Phone For Blind Uses Braille

By ELLSON A. QUISMORIO March 10, 2012, 4:06am

MANILA, Philippines Girly Perando, Janiena Roxanne Dirain and Kristine Emy Matabang call it their baby. But it could very well be the most valuable companion a blind person could ever have. The three computer engineering students have come with a Braille Cell Phone for the blind with a dedicated Wearable Obstacle Detection System. Last month, the device won for the three Mapua Institute of Technology students the grand prize in the 8th Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program (SWEEP) Innovations and Excellence Awards. The specialized mobile phone allows the user to receive and read text messages via the centuries-old Braille system in the form of a small rectangle containing two columns of three dots each. Placed on top of this rectangle is a traditional keypad. The phone vibrates when it receives a text message. The message can be read (by character) with the dots, which raise automatically, explained Girly, 21. Incoming and outgoing calls are facilitated through a headset. Like a normal mobile phone, the Braille phone also uses a subscriber identity module (SIM) card and is rechargeable. The main console is quite bulky and must be worn over the shoulder through a sling bag. But then, it is more than just a communication device. Hardwired to the console is a four-inch-long sensor, which by design is attached to a walking sticka necessity for blind or visually-impaired individuals. If the sensor detects that there is something in front of the person, or is about to bump into something (like a wall), the phone vibrates and gives off a buzzing sound, said Janiena, 21, as she waved her hand in demonstration.

The sensor, the students said, can detect an object as far as five meters away. The overall concept and design earned the all-female group P500,000 in cash as top prize in the competition. Twenty-year-old Kristine said building the phone was not easy. We took it one step at a time. We tried to finish one phase before moving on to the next, she said. But more than cash prizes and accolade, the three want their baby to realize its full potential to be a useful tool for the blind. Ayra Panganiban, the groups adviser, recalled her initial reaction upon hearing about the Braille phone. When I saw that their target the visually-impaired, and that this device would end up helping a lot of these people, I told them to go for it, she said. Panganiban said the challenge now is to design and build a more compact Braille phone, with wireless connectivity to the walking stick sensor. Voice recognition would also be useful feature. Dr. Felicito Caluyo, the dean of Computer Engineering in Mapua, said the school is now moving forward with the students achievement with the Braille phone. Were now in the process of looking for additional investors so we may be able to produce more Braille phones to be donated to beneficiaries, Caluyo said. He noted that some foreign investors, particularly from Canada, have expressed interest. Apparently, some blind or visually-impaired individuals who sampled the Braille phone during its testing phase can hardly wait to get one of their own. They asked us if the phone was out in the market already. They seemed to like it. The feedback was good, Girly said.

e-helmet

KIDAPAWAN CITY -- Agham party-list, a group that seeks to push science and technology as effective tools for economic development, has committed itself to support the application for patent of the inventors of an electronic helmet, a gadget that can detect drunk driving. Representative Angelo Palmones of the Agham party-list group said the invention is considered necessary especially so that drunk driving is one of the many causes of vehicular accidents, not only in North Cotabato but also in many parts of the country.

"This is very impressive, that's why Agham party-list, through our representative, is bent on supporting the patent application of the invention," said Bing Belarmino, staff of Palmones. Belarmino said they have already given the inventors the checklist needed for the application so they could submit the documents to the patent division of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

The electronic helmet was invented, as part of their thesis, by fourth year Electronics Computer Engineering (ECE) students from the Notre Dame of Kidapawan College, which include Dessa Caro, Bryan Lumbayan, Julius Lopez, and Darwin Zoilo, all residents of Kidapawan City. Caro, group leader, said they could not imagine their "creation" would reach this far. "I just could not believe it. We did not expect we'll reach this far. Actually, we invented this product as part of our thesis and as a requirement for our graduation," Caro said. Lumbayan, one of the inventors, said they were inspired to invent a motorcycle helmet when one of their classmates was hurt in a road mishap while on his way home in nearby Makilala, North Cotabato. The driver, Lumbayan said, was drunk and did not use the helmet as protective gear. For two months, they spent hours manufacturing such invention. "We intend to include in the gadget a gas sensor using Solenoid bulb. But we didn't use it because we have problems with the switch. It may create a spark and may cause a fire so we have to dispose it," Lumbayan said. For the wireless communication, the inventors used a chip taken from a remote controlled car, which they used as transmitter and a receiver. Lumbayan said all the materials they used to manufacture the product are available in the Philippines. They all said the invention was one hundred percent original. "The gadget worked. We know its also viable, meaning it can be re-produced and sold in the market," Lumbayan said. In the meantime, Palmones said his party-list is helping the students get a patent for the invention to protect their intellectual property rights. The invention could be a solution on the numerous road accidents involving drunk drivers of motorcycles. "Alam po nyo kapag may nakasulat sa LCD display ng helmet na katagang, 'You're drunk', hindi aandar ang sasakyan (motorsiklo). Hindi rin aandar ang sasakyan (motorsiklo) kung hindi suot ang helmet. Kayat sa pamamagitan ng electronic helmet na ito, ang batas na, 'No Helmet No Travel Policy', at pagbabawal sa 'Drunk Driving', ay mabibigyan ng lunas," Lumbayan said. (With Edgardo Fuerzas)

Gyro Technology This wild new motorcycle, invented by 19-year-old Ben J. Poss Gulak, is among the latest inventions to capture attention. Debuting at the National Motorcycle Show in Toronto, the "Uno" uses gyro technology for balance and acceleration. It is a battery charged machine that accelerates by leaning forward and slowing down by leaning backwards. It weighs approximately 129 pounds (58 kg.) and has a top speed of 25 mph (40 klms). Update: Since featuring Ben's invention, he has continued to develop and progress with his innovative product. He won second place in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, and first prize in Popular Science's Invention Awards. Ben also appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and on the popular invention television show "Dragon's Den" where he received 1.25 million dollars from investors. Gulak continues to develop and commercialize his invention while studying engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The latest prototype, known as the Uno 3, can automatically transform itself from a uno-dicycle into a conventional looking motorcycle, which allows for greater acceleration, speed and stability. Ben shares this advice for inventors, "When you have an idea, it's easy to get discouraged. There are so many people who will tell you that you're wasting your time. The biggest thing is to not let people get you down. If you really believe in something - keep going after it because there is always a way and you can make your dreams come true."