Design of Hardware For the Operation Of a Braille Teaching Device

Abstract

<p>The study was to explore current technology for the application of an electronic Braille display. The display was implemented in the hardware component of a PC assisted Braille learning device. The output was able to represent each letter of the Braille alphabet by mechanically raising and lowering pins to create the tactile dots of Braille. The technology researched and tested for used were shape memory alloys, DC motors and electromechanical relays. Each of which had pros and cons, that had to be examined for the case. The interface pins were controlled by an Aurdino based microcontroller in combination with digital logic. The design worked in series with teaching program and voice recognition. As a teaching tool, basic input functions had to be incorporated such as next and previous to interact with the other components of the Braille learning device.</p>