Optical braille recognition methods typically employ existing target detection models or segmentation modelsfor the direct detection and recognition of braille characters in original braille images. However, these met...Optical braille recognition methods typically employ existing target detection models or segmentation modelsfor the direct detection and recognition of braille characters in original braille images. However, these methodsneed improvement in accuracy and generalizability, especially in densely dotted braille image environments. Thispaper presents a two-stage braille recognition framework. The first stage is a braille dot detection algorithmbased on Gaussian diffusion, targeting Gaussian heatmaps generated by the convex dots in braille images. Thisis applied to the detection of convex dots in double-sided braille, achieving high accuracy in determining thecentral coordinates of the braille convex dots. The second stage involves constructing a braille grid using traditionalpost-processing algorithms to recognize braille character information. Experimental results demonstrate that thisframework exhibits strong robustness and effectiveness in detecting braille dots and recognizing braille charactersin complex double-sided braille image datasets. The framework achieved an F1 score of 99.89% for Braille dotdetection and 99.78% for Braille character recognition. Compared to the highest accuracy in existing methods,these represent improvements of 0.08% and 0.02%, respectively.展开更多
Braille-assistive technologies have helped blind people to write,read,learn,and communicate with sighted individuals for many years.These technologies enable blind people to engage with society and help break down com...Braille-assistive technologies have helped blind people to write,read,learn,and communicate with sighted individuals for many years.These technologies enable blind people to engage with society and help break down communication barriers in their lives.The Optical Braille Recognition(OBR)system is one example of these technologies.It plays an important role in facilitating communication between sighted and blind people and assists sighted individuals in the reading and understanding of the documents of Braille cells.However,a clear gap exists in current OBR systems regarding asymmetric multilingual conversion of Braille documents.Few systems allow sighted people to read and understand Braille documents for self-learning applications.In this study,we propose a deep learning-based approach to convert Braille images into multilingual texts.This is achieved through a set of effective steps that start with image acquisition and preprocessing and end with a Braille multilingual mapping step.We develop a deep convolutional neural network(DCNN)model that takes its inputs from the second step of the approach for recognizing Braille cells.Several experiments are conducted on two datasets of Braille images to evaluate the performance of the DCNN model.The rst dataset contains 1,404 labeled images of 27 Braille symbols representing the alphabet characters.The second dataset consists of 5,420 labeled images of 37 Braille symbols that represent alphabet characters,numbers,and punctuation.The proposed model achieved a classication accuracy of 99.28%on the test set of the rst dataset and 98.99%on the test set of the second dataset.These results conrm the applicability of the DCNN model used in our proposed approach for multilingual Braille conversion in communicating with sighted people.展开更多
Finger Braille is one of the tactual communication media of deafblind people. In one-handed Finger Braille, a sender dots the left part of the Braille code on the Distal Interphalangeal （DIP） joints of the index, mi...Finger Braille is one of the tactual communication media of deafblind people. In one-handed Finger Braille, a sender dots the left part of the Braille code on the Distal Interphalangeal （DIP） joints of the index, middle and ring fingers of a receiver, and subsequently dots the right part of the Braille code on the Proximal Interphalangeal （PIP）joints of the same fingers. Because there is a small number of non-disabled people who are skilled in Finger Braille, deafblind people communicate in this medium only through an interpreter. We have been developing a Finger Braille recognition system using small piezoelectric accelerometers worn by the receiver To recognize the dotted positions （DIP or PIP joints）, we have made a hypothesis that the dotting on the DIP joints causes a hard impact, and the dotting on the PIP joints causes a soft impact, when the receiver＇s hand forms a natural longitudinal arch on the desk. The difference of each impact is indicated by its damping amplitude ratio. In this paper, a measurement experiment about the postures of the receiver＇s hand was conducted. The postures of the receiver＇s hand were as follows： forming the natural longitudinal arch on the desk and fully contacting the desk. As a result, the dotting on the DIP joints of both postures caused the hard impacts; the dotting on the PIP joints caused the soft impact when the receiver＇s hand formed the natural longitudinal arch; the dotting on the PIP joints caused the hard impact when the receiver＇s hand fully contacted the desk. Therefore, we could verify the hypothesis.展开更多
