CENTRAL ASIAN JOURNAL OF THEORETICAL

AND APPLIED SCIENCES

Volume: 04 Issue: 9 | Sep 2023 ISSN: 2660-5317
https://cajotas.centralasianstudies.org

Design and development of a folding type braille keyboard

Shohruh Begmatov, Mukhriddin Arabboev

Associate Professor, Department of Television and Radio Broadcasting Systems, Tashkent University of
Information Technologies named after Muhammad al-Khwarizmi, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Sardor Vakhkhobov
Undergraduate student, Faculty of Television Technologies, Tashkent University of Information
Technologies named after Muhammad al-Khwarizmi, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Mokhirjon Rikhsivoev, Khushnud Gaziev

Postgraduate student, Department of Television and Radio Broadcasting Systems, Tashkent University of
Information Technologies named after Muhammad al-Khwarizmi, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Khabibullo Nosirov
Professor, Department of Television and Radio Broadcasting Systems, Tashkent University of Information
Technologies named after Muhammad al-Khwarizmi, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Received 9th Jul 2023, Accepted 8th Aug 2023, Online 5th Sep 2023

Abstract: In recent years, due to rapid developments in information technology, modern technologies
have begun to rapidly enter human life. These technological advances are creating wide opportunities for
everyone (regardless of physical and mental capabilities). Due to these opportunities, people with
disabilities also had the opportunity to learn to read and write. People with disabilities who are blind use
Braille to learn and communicate in their daily lives. In this age of modern technological advances, it is
hard to imagine our daily life without digital devices such as tablets, smartphones, laptops, and
computers. Computers play a vital role in the education process of visually impaired people. Computers
have a specially designed external USB Braille keyboard that helps blind people with educational
processes. This paper proposes a low-cost folding type Braille keyboard. This device is beneficial through
its innovative design and its simplicity.
Keywords: folding type braille keyboard; blind; visually impaired.

Introduction. According to the World Health Organization, 284 million people worldwide are considered
to be visually impaired, with around 39 million blind [1]. Uzbekistan has around 66,000 blind people,
about 41,000 of whom are members of the Blind Society of the Republic of Uzbekistan [2]. In recent
decades,

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Volume: 04 Issue: 9 | Sep 2023, ISSN: 2660-5317

