Deep Learning Based Audio Assistive System for Visually Impaired People

Vision impairment is a latent problem that affects numerous people across the globe.Technological advancements,particularly the rise of computer processing abilities like Deep Learning(DL)models and emergence of wearables pave a way for assisting visually-impaired persons.The models developed earlier specifically for visually-impaired people work effectually on single object detection in unconstrained environment.But,in real-time scenarios,these systems are inconsistent in providing effective guidance for visually-impaired people.In addition to object detection,extra information about the location of objects in the scene is essential for visually-impaired people.Keeping this in mind,the current research work presents an Efficient Object Detection Model with Audio Assistive System(EODM-AAS)using DL-based YOLO v3 model for visually-impaired people.The aim of the research article is to construct a model that can provide a detailed description of the objects around visually-impaired people.The presented model involves a DL-based YOLO v3 model for multi-label object detection.Besides,the presented model determines the position of object in the scene and finally generates an audio signal to notify the visually-impaired people.In order to validate the detection performance of the presented method,a detailed simulation analysis was conducted on four datasets.The simulation results established that the presented model produces effectual outcome over existing methods.

Red Deer Optimization with Artificial Intelligence Enabled Image Captioning System for Visually Impaired People

The problem of producing a natural language description of an image for describing the visual content has gained more attention in natural language processing(NLP)and computer vision(CV).It can be driven by applications like image retrieval or indexing,virtual assistants,image understanding,and support of visually impaired people(VIP).Though the VIP uses other senses,touch and hearing,for recognizing objects and events,the quality of life of those persons is lower than the standard level.Automatic Image captioning generates captions that will be read loudly to the VIP,thereby realizing matters happening around them.This article introduces a Red Deer Optimization with Artificial Intelligence Enabled Image Captioning System(RDOAI-ICS)for Visually Impaired People.The presented RDOAI-ICS technique aids in generating image captions for VIPs.The presented RDOAIICS technique utilizes a neural architectural search network(NASNet)model to produce image representations.Besides,the RDOAI-ICS technique uses the radial basis function neural network(RBFNN)method to generate a textual description.To enhance the performance of the RDOAI-ICS method,the parameter optimization process takes place using the RDO algorithm for NasNet and the butterfly optimization algorithm(BOA)for the RBFNN model,showing the novelty of the work.The experimental evaluation of the RDOAI-ICS method can be tested using a benchmark dataset.The outcomes show the enhancements of the RDOAI-ICS method over other recent Image captioning approaches.

Vibration-Based Pattern Password Approach for Visually Impaired People

The pattern password method is amongst the most attractive authentication methods and involves drawing a pattern;this is seen as easier than typing a password.However,since people with visual impairments have been increasing their usage of smart devices,this method is inaccessible for them as it requires them to select points on the touch screen.Therefore,this paper exploits the haptic technology by introducing a vibration-based pattern password approach in which the vibration feedback plays an important role.This approach allows visually impaired people to use a pattern password through two developed vibration feedback:pulses,which are counted by the user,and duration,which has to be estimated by the user.In order to make the proposed approach capable to prevent shoulder-surfing attacks,a camouflage pattern approach is applied.An experimental study is conducted to evaluate the proposed approach,the results of which show that the vibration pulses feedback is usable and resistant to shoulder-surfing attacks.

IoT-Driven Optimal Lightweight RetinaNet-Based Object Detection for Visually Impaired People

Visual impairment is one of the major problems among people of all age groups across the globe.Visually Impaired Persons(VIPs)require help from others to carry out their day-to-day tasks.Since they experience several problems in their daily lives,technical intervention can help them resolve the challenges.In this background,an automatic object detection tool is the need of the hour to empower VIPs with safe navigation.The recent advances in the Internet of Things(IoT)and Deep Learning(DL)techniques make it possible.The current study proposes IoT-assisted Transient Search Optimization with a Lightweight RetinaNetbased object detection(TSOLWR-ODVIP)model to help VIPs.The primary aim of the presented TSOLWR-ODVIP technique is to identify different objects surrounding VIPs and to convey the information via audio message to them.For data acquisition,IoT devices are used in this study.Then,the Lightweight RetinaNet(LWR)model is applied to detect objects accurately.Next,the TSO algorithm is employed for fine-tuning the hyperparameters involved in the LWR model.Finally,the Long Short-Term Memory(LSTM)model is exploited for classifying objects.The performance of the proposed TSOLWR-ODVIP technique was evaluated using a set of objects,and the results were examined under distinct aspects.The comparison study outcomes confirmed that the TSOLWR-ODVIP model could effectually detect and classify the objects,enhancing the quality of life of VIPs.

An Intelligent Voice-Based eMarketplace for Visually Impaired People

Today eMarketplaces play a significant role in contemporary life by providing a lot of income and business opportunities to people and organizations throughout the world. Despite innovations in the field of IT, many of eMarketplaces lack the ability to provide appropriate services for people with special needs, especially the blind.? Therefore, this paper is focused on incorporating an interface for blind people to participate in the business of eMarketplaces. A proposed model of a voice-based eMarketplace has been introduced using voice recognition technology. Specific blind users of the system are uniquely identified using voice recognition technology to enable them to access the eMarketplace in a secure manner. Further work of this project involves building such as module on an existing eMarketplace.

A Novel Dataset For Intelligent Indoor Object Detection Systems

Indoor Scene understanding and indoor objects detection is a complex high-level task for automated systems applied to natural environments.Indeed,such a task requires huge annotated indoor images to train and test intelligent computer vision applications.One of the challenging questions is to adopt and to enhance technologies to assist indoor navigation for visually impaired people(VIP)and thus improve their daily life quality.This paper presents a new labeled indoor object dataset elaborated with a goal of indoor object detection(useful for indoor localization and navigation tasks).This dataset consists of 8000 indoor images containing 16 different indoor landmark objects and classes.The originality of the annotations comes from two new facts taken into account:(1)the spatial relationships between objects present in the scene and(2)actions possible to apply to those objects(relationships between VIP and an object).This collected dataset presents many specifications and strengths as it presents various data under various lighting conditions and complex image background to ensure more robustness when training and testing objects detectors.The proposed dataset,ready for use,provides 16 vital indoor object classes in order to contribute for indoor assistance navigation for VIP.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices related to seeking medical eyecare services by adults with moderate-to-severe visual impairment in rural Yueqing, Wenzhou, China: a cross-sectional survey

AIM:To evaluate the knowledge,attitudes,and practices regarding eye-care seeking practices of visually impaired adults in a rural area Yueqing,and explore factors influencing their behavior.METHODS:A stratified sampling method was used to select 48 villages in Yueqing,from which 2400 people were selected to receive vision screenings conducted by oculists during a household visit.Those presenting visual acuity≥0.5 log MAR in either eye completed a self-designed questionnaire investigating their knowledge about medical eye-care seeking,attitudes about eye health and eye-careseeking behavior.RESULTS:Totally 165 people with moderate-to-severe visual impairment were identified(6.9%,165/2400),and 146 eligible participants were recruited(response rate:88.4%,mean age:68.6±15.0 y),among which 88(60.3%)were female.They had 82(56.2%)and 64(43.8%)monocular and binocular visual impairments respectively.A total of 67(45.9%)subjects demonstrated a high knowledge level about medical eye-care seeking and 88(60.3%)had self-rated poor vision,with 23(15%)receiving regular vision checks.The 105(71.9%)subjects had never been to hospital for an eye examination."No need"and"schedule conflicts"were the main reasons for not seeking eye care.Having extensive knowledge of medical eye-care seeking was positively associated with high education levels(OR=3.73,P=0.045)and negatively correlated with older age(OR=0.97,P=0.043).Both the self-perceived vision condition(OR=2.59,P=0.03)and regular vision check behavior(OR=6.50,P<0.01)were related with seeking eye care services.CONCLUSION:In rural Yueqing,intervention is required to increase public knowledge about seeking medical eye care among people with moderate-to-severe visual impairment,especially for the elderly and poorly education.Regular vision checks may be useful to promote their medical eye-care utilization.