Visually impaired people face difficulties in interacting and gaining full advantage of computers. Recently, and with the fast evolution in technology, researchers proposed to give the blinds the ability to take advan...Visually impaired people face difficulties in interacting and gaining full advantage of computers. Recently, and with the fast evolution in technology, researchers proposed to give the blinds the ability to take advantage of these advancements. Accordingly, designers and engineers started working on projects that relate input and output devices to the computers in order for the blind individual to have full control of the hi-tech machines. However, investments in these kinds of hardware presented complexity in the design, in addition to the high cost imposed by the devices used. The project’s objective is to design and develop a Multi-Lingual Braille System Output Device for the visually impaired individuals that enable them to access and read texts from a computer. The device acquires both English or Arabic texts and displays them using controlled piezoelectric Braille cells. It also has the ability to produce a sound that matches the displayed characters. The control of the cells is done via Programmable Interface Controller (PIC) microcontroller. The interaction between the device and the computer is done through the Universal Serial Bus (USB). C# is the language used to write the program responsible for controlling this interaction. The continuous development of such devices is essential for the visually impaired to keep up with the technological advancements. The main advantages of this system are its low cost, the added multi-lingual, and the audio features. In addition, many features can be added so as to satisfy the users’ needs, such as adding new languages and Grade 2 Braille System.展开更多
Louis Braille was born in 1809.When he was three,he was struck in theeye with a sharp tool.He became completely blind.He wanted to learn,but inhis small town there was no school to teach him.At that time,most blind pe...Louis Braille was born in 1809.When he was three,he was struck in theeye with a sharp tool.He became completely blind.He wanted to learn,but inhis small town there was no school to teach him.At that time,most blind peopledidn’t become educated.Braille went to Paris to studs.But there were few booksfor the blind,Louis knew that books were the key to learning:He展开更多
Background:As the prevalence of age-related vision loss continues to increase,vision rehabilitation practitioners will encounter a growing number of older adults who experience reading-related difficulties.Braille may...Background:As the prevalence of age-related vision loss continues to increase,vision rehabilitation practitioners will encounter a growing number of older adults who experience reading-related difficulties.Braille may be considered as an alternative to sight enhancement options for clients with progressive or significant visual pathologies.However,little is known about the impact of aging on braille reading performance.The goal of this research was to explore the experiences of older adults with acquired vision loss who have learned braille later in life,and to better understand the facilitators and barriers encountered throughout this process.Methods:Qualitative interviews were conducted by telephone with 14 participants from across Canada(age 40-72,Mdn=55.5,7 female).All participants learned braille in adulthood(starting age 33-60,Mdn=46.5).Recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and later analyzed by two independent researchers based on the phenomenological method of analysis.Results:Personal,social and environmental factors were shown to influence the braille-learning process.In particular,prior learning experiences(both positive and negative)were shown to impact both the decision to learn braille and participant training experiences.Participants highlighted the importance of perceived support from family and friends,and reactions towards braille from the general public posed a barrier to those still adjusting to vision loss.Participants also highlighted the value of knowing others who learned braille later in life.Conversely,a reoccurring environmental barrier that emerged was the perceived response from rehabilitation practitioners who believed that clients should not or could not learn braille due to their age,as well as the lack of available resources to facilitate training.Conclusions:Results highlight the need to explore the influence of stereotypes associated with aging,blindness and braille,and the degree to which this may impact opportunities for clients who may benefit from braille training.Though previous learning experiences appear to influence successful rehabilitation outcomes,these factors are not routinely considered during the braille assessment process.Our findings will therefore contribute to future research and the development of assessments to better meet the needs of older adults who pursue braille training.展开更多
