Allow the blind to take full advantage of the web and other applications
A U.S. research group working on a braille device that allows the reproduction of a full page on the computer screen, with images included. The mechanism is based on a very resistant plastic material, low cost, able to respond quickly to user commands. The system opens doors for better access for blind people to the Internet and other computing resources such as electronic books. By Elena Higueras.
Outline hydraulically coupling. Source: State University of North Carolina
Today, computer users with severe vision have at its disposal tools that allow them to surf the Internet or writing a text document. But there are many technical limitations they face. For example, currently the braille display electronic displays are only capable of displaying a line of text at a time and price is not suitable for all budgets.
Now, a work of the State University of North Carolina could open new possibilities to use the blind make your computer and the Web. According to a statement published by that university, a research team led by Professor Neil Di Spigno is working on developing a braille display system "refresh" capable of playing an entire page. This screen can also make images formed by pixels in tactile images, with raised dots that blind people can read.
This new device is based on a concept that researchers have dubbed "hydraulically coupling." This technology is made from electroactive polymers, a range of highly resistant plastic capable of reacting to an electrical stimulus. This material also is much cheaper than those used in the current Braille display technologies.
But ... how does it work? According to Professor Dr. Peichun Yang, co-author of the study, first, "the hydraulics can be raised braille points at the correct height, so that they can read. Once the points have been set, it is the turn of the latch mechanism, which is responsible for supporting the weight that a person applies finger points to read. The material also responds, allowing the reader to scroll through a document or web site quickly. "
Halfway
On 8 March, the researchers came to the 12th edition of the International Conference on Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices "held in San Diego, to present their conclusions on the hydraulic component of the mechanism, demonstrating the feasibility of this technology. The next step is to prove that the concept of latching mechanism can be implemented. One thing Di Spigno confident: "We have a fully functioning prototype within a year."
According to his companion, blind, Yang Peichun "Reading Braille is essential for the blind to find employment. We are confident that this technology will be new opportunities for the blind in this area. "
David Winick, one of the coauthors of the paper, highlights the gap between advances in computing user-oriented type in the last 20 years and technologies tailored to the needs of the blind. "We hope that our research allows the development of applications that will give blind people more complete access to the Internet and other computing resources, such as electronic books," he says.
A Braille keyboard
Computer technology in the service of blind people has evolved greatly in Spain in recent years. In 2006, researchers at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) and the National Organization of Spanish Blind (ONCE) have developed a Braille keyboard to PC especially useful for the blind with motor problems in his hands. Their design allowed them to solve mathematical formulas or write musical notes without having to enlist the help of others.
However, what really made this keyboard was one that combined for the first time, the function keys and displacement of a conventional keyboard, but replacing the alphanumeric keys on the eight Braille keys that allow you to write in any language. In its manufacture was taken into account the wear of the keys, and only eight had to endure the pressure of the whole alphabet and numbers from a traditional keyboard.
Plus, the keyboard designed by the UAB researchers can work while other regular keyboard, and that connects to the computer via a USB key without restarting the computer every time you want to use.
Source: Hoy Tecnología
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Now, a work of the State University of North Carolina could open new possibilities to use the blind make your computer and the Web. According to a statement published by that university, a research team led by Professor Neil Di Spigno is working on developing a braille display system "refresh" capable of playing an entire page. This screen can also make images formed by pixels in tactile images, with raised dots that blind people can read.
This new device is based on a concept that researchers have dubbed "hydraulically coupling." This technology is made from electroactive polymers, a range of highly resistant plastic capable of reacting to an electrical stimulus. This material also is much cheaper than those used in the current Braille display technologies.
But ... how does it work? According to Professor Dr. Peichun Yang, co-author of the study, first, "the hydraulics can be raised braille points at the correct height, so that they can read. Once the points have been set, it is the turn of the latch mechanism, which is responsible for supporting the weight that a person applies finger points to read. The material also responds, allowing the reader to scroll through a document or web site quickly. "
Halfway
On 8 March, the researchers came to the 12th edition of the International Conference on Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices "held in San Diego, to present their conclusions on the hydraulic component of the mechanism, demonstrating the feasibility of this technology. The next step is to prove that the concept of latching mechanism can be implemented. One thing Di Spigno confident: "We have a fully functioning prototype within a year."
According to his companion, blind, Yang Peichun "Reading Braille is essential for the blind to find employment. We are confident that this technology will be new opportunities for the blind in this area. "
David Winick, one of the coauthors of the paper, highlights the gap between advances in computing user-oriented type in the last 20 years and technologies tailored to the needs of the blind. "We hope that our research allows the development of applications that will give blind people more complete access to the Internet and other computing resources, such as electronic books," he says.
A Braille keyboard
Computer technology in the service of blind people has evolved greatly in Spain in recent years. In 2006, researchers at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) and the National Organization of Spanish Blind (ONCE) have developed a Braille keyboard to PC especially useful for the blind with motor problems in his hands. Their design allowed them to solve mathematical formulas or write musical notes without having to enlist the help of others.
However, what really made this keyboard was one that combined for the first time, the function keys and displacement of a conventional keyboard, but replacing the alphanumeric keys on the eight Braille keys that allow you to write in any language. In its manufacture was taken into account the wear of the keys, and only eight had to endure the pressure of the whole alphabet and numbers from a traditional keyboard.
Plus, the keyboard designed by the UAB researchers can work while other regular keyboard, and that connects to the computer via a USB key without restarting the computer every time you want to use.
Source: Hoy Tecnología
_________________________________
Portal web DIVERSITAT FUNCIONAL
http://www.diversitatfuncional.org/
Blog LAS TIC Y LA DISCAPACIDAD
http://discapacitat-es.diversitatfuncional.org/
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