Multi-modal Application for the Perception of Spaces (MAPS)

描述（由申请人提供）：空间感知的多模式应用程序（MAPS）是一款Android平板电脑应用程序和可穿戴USB外设，可为盲人或视障人士提供移动式立体触觉、音频和高对比度的内部空间视觉地图。触觉显示外设，类似于耳塞（但戴在两个手指上），插入任何现代Android平板电脑上的标准USB端口;为触摸屏探索提供独立的提示。该移动的应用程序通过无线互联网访问建筑物地图，同时通过USB外设和平板电脑的内置音频/视频显示器进行渲染。待解决的问题：在新的或不熟悉的环境中独立工作需要掌握调查知识。目前不存在用于对内部空间信息进行随时访问的实际解决方案。现有的基于触摸屏的可访问地图显示依赖于预先打印的凸起线覆盖，并且不存在用于访问建筑物布局的商业系统。长期目标：使用他们的Android平板电脑（或iPad），客户将从在线市场下载MAPS应用程序，并从链接的网站购买立体触觉USB外设。MAPS应用程序将提供对建筑信息模型（BIM）建筑数据在线数据库的低成本订阅访问。I期总结：第一阶段的重点是通过一个原型地图系统和一个试点研究调查的多模式地图显示的有效性的概念的可行性示范。该计划具体目标的成功实现将为第二阶段的商业产品开发提供坚实的基础。具体目标1：展示立体触觉/音频地图显示在获取陌生环境的调查知识方面优于仅音频地图显示具体目标2：评估利益相关者对MAPS系统的可用性和技术接受度该计划汇集了一个具有世界一流经验、研究证书和领域知识的团队，以支持拟议技术的成功开发，包括：巴伦协会PI（20年领导复杂研发项目的经验，包括触觉辅助虚拟现实培训），弗吉尼亚联邦大学触觉实验室（领先的辅助技术/触觉显示研究人员），设计数字公司。（基于网络/移动的软件专家）和弗吉尼亚盲人和视力受损部门（康复服务/培训提供者）。商业机会：在爆炸式增长的Android平板电脑/iPad市场中，MAPS应用程序的发布将迅速使超过300万美国盲人或视障者（以及世界各地更多的人）中的很大一部分人接触到这项令人兴奋的新技术。立体触觉USB外设的其他应用（包括街道地图、教育和游戏）将在动态的移动的应用程序市场中迅速发展。 公共卫生相关性：拟议的空间感知多模式应用（MAPS）系统将通过使非视觉/低视觉获得内部空间的多模式调查信息，促进盲人或视障人士的功能独立性。MAPS由Android平板电脑、应用软件和立体触觉USB外围设备组成，将使用户能够通过高保真触觉提示、音频发声/文本到语音以及（如果合适的话）高对比度图形来获得环境的调查知识。MAPS用户将受益于行业标准数字建筑信息的快速扩展，促进在广泛的职业和娱乐环境（例如机场，办公楼，博物馆，地铁站，购物中心）中的独立导航。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Multi-modal Application for the Perception of Spaces (MAPS) is an Android tablet application and wearable USB peripheral that provides an on-the-go stereo-tactile, audio, and high-contrast visual map of interior spaces for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The tactile display peripheral, similar to ear buds (but worn on two fingers), plugs into the standard USB port on any modern Android tablet; providing independent cues for touch screen exploration. The mobile application accesses building maps via wireless Internet, rendering simultaneously through the USB peripheral and the tablet's built-in audio/visual displays. Problem to be addressed: Independent function in new or unfamiliar environments requires acquisition of survey knowledge. No practical solution currently exists for on-the-go access to interior space information. Existing touch screen-based accessible map displays rely on pre-printed raised line overlays, and no commercial system exists for access to building layouts. Long-Term Goal: Using their Android tablet (or iPad), customers will download the MAPS application from the online marketplace and purchase the stereo-tactile USB peripheral from a linked web site. The MAPS application will provide low-cost subscription access to an online database of Building Information Model (BIM) architectural data. Phase I Summary: Phase I focuses on demonstration of concept feasibility through a prototype MAPS system and a pilot study investigating the effectiveness of the multi-modal map display. Successful accomplishment of the program"s specific aims will provide a solid base for Phase II commercial product development. Specific Aim 1: Demonstrate superiority of the stereo-tactile/audio MAPS display over audio-only map display in acquisition of survey knowledge of unfamiliar environments Specific Aim 2: Assess stakeholder usability and technology acceptance of a MAPS system The program brings together a team with world-class experience, research credentials, and domain knowledge to support successful development of the proposed technology including: the Barron Associates PI (two decades experience leading complex R&D projects, including haptic-assisted virtual reality training), Virginia Commonwealth University Haptics Laboratory (leading assistive technology/tactile display researchers), Designing Digitally Inc. (web-based/mobile software experts), and the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (rehabilitation services/training providers). Commercial Opportunity: In the exploding Android tablet/iPad market, release of a MAPS application will quickly expose a large percentage of the over 3 million Americans who are blind or visually impaired (and many more world-wide) to this exciting new technology. Other applications for the stereo-tactile USB peripheral (including street maps, education, and gaming) will rapidly evolve in the dynamic mobile app marketplace. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The proposed Multi-modal Application for the Perception of Spaces (MAPS) system will promote functional independence in individuals who are blind or visually impaired by enabling non-visual/low-vision access to multi-modal survey information on interior spaces. MAPS, comprised of an Android tablet, application software, and a stereo-tactile USB peripheral, will enable users to acquire survey knowledge of an environment through high-fidelity tactile cues, audio sonification/text-to-speech, and, if appropriate, high contrast graphis. MAPS users will benefit from the rapidly expanding availability of industry-standard digital building information, facilitating independent navigation in a broad range of vocational and recreational settings (e.g. airports, office building, museums, metro stations, shopping malls).