A Smart-Phone Based Text and Sign Reader for Persons with Visual Disabilities

The project demonstrates the technical feasibility of smart-phone technology that utilizes a text and sign reader. A portable software module is compatible with existing personal devices and provides access to textual materials for persons with visual disabilities. Previous work on Optical Character Recognition is appplied to cutting edge recongnition technology for mobile devices which assist persons with low vision with basic daily activities such as shopping, preparing meals, taking medications, and reading signs. This technology offers several advantages by: (1) making use of a single, portable device (smart-phone) that is commonly available and typically already carried for its telecommunications capabilities; (2) having the capacity to be used selectively by users so that they will not be overwhelmed by irrelevant information from the environment; and (3) integrating directly with other applications for specialized tasks.