SBIR-STTR Award

This project will demonstrate the technical feasibility and cost efficiency of a portable electronic device to record and playback hierarchically organized audio messages. The specific application area to be tested in this project is providing an alternative to large print and Braille menus for restaurants. Specific aims for Phase I are to build a prototype unit and test the feasibility of easily storing and easily retrieving a complete restaurant menu in a low cost device. In addition, a cost comparison will be made between this device and conventional mechanisms to provide text access through large print and Braille. Anticipated Result Phase I will provide data demonstrating the technical merit and feasibility of combining an inexpensive microcontroller with inexpensive audio recording and playback technology to produce an easy to use menu reader. Successful use of this device will enable a restaurant to provide a better alternative to printed menus that will be inexpensive and easy to use by a person with disabilities. Most importantly, there are a large number of additional application areas for an inexpensive, portable device such as this. These include museums, grocery stores, or any public facility with a significant number of signs that are currently inaccessible. Development and successful marketing of this device could make a significant positive difference in the independence of persons with disabilities.

The proposed project will continue the development of the TaLking Menus system. This project will produce two main products: a hand-held portable device that plays audio messages describing a restaurant menu, and a desktop computer software system to create and record the menu information. After creating the menu on the desktop system, the information is downloaded into the hand-held unit. During Phase I, a software prototype was developed that simulated the operation of the handheld device, using a notebook computer with a sound output device. After the prototype was developed, it was tested by potential users. The effectiveness of the Talking Menus approach was assessed by comparing it to a traditional Braille menu. A total of 11 blind adults and teenagers that read Braille participated in this study. All individuals were trained on the use of the Talking Menus prototype and were given tasks to perform that required searching the TaLking Menus or the Braille menu for information. Three variables showed a significant difference (p < .05) in favor of Talking Menus: errors in finding items, average time per search, and amount of information. The qualitative data that was gathered also showed a high degree of preference for Talking Menus over any other form of menu information retrieval. Phase II objectives are to develop fully functioning engineering prototypes for both the handheld unit and the desktop system. In addition, full system requirements development, design, and testing will be performed. These two systems will be field tested in a variety of settings to help determine their range of applicability.

Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications of Research:
:The results of Phase II will provide fully functioning engineering prototypes that represent the final Talking Menus systems in all ways, except product packaging and form factor. The Phase II effort will complete all of the work necessary to support commercialization in Phase m. The TaLking Menus systems have potentially wide application as general information storage devices that can be used by persons with visual impairments.