Voice

---- PROTOTYPE --------- PURPOSE: To create a prototype of a device that communicate an object's shape and location to individuals who are blind or have low vision. vOICe maps visual images to sound and then provides blindfolded users with a sense of what an object is and where it is located. The device uses a small web camera mounted on the nose bridge of sunglasses to provide visual input to a small pocket PC (or smartphone) to run software that transforms this input into auditory signals that are provided to the user through headphones connected to the smartphone. The differences in sound, including tone, pitch and loudness, provide cues that allow the user to form a "map" of the nearby environment. For example, for vertical location, "up" is represented by high frequencies and "down" by low frequencies. AUTHOR: Eric Niiler. TITLE: See with your ears? They like the sounds of that. WEBSITE: Innovation on MSNBC.com. REF: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44009873/ns/technology_and_science-innovation/#.