Federal Research Projects for Assistive Technology

Web Posted on: December 18, 1997

IN American Research Corporation of Virginia PN Dr. Russell J. Churchill

TI New Graphical Communication Tactile Sensors to Assist Individuals having Visual Disabilities

JT President
AD P.O. Box 3406
CY Radford VA 24143-3406
PBD Department of Education 1993 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Phase II Competition, funded projects.

TXT Topic 2: Development or Adaptation of Devices, Mechanisms, or Techniques for Individuals with Visual Disabilities

TXT Technical Abstract:

TXT The inability to access graphical images presents an obstacle to the education, full employment and quality of life of individuals with severe visual disabilities. Technical advancements such as computer-based Braille printers and raised-relief image displays have not resulted in real-time, refreshable image displays capable of converting computer, camera, or video telephone output to an accessible form for use by individuals with severe visual disabilities.

The Phase I effort evaluated the feasibility of a refreshable tactile array compatible with full-page Braille and graphical displays. The Phase I results indicated that displacements associated with piezoelectric actuation could be used in forming a tactile array and that most individuals tested could detect Braille characters presented with as small as three micron displacement.

The Phase II program will develop low-cost, rugged, silicon based tactile arrays using piezoelectric and contractile-gel actuators to accomplish the feasibility demonstrated in Phase I by achieving the Phase II objectives which consist of fabrication of innovative silicon-based piezoelectric and contractile-gel actuator arrays, data, and field demonstration of a prototype system for evaluation prior to commercialization in the Phase III program.

The program is significant in providing a low-cost tactile image display which can be used by individuals with severe visual disabilities. TXT Anticipated Results and Potential Commercial Applications: TXT Successful completion of the Phase II objectives would result in the development of piezoelectric and contractile-gel actuator arrays to enhance graphical communications of individuals with visual disabilities. The actuator array has commercial application in sensory substitution, full-page Braille display, adaptive optics, smart structures and medical ultrasound.

AG Department of Education (DOE) YR 1993CN RFP number 93-030 Proposal number 014 NTS This listing of R&D on computer aids for individuals with disabilitieswas provided in July 1996 by the National Technology Transfer Center, Wheeling WV.

For questions, comments, or help in following up on any items, please contact Janne Hunter at jhunter@nttc.edu, (304) 243-2541, (304) 243-2539 (fax).

IN Ames Research Center TI Computer Reader for the Blind CY Moffett Field CA 94035

PBD NASA Spinoff, Thirty Year Commemorative Edition TXT More than 20 years ago, Telesensory, Mountain View, California,produced a spinoff technology that enabled the blind and deaf-blind to read--not just braille transcriptions but anything in print. In 1989, the company introduced an even more exciting aid for the blind, a second-generation spinoff that not only provides access to printed words,but also to the electronic information available on most personal computers.TXT The original device, called Optacon, is a combination of optical andelectronic technology and incorporates research performed at Stanford Research Institute under the sponsorship of NASA's Ames Research Center. The user passes a mini-camera over a printed page with his left hand; a control unit processes the camera's picture, translates it into a vibrating image of the words the camera is viewing, and the user senses the tactile image with his other hand. Optacon, which can be used with virtually any alphabet or language, has provided a new level of independence for thousands of blind people in more than 70 countries.

TXT Optacon II, a dramatically enhanced version, is a joint product of TeleSensory and Canon Inc., Tokyo, Japan, which introduced the original Optacon to Japan in 1974. It employs the same basic technique of converting printed information into a tactile image, but connects directly to an IBM or Macintosh computer. This opens up a new range of job opportunities to the blind.

TXT Optacon II comprises a handheld camera with a silicon integratedcircuit of 100 light-sensitive transistors; a microprocessor control unit that processes information from the camera; and a tactile array, driven by

the control unit, consisting of 100 vibrating rods. The camera's "retina" sends the shape of what it is viewing to the control unit and the corresponding rods in the tactile array vibrate. Moving the camera with one hand, the operator perceives the vibrating image with the index finger of the other hand. Optacon II is not limited to reading printed words; it can convert any graphic image viewed by the camera. TXT [Optacon II permits a blind woman to perceive print and graphical images by providing tactile images that she can read by touch.]