设施需求视角下城市盲道系统构建途径研究——以视障人群为例

随着《中华人民共和国无障碍环境建设法》的颁布,开展无障碍设计精细化研究成为提高城市无障碍环境品质的重要发力点。研究突破无障碍设计作为辅助设计的传统思路,以公共服务设施与城市盲道为对象,从视障人群的活动规律及设施需求特征出发,探索城市盲道系统的构建途径与设计方法。通过随机森林模型、引力模型,开展了视障人群设施需求分析及活动区域预测,从设施构成、活动类型、盲道布局三方面对天津市中心城区的盲道系统进行识别与评估,结合居住地与高相关性设施的引力路径,提出盲道优化布局方案及构建策略,旨在引导城市无障碍设施格局优化,为城市开展空间层面无障碍规划设计提供理论参考与技术支撑。

面向视觉障碍人群的城市步行系统优化策略研究

针对现有无障碍设施无法满足视障人群正常出行需求的实际问题,以南昌市红谷滩新区部分路段为例,通过问卷调查法、实地调研法以及GIS分析法,总结视障人群的基本出行特征、面临的出行困境、出行系统现存的主要问题等,并进行信息分析及处理。基于调研结果,从盲道系统及指示系统两方面,提出视障人群出行无障碍设施的发展趋势,以联通性、可达性、系统性、互动性为准则,对视障人士出行系统针对性地提出优化策略,以期对未来城市无障碍环境的建设和发展提供理论参考。

新时期图书馆视障群体服务创新发展研究

视障群体接受文化服务,对于保障他们的文化权益,提升他们的文化获得感具有重要意义。文章通过对图书馆视障群体服务的调查研究,总结了目前图书馆视障群体服务的现状,提出了图书馆视障群体服务创新发展的策略,包括拓展视障群体阅读推广活动;建立视障群体服务合作机制;提升图书馆视障群体信息素养;丰富视障群体阅读资源建设;打造高素质的视障阅读推广队伍。对新时期图书馆视障群体服务理念、内容、方式等方面的研究,旨在进一步探索图书馆视障文化服务理论与实践相结合的事业发展创新路径,汲取推动新时期图书馆视障服务高质量发展的智慧和力量。

听障群体阅读能力研究热点及趋势——基于Citespace的可视化分析

目的 梳理和分析听障群体阅读能力研究的现状和热点,为后续研究提供有益参考。方法 采用Citespace,在Web of Science数据库中进行检索,最终纳入1117篇文献,对纳入文献的发文量、作者、机构、关键词等信息进行可视化分析。结果 (1)关于听障群体阅读能力相关文献数量较少,年载文量整体呈缓慢波动上升趋势,作者及机构之间合作较少;(2)研究热点主题包括阅读能力的相关因素、基于阅读技能的神经科学证据、阅读干预策略3方面;(3)从音系学视角探讨听障群体阅读影响机制研究是主要研究趋势。结论 听障群体阅读研究需要多学科、多作者、多机构的合作研究,开展听障群体阅读影响机制的本土研究,以推动听障儿童听力言语早期干预实践。

香港特别行政区视障读者服务创新探究——以香港城市大学邵逸夫图书馆高等融合教育支持服务为例

图书馆是高校教育的第二课堂,融合教育可以应用两阶段服务学习创新模式,来优化视障大学生的高等融合教育体验。香港城市大学“灯塔古迹保育研习实践项目”践行融合教育理念,邀请视障和健视大学生以灯塔共同创作出4项典型项目成果。其中《西屿塔灯历险》案例具体展示了两阶段服务学习的开展方式,探究图书馆在高等融合教育支持服务体系下的视障读者服务创新。图3。表1。参考文献22。

公共图书馆与社群合作开展视障服务研究--以北京市公共图书馆为例

文章采用网络调研法和文献调研法,选取北京市一级公共图书馆作为调查对象,从合作形式、合作对象和合作内容三方面梳理公共图书馆与社群合作开展视障服务情况,总结分析共建共享、互利共赢、延伸服务和志愿服务4种社群合作模式,指出存在的问题,并提出公共图书馆与社群合作开展视障服务的策略,即加大政府层面的引导和支持,完善社群参与视障服务的制度标准,强化公共图书馆的社群合作意识,加强视障资源共建共享。

