2006 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary
Study on Transparent-Resinous-Ultraviolet-Curing-Type Braille and tactile guide map for visually impaired
| Project/Area Number |
16300187
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
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| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
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| Section | 一般 |
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| Research Field |
Rehabilitation science/Welfare engineering
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| Research Institution | Waseda University |
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Principal Investigator |
FUJIMOTO Hiroshi Waseda University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Professor, 人間科学学術院, 教授 (60209103)
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
DOI Kouki Waseda University, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Research Associate, 理工学術院, 助手 (10409667)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2004 – 2006
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| Keywords | assistive technology / ergonomics / tactile / visually impaired / Braille / tactile guide map |
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| Research Abstract |
The purpose of this study was for proposing method of producing highly discriminable TRUCT (Transparent-Resinous-Ultraviolet-Curing-Type) Braille, providing TRUCT Braille with a discriminating assistive tool for Braille learners, and getting fundamental data to make a contribution to the establishment of Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) related to display methods for tactile guide maps.
Regarding TRUCT Braille, we quantitatively examined the influence of 3 factors : i, e., Braille pattern (dot-distance, dot-height) ; base material and forefinger slipperiness, on discriminability of TRUCT Braille. Firstly, we found the basic TRUCT Braille patterns that are easy for Braille beginners to discriminate, and TRUCT Braille printing-conditions that have no influence on discriminability of TRUCT Braille. As some makers could refer to our findings in printing TRUCT Braille, the findings are fully evaluated. Secondly, it was found that the discriminability of TRUCT Braille is influenced by the
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forefingers' slipperiness and it becomes easier to discriminate them when Braille learners' forefingers are covered by plane-weaved nylon as their forefingers slide more smoothly. In addition, we produced a finger cover made of polyester non-woven fabric that allows the signals for identifying each dot easier to transmit through the interface material than through nylon. We also found that wearing polyester non-woven fabric finger cover enables the Braille learners to discriminate TRUCT Braille more efficiently. After some years, we may put into practical use this finger cover as TRUCT Braille discriminating assistive tool for Braille learners in Japan.
Regarding tactile guide map, we examined the influence of tactile symbol size on their discriminability. The relation between each tactile symbol size and discrimination time became clear. This data might be helpful in efforts to derive a standardized method of displaying tactile guide maps. JIS enacted display methods of tactile guide maps in 2007 March. As JIS come up for review once every five years, we will continuously research tactile guide map usage. In this experiment, we used test-pieces made by a screen printing technique. We think that tactile symbol shapes other than these three shapes, methods of production and type of base material (such as paper, metal and plastics) will influence discriminability. Further research is necessary to investigate the effects of several factors on the discriminability of tactile symbols. Less
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