BESTLINK COLLEGE OF THE PHILIPPINES

1071 Brgy. Kaligayahan, Quirino Highway, Novaliches, Quezon City

DEVELOPING A BRAILLE TO TEXT AND AUDIO

LEARNING TOOL FOR THE BLIND USING AN

ARDUINO UNO WITH TILTSENSOR

A Proposed Study Submitted to the Faculty of Computer Engineering Department

Bestlink College of the Philippines

Novaliches, Quezon City

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of

Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering

By:

Seso, Jherome

Reyes, Darrel Royce

Montilla, Alchielo

Bagarino, Juvilla Mae

Otmana, Mariel
 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Braille is a tactile system that allows blind and partially sighted people to learn to

read and write. Braille is read by touch that is using the pads of your fingers to feel the

letters and symbols. Braille can be written in a variety of ways; using specialized

equipment or specific computer software. Braille enables the blind and visually impaired

to learn spelling, grammar, and punctuation, and to comprehend the formatting of text on

a page.

This study is aimed to develop Braille to Text and Audio Learning Tool for the

blind people that would be very convenient to use with addition of numerical characters

and emoji characters. This project also determines how convenient this project without

having any trouble while in use of impaired people. This project is intended to help blind

people to learn and use Braille in more accurate and easy way with the help of tilt sensor

user can bump every cell easier and less worry for misinterpretation because of its audio

output and LCD display. This project is suitable for both people who find it easier to take

information via audio while others prefer to read or write word in Braille.

This study is designed to develop Braille to Text and Audio Learning Tool for the

blind people that would be very convenient to use. This project also determines how

convenient this project without having any trouble while in use of impaired people.
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Braille to text and audio learning tool for the blind is a device uses a total of nine

tilt sensor that user use to bump so that the microcontroller read its corresponding

character. It offers more credibility to the user with the help of audio and text output that

user and the guardian can rely on. This project intends to help blind or visually impaired

individual to learn on how to use Braille in more easy and flexible way. This will teach

them to learn the pattern of every character in each cell.

According to Bentaleb and Saaed (2020) a new educational system with an

interactive physical interface. With this system, to assist blind kids in learning Arabic

Braille letters and numerals combining the interactive tactile Braille keypad to help the

learning. Results for blind kids, it is a Braille keypad input device created to be used with

the standard Braille block to be used for navigation the apparatus and engage with it. It

contains eight buttons, including six for the Braille dots. A tap button and an Enter button

to go around the system parts. The highest number of assistances to complete than other

tasks by average of 56%.all the children found the system motivate them and have

enjoyed the learning.

The System Learning Arabic Braille using an Interactive Braille is a system to

assist blind kids in learning Arabic Braille letters combining the interactive tactile Braille

keypad to help the learners. Braille to text and audio learning tool is a block that has nine

cells with tilt sensor that reads the user’s input and displays its output in the LCD and

Speaker for audio output. This project is to develop a device for the blind as a learning

tool.
REVIEW OF RELATED STUDY AND LITERATURE

Foreign Study

According to Bentaleb, H. &Saaed, D. (2020) a new educational system with an

interactive, physical interface. With this system, to assist blind kids in learning Arabic

Braille letters and numerals combining the interactive tactile Braille keypad to help the

learning. Results for blind kids, it is a Braille keypad input device created to be used with

the standard Braille block to be used for navigation the apparatus and engage with it. It

contains eight buttons, including six for the Braille dots. A tap button and an Enter button

to go around the system parts. The greatest number of assistances to complete than other

tasks by average of 56%.all the children found the system motivate them and have

enjoyed the learning.

According to Kumbhar et al (2020) this study describes a low-cost Braille hand

glove that uses slot sensors to allow blind people to read and send emails. With the use of

six slot sensors and this glove, one may type characters depending on various Braille

combinations. The adoption of real-time, two-way Braille and English translation as well

as wearable device communication creates new possibilities for information sharing

among blind people.

Local Study

According to De Luna, R. (2020) A platform that is Braille to text conversion

provided to convert printed text documents into appropriate Braille codes to trigger tactile

outputs in Braille cells. The system consists of two main parts: a image scanner and a

microcontroller-based Braille platform preprocessing algorithm. This is open source

character recognition software that can recognize text characters in various fonts and

sizes. Simple CV, also open source computer vision software and a simpler version of

Open CV, was used for image preprocessing, binarization, filtering, edge detection, and

character segmentation. This allows microcontroller based braille platforms to interpret

printed characters from -generated ASCII-formatted braille codes that trigger tactile

outputs in braille cells. The developed system underwent functional and accuracy tests to

evaluate its performance. Accuracy was based on the system's ability to generate right-

hand Braille outputs that matched the scanned lines of Arial font text. Testing was

performed using Arial font sizes of 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24. The results show that

the system can recognize text with an accuracy of over 85. Starting at with 18 fonts, the

average accuracy is 88.09% and increases with increasing font size.

