Final Submission - Week 18

  Week 18

Final Submission

This week, I refined my rationale video and arrange the files folders that need to be submitted. Presentation slide

Here is the Google link

Project Background

Normal people take notes on their phone or digital notepad to remember things. Similarly, blind people use audio recording to keep track of tasks and plans. They carry essential items every day, which use up their memory.

Problem statement

However, phone recording is inconvenient for them as it may record voice instructions and the files are disorganized without labels. They have to go through more steps to find the recording they want.

Device Overview

 

Function	Record & Playback
Main features	3 main Braille buttons Item Task Phone number
Target Audience	Blind workers
Place	Wearable device

Rationale

Our brains have a limited capacity for memory storage, so taking notes is a common way to remember important information. Similarly, blind people also rely on note-taking to keep track of their tasks and plans. While many sighted individuals use their phones to send messages or take digital notes, blind people often use the audio recorder built into their phone. However, blind people can experience inconvenience when using the audio recorder on their phone. The audio recorder picks up voice instructions, making it difficult to use any other applications on the phone while recording. Additionally, audio files are often arranged haphazardly with no clear labels, and it can be challenging for blind users to find and select the desired recording.

Based on my primary research, blind workers often carryessential items such as a white cane, wallet, and keys with them daily to work. It is crucial that these items are always with them for their safety and independence. Additionally, blind workers must keep track of their daily tasks and plans of action in any situation. This reliance on memory can be challenging, so taking notes is a common practice for them.

Initially, an already made Arduino voice recorder board is used as a starting point. Due to the low supply voltage, it becomes necessary to build the recording functionality myself. Besides, after reviewing user feedback, I realized the importance of making the device smaller, which was my initial intention. I will incorporate this feedback during semester break. The process involves starting with the basics of button input state and gradually implementing audio record and playback with an SD card, as well as adding an amplifier and battery. The circuit is then soldered together and compressed onto a small board. To manufacture the final product, OnShape software and 3D printing are utilized. The process is not without its challenges, there are several technical computing failures encountered along the way. Despite these obstacles, the outcome is ultimately successful, with functions working properly.

DotNote is a wearable device that includes a voice recorder and playback capability which allows user to carry it everywhere. It has three braille label buttons on the right side of the device with labels for item, task, and phone number categories to allow blind workers to quickly and easily jot down important information later with the consideration of most of them are right-handed . "Hold for recording, then press once for playback" is how to operate the device. The device's slogan is printed there to help the visually impaired better understand how it works. The device's top, which is closest to the mouth for easy recording, has the microphone placed there. Considering user placing the device close to their ear to playback audio, a speaker is placed next to the buttons so they can easily hear the audio file. DotNote enables blind workers to categorize voice notes with Braille labels, providing a more accessible and efficient way to manage daily tasks and improve productivity.

Rationale Video Video Walkthrough

Photo taken

Learning Plan - Phase 3

Annotated Bibliography Technical Resources

BalchMore, P. (n.d.). Speech Recognition With an Arduino Nano. [online] Instructables. Available at: https://www.instructables.com/Speech-Recognition-With-an-Arduino-Nano/ [Accessed 9 Jan. 2023].

I refer to its Arduino circuit when I try on my technical part. Although its produce different kind of functionality, I do learn to build an Arduino record and playback circuit. 

chat.openai.com. (n.d.). ChatGPT. [online] Available at: https://chat.openai.com/chat.

During my technical tryout weeks, I found that consulting with ChatGPT about the difficulties I encountered with my Arduino code was quite helpful. ChatGPT was able to provide me with some useful insights and solutions to my problems, allowing me to better understand and refine my questions.

ed (2021). Arduino Push Button - Complete Tutorial. [online] The Robotics Back-End. Available at: https://roboticsbackend.com/arduino-push-button-tutorial/ [Accessed 9 Jan. 2023].

I refer to this reference when I applied different states to the push button, such as idle state, hold button state, and pressing the one-time state to produce different kinds of results in these states. 

GreatScott! (2019). Make your own Spy Bug (Arduino Voice Recorder). [online] www.youtube.com. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Hn4UFi9wvs [Accessed 3 Jan. 2023].

I refer to this video the most in my technical part because it has a similar mechanism to mine. I refer to this before buying the Arduino mechanism. 

Third-Party Resources

Arduino library

GitHub. (n.d.). Home · TMRh20/TMRpcm Wiki. [online] Available at: https://github.com/TMRh20/TMRpcm/wiki [Accessed 10 Jan. 2023].

I downloaded this Arduino library to do the record audio and playback function. I do need to write codes on my own, but using its provided feature.

Font Package

fontspace. (n.d.). Braille Fonts. [online] Available at: https://www.fontspace.com/category/braille [Accessed 15 Jan. 2023].

I downloaded the Braille font family from this website before applying Braille to the device.

Videos

Free Stock Footage - Videvo.net. (n.d.). Kaula Lampau Malaysiapeople Free Stock Video Footage Download Clips kuala lumpur. [online] Available at: https://www.videvo.net/video/kaula-lampau-malaysiapeople/783668/ [Accessed 9 Mar. 2023]. Pexels. (2020). Available at: Video by Abhinash Mahanta from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/video/time-lapse-of-a-busy-street-4852184/ [Accessed 9 Mar. 2023].

Pexels. (2020). Available at: Video by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/video/blind-woman-reading-braille-book-6610245/ [Accessed 9 Mar. 2023].

I used these three video clips in my rationale video.

Icons

Flaticon. (n.d.). Add Contact free icons designed by SumberRejeki. [online] Available at: https://www.flaticon.com/free-icon/add-contact_4161137?term=phone+numbers&page=1&position=1&origin=search&related_id=4161137 [Accessed 10 Mar. 2023].

Flaticon. (n.d.). Checklist free icons designed by Khairul24. [online] Available at: https://www.flaticon.com/free-icon/checklist_9542100?term=task&page=1&position=36&origin=search&related_id=9542100 [Accessed 10 Mar. 2023].

Flaticon. (n.d.). Item free icons designed by berkahicon. [online] Available at: https://www.flaticon.com/free-icon/item_1710414?term=item&page=1&position=6&origin=search&related_id=1710414 [Accessed 14 Mar. 2023].

Flaticon. (n.d.). Radio Waves free icons designed by bqlqn. [online] Available at: https://www.flaticon.com/free-icon/radio-waves_1340130?term=microphone&page=1&position=37&origin=search&related_id=1340130 [Accessed 10 Mar. 2023]. 

I used these icons in my rationale video.