AG National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) YR 1992 LI (415) 604-5761, (415) 604-1592 (fax) Phil Herlth

NTS This listing of R&D on computer aids for individuals with disabilities was provided in July 1996 by the National Technology Transfer Center, Wheeling WV. For questions, comments, or help in following up on any items, please contact Janne Hunter at jhunter@nttc.edu, (304) 243-2541, (304) 243-2539 (fax). IN Associated Enterprises, Inc. (AEI) PN Judith A. Cabral TI AdaptingVoice Processing Technology to Enhance Job Training and Placement Options for Deaf Persons JT Associate AD 120 Admiral Cochrane Drive

CY Annapolis MD 21401 PBD Department of Education 1993 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I Competition, funded projects.

TXT Topic Number: 8.6 Innovative Technologies to Enhance

Self-Determination. Job Development, Job Modification, Job Opportunities, or Transition from School to Work for Individuals with Disabilities. TXT (d) Technical Abstract: TXT The purpose of Phase I is to adapt voice processing technology to be compatible with devices for the Hearing Impaired (Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf--TDDs) and thereby provide deaf persons with equal access to Job Opportunity and Job Training information. Abundant opportunity to obtain job opportunity and training information from voice processing systems exists for hearing persons but is not readily accessible to TDD users. Even when accessible through an intermediary relay service, experience has shown that not all relay services are prepared or willing to search through massive data bases and menu options of on-line telephone information and transcribe it back to the TDD caller. If deaf persons are able to access the same job information without inordinate and arduous time consumption, they can better compete in and serve the workplace. This effort includes: (I) using existing voice processing technology to implement two way communication between voice processing and TDD's; (2)developing a dynamic job training and information library: (3) conducting a three to four week pilot; and (4) identifying potential capital commitments. A Phase II effort would expand the existing libraries by adding additional information for employers in complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

TXT (f) Anticipated Results and Implications of the Approach (for both Phases I and II) and the Potential Commercial Applications of the Research:

TXT Anticipated results and implications of the proposed approach if Phases I and II are successful include: (I) improvement of communication between computer telephone systems and TDDs; (2) a new technological approach to improve access of job training and placement information to the deaf community; (3) creation of an innovative approach for job service agencies and support groups to comply with the ADA: (4) expansion into other areas of topic interest for those with hearing impairments; and (5) continuation of improvements and adaptations to enhance the operations of the, voice processing technology to assist the hearing impaired. The major commercial application AEI envisions is two fold: first, expanding and improving job information accessibility for persons with hearing impairments, and second, encouraging participation from private and public sector sponsors and investors by complying with the ADA.

AG Department of Education (DOE) YR 1993 CN RFP number 93-025 Proposal number 185

IN ATG PN Marshall Clemens TI Investigation of an Audio Feedback System Allowing Visually Impaired Access to Graphical User Interfaces JT Technical Director, ATG AD 84 Salisbury Road CY Watertown MA 02172 PBD Department of Education 1993 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I Competition, funded projects.

TXT Topic 2: Development or Adaptation of Devices, Mechanisms, or Techniques for Individuals with Visual Disabilities.

TXT ABSTRACT

TXT The proliferation of Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) in personal computers, such as Microsoft Windows and Macintosh, is a threat to visually impaired persons' ability to use computers because GUIs represent information iconicly and spatially, as well as textually. The GUIs visual orientation makes GUIs difficult for the visually impaired to access through traditional assistive technologies.

