Improvement of User-Interface for Blind PC Users

研究了一种基于图形用户界面的盲人个人计算机辅助系统。使用触觉图形显示器和触觉鼠标两种触觉设备来控制图形用户界面。此外，使用屏幕阅读软件(Win 95 Reader)接收文本信息。本研究的目的是通过实验分析盲人操作图形用户界面的行为，进一步改善视障人士的人机界面。设计了基于标准PC键盘的关键功能系统来控制触觉设备。这种设计是盲人用户自己控制触觉设备所必需的，而不需要视力正常的人的帮助。触觉鼠标由“Alt”和“Numerical”键控制，触觉图形显示由“Ctrl”和“Numerical”键控制。此关键功能与其他Windows功能不重叠。此外，开发了在Windows 2000操作系统下工作的USB接口的实用软件。研究结果如下：1.本系统使用时间约为2小时，其中教学时间约为30分钟。模式识别是可能的，然而，这项任务通过触觉图形显示比触觉鼠标更容易。视觉屏幕上的光标控制和一些图案搜索可以通过这两个触觉设备来实现。对于大多数参与者来说，识别屏幕布局是困难的。尽管还需要进一步的研究，但本研究中为改善视障人士的人机界面而开发的概念似乎从这些实验中得到了实现。

An assistgive system for the GUI-based personal computer (PC) for the blind was studied. Two tactile devices, the tactile graphic display and the tactile mouse were used to control the GUI. In addition, the screen reading software (Win 95 Reader) was used to receive textual information. The aim of this study is analyze a behavior of the GUI operation by the blind experimentally, and further improve human interface for visually impaired person.Key functional system that was based on the standard PC keyboard was designed to control the tactile devices. This design is necessary to control the tactile devices by the blind users themselves without an assistance of the sighted persons. The tactile mouse controlled by the "Alt" & "Numeric" keys, and the tactile graphic display controlled by the "Ctrl" & "Numeric" keys. This key function is not overlap with the other Windows functions. Furthermore, utility software developed with the USB interface that works under the Windows 2000 operating system.Experiments performed by seven severe visually impaired person. Results are as follows :1. This system utilized in about two hours including about 30 minutes instruction.2. Pattern identification was possible, however, this task was easier by the tactile graphic display than the tactile mouse.3. The cursor control in a visual screen and some pattern search was possible by the two tactile devices.4. Identification of a screen layout was difficult for most participants.Although further research is needed, the concept developed to improve the human interface for the visually impaired people in this study seemed to fulfill from these experiments.