various devices and gadgets have been developed for blind and visually impaired people. It is developed
an automatic system to identify and manage garments for blind people in [3]. The study, it is aimed to
present a system that assists blind people in choosing their clothes. In [4], it is designed and developed a
new wearable device that assists visually impaired individuals to walk independently. The proposed
device, according to the study, is based on range-based sensors and would perform effectively in both
indoor and outdoor environments. Another interesting study found in [5]. In the study, it is developed a
braille book reader using Raspberry Pi. In [2], it is developed a display integrated mobile phone prototype
for blind people. According to the study, the final prototype was tested at the Uzbekistan Blind Society
and useful feedback was received from blind people about its performance. In [6], it is developed a
compact braille transput communicator (BRAPTER) which is to aid and support independent living for
the visually impaired community. The proposed system consisted of two independent modules: the first
module is a handy „Braille e-notepad‟ and the second module is a compact Braille embosser. In [7], a
simple smartphone-based guiding system for overcoming navigation challenges for visually impaired
people is proposed. In [8], it is developed an audio phonebook for the blind people. According to the
study, the proposed device was tested by visually impaired people and feedback showed that it could be
used without any problem and without special training. In [9], it is given Comparative analysis of
technologies and devices for the blind and visually impaired. In [10], it is proposed smart glass system
using Deep Learning for the blind and visually impaired. According to the study, the system is fully
automatic and runs on an artificial intelligence server and detects and recognizes objects from low-light
and dark-scene images to assist the blind and visually impaired in a night-time environment. It is
developed a smart gadget for visually challenged people using Raspberry Pi in [11].
The above-mentioned studies are dedicated to the development of various gadgets and devices that are
used for various purposes for the blind and visually impaired. The main objective of our paper is to design
and develop a folding type of Braille keyboard for blind and visually impaired people. Therefore, the next
section of the paper provides information on related work. Information on the overall structure of the
paper is given below.
This paper comprises seven sections, where Section 2 outlines the prior research. Following this, Section
3 presents a general overview of the system, while Sections 4 and 5 discuss the hardware and software
architectures, respectively. Section 6 provides an initial analysis of the results obtained and presents
concluding remarks as well as suggestions for future research.
Related work. The main challenge for using Braille keyboards for blind people is the high cost of the
latest commercially available Braille keyboards. In recent years, this problem has been solved by scholars
around the world.
In [12], it is developed a BrailleEasy, which is a one-handed braille keyboard for smartphones. The
developed platform was for one-handed Brailing and consisted of a custom keyboard called BrailleEasy to
input Arabic or English Braille codes within any application, and a BrailleTutor application to practice
one-handed Brailling. In [13], it is developed an assistive six-dot Braille Cell Keying device for visually
impaired students writing with IoT technology, is named PINDOTS. In [14], it is developed a Pocket
Braille Keyboard – Reader using Braille Back Service. In [15], it is presented a new text entry method for
visually impaired people called OneHandBraille, and the proposed method based on gestures uses only
one user‟s hand to type the Braille Code. In [16], it is developed A New Braille Input Method for Mobile
Devices called SBraille. According to the study, the developed keyboard SBraille had advantages in
comparison with other braille input methods such as Braille Keyboard, ThaiBraille, and MBraille. Smart
Braille Keyboard (SBK) for learning braille literacy in blind or visually impaired people is developed in
[17]. The developed keyboard can be connected to a computer or a mobile device, helping those users,
especially the young, to learn Braille overcoming difficulties. It is presented a One-Handed Braille and
developed a Bespoke assistive technology in [18]. In [19], it is developed a prototype of a braille
keyboard for smartphones. The proposed keyboard for smartphones is designed to help blind and visually
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CENTRAL ASIAN JOURNAL OF THEORETICAL AND APPLIED SCIENCES
Volume: 04 Issue: 9 | Sep 2023, ISSN: 2660-5317
impaired people type quick messages. Software for an external USB Braille keyboard for smartphones
designed for blind and visually impaired people is developed in [20]. In [21], it is developed a wireless
and portable a self learning braille device based on Android smartphone. In [22], research was conducted
on mobile braille touch application for visually impaired people using the double diamond approach. In
[23], it is developed a Multimodal Braille Keyboard for Android called mBrailler. In [24], it is created a
Braille keyboard for the blind called OSKAR. A braille keyboard with 8 buttons is developed in [25]. In
[26], it is developed a method, called BrailleÉcran, for smartphones with no physical keyboard. A novel
braille pad with dual text-to-braille and braille-to-text capabilities with an integrated LCD display is
developed in [27]. In [28], it is developed a vibro-tactile based Braille Display and Keyboard. Finally, an
external USB braille keyboard for computers is designed in [29].
To summarize, the overview of the previous contribution mentioned above on Braille keyboards is based
on software and hardware approaches. However, none of them is based on a folding-type keyboard. In
this study, a folding-type braille keyboard is designed and developed.
3D model of proposed device. The proposed folding type braille keyboard consists of the following
components and elements: Microcontroller (A); buttons (B); joystick (C); USB type C cable (D).
A. Microcontroller
The Arduino Pro Micro is a small module based on the ATmega32U4 microcontroller [30-36]. In terms of
functionality, the controller repeats the Arduino Leonardo board, which is built on the same
ATmega32U4, but has smaller dimensions. Unlike the Arduino Micro board, the Arduino Pro Micro is
even smaller. The ATmega32U4 has a built-in USB controller, so it does not require an additional USB-
TTL converter chip. Type-C cable is used for programming. Programming is supported by the Arduino
IDE.

