1. What is Allan eC?

Answer: Allan eC is a PC based broadband terminal to communicate images, text and speech simultaneously over Internet. The name "Allan eC" is an acronym of "All languages electronic Conversation".

2. Why is Total conversation used in Allan eC?

Answer: Total Conversation is used to provide multiple options of preferred method of communication that best fits individuals' needs. Images (Video), text or speech (Audio) can be used at the same time. Improving the usability to larger group of users, especially for individuals with disablities.

Total Conversation is a communication protocol which follows standard from ITU, International TeleUnion. Products that follows the Total Conversation standard can communicate with each other, regardless of which product is used.

3. Can Allan eC be used as a textphone?

Answer: Yes, it can be complemented with a textphone modem and used as an ordinary textphone. Allan eC can use two different connection to communicate with the outside world. Through a network card for broadband communication or through an telephone socket for ordinary text-telephony.

4. Can Allan eC be connected to an alert system?

Answer: Yes. Allan eC can be connected to both wireless and wired alert systems. This is done through an alert system adapter connected through the computer serial port. This is very useful when you want to draw attention to an incoming call from the net.

5. Why is SIP used in Allan eC?

Answer: SIP is an abbreviation for Session Initiation Protocol. It is a protocol to communicate directly over Internet. A great advantage with SIP is that you use email-like adresses to call each other and such addresses are easier to remember than complex series of numbers like IP numbers. You can even use the same address to SIP as email. Another advantage with SIP is that it is easy to get through firewalls. The firewall must be able to handle SIP-communication for good functionality.

6. To which products can Allan eC make a video call?

Answer: Mainly products that follows SIP-standard for video communication. Allan eC also can make H.323 video calls when configured appropriately. H.323 is a video communication protocol which is not used as often these days. SIP's popularity has rised recently and it is the future Internet communication.

7. Is it possible to use an ordinary webcam with Allan eC?

Answer: Yes, webcams that use USB-cable do not provide as good image quality as analog web cameras in combination with TV-card/video in-card in the computer. Therefore you should be careful to choose a suitable camera and other equipment if you want high quality video images especially when using sign language.

8. Which broadband operators functions the best together with Allan eC?

Answer: Allan eC functions the best with operators who offers at least 384 Kbit/s in both directions. Those operators who has been found to work well together with Allan eC in Sweden is i. e. Bredbandsbolaget, Bostream and Telia ADSL. It is important to choose the right kind of broadband subscription to maintain high quality video images in Allan eC. Contact us if you need more information.

9. Which firewalls work well with Allan eC?

Answer: Firewalls that can function with SIP-communication are the best firewalls. Ordinary routers or software-based firewalls for home usage often cannot manage or enable SIP-communication. Video calls do not get through the firewall/router if you don't have the right settings. Contact us if you need more information. This is especially important thing to consider before purchasing a firewall/router to a houselhold or a company.

10. What affects the image quality in Allan eC?

Answer: There are a number of factors that influence image quality in Allan eC. For example broadband provider, processor power, web camera, lighting, choice of clothes, video compression method, image size, routers and firewalls. The net loading also affects image quality. It is important to choose the right equipment and broadband subscription if you want high quality video images for sign language.