A Support System for the Visually Disabled to Recognize 3D Objects

We have been developing a support system for the visually disabled t,o actively recognize threedimensional objects or environments, an application system of 3D computer vision. This is a total system which has input, processing, and output functions. Using a stereo camera system as an input device allows 3D visual information to be obtained. The visual information is converted into tactile and auditory information which can be understood easily by the visually disabled. As one of the output devices, we have developed an interactive tactile display, which presents visual patterns by tactile pins arranged in two-dimensional format. The pin height can be set to several levels to increase the touch information and to display a 3D surface shape. Also, each pin has a tact switch at the bottom for the user to make the system know the position by pushing it. This paper describes the hardware and software of the system.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 1996
• Where: MVA
• Authors: Yoshihiro Kawai, Fumiaki Tomita
• Keywords: Interactive Tactile Display, MVA 1996, MVA 2007, Tactile, Visual Information