FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Media Alert: 1-Source/AMP-RTI Unveils Design, application, system and product development of SGD For Aphasic Speech Pathology Segment for O Brien Technologies, Inc. Lenoir, NC & Port Jefferson Station, NY (January 7, 2009) 1-Source Electronics and AMP- RTI in agreement with O Brien Technologies, Inc., O'Brien Technologies, Inc. a Virginia based Corporation formed to develop, design, manufacture, market and sell Speech Generating Devices (SGDs). The 1-Source/AMP team were contracted to deliver a system consisting of paired handheld devices with a proprietary SGD software application that allows for personalization and navigation between devices to assist with mobility of an aphasic client. These devices are designed to assist Speech Language Pathologists and other healthcare professionals who treat individuals with severe communication disabilities. The company holds a provisional patent on a new advanced speech recovery system. SGDs are used as a supplementary mode of communication to augment existing communication strategies and can be configured or customized to address most communication needs. 1-Source/AMP has provided beta versions of the device to O Brien and the Kessler Foundation for second phase usability testing and is completing final phase production scheduling to fulfill and distribute product by second quarter 2009. A recent press sighting posted in Business Week has been provided for review: Re.: Press Release from Consumer Electronics December 23, 2008, 12:01AM EST For the Disabled, More Power for Play GPS devices and airport videophones are just some of the latest gadgets that can help people with disabilities enjoy travel and leisure By Suzanne Robitaille Big Market The ADA Amendments Act marks an important milestone for Americans with disabilities, and also offers new opportunities for companies to design and market more accessible products and services. Even without the law, doing so makes good business sense. One in five Americans has a disability, representing a $200 billion market of consumers eager to spend on technologies that will improve their lives. A handful of technology providers have taken the lead in putting more pleasure into pastimes for people with disabilities. Some companies, such as Microsoft (MSFT), already have a foothold in workplace assistive technologies, and they're now expanding into new scenarios. Others came to the assistive technology market by accident having realized their products were life-changers for the disabled at play. Either way, they've all had a hand in opening the market for technologies that are making life more playful and productive for people with disabilities. 1 Locations: New York, North Carolina, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, PRC 1-Source/AMP-RTI
Due out in 2009, the Survivor Speech Companion System from Kessler Foundation and O'Brien Technologies will offer a new communications option for people who cannot speak, often because of a stroke or brain injury. Speech Companion is a handheld touch screen device that comes preloaded with a list of places, conversations, and pictures, such as popular phrases, stores, and restaurants. Basically, it is a talking machine that's customized to resemble the user's natural voice while he recovers. Survivor Speech Companion is best used with a family member or caregiver who can intercept specific requests, such as "Please take me to Best Buy so I can purchase a TV." It can also, for example, ask a waitress, "Can I have a hamburger, cooked medium well, with lettuce and American cheese?" Many insurance plans, including Medicare, will cover the cost of the device, which will run around $6,000. 1-Source/AMP is focused on the design, manufacturing and system integration of Mobile Enterprise Applications. The 1S-AMP team is very excited about our future. We are focusing on delivering components and systems to our core market in the wireless device segment. Our management team has been fortunate to be part of some of the best success stories in wireless over the past 5 years, said Bruce R. MacArthur, Chief Operating Officer of 1-Source Electronics. 1S-AMP s experienced technical and management personnel will allow our customers to develop reliable wireless technologies and applications, while pushing the envelope with new concepts. For more information on device applications or SGD, contact either: Bruce R. MacArthur 1-Source Electronic Components, Inc. bruce@1sourcecomponents.com 1-631-642-2479 x 205 Kamal Mahajan AMP-RTI, LLC kamal@ampinusa.com 1-631-471-6157 About 1-Source/AMP-RTI 1-Source/AMP-RTI is a joint venture by 1-Source Electronics, Inc., AMP, Corp. and AMP-RTI, LLC. The combined firm is a developer, systems integrator and contract manufacturer of Electronics. Advanced R&D is in Ronkonkoma, New York, USA; Manufacturing and R&D is in Shenzhen, China, Sales is in Port Jefferson, New York, and Tampa Bay Florida USA and Hong Kong, China. Along with electronic manufacturing services [ http://www.1sourcecomponents.com/ems/]. The complete suite of services offered by the venture includes mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, hardware/software development, and worldwide product procurement from raw materials to board-level components. 2 Locations: New York, North Carolina, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, PRC 1-Source/AMP-RTI
