The proposed project will further develop and test an innovative reading device that interprets and speaks aloud words found in books, labels, and other everyday items. The unique design of this optical character recognition and voice synthesis device requires only one hand for operation. Consequently, the curved surfaces of food and pharmacological packaging can be read as well as product labels, price tags and size markings.During Phase I testing with four blind users, all gained the ability to use the device within approximately 20 minutes of training. At the end of 90 minutes, all users enthusiastically stated they would use a commercial version of the device in their daily lives.In addition to serving the visually impaired, this technology is applicable to the needs of the cognitively impaired, such as stroke victims, the illiterate student, and non-native language readers. During Phase II the device will be tested with a diverse group of 24 blind users to refine device apparatus and ease-of-use and determine applicability to anticipated daily usage. The computer will be miniaturized to allow belt or shoulder strap carrying. Eight blind users will then evaluate the importance and applications of the device in their daily lives during 4 week test periods.
Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications of Research::During the Phase I project a prototype handheld device containing camera, tactile guidance display, and miniature speakers was successfully developed and tested with four blind subjects ages 26 to 43 years old. Using the computer tethered hand unit, test subjects were able to rapidly locate words on a page and mastered tracking and vocalization of test sentences that were interpreted with an optical character recognition program custom programmed for the specific test materials. The reading device is currently being upgraded with a high speed multi-font optical character recognition engine that will provide excellent capability during Phase II.During Phase II, introductory training and evaluation sessions with 24 blind users from a cross-cultural demographic will guide the refinement of the device design and matching of its capabilities to the tasks of daily living. Based on these results, the support computer will be miniaturized into a personally portable format and the hand unit refined as required. Two personally portable field test evaluation units will then be produced to support extended evaluation testing. Eight additional blind users will participate in these one month long field test evaluations. These tests will provide knowledge of new user applications to design for, will test hardware performance in the target environment, and will test the potential of the device to improve the quality of life and productivity of young blind users.A market for the relatively low-cost device will be found in individuals wishing to improve their independent living capabilities as well as companies seeking to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act concerning visually impaired employees. Potential manufacturers, distributors, and investors in the reading device will be kept apprised and involved with the continued development of the device during Phase II.Note: This work was supported under Department of Education contract number RW95169004
