SBIR-STTR Award

The increasing use of computer graphics and pictoral displays (and the increasing resolution for the displays) poses a major problem for blind computer users. While word output from computers is accessible by braille output, with the aid of an Optacon optical-to-tactile converter or even with a audio output, access to complex graphics is virtually impossible. The development of a dynamic haptic display of such material is proposed. It would consist of a joy-stick controlled computer memory scan with a control on the joy-stick for an 8 to 1 software zoom and a 16 x 24 point tactile display (both electrotactile and vibrotactile arrays will be implemented and compared) over with which the user runs the fingertips of the left hand (haptic exploration).

The increasing use of graphics in computer user interfaces (Graphical User Interfaces) poses a major problem for blind computer users. While text to Braille and text to voice devices are available, access to complex computer graphics is currently virtually impossible. The uniquely flexible electrotactile research tool developed by Unitech Research, Inc. is expected to accelerate the development of electrotactile devices, and will be the foundation of the proposed research. Phase II is two-fold: to map the complex relationship (revealed in the Phase I research? of the electrotactile waveform to the percept, as it pertains to displaying graphical concepts such as overlapping windows, selected objects, etc., and to develop a working prototype of a Windows(TM) (or in the future, Macintosh(TM)) electrotactiTe Graphical User Interface. The prototype win be developed with congenitally blind, adventitiously blind and sighted subjects. The outcome of the research will enable us to better hone the functional characteristics of the technology, as well as provide prospects for enhanced spatial perception in the blind.Awardee's statement of the potential commercial applieations of the research:With over 130,000 blind people in the US alone, and a growing emphasis in standard computer software to use Graphical User Interfaces, a commercial tactile system to allow blind computer users access to computer graphics (and eventually dynamic video information) offers significant benefits to the blind community. Other applications include telerobotics, virtual reality, automotive remote sensing, and electrotactile research (there is demonstrated market interest in the device as a research tool).National Eye Institute (NEI)