Representation of Braille Pattern Using Thermal Resistance Network

Abstract

Braille is a tactical writing system that enables a blind person to read, write, learn, participate and communicate. This system is credited to Louis Braille. Many efforts are being put to improve, enhance and innovate in this field to help the visually impaired. Our project is neither an innovation nor an enhancement in the field; rather a cost effective teaching aid. In our project we are basically trying to make the Braille pattern palpable; we will also try to represent different patterns which could be sensed by the blind and imagined by them. For example, suppose we pattern a square; with the help of an 8X8 matrix of resistors, we use their thermal properties to enable the blind person to touch and sense what actually a square might look like. Similarly other patterns can also be represented by using this method; this is a prototype for developing more complex figures and graphs. It is an embedded-system based project in which a Microcontroller, active-passive components and various IC’s are employed. The first phase of our project includes a Motor circuit which would represent the Braille pattern and would be tangible, with the specific motors vibrating according to the required pattern. The next phase includes the thermal network of resistors which heat up according to the patterns we burn into the microcontroller. The LCD would show us the alphabet or word we are demonstrating. And a new feature we have added to our project is the LED panel, which will show shapes (geometric figures like a “square” or a “triangle”)!