* Evaluation Pattern Editing Tool for Visually Impaired Students: Developing Application Software for Wearable Haptic Tactile Interface

TAJODA II is a device developed as a tactile aid for hearing and/or visually impaired people. The device includes a small camera, a small microphone, an accelerometer, and a tactile display. The tactile display transforms the information detected by sensors into vibration patterns. The tactile display also functions as a tactile input sensor. This bidirectional feature might allow bidirectional communication in order to assist deaf and blind people. TAJODA II operates based on an internal embedded software that can interpret original simple interpreter programs. By rewriting such programs from a personal computer with a USB, operations can be changed easily. Thus, an appropriate application software is required to improve TAJODA II so that it becomes a more helpful device. Subsequently, a blind student from our college group attempted to develop a pattern on a tactile display for the development of an application software. However, using the software for development with a screen reader was difficult for this student. Therefore, an evaluation pattern editing tool for visually impaired developers was developed. This paper describes the design concept of a pattern editing tool, and explains an approach for developing patterns by visually impaired college students for the purpose of research and education.