Background:A growing number of older adults with vision loss require vision rehabilitation services to address reading difficulties.Braille may be the most appropriate option for those with functional blindness,poor v...Background:A growing number of older adults with vision loss require vision rehabilitation services to address reading difficulties.Braille may be the most appropriate option for those with functional blindness,poor visual prognoses or dual sensory loss.While standardized braille assessment and training protocols are in place to guide interventions with children,there is a high degree of inconsistency and a lack of evidence-based knowledge about best practices to use with adults and seniors who require braille training.Age-related declines in tactile acuity,motor dexterity and cognition present unique barriers to braille training,but very little is known about the impact of aging on factors related to braille reading performance.The aim of this scoping review is to identify the perceptual,motor,and cognitive factors related to braille reading performance and to determine how these factors have been assessed or measured among blind adults and elderly individuals in prior studies.Methods:Using the scoping review method,a comprehensive search was conducted in three databases:PubMed,Educational Resource Information Center(ERIC),and the Cochrane library.Two reviewers screened articles for inclusion to ensure internal agreement,based on identified exclusion criteria.Results:The initial search resulted in 1,565 qualitative and quantitative articles.The results synthesize the perceptual,motor and cognitive factors known to predict braille reading performance,how these variables are impacted by the aging process,and how they have been measured in prior studies.Conclusions:This scoping review is the first step in working towards the development of evidence-based assessment and training protocols to standardized practice with adult and senior clients who require braille training.It also serves to clarify where current knowledge gaps exist in order to guide future studies on braille reading and aging.展开更多
on the 30^(th)anniversary of the implementation of the Law of the people’s Republic of China on the protection of persons with Disabilities,re-examining the standardization of sign language and Braille will help impl...on the 30^(th)anniversary of the implementation of the Law of the people’s Republic of China on the protection of persons with Disabilities,re-examining the standardization of sign language and Braille will help implement the 14^(th)Five-Year plan and further improve the protection system for the rights and interests of persons with disabilities.From the perspective of regulation,conception and cultivation,it is necessary to clarify the legal status of sign language and Braille in China,accelerate the development of education,and heighten the awareness of rights protection.Identifying sign language and Braille either as a part of the standard national spoken and written language or as a supplementary language can both reaffirm their actual status in the practice of language and script standardization,but the actual needs of the promotion and use of sign language and Braille have not yet been met.only when the two are clearly defined as being forms of the standard national spoken and written language can their legal status be fundamentally consolidated,and a systematic structure for the protection of the rights and interests of persons with disabilities be realized.In order to determine the legal status of the two as being forms of the standard national language,a three-level system of“legal foundation-legislative implementation-system support”should be put in place,so as to form a synergy for the promotion of national standard sign language and Braille.展开更多
Automatic translation of Chinese text to Chinese Braille is important for blind people in China to acquire information using computers or smart phones. In this paper, a novel scheme of Chinese-Braille translation is p...Automatic translation of Chinese text to Chinese Braille is important for blind people in China to acquire information using computers or smart phones. In this paper, a novel scheme of Chinese-Braille translation is proposed. Under the scheme, a Braille word segmentation model based on statistical machine learning is trained on a Braille corpus, and Braille word segmentation is carried out using the statistical model directly without the stage of Chinese word segmentation. This method avoids establishing rules concerning syntactic and semantic information and uses statistical model to learn the rules stealthily and automatically. To further improve the performance, an algorithm of fusing the results of Chinese word segmentation and Braille word segmentation is also proposed. Our results show that the proposed method achieves accuracy of 92.81% for Braille word segmentation and considerably outperforms current approaches using the segmentation-merging scheme.展开更多
文摘Optical braille recognition methods typically employ existing target detection models or segmentation modelsfor the direct detection and recognition of braille characters in original braille images. However, these methodsneed improvement in accuracy and generalizability, especially in densely dotted braille image environments. Thispaper presents a two-stage braille recognition framework. The first stage is a braille dot detection algorithmbased on Gaussian diffusion, targeting Gaussian heatmaps generated by the convex dots in braille images. Thisis applied to the detection of convex dots in double-sided braille, achieving high accuracy in determining thecentral coordinates of the braille convex dots. The second stage involves constructing a braille grid using traditionalpost-processing algorithms to recognize braille character information. Experimental results demonstrate that thisframework exhibits strong robustness and effectiveness in detecting braille dots and recognizing braille charactersin complex double-sided braille image datasets. The framework achieved an F1 score of 99.89% for Braille dotdetection and 99.78% for Braille character recognition. Compared to the highest accuracy in existing methods,these represent improvements of 0.08% and 0.02%, respectively.
