title: On the building of binary spelling interfaces for augmentative communication.
abstract: A criterion for design of optimal binary spelling interfaces (SI)--the average expectation of number of writing steps (trials) required to write one letter--is presented and discussed. This criterion is relevant for practical usage of any menu-oriented alternative communication system, mechanical device or brain-computer-interface, when a user (typically, a patient with devastating neuromuscular handicap) can not create an intended single binary response with an absolute reliability. An algorithm for building of a corresponding binary tree is developed and evaluated. This algorithm is efficient, when selection probabilities have essentially different values (the worst case).
authors.affiliation: Accenture GmbH, D-61476 Kronberg, Germany. m_tregoubov@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Mikhail
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tregoubov
authors.forename: Niels
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Birbaumer
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D006801:Humans; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval / Q000379:methods*; D009323:Natural Language Processing; D010363:Pattern Recognition, Automated / Q000379:methods*; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D018875:Vocabulary, Controlled; D015443:Word Processing / Q000379:methods*