A talking measuring cup for the visually impaired

Abstract

A measuring cup for the visually impaired has been constructed. It speaks the volume of liquid contained in a special measuring cup in metric or English units. The volume of liquid present in the cup is measured by allowing the liquid to rise between two concentric cylinders which form a capacitor. The height, and hence volume, of the liquid is then proportional to the change in capacitance of the plates. A second set of plates at the bottom of the cup measures the dielectric constant of the liquid, permitting volume to be determined independently of the dielectric constant of the liquid. All measurements and instructions are spoken. It is accurate to 4% of the measurement for volumes from 10 ml to 1 liter.<>