Foreign Literature

According to Sharavana K et al (2020) this project tries to address these problems,

Our system, which consists of a camera, can take a picture of any page in a book, identify

the text, and then convert both the detected text and the actual Braille letters into audio.

Text recognition attempts to change identified text from hardcopy into desired format
(audio or Braille). There are multiple steps in the process, including pre-processing,

segmentation, feature extraction, and post-processing. Students and those who are vision

handicapped would mostly use this device.

Local Literature

According to Arroyo (2020) In this study, a low-cost Braille embossing

mechanism's design, implementation, and prototype are presented. A printer head with

three integrated hammers that, when activated, stamp readable dots on the paper is the

suggestion. The hammers are operated by a single servomotor, whose rotation decides

which hammer smashes the paper. This system was modeled after the rotary cam-

follower mechanism. The suggested printer head allows for fast embossing of Braille

characters. Using this novel action strategy, it is possible to envision inexpensive and

effective Braille embossers for home usage.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study aimed to develop Braille to Text and Audio Learning Tool for the

blind people that would be very convenient to use. This project also determines how

convenient this project without having any trouble while in use of impaired people.

Visually impaired people who wanted to learn how to read, basic arithmetic operations,

express and develop emotional expression by the use of Braille and to the family member

who wants to learn Braille to guide their family with special needs. The statements below

are the specific problem:

1. What is Developing Braille to Text and Audio Learning tool for the blind using

Arduino Uno and Tilt Sensor?

2. How is the Braille to Text and Audio Learning Tool going to be fabricated?

3. How is the Braille to Text and Audio Learning Tool going to be functional?

4. How is the Braille to Text and Audio Learning Tool going to be reliable?

5. What is the perception of the targeted user of Developing Braille to Text and

Audio Learning Tool?

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will benefit blind and partially blind people using text-and audio-based

Braille instruction. The following sectors are among those who will gain from the study:

Students

The primary audience for this study is children with special needs who are not yet

familiar with Braille. It will act as a learning tool to help them become acquainted with

this kind of language.

Parents

The research will benefit parents with a child that needs special guidance by

learning this language on their own to assist their children, since it is also supplied for

them.

Teachers

This study will help SPED teachers, as a learning tool especially for those who

are new to teaching in this subject area.

Future Researcher

The future researcher benefits and will gain knowledge from this study and

utilize it as a guide to create new technology for blind and partially blind people.

Administrator
 This project will educate them to become more effective leaders as they will

witness the handworks and determination of the researchers to build this project.

Community

This development will benefit the community as it will give them the knowledge

how blind people learn to communicate and to be sensitive in all possible way.

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

According to Bentaleb, H.andSaaed, D. (2020) a new educational system with an

interactive, physical interface. With this system, to assist blind kids in learning Arabic

Braille letters and numerals combining the interactive tactile Braille keypad to help the

learning. Results for blind kids, it is a Braille keypad input device created to be used with

the standard Braille block to be used for navigation the apparatus and engage with it. It

contains eight buttons, including six for the Braille dots. A tap button and an Enter button

to go around the system parts. The greatest number of assistances to complete than other

tasks by average of 56%.all the children found the system motivate them and have

enjoyed the learning.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

The goal of this study is to develop a learning tool using a microcontroller and

sensor that can be beneficial for visually impaired people.

It is hypothesized that there will be an effectiveness of microcontroller (Arduino

Uno) in Developing a Braille to text and Audio Learning Tool for the Blind.

SCOPE AND DELIMITATION

The scope of this project is the effectiveness of Braille to Text and Audio Learning Tool

for the blind who find the need to learn. This project delimited only for blind or visually

impaired individual. This exclude the other kinds of disability that can’t benefit in this

project.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Braille - a system of raised dots that can be read with the fingers by people who are

blind or who have low vision.

Arduino-is an open-source hardware and software company, project, and user

community that designs and manufactures single-board microcontrollers and

microcontroller kits for building digital devices.

Tilt Sensor -measure the slope or angle or tilt of objects based on gravity in various

applications. Our inclinometer sensors are available in configurations and packages

to meet various customer demands for measurement range, signal, and environmental

conditions.

LCD-Liquid-crystal display is a flat-panel display or other electronically modulated

optical device that uses the light-modulating properties of liquid crystals combined

with polarizes. Liquid crystals do not emit light directly, instead using a back light or

reflect or to produce images in color monochrome.