Touch to speak. With the Survivor Speech Companion System, individuals with aphasia use advanced touch-screen technology to simply speak what they see out loud! A companion device, included with the system, allows caregivers to respond and communicate privately with the survivor unit. We would like to thank our friends from the ASHA Convention for our warm reception. The enthusiasm expressed by every individual who saw a demonstration of the Survivor Speech Companion System affirmed what we believed our product truly is the latest advancement in speech recovery. Visit us today at OBrienTechnologies.com to learn more about the Survivor Speech Companion System, and visit 4StrokeSurvivors.com to explore the path to recovery. Finally, those with aphasia can easily communicate with the touch of a button. Designed by people with aphasia and leading healthcare professionals, the Survivor Speech Companion System was created to enable essential, everyday communication. Copyright 2008, O Brien Technologies. All rights reserved.
Designed by aphasia survivors and leading healthcare professionals, the Survivor Speech Companion System is the newest speech generating device (SGD) to enable essential, everyday communication. Touch to speak. The Survivor simply touches the screen to navigate within the category to make his or her selection. Now, just touch to speak. The device displays a photograph of the item as karaoke-like text appears on the screen simultaneoulsy with the voice emitted from the device. Using the touchscreen on the Companion device, packaged with every system, the caregiver selects the category or topic he or she would like to discuss with the Survivor. Via wireless technology, the paired Survivor unit immediately recognizes the section chosen on the Companion device and displays the category on the screen. Advancing speech recovery. OBrienTechnologies.com 888.285.8882 Copyright 2008, O Brien Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Touch to speak.
Advancing speech recovery. O Brien Technologies is dedicated to providing stroke survivors with technologies that facilitate essential communication and lasting recovery. O Brien Technologies was formed by two individuals, Dan O Brien and Ed Buchholz. Their desire was to help a long-time friend suffering from a severe communication disability called aphasia (pronounced uh-fazh-iuh). Aphasia is the loss of the ability to produce and/or comprehend language due to an injury in this case, a stroke to specialized areas of the brain. Despite their friend s exhaustive efforts to find speech and medical professionals who could help him recover from the stroke and aphasia, an effective communication tool did not exist. That s why Dan and Ed created O Brien Technologies and the Survivor Speech Companion System, a groundbreaking device that could help their friend communicate again. Simple. With the Survivor Speech Companion System, aphasia survivors use advanced touch-screen technology to simply say what they see. An intuitive menu system speeds two-way communication. Smart. Highly adaptable, the Survivor system can help those just starting the recovery process or facilitate the progress of more advanced stroke survivors. Using a secure website, the system can be configured as a training tool or customized with personal photos and phrases to address communication preferences. Synchronized. A companion device, included with the system, allows caregivers to converse with the Survivor unit instantly and privately. Fellow survivors can communicate with one another using their personal Survivor units. Touch to speak. The path to recovery. Designed by aphasia survivors and leading healthcare professionals, the Survivor Speech Companion System is the newest speech generating device (SGD) to enable essential, everyday communication. 4StrokeSurvivors.com, a website sponsored by O Brien Technologies, was developed to provide stroke survivors, co-survivors, and caregivers with information and resources that will help with the long-term recovery process.
Advancing speech recovery. Visit us today at OBrienTechnologies.com to learn more about the Survivor Speech Companion System and how you can touch to speak. 710 Third Street SW Suite 200 Roanoke, VA 24016 OBrienTechnologies.com Toll Free: 888.285.8882 Phone: 540.343.8882 Copyright 2008, O Brien Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.