Read2Me: A Cloud-Based Reading Aid for the Visually Impaired

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Read2Me: A cloud-based reading aid for the visually impaired

Read2Me: A Cloud-Based Reading Aid for the Visually Impaired

Abstract

The inability to read has a substantial negative impact on their quality of life for the visually impaired population segment. Printed text (books, magazines, menus, labels, etc.) still represents a significant portion of the information this group needs to have unrestricted access to. Read2Me: A cloud-based reading aid for the visually impaired is therefore critical to develop methods by which text can be retrieved and read out loud to the blind.

 

In this Read2Me: A Cloud-Based Reading Aid for the Visually Impaired work, we discuss the design and implementation of two assistive platforms, in one, we combine the capabilities of today’s smartphone with the advantages offered by the rapidly growing cloud resources, and in the other, we use a more economical approach using cost-effective microcontrollers.

System Configuration

H/W System Configuration
Speed                   : 1.1 GHz
RAM                      : 256 MB(min)
Hard Disk              : 20 GB
Floppy Drive          : 1.44 MB
Key Board             : Standard Windows Keyboard
Mouse                  : Two or Three Button Mouse
Monitor                : SVGA
S/W System Configuration

Platform                     :  cloud computing

Operating system       : Windows Xp,7,
Server                       : WAMP/Apache
Working on                : Browser Like Firefox, IE

Conclusion

We discussed the design and implementation of two systems that add to the ability of the visually impaired to share access to printed text with us regardless of format. Both systems use the cloud as an economical and effective resource for character recognition. Interestingly, the results of the questionnaire indicated that users found the microcontroller-based system to be easier to use compared to the mobile one.