Trincomalee International Conference (TRInCo-2017) Track: Science and Technology 13 th & 14 th September 2017 TRInCo-2017 Assist System for Visually Impaired People to Recognize Pure Colours M.D.C.Perera, M.I.M.Amjath, H.M.S.C.R.Heenkenda, V.Senthooran Department of Physical Science, Faculty of Applied Science, Vavuniya Campus of the University of Jaffna, Vavuniya, Sri Lanka Abstract— Visually impaired individuals are growing segment in this era. Developing tools for visually impaired people is not a recently emerged problem. But developing computer aided tools are still developing area for visually impaired people. Assist system for visually impaired people refers to system that is able to assist or guide people with vision loss, ranging from partially sighted to totally blind, by means of sounds of commands. Our developed system involves detecting pure colours for visual impaired people to identify colour of clothes and medicine based on the pure colour packets. This collection of insights is laid out in audio format to assist with identifying pure colour of clothes. This system can use instead of traditional way of identifying above mentioned matters. Traditional ways are, they use white cane for mobility and get assist from second person. To identify pure colour of clothes, they get help from another party. To overcome the white cane mobility challenge, this proposed system “Assist system for visually impaired people” could be a solution for constraints in independent mobility, identifying colours in efficient manner. The system is made to identify colours using TCS230 Colour Sensor and Ardunio Board. Ultimate goal of this system is to uplift the life style of visually impaired people by making them more independent and aware of their surroundings by hearing sound. The system has been tested in real time by both blindfolded and blind people at different indoor and outdoor locations, demonstrating that it operates adequately. Keywords— TSC230 Color Sensor, Ardunio Board, Chip programming, Visually Impaired People. I. INTRODUCTION Mobility and identifying color, brightness of visually impaired people is restricted by their incapability to recognize their surroundings and imported goods such as clothes, medicine. According to World Health Organization (WHO) in 2012, out of 7 billion global population there were over 285 million visually impaired people and 39 million were totally blind out of which 19 million are children (below 15 years). This means that someone in our world goes blind in every five seconds and a child in every minute. Over 90 percent blind children obtain no schooling. Visually challenged people face constraints in independent mobility and identifying colours as well as brightness. Mobility means the possibility of liberally moving, without support of any supplementary person, at home and unfamiliar scenarios. People with visual impairment tackle enormous limitations in terms of mobility. Many researches are being conducted to build navigation system for blind people. Most of these technologies have limitations as it challenge involves accuracy, usability, interoperability, coverage which is not easy to overcome with current technology for both indoor and outdoor navigation. But there aren’t existing systems for identifying colours and brightness. Traditional white cane is the most popular, simplest tool for detecting obstacles due to its low cost, probability. It enables user to effectively scan the area in front and detect obstacles on the ground like holes, steps, walls, uneven surfaces, downstairs etc. But it can only be used to detect obstacles up to knee level. Its detection range is limited up to1-2 feet only. Several solutions have been proposed in the recent years to increase the mobility and safety of visually impaired people. But not proposed systems to identify colours and brightness. Even though proposed systems for mobility and safety are better solution but they are more expensive. Because for those particular systems consists of expensive camera etc. II. LITERATURE REVIEW Traditionally white cane is the most popular, simplest tool for detecting obstacles due to its low cost, portability. It enables user to effectively scan the area in front and detect obstacles on the ground like holes, steps, walls, downstairs etc. But it can only be used to detect obstacles up to knee-level. Navigation system generally comprised either an indoor or outdoor positioning system or both, for detecting the position of consumer. Most of the outdoor navigation systems employ GPS for positioning. Unfortunately, GPS can only be used outside of buildings because the employed radio signals cannot penetrate solid walls. Mobility is not only one challenge for visually impaired people. Identifying colors is the top most challenge among them. But there are not existing systems for identifying color for visually impaired people. White cane detection range is limited up to 1-2 feet only. Certain obstacles (Ex:- Producing window panes, raised platforms, a moving vehicle, horizontal bars) cannot be detected till they are dangerously close to the person. Several solutions have been proposed in the recent years to increase the mobility and safety of visually impaired persons. A system “Roshini” determines the user’s position in the building, navigation via audio messages by pressing keys on the mobile unit. It uses sonar technology to identify the position of user by mounting ultrasonic modules on ceiling at regular intervals. That system is portable, easy to operate and is not affected by environmental changes. But that system is limited only for indoor navigation. Because it requires detailed interior map of the building. Another real time technology developed to alert visually impaired user by the presence of static / dynamic obstacles in a few meters surrounding, which works without depending on any smart phone, uses camera for background motion detection. That system is robust to complex camera and background motion and does not required any prior knowledge about the obstacle size, shape or position. That camera based image processing system can be a better option but it requires lot processing power and hence system becomes bulky, costly and it must be transportable. The artificial systems are available only to assist visually impaired people to move and learn. Though many artificial intelligence system had been developed to assist visually impaired people to navigate, there is no such a system is available to identify the medicines. (By International Journal of Applied Engineering Research). There are systems for Health: The Definitive Visually impaired Reference (Weill Cornell Health Series) (By Dr.John). This volume contains more than 1200 illustrated pages of definitions and solutions on visual impacts, plus technological solutions for those ailments. Existing systems are rather different than our system. We used low cost but high performance sensors such as SR04- Ultrasonic sensor, TCS230, LDR, Bluetooth module. System can also connect to mobile phone as text to speech system.