Force feedback textual and graphic displays for the blind

摘要

Using the force feedback technology, which has been used in video games for years, prototypes of touchable online Braille generator and touchable online graphical display have been developed for visually impaired or blind users.Without expensive devices, these prototypes let blind people access information on the web by touching the output Braille displays or by scrolling over tactile graphical displays with a force feedback mouse. User studies have beenconducted with visually impaired people and the data collected provide valuable information about the optimal conditions for these prototype force feedback displays, such as how strong the force should be and how big the Braille dots should appear. The end product of this research will enable visually impaired people to enjoy information on the web, including images, more freely.