Braille Diet : Dictionary Application for the Blind on Android Smartphone
Braille is the way the blind and the visually impaired read and write. Since the dictionaries which are suitable for the visually impaired are still scarce, we propose Braille Dict as a helpful application for the blind and the visually impaired to get the highest benefit in studying English and improve their quality of life. Braille Dict is an Android application on the smartphone which allows the blind and the visually impaired input English words via a Braille keyboard on the screen. Unlike other approaches, new effective method of inputting six-dot Braille is used to remarkably fasten the performance. Then, the word will be searched from the database and translated into Thai. Importantly, this application will speak all texts for user mainly by using a Text-to-Speech engine which would significantly provide a convenience to the visually impaired. codeshoppy
Braille Dict is the application runs on smartphones supporting Android platform. It converts Braille input to English letter and shows list of words which are relevant to the input word by retrieving from dictionary database. Importantly, the application uses Text-to-Speech engine to read the meaning of the selected word in Thai language. Braille Dict would provide a comfortable way for the blind to use a dictionary and help them minimize the time for searching the meaning of words from English to Thai. Other than that, this application would not only help users improve their English skills but also help them start learning the Braille alphabet as well. Normally, the blind need to use Braille in reading and writing because they cannot see. Braille is a system of touch reading and writing in which raised dots represent the letters of the alphabet and numbers, as well as music notes and symbols [1]. It is mainly used by those with impaired vision; however, normal vision people can read Braille as well. There are many reasons for this, especially for those with the blind or visually impaired person in their household. Generally speaking, the dictionary becomes an important media in learning English in today’s world. However, there is no suitable dictionary for the blind which they could use easily and conveniently like sighted people have. This is considered as a worrisome issue that should not be neglected.
The application for the blind on smartphone is not only an easy way but also effective to help the blind and the visually impaired in education. It will turn a regular smartphone into a powerful tool for the blind. This technology allows people with disabilities to gain more independence. In recent years, many smartphone applications for blind people have appeared, but it is not answer all their needs. Therefore, we aims to develop the dictionary application with Braille keyboard for the visually impaired on the smartphone to support them in education.
In the previous time, the visually impaired need to rely on the normal vision to look up the vocabulary from dictionary. A sound dictionary then was created; however, it still requires the cooperation of volunteers to help reading the script [2]. Nevertheless, there are many problems, for example, the program confused and was unable to read an original file which the reader needed to create new script, or the program had an error in reading an original correctly. As the emerging of the technologies begins, the smartphone has occurred. In addition, for the blind, smartphones also include screen reading technology which will speak the content presented on screen [3]. Since then, many dictionary applications have been built on smartphones together with text-to-speech function mainly for the visually impaired. However, the visually impaired still have to use normal keyboard like normal people which are difficult to use non-visually. Moreover, there are also many dictionary programs on computer. Nevertheless, it is not comfortable for the visually impaired, even if it has additional devices connected with the computer and the smartphone such as Braille keyboard, a specialist input device that allows the user to type and enter text or instructions for the computer in Braille [4]. All in all, it is difficult to carry and also needs additional cost for the equipment.
Android Operating System is an operating system based on the Linux kernel, and designed primarily for touchscreen mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet computers. For software development, Android provides Android SDK (Software Develop Kit). The developers used SDK to create the application. SDK contains an emulator that helps simulate the android application onto PCs. 2) Editor • Eclipse is an open-source community that provides a common use interface for working with tools. A simple mention of Eclipse usually refers to Eclipse SDK, which contains the Eclipse Platform, Java development tool, and Plug-in Development Environment. It is written mostly in Java. 3) Database Management System (DBMS) • SQLite is embedded into every Android device. Using SQLite in Android does not require a setup procedure or administration of the database. SQLite can read and write directly to ordinary disk. 4) Programming and Scripting Tools • Android Software Development Kit (SDK) is a set of development tools which helps developers to create application on the Android platform. The Android SDK consists of required libraries, debugger, an emulator, relevant documentation for the Android application program interfaces (APIs), sample source code, and tutorial for Android OS. • Java is an object-oriented programming language which is the main language to develop an Android application. • Extensible Markup Language (XML) defInes a set of rules for encoding documents in a format both of human-readable and machine-readable. XML helps designing the user interface layouts and the elementswhich contain on the screen. 5) Components • LEXiTRON database is the database of vocabulary from NECTEC which is used in Braille Dict application.
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