Three-dimensional tactile display for the blind.
A tactile display device that can present tangible relief graphics for visually impaired persons has been developed. The tactile surface consists of a 64 x 64 arrangement of tactorpins with 3 mm interspacing. The tactor-pins are aligned in a hexagonal, rather than a square formation, to assure smooth depiction. The matrix has a total area of 200 mm x 170 mm. Each pin can be raised in 0.1 mm steps to a maximum height of 10 mm. Users can get certain information by touching the pins raised at varying heights with fingers and/or palms. Laboratory assessment of the device with six blind subjects showed its ability to transmit various kinds of information.
Shinohara
M
M
Department of Human Informatics, National Institute of Bioscience and Human Technology, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
Shimizu
Y
Y
Mochizuki
A
A
D001766:Blindness; D003196:Computer Graphics; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D010363:Pattern Recognition, Automated; D011601:Psychophysics; D012682:Sensory Aids; D014110:Touch; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D019987:Persons with Visual Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*