Works

Outline

Yoshikazu Seki is investigating the ability called obstacle perception, obstacle sense.

Obstacle sense (perception) is the ability to perceive silent objects by auditory sense. Sound reflection and insulation are cue for obstacle sense (perception). This ability is acquired by learning relation between existence of object and variation of sound caused by it. (Fig. 1)

Obstacle sense (perception) has been an important environment-cognition ability for the blind since ancient time.

Yoshikazu Seki is now performing the experiment to reproduce sound variation by object, with acoustic expermental setup to investigate mechanism of obstacle sense (perception). (Fig. 2)

Our experiments revealed mechanism of sound image variation caused by object. (Fig. 3)

Results of our study are applied to develop training methods and assistive technology of obstacle sense (perception) on blind education and rehabilitation.

Details

Current studies

• [3] Development of Mobility Assist System for the People with Visual Impairment

  Study to develop the total mobility assist system for the people with visual impairment by using positioning and cloud technologies.

• [4] Auditory Orientation Training System

  Study to develop the total training system of the auditory orientation, such as obstacle perception, sound localization, etc., which are important for daily life and O&M of the blind. This work is collaboration with many universities and organizations.

• [5] Study of Employment Support

  Study to support the employment for the persons with visual impairment. This study is in collaboration with private enterprise.

• [6] Study of Swallowing Sound

  Study to develop the evaluation system of swallowing function for the persons with swallowing disabilities by using swallowing sound.

• [7] Standardization of Accessibility

  These activeties are to standardize accessibility technologies that enable many people including elderly people and persons with disabilities access various information by themselves. Work items have been proposed to the standardization organizations such as ISO, etc.

Past studies

• Study of Communication Quantization

  Study to develop the evaluation system of the degree of well-being for the older people by using communication quantization.

• Study of Sound for Silent Vehicle

  Study to develop the sound to notify the aproach of silent vehicle to the people with visual impairment.

• Standardization of Auditory Guide

  This study was to standardize auditory guide that make many people including elderly people and persons with disabilities easier to use them in public spaces.

• Studies of Mechanism of Obstacle Perception

  This page introduces the studies of mechanism of obstacle perception.

• Sound Field for Obstacle Perception Training

  Study to produce the sound field or acoustical system for obstacle perception training.

• Study of Auditory Kinesthesis.

  Study to investigate the phenomenon called auditory kinesthesis that appears on only person who has acquired obstacle perception.

• Study of Attention Control by 3-D Sound

  This study is concerning with the assistive technology of information communication for the people with visual impairment, or attention disorder.

• Extra works

  This page introduces extra works of Yoshikazu Seki's previous studies, having relation with neither blind nor auditory sense.