TA 16 - Active Assisted Living (AAL), wearable electronic devices and technologies, accessibility and user interfaces

IEC 63087-1:2021 specifies requirements, and the associated methods of measurement, for the electroacoustic performance of personal listening systems.
This document specifies requirements for the provision of assistive listening in audio, video and multimedia systems and equipment. The requirements are of different kinds, because of the diversity of the hardware concerned. Existing IEC standards for methods of measurement are normatively referenced if they exist. Methods of measurement and performance requirements are specified in IEC 63087-2.
This document does not apply to hearing aids. Also excluded are devices entirely worn on or in the ear, which cannot be measured independently.

IEC 62731:2018 specifies the text-to-speech functionality for a (broadcast) receiver with a text-to-speech system. Such a system may be one device, i.e. a receiver with an integrated text-to-speech generator, or may be two devices, i.e. a receiver interfacing with an external text-to-speech device. This document applies only to completely functional stationary (or semi-stationary) digital TV receivers such as set top boxes, integrated digital TVs, recorders and other products whose primary function is to receive TV content. Where this document refers to TV, this will be shorthand for all such receivers.
This document does not apply to products that are capable of receiving TV as a secondary function (e.g. PCs or game consoles with digital television receivers). It also does not apply to sub-assemblies (e.g. PC tuner cards).
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) in 6.2, the levels of announcement quality were revised as well as considerations for ways in which device users can provide service providers with feedback on incorrectly announced terms.
b) in 6.3, the following TV functionality was added: the TV can receive updated words, associated conversions and updated conversion rules for the TTS engine via a network connection.

IEC 63080:2017 contains a list of currently used terminology to describe accessibility and terms that writers of standards need when writing and designing International Standards. It is important to standardize and define a recognized list of the terms already used and in existing ITU Recommendations and Resolutions, along with those in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Without such a list, there could be confusion not only on the part of writers and implementers of standards, but also by the public at large. It is also important to eliminate terminology that is no longer used, offensive, and demeaning to persons with disabilities (PWD) and others.

IEC 62944:2016 specifies a set of principles and considerations for digital television products in support of older people and persons with disabilities in addition to mainstream users. The effect of following the principles and considerations as set out in this document is to ensure that the widest range of users can access, understand and use digital television products. These principles and considerations cover four main user profiles such as individuals with hearing impairments, individuals with sight impairments, individuals with mobility impairments and individuals with cognitive impairments.

IEC TR 63071:2016(E) provides models and frameworks for the power-supplying scheme for wearable systems and equipment. This document does not specify power generating or energy harvesting methods and the devices themselves.

IEC TR 62709:2014 comprises seventeen use cases for Ambient Assisted Living submitted to IEC between June 2012 and September 2013. The use cases are based on the identified requirements of elderly people and people with disabilities. The use case scenarios demonstrate both the usability barriers and functional requirements. In addition, the accessibility principles developed in ISO/IEC Guide 71 were applied. A further objective of this report is to highlight potential areas for standardisation in the AAL environment to ensure ease of operation and interoperability with a focus on specific aspects relating to audio, video and multimedia equipment.

IEC/PAS 62883:2014(E) specifies a framework for adaptive handling of explicit interaction among humans and AAL spaces. This is based on a differentiation between explicit and implicit interaction as a consequence of the paradigm shift from Human-Computer Interaction to Human-Environment Interaction, further explained in the definition of the latter term. As a framework, a main subject matter of the specification is the identification of relevant areas for further standardization, thereby also looking at the interrelationships among the identified areas. The PAS also provides a first extensible specification in some of those areas.

IEC/TR 62678:2010(E) provides information on accessibility and usability terms, activities, completed and ongoing standards, technical reports, projects, and specifies user needs that may or may not apply to audio, video and multimedia systems and equipment. Comments about demographics and public policies are included. A checklist of accessibility and usability considerations is also included. Industry experts may or may not apply this information when they evaluate opportunities to integrate support for accessibility and usability in their work.