A multimodal interface device for online board games designed for sight-impaired people.
Online games between remote opponents playing over computer networks are becoming a common activity of everyday life. However, computer interfaces for board games are usually based on the visual channel. For example, they require players to check their moves on a video display and interact by using pointing devices such as a mouse. Hence, they are not suitable for visually impaired people. The present paper discusses a multipurpose system that allows especially blind and deafblind people playing chess or other board games over a network, therefore reducing their disability barrier. We describe and benchmark a prototype of a special interactive haptic device for online gaming providing a dual tactile feedback. The novel interface of this proposed device is able to guarantee not only a better game experience for everyone but also an improved quality of life for sight-impaired people.
Caporusso
Nicholas
N
Lucca Institute for Advanced Studies, Lucca 55100, Italy. n.caporusso@imtlucca.it
Mkrtchyan
Lusine
L
Badia
Leonardo
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D056228:Feedback, Sensory; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011932:Reading; D012682:Sensory Aids; D012984:Software; D014110:Touch; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D018910:Video Games; D019987:Persons with Visual Disabilities