The aim of this project was to develop a system that connects a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) network with a Wiki system via an Asterisk Gateway Interface (AGI). The advantage of VoIP is that you can access both static and dynamic information of a Wiki system (e.g., the weather).

Interaction with the system is based on speech output and key input via a phone connection. A speech synthesis program converts the information found in a text into spoken language. To hook into the system, a phone connection has to be established. This can be done per VoIP phone, conventional landline or mobile phone. Search words are entered as you would in writing an SMS (e.g.: for a “c”, push the “2” three times).

We decided to use VoIP because it is developing and spreading rapidly; moreover, no costs are involved except those for the Internet connection. By using a Wiki system (the same system as used by the online encyclopedia Wikipedia) to save contents, the system can be extended to almost any area. The contents are saved in a specially defined format, which ensures that the data will be presented as the user who originally provided the data wanted. Via a web interface, the user can also add, edit, read or delete data.

The aim of this project is to develop a system that performs the above-mentioned tasks and consists, as far as possible, of open source software. The system can be used by the sighted, the sightimpaired and the blind. As we found out after talking to the Carinthian Association of the Blind, the elderly blind would benefit in particular from this project. Collaboration with the Carinthian Association of the Blind guarantees that we keep the system simple and efficient for this target group. Through the association, we now have access to events, special information for the blind, and more. Another potential application: public authorities could use our system to make relevant information available to the blind. If they forget something, the information can be retrieved any time, day or night.