Virtual Reality and the Blind (fwd)

[Hans Zoebelein <zocki@goldfish.cube.net>]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 20 Nov 1996 10:37:21 -0500
From: Gerald Weichbrodt <gweich01@IVED.NEC.GMEDS.COM>
Reply-To: Access to GUI via Speech <GUISPEAK@LISTSERV.NODAK.EDU>
To: GUISPEAK@LISTSERV.NODAK.EDU
Subject: Virtual Reality and the Blind

It just so happens that I just came back from a meeting on virtual reality.
As I was sitting at this meeting, my imagination ran wild.  Allow me to try
a few ideas on you for size:

Suppose that, instead of trying to build a full-page refreshable graphics
display, we just attached tactile stimulators to those parts of the hands
that would be used to feel the braille page.  Then suppose we had software
to track the hands so that the computer would know what we were "touching."
You could replace a full page of tactile stimulators with just the set you'd
need to stimulate those parts of the hands that would want to feel the
braille.  The computer could simulate the panning of braille or tactile
graphics past the fingers as the fingers moved over the virtual surface.

Take it one step farther:  The virtual book.  Why not track the fingers as
they went through the motions of turning a page or a group of pages.  Then,
once the pages were turned, just present the new page's information on the
virtual braille display.  Now you wouldn't have to lug and store whole
braille volumes.  You'd just need a diskette or hard disk copy of the
braille and the equipment to present it in a virtual manner to the reader.

All this seems possible, and, given time, I bet it could become cost-effective.

What do you think?

Jerry