In this paper, we describe the design and development of a network for universal access to devices called the Total Access System, or TASCloud. The Project Archimedes Team at Stanford had previously developed the Total Access System, or TAS, which was presented to CSUN98. While the TAS was built to control computers, the TASCloud controls appliances on a local network.
Appliances can be anything from televisions or telephones, as well as computers.
In 1990, the Total Access System was developed by Project Archimedes researchers to address the need for accessible computer equipment for disabled users. The TAS consists of a personal accessor, such as a PC running speech recognition for a mobility-impaired user, and a Total Access Port, or TAP, which provides connectivity to the targeted computer. Accessors are tailored for a particular person according to their needs. A mobility-impaired person may use both a speech accessor and a head tracker, whereas a person with a progressive disease would use an eye tracker. All of these devices are accessors.