ELECTROTACTILE DISPLAY OF COMPUTER GRAPHICS FOR BLIND

描述(摘自申请人的摘要)。这项研究将继续 探索如何使用图形、信息向盲人展示 指尖扫描的电触觉显示器。越来越多的人使用 计算机图形和图形显示器(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。而文本输出通过语音合成可用 而通过小型可刷新盲文显示器，这些技术无法呈现 复杂的图像或空间信息，如嵌入在 组织结构图、计算机程序或程序流程图， 电气、建筑或机械图纸、图片或视觉 艺术品。此项目的前一个竞争部分演示了 (1)可控制的、局部的触觉可以通过 指尖上的电模拟，以及(2)受试者可以识别 通过触觉探索小的矩阵的简单几何图案 嵌在平板中的电极。这项拟议的研究旨在 进一步理解和推进这种空间交流的方法 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 改进的指尖扫描电极阵列 微制造技术；(2)评估该系统的性能 指尖触觉显示(另外与现有的 腹部电触觉显示器)用于呈现复杂的空间 使用模式识别技术的模式，由决策评估- 理论模型；(3)考察和刻画了两种知觉 与电触觉显示相关的现象：感觉适应和后适应 通过测量感觉阈值来评估刺激感知，还 跨通道强度匹配；(4)电极配置有序 最大限度地提高空间格局辨别性能；以及(5)探索 先进的波形控制方法，增强了系统的可控性 触觉知觉。

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.