Takashi Suzuki

A proposal on a haptic learning-science simulator for visually impaired students

This paper proposes a Haptic Learning-Science Simulator (HALS) which provides a possible method of higher education in science and mathematics for visually impaired students. When we understand the physics of a phenomenon, we usually try to visualize a phenomenon with the help of our own mental image formed by visual experiences. Owing to the lack of such experiences, it is quite hard for them to have a mental image, and so they have serious difficulties in learning science. Taking advantage of the haptic device, HALS aims at supplying them with some haptic (virtual) experiences of three-dimensional objects and dynamical phenomena. We first give an idea how to build mathematical models in HALS focussing on visualization of graphs of multivariable functions. Further, we discuss a physical model to be put in HALS which helps visually impaired students to perceive a moving body and to understand its physics.

Application of LED visible light communication signaling for the visually impaired

Recent progress in barrier-free technologies is encouraging helps for supporting handicapped persons and aged persons. For visually-impaired persons, though special aids including braille are prevailing, we need to provide further support.

A note on quantum Liouville theory via the quantum group An approach to strong coupling Liouville theory

Quantum Liouville theory is analysed in terms of the infinite dimensional representations of Uqsl(2,C) with q a root of unity. Making full use of the characteristic features of the representations, we show that the vertex operators in this Liouville theory are factorized into classical vertex operators and those which are constructed from the finite dimensional representations of Uqsl(2,C) We further show explicitly that the fusion rules in this model also enjoy such a factorization. Upon the conjecture that the Liouville action effectively decouples into the classical Liouville action and that of a quantum theory, correlation functions and transition amplitudes are discussed, especially an intimate relation between our model and geometric quantization of the moduli space of Riemann surfaces is suggested. The most important result is that our Liouville theory is in the strong coupling region, i.e. the central charge CL satisfies 1 < CL < 25. An interpretation of the quantum space-time is also given within this formulation.

On a Learning-Science System Supporting Visually Impaired Students via the Haptic Device

We have proposed a system, referred to as HALS, which supports visually impaired students in learning science and mathematics by using a haptic device [1]. This article describes the second stage towards HALS. The basic idea of the system is, by taking good advantage of the haptic device, to provide them with haptic perceptions of scientific things such as 3D objects and motions of a body and, through the experience, to enable them to have images of these things in their mind. We expect that such an image of natural things promotes better understanding of science. In this work, we realize partially the above ideas and develop several models which produce virtual things visually handicapped students can perceive by means of the device. Some models produce planar and spatial geometrical objects and others do moving bodies. The efficiency of these models were examined by blind undergraduate students. We finally address merits and demerits of our system, and clarify the points to be improved.