PEAT™ software is designed to provide cueing and planning assistance for people with memory, attention, and cognitive disorders. Typical users include patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), neurodegenerative conditions including Alzheimer's disease, and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). PEAT lets people with such conditions become more independent by helping them to plan and execute daily activities, and to stay on schedule.
PEAT is a unique software program that turns a standard handheld computer into a powerful cognitive orthotic system. It uses patented automatic planning technology to manage a schedule like a human assistant. It is the most technologically advanced and easy to use tool available for planning and scheduling disorders.
PEAT is designed to provide help that cannot be found in other calendar or cueing systems, which only provide a passive record of a plan. The other systems don't actually DO any planning. A person must still generate and execute the plan and enter the plan into the calendar or cueing system. They also must notice and adjust to problems or opportunities that occur while executing the plan. Maximum independence requires a "closed-loop" system that can: generate a plan, execute it, collect feedback during execution, and adjust the plan if necessary. These executive functions are often impaired with cognitive disorders. This limits the independence of individuals with planning deficits because they may be dependent on someone else to perform these planning functions throughout the day.
PEAT is designed specifically to provide automatic support for these executive functions so that users can be more independent. It helps users with cognitive disorders perform many tasks that currently require another person's assistance.
PEAT's patented planning software was developed by a NASA computer scientist who develops automatic planning software for robotic spacecraft. The planning software is also based on neuropsychological models of frontal lobe and executive brain functions. PEAT's automatic planning features include floating tasks and scripts. PEAT combines advanced artificial intelligence software with graphic displays, extensive use of selection menus and touchscreen controls (to minimize the need for typing), personalized verbal and audio signals, and other features designed for people with cognitive, perceptual, and motor deficits.
Three software modules
PEAT includes the following three software modules.
They are designed to work together, so they are not sold separately.
Pocket PEAT - a version of PEAT that runs on Pocket PC (handheld) computers. This is the main version that the user will carry around on the handheld device. PEAT was designed for handheld devices. It is very important that PEAT users carry PEAT with them so that they can hear and respond to the cues. It is also important that users carry a mobile version so that they can add and modify their calendar, names and notes throughout the day. One of PEAT's greatest strengths is to help users juggle their schedule throughout their day and that is only possible if PEAT is with them wherever they are
PC PEAT - a version of PEAT that runs on desktop or laptop PC computers. This is exactly the same software as the Pocket PEAT software except that the voice recording capability is not yet supported on the PC version. This version is helpful for data entry, training, presentations, and data backup. It helps with data entry because you can enter most of your tasks, names and notes on the desktop or laptop PC, using the larger screen and keyboard, and then download the data to the handheld device. You can also use PC PEAT to create a backup of your handheld data by copying the data from the handheld to the desktop using the PEAT Link module.
PEAT Link - software that links PC PEAT to Pocket PC. PEAT Link allows you to install PEAT onto a Pocket PC computer from the desktop or laptop PC. It also lets you copy data back and forth between the Pocket PC and a desktop or laptop PC
Three Operating
Modes
You can operate PEAT in the following three different "modes":
Demo Mode - You can run a canned PEAT demonstration, following the PEAT Tour example. The Demo is described in the Reference Manual and in the Peat Tour on our web site.
Trial Mode - You use a full-function "trial" version of PEAT that expires after 30 days. After 30 days, users will not be able to enter any more data.
Registered Mode - You can purchase a full-function version of PEAT that does not expire.
Three Documents
PEAT comes with the following three documents:
Reference Manual - A comprehensive description of all of the features in PEAT and how to use them.
Treatment Guide and Workbook - A description of how to design a customized PEAT treatment program based on specific needs. The workbook section contains worksheets that guide a decision process that maps needs assessment into specific treatment options.
Administrator's Guide - This document describes how to install PEAT and how to copy data between PC PEAT and Pocket PEAT. It could also be called the "Installation and Synchronization Guide".
PEAT uses computer simulated executive functions perform schedule management functions that otherwise require human assistance. This includes the following:
The PEAT Tour is the easiest way to see what PEAT is about.
(To read PDF, you need Acrobat Reader software)
The PEAT Flyer is a simple way to understand more about PEAT. The flyer is a 2-page document in PDF format.
(To read PDF, you need Acrobat Reader software)
Peat runs on handheld computers that use Microsoft's Pocket PC operating system (also known as Windows CE).
General Information about Pocket PC's can be found at Pen Computing magazine, Mobile Planet, Microsoft's Pocket PC site, and Pocket PC Magazine.
Pocket PC computers are made by Compaq, HP, and Casio, Toshiba, NEC, and others. These "palm-sized" computers are about the size of a deck of cards, with touch-sensitive screens, color displays, and voice recording capabilities.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Microsoft's Pocket PC system is different than the Palm Pilot
system. PEAT software does not run on hardware made by Palm, Handspring,
or Sony that uses the Palm Pilot operating system.
Pocket PC's are available at many local electronics, business and office supplies stores, and on the Internet for $300 to $600 dollars depending on options. Stores that sell Pocket PC devices include: Best Buy, Staples, Fry's Electronics, and Office Depot.
Hardware and Accessory options include:
Click here to find out about our free trial offer.
"Thanks for a great product!"-- J.H. Boston, MA
"Peat has made a tremendous difference in my life. Since I started using PEAT, I have increased my attention capabilities considerably." -- R.C. San Jose, CA
"I need my PEAT!" -- R.K. El Paso, TX
"PEAT is not your average scheduling software" -- Pocket PC Magazine, Nov. 2002 (Click here to read the full article)
"Since I started using PEAT, the slope of my improvement has increased a lot.... PEAT has become a liberating addition to my life. I have had problems with my memory, and PEAT has helped keep me focused. It keeps all the information I need in one spot and I lke the reminder cues. PEAT keeps the fluidity throughout the day.... PEAT is great for people with head injury because it gives us that little something extra to help us when we need it." -- J.H. San Francisco, CA
"You have a great product, with a number of unique, useful features. And Configurable? Wow! Keep up the good work!" -- J.K. Omaha, NE
"The trial version is very impressive. After just reading the instructions and a few minutes of programming, I was using it without any problems. In the future, it will be nice to be able to assuredly say to my clients, 'Yes, you will benefit from purchasing PEAT.'" -- A.C. Richmond, KY
U.S. Patents
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