• Journal of Korea Society of Industrial Information Systems
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.1-9
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• 2023

In this paper, we propose a method to recognize the braille blocks for embedded devices in real time through deep learning. First, a deep learning model for braille block recognition is trained on a high-performance computer, and the learning model is applied to a lightweight tool to apply to an embedded device. To recognize the walking information of the braille block, an algorithm is used to determine the path using the distance from the braille block in the image. After detecting braille blocks, bollards, and crosswalks through the YOLOv8 model in the video captured by the embedded device, the walking information is recognized through the braille block path discrimination algorithm. We apply the model lightweight tool to YOLOv8 to detect braille blocks in real time. The precision of YOLOv8 model weights is lowered from the existing 32 bits to 8 bits, and the model is optimized by applying the TensorRT optimization engine. As the result of comparing the lightweight model through the proposed method with the existing model, the path recognition accuracy is 99.05%, which is almost the same as the existing model, but the recognition speed is reduced by 59% compared to the existing model, processing about 15 frames per second.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.10 no.11
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• pp.961-970
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• 2004

Tactile sensation is one of the most important sensory functions along with the auditory sensation for the visually impaired since it replaces the visual one of the persons with sight. In this paper, we present a tactile display device as a dynamic Braille display that is the unique tool f3r exchanging information among them. The tactile cell of the Braille display proposed is based on the dielectric elastomer, which is one of the electroactive polymers. It has advantageous features over the existing ones with respect to intrinsic softness, ease of fabrication, cost effectiveness and miniaturization. We introduce a new idea for actuation as well as additional considerations such as the driving circuit that makes it possible to drive multiple tactile cells in a high speed. Also, we describe the actuating mechanism of the Braille pin in details capable of realizing the enhanced spatial density of the tactile cells. Finally, results of psychophysical experiments are given to evaluate its effectiveness.

• Proceedings of the IEEK Conference
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• 1998.10a
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• pp.829-832
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• 1998

In this paper, We have developed the Internet web browser for the blind and visually impaired person. The Internet Web browser system consists of personal computer connected to Internet, braille display, voice synthesis devices for character information, tactile display for the representation of web image and braille printer for web page printing. We convert character in the web page to braille and print it to braille display. The image in the web page is printed with tactile display actuated by solenoid. The blind can acess the Internet web site with this web browser system and understand the Internet information.

• IEMEK Journal of Embedded Systems and Applications
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.63-69
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• 2017

This paper proposes a new device for a portable braille device using Atmega128 and solenoid magnets. This braille device is composed of three panels, and each panel has six solenoid dots. This device aims to help the disabled people who cannot communicate with others. As an application example, when a disabled people approach a traffic light, it sends a message via Bluetooth to the proposed device letting people recognize a dangerous area. The message converted from the database is based on standard braille chart.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Computer Information Conference
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• 2022.07a
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• pp.447-448
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• 2022

본 논문에서는 대중의 참여를 통해 캔 음료 제품의 점자 표기 실태를 파악하고, 음료 제조사가 이를 개선하도록 유도하는 방안을 제안한다. 캔 음료 상단에 표기된 점자를 촬영한 이미지에서 OpenCV를 통해 점자의 윤곽을 검출하고, 검출된 윤곽의 좌표를 계산하여 점자를 국문으로 번역하는 모듈을 개발한 후 서버에 이식한다. 서버와 통신하는 모바일 애플리케이션을 개발하여 소비자가 점자 이미지를 서버에 업로드하고, 점자의 인식결과를 확인할 수 있도록 한다. 점자 표기가 적절하지 않다고 판단하는 경우 해당 제품에 대한 정보를 기록하도록 하고, 제조사 별로 제보된 횟수의 순위를 제공한다. 이를 통해 소비자는 올바른 점자 표기를 제공하지 않는 제조사를 파악할 수 있으며, 제조사는 이를 의식하고 점자 표기를 개선할 수 있는 효과를 기대한다.