基金funded by the National Plan for Science,Technology and Innovation(MAARIFAH),King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology,Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,Award Number(5-18-03-001-0004)。
文摘Braille-assistive technologies have helped blind people to write,read,learn,and communicate with sighted individuals for many years.These technologies enable blind people to engage with society and help break down communication barriers in their lives.The Optical Braille Recognition(OBR)system is one example of these technologies.It plays an important role in facilitating communication between sighted and blind people and assists sighted individuals in the reading and understanding of the documents of Braille cells.However,a clear gap exists in current OBR systems regarding asymmetric multilingual conversion of Braille documents.Few systems allow sighted people to read and understand Braille documents for self-learning applications.In this study,we propose a deep learning-based approach to convert Braille images into multilingual texts.This is achieved through a set of effective steps that start with image acquisition and preprocessing and end with a Braille multilingual mapping step.We develop a deep convolutional neural network(DCNN)model that takes its inputs from the second step of the approach for recognizing Braille cells.Several experiments are conducted on two datasets of Braille images to evaluate the performance of the DCNN model.The rst dataset contains 1,404 labeled images of 27 Braille symbols representing the alphabet characters.The second dataset consists of 5,420 labeled images of 37 Braille symbols that represent alphabet characters,numbers,and punctuation.The proposed model achieved a classication accuracy of 99.28%on the test set of the rst dataset and 98.99%on the test set of the second dataset.These results conrm the applicability of the DCNN model used in our proposed approach for multilingual Braille conversion in communicating with sighted people.
文摘Finger Braille is one of the tactual communication media of deafblind people. In one-handed Finger Braille, a sender dots the left part of the Braille code on the Distal Interphalangeal （DIP） joints of the index, middle and ring fingers of a receiver, and subsequently dots the right part of the Braille code on the Proximal Interphalangeal （PIP）joints of the same fingers. Because there is a small number of non-disabled people who are skilled in Finger Braille, deafblind people communicate in this medium only through an interpreter. We have been developing a Finger Braille recognition system using small piezoelectric accelerometers worn by the receiver To recognize the dotted positions （DIP or PIP joints）, we have made a hypothesis that the dotting on the DIP joints causes a hard impact, and the dotting on the PIP joints causes a soft impact, when the receiver＇s hand forms a natural longitudinal arch on the desk. The difference of each impact is indicated by its damping amplitude ratio. In this paper, a measurement experiment about the postures of the receiver＇s hand was conducted. The postures of the receiver＇s hand were as follows： forming the natural longitudinal arch on the desk and fully contacting the desk. As a result, the dotting on the DIP joints of both postures caused the hard impacts; the dotting on the PIP joints caused the soft impact when the receiver＇s hand formed the natural longitudinal arch; the dotting on the PIP joints caused the hard impact when the receiver＇s hand fully contacted the desk. Therefore, we could verify the hypothesis.
文摘Visually impaired people face difficulties in interacting and gaining full advantage of computers. Recently, and with the fast evolution in technology, researchers proposed to give the blinds the ability to take advantage of these advancements. Accordingly, designers and engineers started working on projects that relate input and output devices to the computers in order for the blind individual to have full control of the hi-tech machines. However, investments in these kinds of hardware presented complexity in the design, in addition to the high cost imposed by the devices used. The project’s objective is to design and develop a Multi-Lingual Braille System Output Device for the visually impaired individuals that enable them to access and read texts from a computer. The device acquires both English or Arabic texts and displays them using controlled piezoelectric Braille cells. It also has the ability to produce a sound that matches the displayed characters. The control of the cells is done via Programmable Interface Controller (PIC) microcontroller. The interaction between the device and the computer is done through the Universal Serial Bus (USB). C# is the language used to write the program responsible for controlling this interaction. The continuous development of such devices is essential for the visually impaired to keep up with the technological advancements. The main advantages of this system are its low cost, the added multi-lingual, and the audio features. In addition, many features can be added so as to satisfy the users’ needs, such as adding new languages and Grade 2 Braille System.
文摘Louis Braille was born in 1809.When he was three,he was struck in theeye with a sharp tool.He became completely blind.He wanted to learn,but inhis small town there was no school to teach him.At that time,most blind peopledidn’t become educated.Braille went to Paris to studs.But there were few booksfor the blind,Louis knew that books were the key to learning:He
文摘Background:As the prevalence of age-related vision loss continues to increase,vision rehabilitation practitioners will encounter a growing number of older adults who experience reading-related difficulties.Braille may be considered as an alternative to sight enhancement options for clients with progressive or significant visual pathologies.However,little is known about the impact of aging on braille reading performance.The goal of this research was to explore the experiences of older adults with acquired vision loss who have learned braille later in life,and to better understand the facilitators and barriers encountered throughout this process.Methods:Qualitative interviews were conducted by telephone with 14 participants from across Canada(age 40-72,Mdn=55.5,7 female).All participants learned braille in adulthood(starting age 33-60,Mdn=46.5).Recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and later analyzed by two independent researchers based on the phenomenological method of analysis.Results:Personal,social and environmental factors were shown to influence the braille-learning process.In particular,prior learning experiences(both positive and negative)were shown to impact both the decision to learn braille and participant training experiences.Participants highlighted the importance of perceived support from family and friends,and reactions towards braille from the general public posed a barrier to those still adjusting to vision loss.Participants also highlighted the value of knowing others who learned braille later in life.Conversely,a reoccurring environmental barrier that emerged was the perceived response from rehabilitation practitioners who believed that clients should not or could not learn braille due to their age,as well as the lack of available resources to facilitate training.Conclusions:Results highlight the need to explore the influence of stereotypes associated with aging,blindness and braille,and the degree to which this may impact opportunities for clients who may benefit from braille training.Though previous learning experiences appear to influence successful rehabilitation outcomes,these factors are not routinely considered during the braille assessment process.Our findings will therefore contribute to future research and the development of assessments to better meet the needs of older adults who pursue braille training.
