Those with visual and hearing impairment often find it difficult to communicate via messaging on their cell phones. The B&D messenger is a device that hopes to solve the issue. It hooks onto the comp and the to the net, which translates Braille to text and vice versa thus sending and receiving SMS to a normal user. Those with a sight problem have two options; to either get the message read out loud or get it in Braille script. The hearing impaired can use it as a normal cellphone for reading and sending text messages.

There are several already made Braille products existing in the market. However, other than heavy and large in size, most of them are also highly priced. B&D messenger was designed to solve these problems. We intended to design following aspects: Cost effectiveness and Functionality. General Braille display or TTY system that are available right now are too expensive in price. To reduce its cost, B&D Messenger is built with an open source platform, Arduino and Processing. Currently, in order to keep the price low and affordable, a basic B&D messenger still runs by a connection to a computer, however if the user seeks portability a wireless connection can be made by ordering an optional Bluetooth module that can be easily attached on to the micro controller. In addition, by running under the Internet, no cost will be needed for sending and receiving messages. Small and Light. To accomplish this objective, all of the adopting materials we choose are lightweight. The triangle shape is chosen to be consistent with the other existing devices and the design was limited in accordance with the LCD size. Do-It-Yourself. B&D Messenger is designed to have a less complex construct. The case should be easy to make and ensemble with a recycled hard paper attached inside the kit. All basic electronic parts come with customized and presoldered state

Source