• Journal of IKEEE
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.378-384
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• 2020

The location information of the people or mover is essential for supporting various smart mobility services in railway stations which are mostly underground. For this purpose, a smart braille block is proposed to identify the location of the mover of the people. In this paper, the frequency characteristics of each material of the upper and lower parts of the braille block are analyzed to examine the appropriate materials for railway history. In addition, the guidelines for actual manufacturing were derived by analyzing the separation distance between two RF sensors in the smart braille block. As a result of analysis through the characteristic analysis in this paper, after selecting the material suitable for the construction site when the smart braille block is applied, the performance change of the RF system, especially the antenna that greatly influences the RF performance, must be reviewed in advance. It seems to have to be applied after checking through.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.571-581
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• 2007

This Braille System for color recognition was designed for those who have lost eye sight after birth. This system was based on the idea that these people had the understanding of colours before they went blind. So when they touch the braille, they can feel and recognize colours. This system adopted the Munsell's hue circle system which is used worldwide for its simple way of colour identification. It also used some texture to help people in need identify the brightness and saturation of colors. In spite of its simple structure, this system has a range of up to 153 different colours. For a friendly use, minimal changes were made by modifying location and height of dots of the braille system which blind people are already accustomed to. Because of it's simplicity, this colour braille system can be used easily and broadly. I believe that many acquired blind people can feel colour again through using this system and get benefits of social and cultural communication.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2019.05a
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• pp.49-52
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• 2019

Braille guide block of sidewalk is an essential facility for independent walking of the blind. The blind walks while checking the braile guide blocks with white cane and sense of sole. When they leave the braile area, they face difficulties until they find the braile guide blocks again. In this paper, we propose an algorithm that guides the walking of the blind by determining whether they follows the braille guide blocks safely. For this purpose, the slope of the braille block is selected as a feature and a 3-line detector is introduced. Also the slopes are stabilized using spatial filtering to deal with breaks or junctions of the braille block during the progress and temporal filtering to cope with ego-motion of the blind. Through simulations using a dataset obtained from the real sidewalks and indoors, it can be shown that the proposed algorithm can successfully estimate the walking direction and determine whether the blind is out of the braille guide block area.

• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.53-60
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• 2021

The number of visually impaired and blind people is increasing, but braille translation textbooks for them are insufficient, which violates their rights to education despite their will. In order to guarantee their rights, this paper develops a learning system, HunMinJeomUm, that helps them access textbooks, documents, and photographs that are not available in braille, without the assistance of others. In our system, a smart phone app and web pages are designed to promote the accessibility of the blind, and a braille kit is produced using Arduino and braille modules. The system supports the following functions. First, users select documents or pictures that they want, and the system extracts the text using OCR. Second, the extracted text is converted into voice and braille. Third, a membership registration function is provided so that the user can view the extracted text. Experiments have confirmed that our system generates braille and audio outputs successfully, and provides high OCR recognition rates. The study has also found that even completely blind users can easily access the smart phone app.

• Journal of Internet of Things and Convergence
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.87-92
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• 2023

As times develop, information becomes more diverse and methods of obtaining it become more diverse. About 80% of the amount of information gained in life is acquired through the visual sense. However, visually impaired people have limited ability to interpret visual materials. That's why Braille, a text for the blind, appeared. However, the Braille decoding rate of the blind is only 5%, and as the demand of the blind who want various forms of platforms or materials increases over time, development and product production for the blind are taking place. An example of product production is braille books, which seem to have more disadvantages than advantages, and unlike non-disabled people, it is true that access to information is still very difficult. In this paper, we designed a CNN-based Braille conversion and voice output device to make it easier for visually impaired people to obtain information than conventional methods. The device aims to improve the quality of life by allowing books, text images, or handwritten images that are not made in Braille to be converted into Braille through camera recognition, and designing a function that can be converted into voice according to the needs of the blind.