Dynamic patterns as an alternative to conventional text for the partially sighted

Abstract

When the partially sighted can no longer read even enlarged conventional text then possible aids include Touch Braille and speech synthesis. Touch Braille has proved to be very useful for those with no vision and also for the partially sighted who can only read with difficulty and hence liable to suffer from early fatigue. However, both of these aids lack any visual feedback useful for those with some residual sight. Visual Braille may also be of use but is limited to a given set of standard patterns. It should be noted that many partially sighted people may still be able to see a few areas of different color which maybe sufficient to allow different combinations of colored elements to represent a useful character set.The authors propose a possible alternative reading aid called Dynamic Pattern System (DPS) where each pattern or series of patterns can represent an ASCII character. Each pattern consists of a number of distinct areas, each of which can assume one of a set number of colors. A particular set of patterns representing a character set is known as a patternset. There are many conditions that can lead to partial sight and hence these patternsets may be individualised to each user thereby making full use of their limited vision. This can be regarded as an interface matching solution.The input or output of a DPS can be read as standard text by conventional text-based word processors, web browsers and other standard IT equipment. Using a DPS it may be possible for some partially sighted users to communicate with each other each using their own individualised patternset. Furthermore a fully sighted person may be able to both send and receive conventional text when communicating with a person using a DPS. An extensive literature search has failed to find any comparable work.Hence the advantages of such a system include:-• Standard PCs (minimum 386, Windows 3.x, 4M RAM) with no special equipment may be used to encourage the full integration of some partially sighted individuals, who are unable to read even enlarged text, into a standard office environment.• A standard PC running DPS may be used by the fully sighted.• DPS is a very small (one floppy disk) and easy to use software driven user interface requiring no special hardware and hence offers a low cost solution.• Individualized patternsets may allow the most effective use of a user's limited vision.