Technology helps blind people 'see' photos

On October 31, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) of the United States signed a two-device licensing agreement that could help the blind and sighted to read the image in the same way as reading. Braille.

These devices include touch-screen imaging devices and digital image-reading devices, both of which have been researched and developed at NIST.

With a tactile image reader , to ' see ' images from a computer, the blind or person with weak vision moves the finger that attaches the device to the reading surface (like moving the mouse). count) to scan images to computer memory. The computer will process and send this signal to the display device, which is mounted at the tip of the finger.

The triggering mechanism works to manipulate the tip of the finger to transfer the pattern to the reader, recreating the sensation on the finger as it travels over the image, allowing the user to " read " the image. .

The second technology is a device that transfers scanned images, maps or graphics as well as images displayed on the Internet or e-books into finger- pointing signals . It uses the latest tactile display technology, allowing users to feel the connection, discrete of the image as well as the surface. This device uses 3,600 small needles that can move up and down depending on the shape of the scan surface to transfer to the reader's fingertips.

NIST is currently commercializing these two devices through technology transfer to a number of companies, and is expected to be launched soon.

MINH ANH