B&D Messenger for Users with Visual and Hearing Impairment

TheFuture — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 07:42:29 +0000

The new B&D messenger is a revolutionary device designed for users with visual and hearing impairment, enabling them to communicate easily with the regular cell phone user. The basic working of the device is that it is connected to computer and the internet which translates Braille to text and vice versa thus sensing and receiving SMS to the normal user. While for a visually impaired person, the device comes with two options such as the messages can be delivered in Braille format or the same can be read out aloud depending upon the mode one chooses while for the hearing impaired it can be used as a normal cellphone for reading and sending text messages. So happy messaging!

From the website :

There are several already made Braille products existing in the market. However, other than heavy and large in size, most of them are also highly priced. B&D messenger was designed to solve these problems. We intended to design following aspects: Cost effectiveness and Functionality. General Braille display or TTY system that are available right now are too expensive in price. To reduce its cost, B&D Messenger is built with an open source platform, Arduino and Processing. Currently, in order to keep the price low and affordable, a basic B&D messenger still runs by a connection to a computer, however if the user seeks portability a wireless connection can be made by ordering an optional Bluetooth module that can be easily attached on to the micro controller. In addition, by running under the Internet, no cost will be needed for sending and receiving messages. Small and Light. To accomplish this objective, all of the adopting materials we choose are lightweight. The triangle shape is chosen to be consistent with the other existing devices and the design was limited in accordance with the LCD size. Do-It-Yourself. B&D Messenger is designed to have a less complex construct. The case should be easy to make and ensemble with a recycled hard paper attached inside the kit. All basic electronic parts come with customized and presoldered state.

Designer : Jaeyoon, Kang and Noriaki Okada

Lazy Thumb Phone Concept with Only Three Button

TheFuture — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 02:53:05 +0000

Ever imagine to have a cell phone without those tiny keypads? Lazy thumb cell phone concept has only three button. Yes, I didn’t read it wrong, only three button. Three screen plate buttons provides tactility, and enhances the experience of combined sensibility. Lazy thumb phone concept system is based on voice activated and has minimal function of sending and receiving calls and text messages only. Text message is sent by converting speech to text transcription by this cell phone system.

The three sliding buttons (concept from children’s tile puzzle) are made of Polycarbonate plates with OLED screens, and an LCD screen under the buttons shows detailed messages and directions.

In this device, communication is divided into two ways; person to person communication, and person to device communication. Three sliding plates are made of Polycarbonate plates with OLED screens embedded, and an LCD screen under three plates shows detailed messages and directions.

Designer : Koo Ho Shin

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B&D Messenger for Users with Visual and Hearing Impairment

Lazy Thumb Phone Concept with Only Three Button