TOF Tactile Stamps: Drawing Object Silhouettes through Depth Segmentation by Blind People

We present a workstation utilizing a simple depth segmentation approach to let visually impaired users transform real-world objects into their two-dimensional silhouette shape. Therefore, we use a Kinect TOF system for detection and a novel two-dimensional dynamic tactile pin-matrix display for presenting the captured result. The calibration, segmentation as well as some experimental findings about the used TOF system are explained. Based on the limitations of the TOF system, the segmentation is limited to objects being at least 29mm high. Furthermore, the segmented shapes are less detailed, ragged and sometimes optical deformed. A brief evaluation with three blind users showed that they would accept little such deformations. However, they would like to use such a system for drawing complex objects or share an object's impression with other users in a very fast and enjoyable way.