Stephen E. Krufka
ABSTRACT
This paper presents a method to convert vector graphics into tactile representations for the blind. Generating tactile pictures from vector graphics is an important effort to bring more accessibility to the WWW as well as other means of communications since vector graphics are an increasing trend in web based graphics. Prior research has investigated methods that extracts object boundaries from images to produce raised-line tactile pictures. The proposed method extends this idea for vector graphics, producing tactile pictures where important outlines are emphasized. Important outlines are determined by using the hierarchical structure of a vector graphic. A Braille printer is used where raised dots are embossed for the outlining boundaries. Important and detail boundaries are embossed with dots of larger and smaller height, respectively, while all other regions contain no raised dots. Results testing a person's ability to discriminate, identify, and comprehend tactile pictures shows the proposed methods' advantage over two other methods.
Supplemental Material
- Tiger Embosser: 3-D Windows Embosser, 2000. Model: 111703.Google Scholar
- J. F. Canny. A computational approach to edge detection. IEEE Trans. PAMI, 1986. Google ScholarDigital Library
- S. Coren and L. Ward. Sensation and Perception. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 3rd edition, 1989.Google Scholar
- P. Edman. Tactile Graphics. American Foundation for the Blind, 1992.Google Scholar
- S. Ellwanger. A nonlinear edge-detection method and device driver implementation for tactile image printing. Master's thesis, University of Delaware, Newark DE, 2004.Google Scholar
- R. Gonzalez and R. Woods. Digital Image Processing. Prentice Hall, 2nd edition, 2002. Google ScholarDigital Library
- M. A. Heller, editor. Touch, Representation, and Blindness. Oxford University Press, 2000.Google Scholar
- Hernandez and K. E. Barner. Tactile imaging using watershed-based image segmentation. In ACM Conference on Assistive Technologies, Arlington VA, Nov. 2002. Google ScholarDigital Library
- R. D. Jacobson. Navigation for the visually handicapped: Going beyond tactile cartography. Swansea Geographer, 31:53--59, 1994.Google Scholar
- R. L. Klatzky. There's more to touch than meets the eye: The salience of object attributes for haptics with and without vision. J. Experimental Psychol.: General, 116, 1987.Google Scholar
- K. J. Kokjer. The information capacity of the human fingertip. IEEE Transactions Syst.,Man, Cybern., SMC-17, 1987. Google ScholarDigital Library
- S. K. Mitra and G. L. Sicuranza. Nonlinear Image Processing. Academic Press, 2001. Google ScholarDigital Library
- E. Siekierska, R. Labelle, L. Brunet, B. Mccurdy, P. Pulsifer, M. Rieger, and L. O'Neil. Enhancing spatial learning and mobility training of visually impaired people -- a technical paper on the internet-based tactile and audio-tactile mapping. The Canadian Geograher, pages 480--493, 2003.Google ScholarCross Ref
- T. P. Way and K. E. Barner. Automatic visual to tactile translation - part one: Human factor, access methods, and image manipulation. IEEE Trans. on Rehabilitation Engineering, 1997.Google ScholarCross Ref
- T. P. Way and K. E. Barner. Automatic visual to tactile translation - part two: Evaluation of the tactile image creation system. IEEE Trans. on Rehabilitation Engineering, 1997.Google ScholarCross Ref
Index Terms
- Automatic production of tactile graphics from scalable vector graphics
Recommendations
Tactile graphics with a voice: using QR codes to access text in tactile graphics
ASSETS '14: Proceedings of the 16th international ACM SIGACCESS conference on Computers & accessibilityTextbook figures are often converted into a tactile format for access by blind students. These figures are not truly accessible unless the text within the figures is also made accessible. A common solution to access text in a tactile image is to use ...
The Development of a Universal Design Tactile Graphics Production System BPLOT2
ICCHP '08: Proceedings of the 11th international conference on Computers Helping People with Special NeedsWe introduce a new universal design tactile graphics production system: BPLOT2. With BPLOT2, blind persons and sighted persons can share resources and cooperatively draw tactile graphics to be utilized in braille textbooks and teaching materials. ...
Tactile graphics with a voice demonstration
ASSETS '14: Proceedings of the 16th international ACM SIGACCESS conference on Computers & accessibilityTextbook images are converted into tactile graphics to be made accessible to blind and low vision students. The text labels on these graphics are an important part of the image and must be made accessible as well. The graphics usually have the labels ...
Comments