Time Telling For The Visually Impaired

This is the unit 3 action project for my Light,Sound,Time course. Unit 3 was focused on time and examined some of histories earliest methods of telling time. We explored the connection between time telling techniques and math concepts such as the embodiment of trigonometry concepts in sundials and the the presence of arcs and circles in pendulums. Longitude and latitude as well as time zones were looked at. The class explored how different cultures used light and sound to tell time. The action project called upon students to take what they had learned and design a time telling device. A new device had to be designed and explained. This was an outstanding unit with a brilliant action project. I enjoyed the entire unit and felt as if this was a relevant and creative final project. Overall I am very happy with my new understanding of time as well as my new design.

MS, 2016, Watch Design

The device I designed is a time-telling bracelet intended for those who are visually impaired or blind. The watch is a snap-on bracelet produced from recycled plastics. A thin solar panel runs through the watch’s center and absorbs light which is then used as a source of power. The watch doesn’t have a traditional face with hands or digits but rather a moveable and constantly changing surface that translates the current time into a feelable and recognizable braille pattern. It contains an automated voice recognition and response system that allows the user to directly interact with the device by answering essential question such as what time is it, or what’s the date. An additional feature, which can also appeal to the deaf and auditory impaired community, is the watch’s vibrating capabilities. The device uses vibration to tell the time as well as send signals which act similarly to an alarm clock. It employs concepts of both light and sound to tell time. It utilizes the absorption of light to power the device and uses the user's voice along with the automated internal voice to obtain the time and date. There are a variety of units in which my device can tell time and the user has the ability to choose their prefered unit. In addition, the device will ask for your location in order determine your time zone and provide you with weather information.

My watch design is a meaningful and effective way of time-telling because it allows the visually impaired to access the same instantaneous and accurate time-telling information that people receive with traditional watches. It utilizes the functioning senses of the visually impaired such as their ability to feel and hear to tell time. There is an existing market for time-telling devices for the visually impaired but many of the products lack multiple functions and the ability to operate effectively and efficiently. My time-telling device is better than what’s already out there because it contains three effective methods of telling time and is environmentally friendly because of its recycled materials and solar power capabilities. The device solves common problems found in watches designed for the visually impaired because rather than the traditionally designed watches this new design removes the useless face and replaces it with braille readings. The braille readings constantly change and correspond to the current time. The watch removes the need to press a small button to hear the time and allows the user to directly interact with the device by speaking to it to retrieve the time. The voice recognition and accessibility can be used to program the device to generate timers and alarms that work based on vibrations. Active braille technology, interactive voice accessibility, and responsive vibration technology is what set this device apart from all other products. The desire to aid the visually impaired is the central goal of the design and the three features are seamlessly fused into a product which is both environmentally sustainable and effective in fulfilling the user's time telling needs. 

The device demonstrates both math and science concepts studied during the internal investigation of the unit. It demonstrates the math concepts of arc and pi. The watch is semicircular and has a circumference of 7 inches which is the average circumference of a wrist. With the arc angle equaling 320 an equation can be set up in order to find the arc length. The equation would be as follows: arc angle / 360 = arc length / circumference 320/360=x/7 360x=2240 x=6.22. In addition to the math concepts involved with my device there are science concepts that are present as well. The science concept of the sun and solar rays is present with the device because it contains a solar power strip where sunlight is collected in order to power the device.

My device has an interesting history and evolution. Watches designed specifically for the visually impaired have been around for many decades but have seen little innovation or evolution. Minimal progress in the design of this particular type of watches has caused me to make an evolutionary leap with my device. The ancestors of my device have ranged from traditional watches with a face and sound buttons, faceless watches with strictly audio, watches with large digital numbers, and much more. There has always been a need to find ways to allow the visually impaired to be able to easily tell time. Regardless of this need, time-telling devices for the visually impaired have seen minimal innovation during recent times. My device puts the user first and allows them to create an experience that works for them best. My device has a very close relationship to the culture associated with it. The device was designed with the sole intention of creating a product for the visually impaired that can effectively and efficiently tell time. The common struggles faced by the blind community were taken into consideration while designing the device in order to ensure that the product achieved what it needed to, tell time to those who can’t see. The close relationship between the device and user is evident due to the multitude of effective features. The Chicago lighthouse website had a tremendous article, titled “How Can People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired Tell Time?”, talked about a variety of ways people who are visually impaired tell time and how people shouldn’t take the ability to glance at your watch and tell the time for granted. The article provided me with a foundation and a general understanding of what the market was comprised of and what it was missing. This particular article as well as the field experience the class took to the Chicago Lighthouse really inspired me to to focus this action project on aiding the visually impaired.

This was a great action project that allowed me to unleash my creativity. I loved being able to dive deep into the concept of time and then being able to create my own time telling device. I learned a tremendous amount about the visually impaired and the challenges they face with time telling. I set out to design a device that allowed the visually impaired the same instantaneous access to time. This entire project was enjoyable and I'm pleased with the final outcome.

References:

"How Can People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired Tell Time? - The Chicago Lighthouse." The Chicago Lighthouse How Can People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired Tell Time Comments. 10 Mar. 2016. Web. 21 Mar. 2016.

"...Braille: Deciphering the Code..." ...Braille: Deciphering the Code... Web. 21 Mar. 2016.