A Computer Interface for the blind using dynamic patterns
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Faculty
Faculty of Computing, Health and Science
School
School of Computer and Information Science
RAS ID
1744
Abstract
It is increasingly important that the blind can make effective use of computers (Internet, word-processing, etc). Methods such as text to speech or text to Braille may help, but involve extra cost. Text to speech may not be effective if the student also has hearing difficulties. Likewise should the student have problems with touch sensation text to Braille conversion may present problems. Many people classified as blind have some residual vision. If they can simultaneously discern a small number of different colored areas on a computer screen then this may suffice for representation of textual symbols. Each pattern can represent a character. A word, sentence or book can be regarded as a dynamic sequence of such patterns. A program, Dynamic Pattern System (DPS), was developed as a prototype. It runs on a standard PC with no extra equipment. Text can be entered and displayed as both patterns and textual characters, which can be saved and redisplayed later. Sets of patterns can be adapted to an individual's visual capacity and stored and modified for future use.
Comments
Veal, D., & MAJ, S. P. (2001). A computer interface for the" blind" using dynamic patterns. In Computing And Information Technologies: Exploring Emerging Technologies (pp. 99-104).