Symbols Communication with the AdVOCAte

The AdVOCAte is a new symbols communication appliance with natural speech performance from Toby Churchill Ltd. The lightweight system is easy to transport. On the AdVOCAte, a user can insert one, two, four, eight or sixteen keys and with every key a new message can be recorded.

The AdVOCAte has five levels and in total it is possible to insert 80 messages (16×5). The symbols are inserted at the back of the grid, on paper. The AdVOCAte can record 16 minutes of digital speech (2 minutes speech per key).

Besides this the AdVOCAte can also act as an operating system and operate other appliances. This is made possible through an infrared port. With this infrared port it is also possible to add a wireless screen. On this screen, messages can be displated in easy-to-see text. This option can be useful in a noisy environment (it is not a pure symbols communications device anymore). The AdVOCAte can be used in three ways:

1. Direct selection of the keys by hand
2. Direct selection through a maximum of 4 external switches (4 ports for external switches)
3. Scanning with one or two switches (linear scanning of row-column scanning) with extra insertable option for additive scanning.

Some facts: 

• 16 minutes of digitized speech
• Up to 2 minutes of recording on a single location
• Lightweight and portable
• Ergonomic design
• Keyboard can be configured for 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 locations
• Includes 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 location keyguards
• 5 levels – 4 levels with single key selection, 1 level with key linking 
• Selection techniques:
• Direct selection (keypad) 
• External switches – up to 4 switches
• Scanning 
• Auditory scanning
• Highly visible LEDs for scanning 
• Batteries: 2 AA 
• Size: 10.5” x 2.75” x 0.7”

The device is available for an average of $1,295 USD in the USA.
 
Source: MODEM advies  
 
Translator: Ineke