them and can be launched from the command line. Doesn’t require installation.
- [More]
- [Download⁄Buy]
- [Quick Guide]
ECTmouse
ECTmouse (EyeComTec Mouse) is an application which emulates cursor movement and mouse button clicks by using any keyboard. This program is part of the assistive technologies complex and works effectively with a personal computer for those with limited physical abilities.
- [More]
- [Download⁄Buy]
ECTmorse
ECTmorse (EyeComTec Morse) is a program designed to help sufferers of paralysis by allowing them to type using Morse code. The program may be used on nearly any PC or laptop because of its low system requirements, and is fully featured and customizable.
- [More]
- [Download⁄Buy]
Video Guides
Problem Definitions - The need for Affordable Assistant Technology
Various lesions and diseases of the body may result in different levels of motor activity loss. Powerful muscles may retain partial activity in some cases, for example in the fingers and legs. Some people may lose their ability to talk coherently, but they are still able to produce various sounds. Full paralysis means eye movement is retained in most situations.
[more]Imagine for a moment if you will, that you wake up one day and you are completely paralyzed. How would you communicate with others in the room? How would you get your morning coffee, or breakfast for that matter? You can’t effectively say what you want so you are now at the mercy of a dietician who choose foods that are “best” for you. How can you tell them that you don’t like the taste of lemon in your tea or burnt toast? For that matter, how will you be able to communicate anything with others regarding pain levels, basic needs and anything else you have to say?
[more]With the development of computer technology hospital staff’s monotonous work with paralyzed patients is increasingly being replaced by specially developed programs. These programs perform tasks completely identical to those of an assistant - alternately showing the patient on the computer screen alphabet letters from which by blinking or other eye movements he selects the right one , thus composing words and sentences. Such programs are designed to work with different types of cameras and are often part of full-fledged software hardware systems, consisting of eye tracking devices and applications processing the captured image of the patient's eye and the text or graphic matrix.
[more]Each person tries to live a full life and care for his own health and those of people close to him. Unfortunately, a full life in the usual understanding of the term is not granted to everyone - stress and anxiety, trauma and the effects of surgical intervention, poor living conditions or bad habits, as many other causes can lead to disability. The consequences in this case are very diverse, and often cause a partial or complete loss of motor activity.
[more]Literally, the term eye tracking (sometimes known by the name gaze tracking) means following an eye. It is a process during which specific devices determine the position of the patient's eyeballs. Depending on where the eye is directed, the system calculates the angle of view, and thus makes it possible to determine which of several objects a person looks at. Devices used for this purpose are called eye trackers.
[more]It is an undeniable fact: A full and healthy life is extremely important for everyone. But, unfortunately, no one is immune to diseases and conditions that can severely limit mobility. This can be caused by different joint injuries, post-stroke states, paralysis, and mental illnesses. The majority of people are exposed to such risks due to heredity, aging, habits, stress, poor diet, sleep and waking schedule, and many other reasons. Even for perfectly healthy people, there is a considerable risk of accidents or other emergencies that can cause an irreparable damage to health.
[more]For many years, the situation on the market of technologically sophisticated eye-tracking devices is not in favor of the final user. The cost of a nurse or a specialized assistant, which will help the paralyzed patient to communicate with the outside world, is high enough, but keeping him in a specialized clinic or purchase an eye-tracking system for home use will be many times more expensive. Everyone cannot afford this, and combined with a costly course of treatment and rehabilitation, it becomes even less affordable. As a result, patients are forced to suffer without communication, which introduces additional negative aspects to the disease due to frequent stress and forced isolation.
[more]Complete paralysis is understood to represent the “…loss of the ability to move one or more muscles…” according to the National Health Service (NHS) UK. There are several different classifications of paralysis ranging from a more mild paralysis which is specific to one area of the body (Localized), to an extreme full body paralysis which affects both arms and legs (Tetraplegia or quadriplegia). A person with any form of paralysis will tend to have some form of impairment in the nerves or nervous system. This article will focus mainly on complete body paralysis which can also be known as a locked in state or syndrome (LIS). Locked in Syndrome basically means that a patient may have been in a state of comatose who then wakes, but remains paralyzed although still awake and conscious without any means of generating speech or movement.