TXT We propose to create a prototype auditory feedback system for the GUI that will provide visually impaired persons access to GUIs. Phase I has two goals. First, to determine the technical feasibility of a novel technique for representing GUI objects, such as pointers, buttons and windows, in sound. This technique will require tracking all the events that occur in the GUI system. These events will be mapped to predetermined sounds and played through commercially available sound-output hardware. The second goal is to verify that visually impaired GUI users can perform tasks better with the aid of audio feedback.

TXT If successful, the resulting technology will facilitate the use of GUI software by visually impaired persons.

TXT SUMMARY OF ANTICIPATED RESULTS, IMPLICATIONS, COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS

TXT The proposed system would provide an auditory equivalent of the computers graphical user interface (GUI). The system would represent graphical icons in sound, providing visually impaired users with access to the same GUI software that the general population uses. Such a system would provide schools, businesses, government agencies, and other organizations with a cost-effective means of complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1992--providing computing access and opportunities for visually impaired persons.

AG Department of Education (DOE)

YR 1993 CN RFP number 93-025 Proposal number 046

IN Ames Research Center TI Optical Robotic Path Planning System OF Commercial Technology Office CY Moffett Field CA 94034-1000

PBD Commercial Technology Opportunity, http://ctoserver.arc.nasa.gov/TechOpps/asad.html TXT Robotic systems include a variety of mechanical devices, such as wheeled vehicles, manipulator arms, multi-fingered hands, and free-flying platforms, many of which need to be able to move unobstructed through a workspace environment. However, a robot's workspace may be partially filled with obstacles, creating regions which it cannot traverse due to constraints such as walls, furniture, or other equipment. For a robot to move without running into obstacles, it is necessary to determine a robot path from an initial location to a designated goal location. To enable this function, a NASA Ames research scientist developed an optical system capable of rapidly producing a potential field map of a bounded two-dimensional region containing a goal location and an arbitrary number of obstacles. The potential field map description of the region can be used by an autonomous mobile robot to guide itself from any location to a goal location while avoiding any obstacles present.

TXT Potential Commercial Uses

TXT * The path planning system could be incorporated into mobile robots that must navigate their work environments. TXT * Incorporated into specialized wheelchairs, the path planning system could help the occupant navigate the chair to desired locations without being trapped by obstacles.

TXT * The path planning system could be useful in hazardous materials handling applications as a complement to remotely controlled robots.

TXT * By employing the path planning system, smarter robots for use in warehouses and on industry floors could be developed to avoid obstructions on prespecified lines.

TXT * The path planning system may eventually be used in specialized robotic escorts for the blind, helping to guide them through unfamiliar physical environments.

TXT Benefits

TXT * Fully parallel optical system: A plurality of such systems can be linked to meet robot workspace size limitations and potential field mapping time constraints, enabling them to run at a much higher speed than comparable algorithms implemented on conventional digital computers.

TXT * Real-time updating potential: The template defining the obstacle pattern could be replaced by an updatable spatial light monitor to enable real-time updates of the obstacle pattern, as required for mobile obstacles.

TXT * No local minima: The value at each location outside of the obstaclesis directly related to how long it took for charge to spread from the original goal location. As the charge cannot spread discontinuously, there can be no local minima in the final potential field.

TXT * Adaptable to various applications: This method of operating an optical potential field mapping system is adaptable to several variations,dependent upon the specific application and capabilities required.

TXT * Further miniaturization possible: The current path planning unit is approximately 1 x 1/2 x 1/2 foot but further miniaturization is possible. Current predictions estimate the unit can be made as little as 4 x 4 x 4 inches square.