Fig. 1. Arduino Pro Micro

B. Button
A button, also known as a push button, is a basic switch mechanism used to operate a machine or process.
Usually, buttons are constructed from rigid materials such as metal or plastic. Buttons are designed to be
easily pressed by human fingers or hands and can be either flat or shaped to accommodate this. Most
buttons are switches that are biased, but some unbiased buttons still require a spring to return to their un-
pushed state due to their physical nature.
The push button is a common feature in a variety of mechanical and electronic devices, including
calculators, push-button telephones, and kitchen appliances for both home and commercial use.
Push button is one of the basic components and is widely used in many Arduino projects. In this work, 8
buttons were used to design the proposed Braille keyboard.

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Fig. 2. Button
C. Joystick
Arduino PS2 joystick is a thumb-operated device that, when put to creative use, offers a convenient way
of getting operator input [37]. It fundamentally consists of two potentiometers and a push-button switch.
The two potentiometers indicate in which direction the potentiometer is being pushed. When the joystick
knob is pressed, the switch sends a low or ground signal. The Arduino PS2 joystick module is used in this
keyboard due to its low cost and ease of use.

Fig. 3. Joystick
D. USB type C cable
USB Type-C is the latest and fastest USB standard. Many new devices now come with one or more
Type-C ports built in.
Type-C USB connectors feature symmetrical terminals on both the port and plug, resulting in effortless
insertion. They are versatile and can be adapted to connect with various USB types, facilitating the
transfer of power and data to and from all previous generations of USB devices.

Fig. 4. USB type C cable

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CENTRAL ASIAN JOURNAL OF THEORETICAL AND APPLIED SCIENCES
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By combining all the hardware components mentioned above, one can design a folding type Braille
keyboard. 3D view of the proposed device is presented in Figure 5.

a)

b)

c)

d)

e)
Fig.5. 3D view of the proposed folding type braille keyboard
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According to the figure (see Fig. 5) shown above each letter means the 3D view of the proposed braille
keyboard from different angles: a) 3D view of the proposed device, where the internal components are
visible; b-c) 3D view of the proposed device from the side in different forms; d) 3D view of the proposed
device from the top; e) 3D view of the proposed device from the full side.
Development of the proposed device.

In the development of the device, the following was done step by step:
1) Designing the circuit board of the device;
2) Printing parts of the device from a 3D printer;
3) Welding of components of the device;
4) Putting the device into ready working condition.
A program called Sprint Layout was used to design the circuit board of the device. Sprint Layout - CAD
layout of printed circuit boards. The application offers dozens of tools for designing boards: adding radio
elements, tracks, soldering points, and drilling. Professionals will be pleased with the function of
preparing printing on transparent film materials, and support for layers. Working with Gerber and HPGL
files expands the scope of Sprint-Layout: they allow you to perform CNC milling directly from the layout.

a)

b)
Fig.6. Electronic circuits of the device.
According to the figure (see Fig. 6) shown above each letter means the Electronic circuits of the proposed
braille keyboard for two separate folds: a) Circuit board schematics to install the Arduino Pro Micro and 4
keys; b) Circuit board schematics to install the joystick and 4 keys.

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a)

b)
Fig.7. The working state of the proposed braille keyboard
According to the figure (see Fig. 7) shown above each letter means the working state of the proposed
braille keyboard: a) the state where the keys and the upper 3D-printed shell part of the proposed device
are not installed; b) the state where the keys and the upper 3D-printed shell part of the proposed device
are installed.
Conclusion. Individuals who are visually impaired or blind often struggle to understand unfamiliar
reading-writing systems (traditional reading-writing system which is not specialized for blind and visually
impaired people). To solve this problem, the Braille system was developed. This paper develops a
folding-type Braille keyboard for computers. The proposed device's design is unique and compared to
other counterparts much more comfortable for typing. Because the proposed device has very light
touchable keys.
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