A Tactile Vision-Substitution System for the Blind: Computer-Controlled Partial Image Sequencing

We have developed a computer-controlled tactile vision-substitution system as part of a study to maximize the use of the skin´s ability to process spatial and temporal information. The system receives a 128-column × 64-row image from a commercially available digital camera. An IBM personal computer sections the image into a controllable number of 6 × 24 blocks. The computer then sequentially sends these blocks to the 6 × 24 vibratory fingertip stimulation matrix on an Optacon reading device for the blind. Custom hardware provides the interface between the IBM PC and the Optacon. The image manipulation software is written in Intel 8088 assembly code.