Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!yale!bunker!wtm
From: SRCLARK@COLOSPGS.BITNET (Steve Clark)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Tools for the disAbled
Message-ID: <10106@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 13 Feb 90 03:42:31 GMT
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Reply-To: SRCLARK@COLOSPGS.BITNET (Steve Clark)
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Index Number: 6697

Hi,
        I've posted before asking for suggestions on tools for the
*disAbled*. Now I'm asking for critical evaluations of one of my
own ideas.

        I propose a hand held ultrasonic or infrared ranging device
 that would allow the blind to *see* the contours of their surroundings.

        I propose the system for a hearing user would provide feed-
back in the form of a tone that changes frequency with respect to
changes in distance from the device to the sensed object. This tone
could be supplied to the user by earphone or earphones. For a
non-hearing user the feedback could be a vibrator in the device
that changes intensity with respect to distance to the sensed
object.

        In either case *I think* the device would allow the non-seer
to *see* these

        1. People in the way

        2. Obstacles in the way (a tree!)

        3. Doorways in a hall

        4. Both walls in a hallway

        5. Stairs (if the resolution is good)

        6. Maybe more

        Cane users use tactile feedback to sense their surroundings
and I think this tool could be beneficial because it could extend
the *reach* to about 30 feet or so.

        I may be wrong about the prospective usefulness of this device.
If I am please let me know. Criticism is what I'm looking for.

                                        Steve