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Virtual Instruments

Laboratory instruments are intrinsic to research and work in a wide array of scientific fields. They are used for the control of devices, data storage, and data analysis. The control of instruments is increasingly changing; depending less on instrument controls and relying more on software control of multiple integrated intstruments. Unfortunately, the graphical representation of controls and data makes it difficult for an individual with a visual impairment to independently operate laboratory instruments. Alternative interfaces have been previously developed for these individuals but have often proved limited in scope and accuracy, or otherwise expensive. The resulting inaccessibility to affordable and accurate scientific instrumentation, unfortunately, discourages many individuals with a visual impairment from entering scientific fields of research or work.

This project offers an alternative interface method developed for LabVIEW, the instrument control software by National Instruments. The method is specifically designed for individuals with visual impairments, and uses alternative navigation techniques as well as audio feedback. The developed user interface uses simple keyboard inputs to traverse through a hierarchical tree-based menu system. Speech and audio tones are used to alert the user to system settings and errors, as well as a help mechanism and data analysis tool. Alternative interfaces have been developed for the following basic laboratory instruments: an oscilloscope, and function/arbitrary waveform generator. The interface methodology, however, can be extended to include any instrument controlled by LabVIEW. Further developments in this project will investigate the ability remotely access these applications. This could provide an individual access to laboratory equipment with out requiring them to be physically in the same environment.

LabView is a graphical programming language with Sequential logic. Data flows from its source to its destination. In this case from right to left.

The following is an example of the Audible Menu Navigation that has been developed to create an accessible interface to the LabView software. Function keys that correspond to buttons are utilized and are limited in number inorder to simplify navigation of the device.

Typical method of operation would be as follows.     1.Start VI    2.Main Menu becomes active  3.Function key for hearing menu choices can be  pressed    to hear choices and corresponding short cut keys. 4.When function is depressed New menu pops with     another small set of functionality. 5.Repeat number 3 and 4

Download
We encourage you to try our work and would appreciate any feedback.

1. Audible Graphing Demo - system requirements:
     MAC OS system 7.x, LabView ^TM 4.0, Sound Manager 3.0. MAC,
     Now available for the PC - ReadMe.html
2. Mulitimeter v1.0. MAC
3. Oscilliscope v1.0. MAC, Now available for the PC - ReadMe.html
4. Function Generat or v1.0. MAC , Now available for the PC - ReadMe.html

      *Files for PC version (including paper) zipped - ReadMe.html

Papers and Publications

D. B. Loyd, A. C. Phalangas, K. E. Barner, "An Audio-and Speech-Based Interface for Computer-Controlled Scientific Instruments", IEEE Transactions on Rehabilitation Engineering, Vol. 7, NO. 2, June 1999. html, pdf, postscript

Staff

Prof. Ken Barner, Principle Investigator
Anna Phalangas, Research Engineer

Students

Matt Smith
Douglas Loyd (graduated 1998)