CCRMA

The Moose: A Haptic User Interface for Blind Persons

(O'Modhrain, M. Sile and Gillespie, R. Brent)

ABSTRACT

This paper presents our work to date on a haptic interface whose immediate aim is to provide access for blind computer users to graphical user interfaces (GUI's). In this presentation, we describe the hardware and supporting software which together reinterprets a Microsoft Windows screen for the haptic senses. Screen objects such as windows, buttons, sliders, and pull-down menus are mapped to the workspace of a two-axis haptic interface called the Moose where they emerge as patches and lines of varying resistance. The Moose operates much like a mouse except that it is able to move under its own power and thereby make apparent touchable virtual objects. Thus presented to the hand, interface objects may be located, identified, and even manipulated or activated. Using Microsoft Windows as a test bench, we have proven the feasibility and usefulness of the haptic interface approach for non-visual computer access. Extensions to haptic browsing of the Web are discussed.

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©1996 Sile O'Modhrain. All Rights Reserved.
sile@ccrma.stanford.edu