Abstract
We developed a device that converts visual information on a tablet into tactile information on the fingertip. To achieve this we mount optical sensors and a tactile display on the fingertip. Our first prototype using a vibrator for each finger revealed that it was difficult to recognize the information of the display, mainly because of its low resolution. We addressed this limitation in our second prototype by using electro-tactile stimulation. From our preliminary experiment with a mechanical pin matrix, we decided to use a single index finger. In a subsequent alphabet recognition experiment, we confirmed that it is possible to recognize relatively complex shapes on a tablet with the device. Furthermore, we observed that the learning curve is quite steep, which implies the potential of the device.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Kajimoto, H., Inami, M., Kawasaki, N., Tachi, S.: Symposium on haptic interfaces for virtual environment and teleoperator systems, HAPTICS 2003 (2003)
Collins, C.C.: Tactile television–mechanical and electrical image projection. IEEE Trans. Man Mach. Syst. 11(1), 65–71 (1970)
Kajimoto, H., Kannno, Y., Tachi, S.: Forehead electro-tactile display for vision substitution. In: EuroHaptics 2006, Paris (2006)
Kajimoto, H., Suzuki, M., Kanno, Y.: HamsaTouch: tactile vision substitution with smartphone and electro-tactile display. In: The ACM CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (2014)
Linvill, J.G., Bliss, J.C.: A direct translation reading aid for the blind. In: Proceedings of the IEEE (1966)
Giudice, N.A., Palani, H.: Learning non-visual graphical information using a touch-based vibro–audio interface. In: Proceedings of ASSETS (2012)
Burch, D., Pawluk, D.: Using multiple contacts with texture-enhanced graphics. In: World Haptics (2011)
Ando, H., Miki, T., Inami, M., Maeda, T.: SmartFinger: nail-mounted tactile display. In: ACM SIGGRAPH (2002)
Craig, J.C.: Attending to two fingers: two hands are better than one. Percept. Psychophys. 38(6), 496–511 (1985)
Lappin, J.S., Foulke, E.: Expanding the tactual field of view. Percept. Psychophys. 14(2), 237–241 (1973)
Kaczmarek, K.A., Tyler, M.E., Bach-y-Rita, P.: Electrotactile haptic display on the fingertips, preliminary results. In: Proceedings of the 16th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, pp. 940–941 (1994)
Bach-y-Rita, P., Kaczmarek, K.A., Tyler, M.E., Carcia-Lara, J.: Form perception with a 49-point electro-tactile stimulus array on the tongue. J. Rehabil. Res. Dev. 35, 427–430 (1998)
Jones, L.A., Lederman, S.J.: Human Hand Function. Oxford University Press, Oxford (2006)
Acknowledgements
This research is supported by the JST-ACCEL Embodied Media Project.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
About this paper
Cite this paper
Uematsu, H., Suzuki, M., Kanno, Y., Kajimoto, H. (2016). Tactile Vision Substitution with Tablet and Electro-Tactile Display. In: Bello, F., Kajimoto, H., Visell, Y. (eds) Haptics: Perception, Devices, Control, and Applications. EuroHaptics 2016. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 9774. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-42321-0_47
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-42321-0_47
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-42320-3
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-42321-0
eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)