Videotelephony for blind people – case studies with high quality prototype and 3G mobile systems
Bjørn Hestnes, Telenor R&D
Peter Brooks, Teolys
Svein Heiestad, Telenor R&D
In collaboration with:
• Telenor R&D
• Teolys
• MediaLT
• Opplysningen AS
Videotelephony for blindA blind user calls an assistant to have described what is in his
vicinity
On the move
Reading text
Video quality to achieve all situations
Video quality to achieve all situations
3G Eyephone
• Project with:
– 10 test persons
– 10 friends that guide
– Opplysningen AS as additional guide centre
• Hand out 2 pieces 3G mobile phones to each
• Study user pattern for 4 months
• Study implications for Opplysningen as a guide service
Research Questions
Based on earlier results:
• Will 3G videotelephony be perceived as "good enough"?
• Will selected friends and family be the guide?
• Will Opplysningen AS be the supplimented guide service
– (for example for confidential topics)?
Guide dog training
Conclusions• Totally, 100 test persons in the project, 10 for 3G
• Used for:– Regain control when lost
– Find something lost
– To operate devices (mini-bank, washing machine)
– Reading text (signs, soup packet instructions)
• Though too poor quality (for certain situations), users adopt– Inadequate for:
– Viewing the environment with many details
– Reading small text
• The users feel safer with the Eye-phone
• Range of movement has expanded
• Close family feels more relaxed