[more]Advantages of Our Solution
Eye-tracking software complexes are intended to allow quadriplegic persons, or people with reduced mobility, the possibility of letter-by-letter text typing. One of such complexes is the set of ECTCamera, ECTtracker and ECTkeyboard programs. This set is a ready-to-use product that allows users to enter text letter by letter using eye movement (e.g. blinking) or other possible movements using a laptop or PC with a connected video capturing device (e.g. camera) and special software (virtual keyboard).Usually, loss of mobility in patients is never planned and can happen suddenly. It can be caused by strokes, accidents, and injuries. The faster you start treatment and rehabilitation, the better the results that can be achieved for each affected person. It is equally important for patients to have the possibility to communicate with medical and support staff. Assistant Communication technologies are in high demand these days.
[more]Specialists of EyeComTec really appreciate the importance of the ability to communicate for daily life and faster rehabilitation progress. Therefore, we provide Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAG) software complex on a free basis for everyone who suffer from such physical needs, as well as for health professionals and rehabilitation centers offering their services on a pro bono (free of charge) basis.
[more]Alternative and Augmentative communication systems based on software solutions are significantly cheaper than their hardware analogues because they just need a PC or laptop for operation. Despite that the purchase of equipment still leads to certain financial costs, the total cost of such Assistive Technology systems is the lowest among all possible alternatives.
[more]The Augmentative and Alternative communication solutions by EyeComTec are simple and easy to use in comparison with similar software products by other companies. Programs of the complex can be executed from any external storage device without any need to copy files to a PC. Support of various user profiles makes it possible to load predefined settings for programs which can be useful for simultaneous operation of several users on one computer, as well as for user transfer to another working station.
[more]In case of continuous rehabilitation, or when it’s impossible to restore physical mobility, a patient becomes confined to a bed or a wheelchair, and an AAG complex (e.g. an eye-tracking system) becomes necessary in improving the conditions of the patient’s home. Patients may experience the following difficulties coupled with continuous rehabilitation at home.
[more]The key difference of EyeComTec’s Augmentative and Alternative Communication software from other analogues is the ability to use it completely contactless. There’s no need to use motion sensors or facial muscle sensors fixed on the electrodes on the user's head or face; there’s also no need to use head mounted IR-cameras or any other attached equipment in order to provide user interaction with the program complex.
[more]Producing software that is considered by many to be life changing and at the forefront of eye control communication technology we are often asked many questions by patients, researchers and caregivers. In an effort to answer all of these questions and provide the answers that our clients need, our team of software developers thoroughly prepare themselves for any questions posed.
[more]At the moment, the complex is based on 4 program products.
[more]All software by EyeComTec was developed from scratch, keeping in mind the needs of different user groups. Text entry with ECTtracker can be performed not only with the eyes opening or closing, but with any other visibly noticeable gesture. For example, in cases where the patient retains the mobility of the lips, they can run the program with movements of their mouth or other mimic actions. The software complex can be used by patients in different physical states.
[more]An Extended version of ECTtracker can be used in various fields and areas, from automatic control of household appliances ("smart home"), to tracking of the status of indicators and control of robotic devices in the industrial field. As an alternative approach to “computer vision”, ECTtracker can be used in various fields of automated production in order to monitor and analyze any visible activity in real time. For example, ECTtracker can measure the level of solutions in transparent containers, can control the state of analog indicators, sensors, and the position of robotic devices, and so on. The application can be used to control states in hazardous environments, for instance on electric stations, the aerospace industry, chemical production, and in automatic assembly lines.
[more]Eye-tracking software complexes are intended to allow quadriplegic persons, or people with reduced mobility, the possibility of letter-by-letter text typing. One of such complexes is the set of ECTCamera, ECTtracker and ECTkeyboard programs. This set is a ready-to-use product that allows users to enter text letter by letter using eye movement (e.g. blinking) or other possible movements using a laptop or PC with a connected video capturing device (e.g. camera) and special software (virtual keyboard).
[more]Licensing agreement - Terms of Use
This is a licensing agreement for the right to use a product. The licensee has the right to use this product subject to certain terms and conditions. This agreement sets forth the material provisions including both permitted and prohibited uses of the software. [more]
Contacts:
EyeComTec (LAZgroup SA)
15, rue du Cendrier, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
Phone: +41(0)794822839 (Mo-Fr 10:00 - 16:00)
If you have any comments or concerns about our Services or Software Solutions, we strongly encourage you to direct them to us using the web-form on the "Contact Us" page of our site.