文摘Background:A growing number of older adults with vision loss require vision rehabilitation services to address reading difficulties.Braille may be the most appropriate option for those with functional blindness,poor visual prognoses or dual sensory loss.While standardized braille assessment and training protocols are in place to guide interventions with children,there is a high degree of inconsistency and a lack of evidence-based knowledge about best practices to use with adults and seniors who require braille training.Age-related declines in tactile acuity,motor dexterity and cognition present unique barriers to braille training,but very little is known about the impact of aging on factors related to braille reading performance.The aim of this scoping review is to identify the perceptual,motor,and cognitive factors related to braille reading performance and to determine how these factors have been assessed or measured among blind adults and elderly individuals in prior studies.Methods:Using the scoping review method,a comprehensive search was conducted in three databases:PubMed,Educational Resource Information Center(ERIC),and the Cochrane library.Two reviewers screened articles for inclusion to ensure internal agreement,based on identified exclusion criteria.Results:The initial search resulted in 1,565 qualitative and quantitative articles.The results synthesize the perceptual,motor and cognitive factors known to predict braille reading performance,how these variables are impacted by the aging process,and how they have been measured in prior studies.Conclusions:This scoping review is the first step in working towards the development of evidence-based assessment and training protocols to standardized practice with adult and senior clients who require braille training.It also serves to clarify where current knowledge gaps exist in order to guide future studies on braille reading and aging.
基金the periodical achievement of“Research on the Improvement and Perfection of Laws and Regulations System of National Spoken and Written Languages”(14JZD050)“Research on Law-based Grassroots Consultative Governance from the Perspective of National Governance Modernization”(2019-GDXK-0005)a key scientific research project of Guangdong Province in 2019
文摘on the 30^(th)anniversary of the implementation of the Law of the people’s Republic of China on the protection of persons with Disabilities,re-examining the standardization of sign language and Braille will help implement the 14^(th)Five-Year plan and further improve the protection system for the rights and interests of persons with disabilities.From the perspective of regulation,conception and cultivation,it is necessary to clarify the legal status of sign language and Braille in China,accelerate the development of education,and heighten the awareness of rights protection.Identifying sign language and Braille either as a part of the standard national spoken and written language or as a supplementary language can both reaffirm their actual status in the practice of language and script standardization,but the actual needs of the promotion and use of sign language and Braille have not yet been met.only when the two are clearly defined as being forms of the standard national spoken and written language can their legal status be fundamentally consolidated,and a systematic structure for the protection of the rights and interests of persons with disabilities be realized.In order to determine the legal status of the two as being forms of the standard national language,a three-level system of“legal foundation-legislative implementation-system support”should be put in place,so as to form a synergy for the promotion of national standard sign language and Braille.
基金Fthe National Key Technology R&D Program of China(No.2014BAK15B02)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.61202209)
文摘Automatic translation of Chinese text to Chinese Braille is important for blind people in China to acquire information using computers or smart phones. In this paper, a novel scheme of Chinese-Braille translation is proposed. Under the scheme, a Braille word segmentation model based on statistical machine learning is trained on a Braille corpus, and Braille word segmentation is carried out using the statistical model directly without the stage of Chinese word segmentation. This method avoids establishing rules concerning syntactic and semantic information and uses statistical model to learn the rules stealthily and automatically. To further improve the performance, an algorithm of fusing the results of Chinese word segmentation and Braille word segmentation is also proposed. Our results show that the proposed method achieves accuracy of 92.81% for Braille word segmentation and considerably outperforms current approaches using the segmentation-merging scheme.
