Reader for Blind using Raspberry Pi

There is a number of problems and challenges that physically challenged people faces in their day-to-day lives. However, with the advancement in technology, various innovative and smart solutions are coming up to assist physically challenged people in performing various activities that they have difficulty performing otherwise. One of the biggest challenges faced by blind people is the inability to read. However, this problem can now be solved with the help of technology by implementing Reader for Blind using Raspberry Pi.

₹ 12,300

Project Code: 6355

Description of the Project

For the purpose of assisting visually challenged people in reading, a Raspberry Pi based reader for the blind project is proposed. The project consists of an LCD screen, an audio speaker, and a digital camera. All these devices are interfaced with the Raspberry Pi single-board computer. The camera takes the image of the paper and passes it on to the Raspberry Pi. The Raspberry Pi applies OCR image processing algorithms to the image and converts the text to speech. The speaker outputs the audio speech.

The 220VAC to 5VDC power supply provides DC power to all the peripherals. The digital camera takes a snapshot of the paper placed in its field of view. The camera sends this image to the Raspberry Pi single-board computer. The Raspberry Pi board runs a Linux-based OS known as Raspbian OS and is programmed in Python scripting language. The Raspberry Pi controller applies OCR image processing algorithms on the image of the paper and extracts text from that image. This text is then converted into digital speech by the Raspberry Pi controller and is transferred to the audio speaker for an announcement.

In this way, the blind person is able to understand what is written on the paper. An LCD display connected to the Raspberry Pi shows the progress of the project operation.

Description of the block diagram of Reader for Blind using Raspberry Pi

The block diagram of the Raspberry Pi based reader for the blind project consists of the following blocks:

• The power supply provides 5VDC stable power to the LCD screen, camera, audio speaker, and Raspberry Pi board.
• The digital camera/USB camera takes snapshots of the paper placed within its field of view and continuously communicates the images to the Raspberry Pi board.
• The LCD screen displays the progress of the project operation.
• The audio speaker announces the digital speech produced by the Raspberry Pi board after the extraction of text from the image.
• The Raspberry Pi board communicates with all the peripheral devices and applies the image processing algorithms to the images.
• It then converts the extracted text to speech and sends it to the output to be announced via the speaker.

Block diagram of the Reader for Blind using Raspberry Pi project

Applications, advantages, and enhancements for Raspberry Pi Based Reader For Blind

• The Raspberry Pi based reader for the blind project has a simple and reasonably priced construction. It can be easily mass-produced in order to help blind people.
• High-luminosity LED light can be built into the project to compensate for the bad lighting conditions.
• The image processing algorithms can be further developed and upgraded so that a wide variety of fonts can be recognized.