problem description customer base competition solution technology difficulties conclusion 2...
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Braille Computer Displays Braille Computer Displays
Joseph Conlin 2
Problem description Customer base Competition Solution Technology Difficulties Conclusion
OutlineOutline
September 21, 2009
Joseph Conlin 3
Computers are very visual devices
Software companies aim to please the masses, not necessarily to help the minorities
As touch devices become more and more prevalent, blind users are left behind
Current assistance software cannot keep up with the progress of major corporations’ design
The ProblemThe Problem
September 21, 2009
Joseph Conlin 4
Blind unemployment is on a decline*
Unemployment still at 70%**
Workplaces rely on a person’s ability to quickly use computer systems
Interactive systems are not designed for assistance software
The ProblemThe Problem
*Forbes: Blind people in the workplace**Bnet: America’s blind unemployment…
September 21, 2009
Joseph Conlin 5
1.3 million blind adults in United States as of 2002
93,600 blind school age children
Estimated 1.6 million blind adults by 2015 and 2.4 million by 2030
September 21, 2009
Customer BaseCustomer Base
Data provided by: National Federation of the Blind
2002 1015 20300
500,000
1,000,000
1,500,000
2,000,000
2,500,000
3,000,000
Number of Blind People in the United States
Joseph Conlin 6
Vario Connect series◦ Translates typed text
and output into Braille◦ Basically a Braille
command line◦ Does not fix the
problem of interactive menus
September 21, 2009
CompetitionCompetition
Images from: Baum Braille Displays
Joseph Conlin 7September 21, 2009
Joseph Conlin 8
Tactile Response◦ Concept for a Braille
display◦ Only exists in
drawings◦ Does not recreate
screen, only displays its own software
◦ Too small for large interactive applications
◦ Uses primitive technology
September 21, 2009
Future CompetitionFuture Competition
Images and information from: Tactile Response
Joseph Conlin 9
Combination of the two technologies◦ Use the small plastic dots from the Vario devices
and place them into a larger grid using the concepts from the Tactile Response device.
◦ Three states of a dot Depressed Normal Raised
◦ Allow user to press down on any dot and have it register to the computer that an action was performed
September 21, 2009
SolutionSolution
Joseph Conlin 10
Hardware◦ Device to raise and
lower a grid of dots and sense when any of them are depressed
◦ Covered with a plastic sheet to protect dots and minimize wear and tear
September 21, 2009
Hardware TechnologyHardware Technology
Joseph Conlin 11
Find edges of on screen items, redisplay them as patterns of dots.
Translate text into Braille for display on the screen
September 21, 2009
Software TechnologySoftware Technology
Joseph Conlin 12
Need for new hardware◦ Proof of concept is simple enough to create◦ Full sized device will be extremely difficult
Braille translators are still very primitive◦ Does not recognize special characters◦ Total of 256 Braille characters in the 8 dot system◦ Numbers and character cases are difficult to
accurately display abc = abc ABC = abc 123 = 123
September 21, 2009
DifficultiesDifficulties
Joseph Conlin 13
Computers are increasingly difficult for blind users to utilize
Visual GUIs designed around a user’s ability to see are getting more and more complicated to the point that accessibility software can no longer keep up
We need a device that will translate visuals into a physical form that blind people can feel and interact with the same way we do with a screen
September 21, 2009
SummarySummary
Joseph Conlin 14
QuestionsQuestions
September 21, 2009