TXT The Technology

TXT The optical robotic potential field mapping system has an imaging device and a processor. Two image writing modes are used by the imaging device, electron deposition and electron depletion. Patterns written in electron deposition mode appear black and expand while patterns written in electron depletion mode are sharp and appear white. The generated image represents a robot's workspace. The imaging device under processor control then writes a goal location in the workspace using the electron deposition mode where the black image of the goal expands in the workspace. The processor stores the generated images and uses them to generate a feedback pattern. The feedback pattern is written in the workspace by the imaging device in the electron deposition mode to enhance the expansion of the original goal pattern. After the feedback pattern is written, an obstacle pattern is written by the imaging device in the electron depletion mode to represent the obstacles in the robot's workspace. The processor compares each stored image to a previously stored image to determine any changes between them. After the output image stops changing, the computer has stored a sequence of output images. In the first image, only the goal location is dark. In the last image, only the obstacle' locations are bright. An average is made from all stored images. The average image which results from the algorithm is the desired potential field map. A robot placed at any location in the workspace represented by the potential field map will be able to follow the gradient of the potential to the goal location without being trapped behind obstacles.

TXT Options for Commercialization

TXT The Optical Robotic Path Planning System is presently being used as the basis of an autonomous robotic path planning system in NASA Ames

Research Center's Information Sciences Division. Companies are currently being sought to license the manufacture of The Optical Robotic Path Planning System to serve existing and expanding applications. Patentpending.

AG National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

MISC Contact: If your company is interested in the Optical Robotic Path Planning System, or if you desire additional information, please contact:

Charles Gary, Ph.D. Research Scientist Mail Stop 269-3 NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000 Phone: (415) 604-3590 Fax: (415) 604-4036 E-mail: gary@kronos.arc.nasa.gov

YR 1996

LI (415) 604-5761, (415) 604-1592, fax phil_herlth@qmgate.arc.nasa.gov Phil Herlth

NTS This listing of R&D on computer aids for individuals with disabilities was provided in July 1996 by the National Technology Transfer Center, Wheeling WV. For questions, comments, or help in following up on any items, please contact Janne Hunter at jhunter@nttc.edu, (304) 243-2541, (304) 243-2539 (fax). IN Automated Functions, Inc. PN Ronald A. Morford TI Network Architecture Speech System (NASS) JT Director of Research and Development AD 6424 N. 28th Street CY Arlington VA 22207 TE (703) 536-7741

PBD Department of Education 1993 Small Business Innovation Research(SBIR)

Phase II Competition, funded projects.

TXT Topic 1: PERSONS WITH VISUAL DISABILITIES

TXT II.D. TECHNICAL ABSTRACT

TXT The Network Architecture Speech System (NASS) dramatically increases access to the highly visual programs that run on personal computers. It uses modern computer network technology to create a more versatile and less expensive system which enables visually impaired people to use the computer as easily as their sighted peers.

TXT The NASS creates an excellent working environment in which many innovative functions may be created to provide an optimal adaptive aid for visually impaired users. It has the advantages of minimizing memory space requirements on the PC and maximizing the memory space for the adaptive aid software. In addition, the project will design and develop a new generation of speech synthesizers. These units will take advantage of the NASS approach and cost 50% less than current synthesizers of equal quality.

TXT The result of NASS is an easy to use system which offers nearly unlimited growth potential to solve the ever-increasing problem of mapping two-dimensional visual screens to the one-dimensional media of speech or braille. The NASS approach is a quantum step forward in providing superior access to the PC for visually impaired people.

TXT II.F. SUMMARY OF ANTICIPATED RESULTS TXT NASS will provide visually impaired people with adaptive aid technology which is extremely natural and easy o use. The large number of NASS functions will create an optimal working environment for visually impaired people. PC programs which are highly visual will be as easy to use by visually impaired users as they are for sighted people. The size and cost of the adaptive aid hardware will be greatly decreased due to the innovative NASS approach.

TXT Without NASS, adaptive aid designers will be limited in program memory, trying to create better functions in a small amount of space. The net result will be severely limited access to PC programs that are veryvisual and a lack of innovative functions in future screen readers. NASS will enable visually impaired people to increase their job potential, aintain their current jobs, and learn more in school by using a new generation of adaptive aids based on NASS.

