- Are there any new project ideas that came up (even if entirely different from your current project, describe)? Before the idea of the trans_verbal_ator was conceived we had numerous suggestions on what exactly to do for our Senior Design Project. We were going in the general direction of using sound and technology together in some way to create something that could be used as some form of communication and/or entertainment. Ideas like a device that would plainly convert sound to digital form and finally to text were thought up. However, the creation of such a device would display our practical Electrical Engineering skills but because of the thorough amount of research, application and time that had to go into the device, we discarded this idea in substitute for a device that could be created within our time constraints. In addition to this, we also thought about creating a device perhaps a hand-held device that one could speak into at one end and later the translation of their input could be heard on the other end in a language they choose. This too would have been a device that required a little bit of research and construction and also, it seemed that creating the software aspect deemed to be difficult and again time consuming. This led us to the final idea of the trans_verbal_ator which we are currently still working on. - How could your project be extended/improved in the future? With the trans_verbal_ator now already selected as our device we are thinking of making additions to it such as the ability of translating in different languages (not just only English to Spanish) or the compatibility of the device with other mechanisms like cell phones or PDAs for example. If these capabilities are added to the device they would definitely be great improvements on the trans_verbal_ator that we have of today. - A list (links/contact info) of the valuable sources you have received support from (sponsors/vendors/donated parts/tech support/...) + a short description for each such source of how you were helped by their support. We currently have not received any funding yet from any company or individual. We are however working on asking certain companies such as the company that allows for speech-to-text conversion for discounts on purchasing their device. - Any other information that will help future SD students when deciding and working on their own projects (info not already listed elsewhere on your project website). With the device's creation currently still being in progress the most important that has come up is timing. Because our Senior Design has to be completed under a certain time period, scheduling meetings for discussions as well as construction and programming of the device have to be regular and in the allotted time slot that we have. It is important that one thinks ahead of time to when the device is due and start planning exactly how one is going to go by organizing all aspects of creating the device. Breaking aspects of the project amongst the members and later meeting during meeting times and putting ideas together is a good way to go about assuring that one performs their Senior Design Project on time and in an efficient manner. Money is also an issue and obviously, it is one aspect of the final project that should be regulated strictly; Funding is usually a good way to reduce cost of construction. One should try to contact companies that have some item or mechanism in your device and asks them for discounts on such devices. Also, extensive searching on the internet may reveal organizations that sometimes fund people based on the applications of their devices.

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