Introduction

Diane Brauner, a local Orientation and Mobility specialist, desires a street crossing simulator for kids who are visually impaired. She helps train kids in six local school systems to get around their campus and community. Some of the kids do well until they start dealing with traffic. Some of them are too frightened by the traffic to learn and Diane believes that a simulator could help accustom kids to the situation in a safe place so they can better learn.

The final product that will be developed will be freely available. The software will be used primarily at elementary schools, to teach visually impaired children to be able to distinguish parallel and perpendicular traffic sounds at intersections. Using this as a stepping stone, the children will be more confident when the time comes to cross an intersection.

Blind children like to have fun like normal people Most like to play video games also

Key Use Cases

Open new existing Create login Select name Welcome Instructions Choose Level Level 1 Congrats Instructions Level 2 Congrats Instructions Level 3 Congrats Instructions Level 4 Congrats Instructions end Create login Select name Welcome Instructions Choose Level Congrats Instructions Level 2 Congrats Instructions Level 4 end

Interface

Keyboard – primary source of control. Will implement key locks, and easy method of entering in data No mouse – The visually impaired do not use mice. Game pad – Potential replacement to the keyboard. GUI – The graphical user interface will be JAWS® compatible

Architecture and Next Level of Component Design

Street Crossing Simulator VisualAudio User Interface Stationary Moving Instructions Small Sound Clips Login Sound Localization Street Crossing Scores, Initials Backend Levels Completed Large Traffic Loops Independent Component Event Driven Systems

Key Technical Problems

Multiple Sound Channels – We are recording with a microphone array developed by Gary Bishop. It consists of eight microphones. Multiple Speaker Setup – A minimum of 4 speakers will have to be setup. Integration of Visual and Audio – The program is based on sound and will have a visual tracking system Compression and File Size – The sound files recorded are large and need to be compressed. There is a possibility of quality loss in that process. External Sound Card for Laptop – Most laptops do not support 4.1 sound and will require an external card.

Technologies Used

Turning nightmares…

Into Dreams!