AG Department of Education (DOE) YR 1993 CN RFP number 93-030 Proposal number 004

IN Dancing Dots Braille Music Technology, L.P. PN William R. McCann TI Goodfeel: MIDI-to-Braille Translator JT President & Software Designer AD 130 Hampden Road, Third Floor CY Upper Darby PA 19082 TE (215) 352-7607 (office), (215) 352-4582 (fax)

PBD Department of Education 1993 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I Competition, funded projects.

TXT Topic: 8.H: Development or adaptation of innovative technologies to promote access and learning in areas of artistic expression by individuals with disabilities.

TXT Technical Abstract

TXT MIDI, Musical Instrument Digital Interface, is the internationally recognized standard for storing and exchanging musical data. Many music publishers, as well as unpublished composers, are now storing musical works in MIDI, or MIDI convertible, formats. The GOODFEEL MIDI-to-Braille software will serve to make these works available to the braille music reader.

TXT Problem Definition

TXT No facility exists to translate standard MIDI data files into hardcopy braille music. There are numerous, Pc-compatible braille printers commercially available that will produce literary braille. What is lacking is a translation process to read the MIDI files and convert musical parameters into the braille music code.

TXT Objective

TXT Create a computer program to read standard MIDI files, determine the corresponding braille music code symbols, and format records to be sent to a standard braille output device.

TXT Anticipated Results: Produce a robust prototype that will emboss braille music for a simple, 2-part piece.

TXT Commercial Applications

TXT * Transcription service to sell braille editions of published and unpublished works for a per-page fee * MIDI-based software to teach braille music to blind students * Sequencer program designed primarily for the blind * Create braille music print functions for commercial

AG Department of Education (DOE) YR 1993 CN RFP number 93-025 Proposal number 261

NTS This listing of R&D on computer aids for individuals with disabilities was provided in July 1996 by the National Technology Transfer Center, Wheeling WV. For questions, comments, or help in following up on any items, please contact Janne Hunter at jhunter@nttc.edu, (304) 243-2541, (304) 243-2539 (fax). IN * Prentke Romich Co. and ** Semantic Compaction Systems PN ** Bruce R. Baker TI Assessing the Utility of the Child-Oriented Readily Expanding Words Strategy^TM (CORE WS^TM) JT Linguist AD * 1022 Heyl Road and ** 801 McNeilly Road CY * Wooster and ** Pittsburgh * OH and ** PA * 44691 and ** 15226 PBD Department of Education 1993 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)

Phase I Competition, funded projects.

TXT Topic 1. B: Development or Adaptation of Devices, Mechanisms, or

Techniques for Individuals with Physical, Multisensory, or Language Disabilities.

TXT Technical Abstract: The Project will address the development or adaptation of assistive devices to facilitate communication and language development, and access to mainstream environments by infants, toddlers, preschoolers, children and youth with disabilities, specifically children who must rely on augmentative and alternative communication devices because they have severe communicative disorders and severe motor limitations.

Effective interactive communication is essential before a person can participate in the mainstream environment. The Project will develop a core vocabulary set for the very young child, designed to facilitate further age appropriate language development through the use of a microprocessor based communication device. The communication device will be modified to further reduce the cognitive and motor demands on the child while allowing expanded vocabulary and usage forms.

TXT Summary: A child without disability learns language through oral repetition; the same child learns grammar by modeling and quick corrections from adults. For that child the production of language becomes virtually effortless, requiring no special focus on the process of creation of sound, thus allowing the child to focus entirely on content and context of language itself. A child who cannot speak must create his or her own method for communication; the shared shorthand of "words" ia not available;while an electronic device may produce sounds the child has the added cognitive load of learning to manipulate the device and make it "talk" in useful words. A child who cannot apeak and also has severe physical limitations has the enormous burden of motor planning and access in order to operate the device.

TXT The applicants have had proven success in joining language technology with microprocessors to allow people with severe communicative disorders and physical limitations to communicate in well formed language with age-appropriate vocabulary. The proposed project is to research a "core" system for the very young child. The goal is for a child with a severe disability to be able to focus more on language development, and less on device access and word creation issues, which tasks can be>

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