Basic study of a communication device for the deaf-blind using a finger and a palm - Measurement of finger speed and pressure

Abstract

We proposed a device which used palms and fingers as both a transmitter and a receiver of communication for the deaf-blind. Our device would be set on the palm of a deaf-blind person. The movement of the finger would then be detected by the device and sent to a computer. Next, the letters written on the palm would be displayed on a computer screen where non-disabled people could receive the message. For the opposite case, when the deaf-blind received messages from non-disabled people, the letters would be formed on their palms through the use of tactile stimulation. First of all, we attempted to determine which presentation condition most facilitated the correct recognition of Japanese letter. The results are summarized as follows. The optimal pressure could not be determined. Regarding speed, it was postulated that each subject's own speed was optimal, within the range of 4-11cm/s. © Springer-Verlag 2004.