Project Description
ColorCast™
This device is centered around aiding people who are blind, color-blind, or otherwise visually impaired in terms of discerning colors. The main idea is to have the visually impaired person (now referred to as v.i.p.) place their hand on a device of some kind (a screen, surface, etc.) and have it give them a sensation related to any specified color. This sensation can be used to associate a tangible feeling with a color and help “visualize” what that color is. There would be an interface that the v.i.p. or helper (teacher, parent, friend, etc.) can access that will select what color the v.i.p. would like to feel. This interface would also be able to go into “detector” mode that, when pointed at a fixed location for an allotted time, would state what color it is pointed at and deliver the appropriate sensation. A calibration mode would also be available to discern what the max settings for the sensations would be. This would ensure that nothing would be too much for any particular person, and the v.i.p. can also get the most out of the device with personalized settings. [For the sake of this project, we are mainly, if not only, focusing on the main colors on the color wheel. Neutral colors such as black, white, gray, and brown are omitted.]
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The device will utilize a dynamic range of temperatures controlled by the parameters inputted by the interface. Red would represent the hottest temperature, blue would represent the coldest, and green would represent neutral temperature.
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In conjunction, a dynamic vibration frequency range will be utilized using the same parameters. With red and blue representing the ends of the color spectrum and yellow representing the middle, the frequency vibration will increase in peak fashion. Green would receive the most vibration while red and blue would receive none at each end, forming an equal curve. These two sensation techniques used together can better differentiate what the sensation is. Example: blue, cold temperature and no vibration; green, neutral temperature and high vibration; and red, warm temperature and no vibration.
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It can be a portable and/or stationary device. The interface can be an app we create regardless of whether it’s portable or stationary. The stationary device can also have an interface directly attached to the device with the option to connect the app through Bluetooth or cable. The portable device (ideally handheld) will just have the app and can be connected via Bluetooth or a cable.