AI赋能公共图书馆视障读者有声读物建设与服务

有声读物是公共图书馆面向视障读者开展读者服务和阅读推广活动的重要馆藏资源。人工智能作为新兴技术服务手段为公共图书馆面向视障读者提供智慧服务带来了新契机。在分析我国公共图书馆开展有声读物建设现状和面临困境的基础上,提出应用声纹识别、语音合成、智能机器人等AI技术赋能视障读者有声读物建设与服务。

《马拉喀什条约》背景下公共图书馆视障群体服务研究

随着《马拉喀什条约》在我国的正式生效,视障群体获取文化服务的权利将得到更好的保障。文章梳理了国内外公共图书馆视障群体服务的研究进展,分析了《马拉喀什条约》对公共图书馆视障群体服务产生的影响,总结了公共图书馆视障群体服务存在的问题,并结合我国公共图书馆视障群体服务提出完善建议。

面向视障人群的博物馆无障碍服务建设及相关思考

视障人群是博物馆观众群体中容易被忽略的组成部分。博物馆主动将视力障碍人群作为服务对象并推出相应的文化服务项目,是新博物馆学中博物馆充分发挥其公共职能的重要内容。美国纽约超视觉艺术项目(ABS)致力于为视障人士免费提供接触和融入艺术、文化、休闲、体育以及娱乐活动的机会。我国博物馆在无障碍项目开发与实施方面也积累了不少经验。通过归纳分析国内外面向视力障碍人群开发的博物馆无障碍项目,从博物馆和视障人群两个角度提出改进建议,以推动我国博物馆更为积极主动地探索研发视力障碍人群文化服务项目,为视障人群提供更加友爱、互助、包容的公共文化服务。

面向视障读者的高校图书馆智慧信息咨询服务模式研究

融合教育背景下,普通高校中视障读者的比例逐年增加,建设面向视障读者的智慧信息咨询服务体系,是高校图书馆顺应转型升级和社会发展的时代趋势。基于服务、数据资源、技术设施、馆员、管理五个要素,构建包括数据资源层、需求处理层、读者服务层和总结反馈层的面向视障读者的智慧信息咨询服务模式,可以为高校图书馆视障读者服务及相关残障文化服务提供借鉴与启示。

全民阅读背景下公共图书馆弱势群体阅读服务策略——以天津图书馆视障读者阅读服务为例

文章梳理全民阅读背景下公共图书馆弱势群体阅读服务研究现状,以天津图书馆视障读者阅读服务实践为例,分析其经验特点,指出公共图书馆弱势群体阅读服务存在阅读服务团队建设有待加强、缺乏差异化、长效性阅读服务、社会力量参与阅读服务受限等问题,并提出相应优化策略,即强化弱势群体阅读服务团队建设,优化弱势群体阅读服务流程和内容,搭建社会力量参与的弱势群体阅读服务网络。

基于视障人群步行安全性的街道空间研究

在城市空间权利平等性不断强化与弱势群体空间被挤压的背景下,针对视障人群的步行安全问题,选取街道空间为研究对象,以邯郸市丛台区为例,基于文献、条例与实地调研构建视障人群的街道空间步行安全性影响因素体系,包括环境噪音、规律要素、街道尺度、空间绕阻与导向设施五类。以视障群体的访谈式问卷调查结果为数据基础,运用结构方程模型对影响因素进行量化分析确定权重。最后根据权重排序,围绕规律要素、导向设施与空间绕阻等显著影响因素,对邯郸市丛台区街道空间提出安全性优化建议,以期为提升视障人群步行安全性的街道空间优化设计与针对性整治,提供借鉴与参考。

《马拉喀什条约》生效后我国图书馆视障服务策略研究

《马拉喀什条约》对我国生效后,为图书馆面向特殊群体服务带来了新的发展机遇。文章将图书馆如何实施《马拉喀什条约》放到全社会的整体角度加以考察,从更广阔的视野来思考图书馆如何更加有效地落实《马拉喀什条约》,并提出建议:制定或修改图书馆相关法规以便适用《马拉喀什条约》;图书馆行业尽快制定中国版本的《马拉喀什条约入门——图书馆员指南》,为馆员开展无障碍阅读服务提供具体的指引;多渠道采集无障碍格式版馆藏资源,并建立全国图书馆视障服务联盟机制实现资源共建共享;加强用户教育与监督管理、图书馆网站的无障碍建设。