Questions from Florian (Kuwait)

From a physically challenged first-person view, I have a few queries.

1) I have been blind from childhood. My ears are my judge for almost everything now. Since this AUXEL projects is meant to be concentrated on sounds, how hard will this be for my ears?

yes it could be hard for ears to listen continuously these beeping sounds for hours together.

very right question and good foresight.

I really appreciate your question.

To counter this (possible) problem, we have a special scaled down (silent) mode of image to sound conversion.

In this mode.. only only grey scale images will be used ( colors will not be used)
and instead of mixture of sound and tactile sensation producing device working together,
ONLY tactile device will be used. Sound will be switched off.
(User will be able to sense the images through touch sensation)

This will NOT affect the mobility / performance of the individual.

2) And also related to the above question, does that mean on extremely noisy situations, situations in where I will be unable to hear due to external sound interference, will I be backslid to darkness?

In extremely noisy situations hearing Auxel sounds would not be possible or be difficult. Again only tactile mode can be used. the mobility / performance will NOT be affected.

3) Again, when I strike a conversation with someone, the gadget will be reading out what's in front of me, at the same time I will have to listen to the person talking to me, meaning listening to two things at the same time. Is this how it works? Should I master my skills on multi-tasking as well?

Yes you will be listening to auxel sounds as well as natural conversation ( one from each ear) . Yes you will have to improve your multi tasking skills.
And I have observed that just like sighted people are used to 'keeping an eye on many things at a time' .. visually challenged people are used to paying attention to more than one source of sound. So I do not think multi tasking is in any way new or difficult for visually challenged.

4) On the long run, over a couple of years, will my ear be able to withstand all the constant signals/sounds being sent to it.

Periodic and sufficient rest is recommended and advisable. Since Auxel silent (tactile) mode can be changed with just pressing a button whenever the user feels tired of continuous sound, there should be nothing to worry about.

Unless the user CHOOSES to hears Auxel sounds at more than recommended volume levels for extended periods of time, (which may happen in noisy surroundings) there is no effective difference between naturally heard sounds and Auxel sounds.

More over switching of Auxel sounds to the left ear also gives rest to the right ear. And vice-a-versa.

5) Are the gadgets going to be water-proof?

NO.

There are no plans yet to make Auxel devices water proof.
Ideas and suggestions of how to make it water proof are welcome.

Camera, processor, control panel, tactile device can be made waterproof.
but does any one know waterproof earphones, batteries, connectors ?
if yes, kindly share it with us, we might just be able to make Auxel device water proof!

6) What is the maximum/minimum frames or pictures is the software going to process per second?

software has no limitations.

whatever is the speed of user's understanding and grasping.. auxel device modes can change accordingly.

image size: minimum can be 2x2 pixel image
128x128 pixel image would be maximum.

Speed ( frames per second .. or rather.. one frame per few seconds) is very dependant on

1> Choice of the image size.

for example.. a 16x16 pixel image will be sounded much faster than 32x32pixel image or 64x64 pixel image.


2> The duration of beep for every pixel. Lesser the duration, faster the speed.

for example if we take 16x16 pixel image
then we have 256 tones + 16 marker tones = 272 tones

when the tone duration is 1/4 th of a second without any gap, then approx 1
minute will be needed to sound one frame.

when the tone duration is 1/16 of a second with out any gap then approximately 17 seconds will be needed for one frame. To reach such speed will of course need a lot of practice. but it is achievable for sure.