title: Graphical message transmission using the monotonic vibration function of a smart phone.
abstract: This study aimed at evaluating four vibrotactile capabilities for perceiving graphical information presented on a smart phone. Thirty-two blindfolded college students participated in four experiments to test their capabilities of two-point discrimination, relative and absolute judgments of line thickness, and recognition of basic shapes. All the information was received through the default vibration function of the phone, sensed by their scanning fingers. The results showed a good two-point discrimination accuracy rate, reaching 98.8% when the distance between two points was set at 3.2 mm; the relative judgment of line thickness reached the level of 78.3% accuracy when the two-line width difference ratio was set at 3%; the absolute judgment reached the level of 78.8% when the participants recognised line thickness from one of two. Overall, especially for the shapes judgment, the information transmitted by the various codes may be quite low. These findings should inspire advanced investigations and provide design guidelines.
  This study tested four vibrotactile capabilities for perception of graphical information when solely using the monotonic vibration function of a smart phone. The results show low information transmission. These findings encourage advanced investigations of new coding systems so that relevant mobile applications could be developed to help the visually impaired.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Industrial Engineering and Management , Yuan Ze University , Chung-Li , Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ray F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: a Department of Industrial Engineering and Management , Yuan Ze University , Chung-Li , Taiwan.
authors.forename: Allan D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Rugama
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003196:Computer Graphics; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D063731:Mobile Applications; D012682:Sensory Aids; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology; D000068997:Smartphone; D014110:Touch / Q000502:physiology*; D055698:Touch Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D014732:Vibration; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: graphical information; haptic interface; message transmission; vibrotactile; visually impaired