ELECTROTACTILE DISPLAY OF COMPUTER GRAPHICS FOR BLIND

盲人计算机图形电触显示器

• 批准号: 2692621
• 负责人: KURT A KACZMAREK
• 金额: $ 27.39万
• 依托单位: UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 财政年份: 1992
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 1992-12-01 至 2002-09-29
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2692621
• 关键词: blind aid; blindness; computer graphics /printing; computer human interaction; computer system design /evaluation; electrostimulus; electrotactile communication; human subject; information display; perception; psychophysics; questionnaires; vision disorders

Description (From Applicant's Abstract). This research will continue to explore the presentation of graphical, information to blind persons using a finger-tipped scanned electrotactile display. The increasing use of computer graphics and pictorial displays (such as the Apple Macintosh and Microsoft Windows environments) presents a major problem for blind computer users. While text output is available through speech synthesis and by small refreshable Braille displays, these techniques cannot present complex pictorial or spatial information, such as that embedded in organizational charts, computer programs or process flowcharts, electrical, architectural, or mechanical drawings, pictures, or visual artwork. The previous competitive segment of this project demonstrated that (1) controlled, localized touch sensations can be induced via electrical simulation on the fingertips, and (2) subjects can identify simple geometric patterns via haptic exploration of a matrix of small electrodes embedded in a flat plate. The proposed research seeks to further understand and advance this method of communicating spatial information. Possible future applications include telerobotic and virtual reality hand controllers as well as the primary focus of sensory rehabilitation. Specifically, the proposed work aims to: (1) develop improved fingertip-scanned electrode arrays using advance micromanufacturing techniques; (2) evaluate the performance of the fingertip tactile display (and additionally compare with an existing abdominal electrotactile display) for the presentation of complex spatial patterns using pattern discrimination techniques, evaluated by decision- theoretical models; (3) investigate and characterize two perceptual phenomena related to electrotactile displays: sensory adaptation and post- stimulus percept evaluated by measurement of sensory thresholds and also be cross-modality intensity matching; (4) electrode configuration in order to maximize spatial pattern discrimination performance; and (5) explore advanced waveform control methods to enhance the controllability of the electrotactile percept.

描述（来自申请人的摘要）。这项研究将继续 探索如何向盲人展示图形信息 指尖扫描电触觉显示器。越来越多的使用 计算机图形和图形显示（例如 Apple Macintosh 和 Microsoft Windows 环境）给盲人带来了一个主要问题 计算机用户。虽然可以通过语音合成提供文本输出 通过小型可刷新盲文显示器，这些技术无法呈现 复杂的图形或空间信息，例如嵌入 组织结构图、计算机程序或流程图， 电气、建筑或机械图纸、图片或视觉效果 艺术品。该项目之前的竞争部分表明 (1) 受控的、局部的触觉可以通过以下方式诱发 指尖上的电模拟，以及（2）受试者可以识别 通过小矩阵的触觉探索简单的几何图案 电极嵌入平板中。 拟议的研究旨在 进一步理解和推进这种空间交流方法 信息。 未来可能的应用包括远程机器人和虚拟 现实手控制器以及感官的主要焦点 康复。具体来说，拟议的工作旨在：（1）开发 使用先进技术改进指尖扫描电极阵列 微制造技术； (2) 评估绩效 指尖触觉显示器（另外还与现有的 腹部电触觉显示器）用于呈现复杂的空间 使用模式辨别技术的模式，通过决策进行评估 理论模型； (3) 调查并表征两种感知 与电触觉显示相关的现象：感觉适应和后 通过测量感觉阈值来评估刺激感知 是跨模态强度匹配； (4)电极配置顺序 最大化空间模式辨别性能； (5)探索 先进的波形控制方法，增强了可控性 电触觉感知。