Braille Research
I’ve decided to look into what available tools there are for visually impaired people to see what limitations they may have, if they answer the particular problem I am addressing and to see how it compares to my initial idea.
There is a software that was being developed which was initially the same idea as my own but I intend to use recent technological advancements such as 3D Touch to enable use for braille.
This uses vibrations the same way as I plan to, though again I am trying to condense my project into using existing technology and using an app rather a whole new device.
https://www.cnet.com/news/vibrating-touch-screen-enables-braille-reading/
For braille uses, one of the most recent innovations is a table that uses ‘micro fluid’ to imprint braille onto a canvas using little bubbles for a person to read. (Picture example below).
In the article where this is featured, they explain that they are hoping for cheap production of the tablet, trying to bring down the cost for impaired people, which is similar to what I aim for.
This tablet is relying on limited technology, the developers behind this tablet have stated that without the amount of electronics and expense towards the technology then this will bring down the cost. In retrospect, comparing this to my idea seems cheaper but I feel if I can condense my idea into an app that uses technology that has already been established then I feel a free app available for smart devices can help in more areas rather than just reading. Link to article below.
https://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/a-kindle-for-the-blind-u-s-engineers-working-on-a-braille-tablet/
3D Touch
The technology in question that I want to explore is 3D Touch. This is a technology that is popularised by Apple and enables to sense the amount of pressure that a person is placing upon the glass when pressing down.
As of now 3D Touch allows users to access more by applying more pressure when pressing the buttons on their phone screen. These can do multiple things including quick options, saving the time to perform an action in the application you want to use.
Quick action example (Above)
More information on features that 3D Touch allows in this article: https://www.cnet.com/how-to/getting-started-with-3d-touch-on-the-iphone-6s-6s-plus/
As of now 3D Touch seems just an “ease-of-access” tool for any phone users that want to save a tedious few seconds, though when using the technology myself. I’ve found when applying more pressure that I feel the vibration towards my thumb.
This gave me the idea for pressurised vibrations that could act as braille for my project. I figured that the built in vibration receptors built into the inside of the phone could provide specific vibrations for when a finger is pressed down that it vibrates in the braille bevelled shape, thus enabling a visually impaired person to read using a smart phone.