Improvement of User-Interface for Blind PC Users

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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.