Arduino IDE- The Arduino Integrated Development Environment - or Arduino

Software (IDE) -contains a text editor for writing code, a message area, a text

console, a toolbar with buttons for common functions and a series of menus. It

connects to the Arduino hardware to upload programs and communicate with them.

The research design tool used in this project is Innovation of previous study, to enable the

implementation and new and better solution for the subject/user. This project focuses on creating

more convenient use of Braille to the visually impaired individual .

CHAPTER II

METHODS

Braille to text and audio learning tool for the blind is allowing the visually

impaired individuals to learn how to use Braille language. It will help them to

catch up like normal people do. This project will help them to understand how

Braille works. The use of this project is when they learn on how to use Braille
they can communicate easily and can express their opinion and thoughts.

3D PROJECT DESIGN PROTOTYPE

PICTURE SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM

 The cell number 1 is connected to pin 13 from Arduino, the cell number 2 is

connected to pin 11, the cell number 3 is connected to pin 9, the cell number 4 is

connected to pin 12, the cell number 5 is connected to pin 10, and the cell number 6 is

connected to pin 8.

CLOSE LOOP CONTROL SYSTEM OF BRAILLE TO TEXT & AUDIO

PROJECT DESIGN PROCEDURE

USING 9 TILT SENSOR

ATTACH INTO EACH CELL

HARDWARE & SOFTWARE

Sustainability

This device uses rechargeable Li-ion Battery, it has a minimum lifespan around 5

years or at least 2, 000 charging cycles with well care and used in proper way. It can be

used in 8 hours of use and it only takes 1hour to charge.

Reliability

This device takes only a couple of seconds to display its output to the LCD and

Speaker. When the user bump a cell the microcontroller reads its corresponding

character to give an output.

Safety

The tilt sensor creates an electrical connection to the circuit's ground when the

current is horizontal or not inclined. Since the tilt sensor provides such a low resistance

channel, the majority of current passes through it and to ground instead of flowing

through the gate. The ball does not hit the ground and block the electrical conducting
route when the sensor is inclined. The conductive route is therefore open, and no current

can pass.

Portability

This device has its own charging port to the battery for user’s comfort while using

the device. The speaker can also be connected to the auxiliary port.

Economy

This is project has its estimation of cost amounting of Php 1900, it covers all the

components needed for the prototype.

 CHAPTER III

RESULT

People who are blind or partially sighted can learn spelling, grammar, and

punctuation while still understanding how text is laid out on a page thanks to

Braille. Different people learn in different ways; some might find it easier to hear

material aloud while others would prefer to read Braille. The advantages of being

able to read in Braille, however, exceed audio versions when it comes to truly

engaging with a book, particularly complicated written material, as reading

enhances comprehension and memory retention. Using Braille can help someone

improve their writing and self-expression abilities. Because math and science are

often taught visually, Braille's math notations make it easy for blind and partially

sighted people to acquire symbols. As a result, learning in these areas can also

greatly benefit from it. Mathematical and scientific symbols have Braille

equivalents, and reading from Braille text and audio can sometimes make it

simpler to access equations and complex problems. Tables, charts, and columns

can all be modified.

BACK VIEW TOP VIEW

RIGHT VIEW

BUTTOM VIEW

LEFT VIEW

FRONT VIEW
 1. LISTOFHARDWARECOMPONENTS
QUANTITY MATERIAL FUNCTION FORMULA

1 Microcontroller The code is written and V=Value x 5.0 /

(Arduino Uno) uploads to the prototype. It 1023

is integrated into a system to
V = 5V
manage a single device's
 function. It accomplishes

this by utilizing its core

CPU to evaluate data that it

receives from its I/O

peripherals.

 Used for measuring the tilt

in multiple axes of a
R2
Vout=Vin
reference plane. Tilt sensors R 1+ R 2
9 Tilt Sensor measure the tilting position

with reference to gravity and

10 Ω
are used in numerous Vout =5 V
20 Ω+ R 2Ω
applications. They enable

the easy detection of Vout =4.9 V

orientation or inclination.

1 Liquid-Crystal Utilized in flat-panel

Display(LCD) televisions, video projection

4.7 V −5.3 V
systems, computer

monitors, handheld

electronic games, digital

camera and camcorder

viewfinders, electronic

billboards, and video

projection systems.
1 Speaker offer the listener auditory

output. Since speakers are

transducers, they transform

1.6 V
electromagnetic waves into

sound waves. Speakers

receive audio input from the

devices, which could be

analog or digital and could

be a computer or audio

receiver.

4 18650Batteries turns chemical energy into

electrical energy and stores

it. Electrons move from one

14.8 V
substance (electrode) to

another through an external

circuit during chemical

reactions in batteries. An

electric current can be

created by the flow of

electrons and employed to

perform tasks.