Reconfigurable PDA for the Visually Impaired Using FPGAs

Curtin University Brailler (CUB) is a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) for visually impaired people. Its objective is to make information in different formats accessible to people with limited visual ability. This paper presents the design and implementation of two modules: a print-to-Braille translation system and a Braille keyboard controller. The translator implements Blenkhorn's algorithm in hardware, liberating the microprocessor to perform other functions. The Braille keyboard controller along with a low cost keyboard provides users with a note-taking function. These modules are used as intellectual property (IP) cores coupled to a 32-bit MicroBlaze processor in an embedded system-on-a-chip (SoC). In its current implementation, the microprocessor uses a hierarchical interrupt scheme to coordinate IP cores. A prototype of the complete embedded system is under development using Xilinx's FPGAs. The system is a potential platform for the development of embedded systems to assist the visually impaired

Hardware-based text-to-braille translation

Braille, as a special written method of communication for the blind, has been globally accepted for years. It gives blind people another chance to learn and communicate more efficiently with the rest of the world. It also makes possible the translation of printed languages into a written language which is recognisable for blind people. Recently, Braille is experiencing a decreasing popularity due to the use of alternative technologies, like speech synthesis. However, as a form of literacy, Braille is still playing a significant role in the education of people with visual impairments. With the development of electronic technology, Braille turned out to be well suited to computer-aided production because of its coded forms. Software based text-to-Braille translation has been proved to be a successful solution in Assistive Technology (AT). However, the feasibility and advantages of the algorithm reconfiguration based on hardware implementation have rarely been substantially discussed. A hardware-based translation system with algorithm reconfiguration is able to supply greater throughput than a software-based system. Further, it is also expected as a single component integrated in a multi-functional Braille system on a chip.Therefore, this thesis presents the development of a system for text-to-Braille translation implemented in hardware. Differing from most commercial methods, this translator is able to carry out the translation in hardware instead of using software. To find a particular translation algorithm which is suitable for a hardware-based solution, the history of, and previous contributions to Braille translation are introduced and discussed. It is concluded that Markov systems, a formal language theory, were highly suitable for application to hardware based Braille translation. Furthermore, the text-to-Braille algorithm is reconfigured to achieve parallel processing to accelerate the translation speed. Characteristics and advantages of Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), and application of Very High Speed Integrated Circuit Hardware Description Language (VHDL) are introduced to explain how the translating algorithm can be transformed to hardware. Using a Xilinx hardware development platform, the algorithm for text-to-Braille translation is implemented and the structure of the translator is described hierarchically

Text-to-Braille Translator in a Chip

This paper describes the hardware implementation of a text to Braille Translator using Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). Different from most commercial software-based translators, the circuit presented in this paper is able to carry out text-to-Braille translation in hardware. The translator is based on the translating algorithm, proposed by Paul Blenkhorn [1]. The Very high speed Hardware Description Language (VHDL) was used to describe the chip in a hierarchical way. The test results indicate that the hardware-based translator achieves the same results as software-based commercial translators, with superior throughput

Text-to-Braille Translator in a Chip

This paper describes the hardware implementation of a text to Braille Translator using Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). Different from most commercial software-based translators, the circuit presented in this paper is able to carry out text-to-Braille translation in hardware. The translator is based on the translating algorithm, proposed by Paul Blenkhorn (Blenkhorn 1997). The Very high speed Hardware Description Language (VHDL) was used to describe the chip in a hierarchical way. The test results indicate that the hardware-based translator achieves the same results as software-based commercial translators, with superior throughput

A hardware based Braille note taker

This paper describes a Braille note taker implemented in hardware. The system is able to perform Braille to text translation as well as note taking. A method is presented on how to achieve Braille note taking using a Braille keyboard. To perform Braille to text translation, a translating system has been built based on previous work. Using Very high speed integrated circuit Hardware Description Language (VHDL) and a Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) development platform, a system that includes the keyboard controller and translator has been hierarchically described and implemented

Human Computer Interface for Victims using FPGA

Visually impaired people face many challenges in the society; particularly students with visual impairments face unique challenges in the education environment. They struggle a lot to access the information, so to resolve this obstacle in reading and to allow the visually impaired students to fully access and participate in the curriculum with the greatest possible level of independence, a Braille transliteration system using VLSI is designed. Here Braille input is given to FPGA Virtex-4 kit via Braille keyboard. The Braille language is converted into English language by decoding logic in VHDL/Verilog and then the corresponding alphabet letter is converted into speech signal with the help of the algorithm. Speaker is used for the voice output. This project allows the visually impaired people to get literate also the person can get a conformation about what is being typed, every time that character is being pressed, this prevents the occurrence of mistakes

A system for fast Text-to-Braille translation based on FPGAs

This paper describes a fast text to Braille translator based on Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). Compared with most commercial methods, this translator is able to carry out the translation in hardware instead of using software. To achieve the fast translation, a FPGA with big programmable resource has been utilized, and an algorithm, proposed by Paul Blenkhorn, has been revised to perform the fast translation. The translator has been described using Very high speed integrated circuit Hardware Description Language (VHDL). The test results indicate that the hardware-based translator achieves the same results as software-based commercial translators, and moreover, this system achieves superior throughput compared to Blenkhorn's original algorithm

Lifting the Curtain on Opera Translation and Accessibility: Translating Opera for Audiences with Varying Sensory Ability

In the multicultural world of today, as boundaries continue to merge and evolve, issues of accessibility and translation are brought to the forefront of political and social debate. Whilst considerable progress has already been achieved in this domain, the international social and legal recognition of the human right of accessibility to the media and arts demands further advancement in the development of facilities to provide universal access to various art forms including theatre, cinema, and opera. With rapidly developing technology, digitisation and an increasingly socially-aware society, the notion of media accessibility is evolving in response to shifting audience expectations. Performing arts and media, such as opera, are called upon to advance further to embrace all audiences and related audiovisual translation methods are progressing. These include audio description and touch tours for the blind and partially-sighted, as well as sign language interpreting and surtitles for the deaf and the hard-of-hearing. These relatively new translation modalities which are consumer-oriented by nature require an original research design for investigation of the translation processes involved. This research design follows two fundamental principles: (1) audience reception studies should be an integral part of the investigation into the translation process; and (2) the translation process is regarded as a network. This present work explores the unique translation processes of audio description, touch tours, surtitles and sign language interpreting within the context of live opera, focusing on the UK and from the perspective of actor-network theory. A twofold methodology is employed which brings together a study of the translator’s role and an audience reception survey. The translator’s task is examined through observational methods and dialogue with professional practitioners of the various aforementioned translation modalities. The audience’s perspective is investigated through analysis of data collected in a pioneering audience reception project conducted in May 2011, in collaboration with Opera North at performances of Bizet’s Carmen. The focus is on findings assessing the mutual impact of the translator’s choices and audience reception on the distinctive process of translating opera for the blind and partially-sighted as well as the deaf and the hard-of-hearing

Discussion of the selection and use of teaching aids and standard materials in the lower school at Perkins School for the Blind

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit