Software Project Proposal- Bengali Braille to Text Translation Presented in 4th year of Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering (BSSE) course at Institute of Information Technology, University of Dhaka (IIT, DU).

1. Project Proposal
Bengali Braille to Text Translation
Course:SE 801- Project
Submitted by
Minhas Kamal
Roll: BSSE-0509
Student of BSSE 8th Semester
Institute of Information Technology
University of Dhaka
Supervised by
Dr. Mohammad Shoyaib
Associate Professor
Institute of Information Technology
University of Dhaka
Institute of Information Technology
University of Dhaka
14th
August 2016

2. i
Table of Contents
1. Overview...................................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Background .........................................................................................................................................1
1.2 Objectives............................................................................................................................................1
1.3 Methodology.......................................................................................................................................2
1.4 Scope...................................................................................................................................................2
1.5 Assumptions and Constraints .............................................................................................................2
1.6 Dependencies......................................................................................................................................2
2. Project Delivery.........................................................................................................................................3
2.1 Deliverables.........................................................................................................................................3
2.2 Timescales...........................................................................................................................................3
3. Cost Benefit Estimate................................................................................................................................4
3.1 Benefits ...............................................................................................................................................4
3.2 Project Resources................................................................................................................................4
4. Conclusion.................................................................................................................................................5
References ....................................................................................................................................................6

3. 1
1. Overview
Braille is a specialized writing system for visually impaired people. Here raised dots on
embossed paper are used as tactile alphabet [1] [2]. For example- Figure 1.1 represents Bengali
‘আ’.
Figure 1.1: A Braille Cell with 6 dots Representing- ‘আ’
In this project I shall create a tool for Bengali Braille Character Recognition. The tool will take in
scanned image of Bengali Braille writing, apply pattern recognition, and translate it to text.
1.1 Background
Visually impaired people have all the abilities that any normal person need, to contribute to the
society. The only problem they face is not being able to visually perceive the world. As most of
our learning procedures are largely dependent on the eye, a big portion of this human potential
is not getting the room for manifestation. So rather becoming an asset, they turn into a burden
to the community [3].
This problem was intensely severe till the early 1800’s, when Braille Writing system came into
existence. The base process was developed by the French army for passing message in the dark.
The system was then matured by a young boy named Braille, who accidently lost his vision at an
early age [4]. He simplified the writing and reading process, and as a result the technique
became very popular among visually impaired people [5]. Further refinement to the procedure
shaped it for mass use. Now almost every major language in this world has its own Braille
format [6].
Standing in this era of modern science we wish to get every bit of information in digital form.
However, very few researches have been performed over Bengali Braille to text translation. And
to the best of my knowledge, there is also no single open source tool available for this
translation purpose.
1.2 Objectives
Creating a reliable Bengali Braille Character recognition tool named- Bengali Braille to Text
Translator is the primary goal of this project.

4. 2
1.3 Methodology
Followings are the major steps of our Braille recognition method-
1. Enhance and filter input image
2. Detect dots
3. Recognize patterns
4. Map patterns to characters
5. Write output to a text file
1.4 Scope
Our project scope is defined as follows-
1. The software will take image in *.png or *.jpg format.
2. Embossment on the paper will be one-sided.
3. The translator will recognize Bengali alphabets (অ-আ, ক-ঁ), numbers (০-৯), their
diacritic and abbreviated forms, and common punctuation marks. Complex
mathematical notations and special characters are out of our project scope.
4. Output will be written in a text file.
1.5 Assumptions and Constraints
We assume that the input image -
1. Will not have any rotation or skew
2. Background will be white
3. Random and Banding noise will be at minimum, and there will be no Fixed Pattern
noise
1.6 Dependencies
The project is not dependent on any third party software or special hardware. A simple
personal computer is enough for running the tool. A scanner will be needed for scanning Braille
Paper.

5. 3
2. Project Delivery
The project will roughly take 4 months to complete. The primary deliverable is portable
software that will be supported in all major operating systems.
2.1 Deliverables
1. A Software Installation File
2. User Manual
3. Source Code
2.2 Timescales
The project has started from 17th
July 2016 and will end in 14th
November of the same year.
Table 2.2.1 shows estimated timescales and probable mile stones throughout the project.
Table 2.2.1:Gantt chart of Estimated Timescale

6. 4
3. Cost Benefit Estimate
The project will not need any extra hardware or commercial software package. So project cost
is not applicable here.
3.1 Benefits
This tool will translate Braille writing into text. Thus any ordinary person will be able to read it.
Blind people will be able to deliver message to the general mass. A teacher will not need to be
specialized in Braille to examine answer sheet of a sightless person.
3.2 Project Resources
 Hardware Requirement:
o A Personal Computer (processor: Celeron or higher, and Ram: 256mb or higher)
o A Scanner (minimum resolution 300 dpi)
 Software Requirement:
o Java Runtime Environment (version 7 or higher)

7. 5
4. Conclusion
The project will serve as a great help for both visually impaired people and their close ones. The
tool can also be used to digitally interpret and store braille writing. It will not only benefit the
sightless but also to the sighted, as they will be able to share their knowledge and thought.

8. 6
References
[1] W. David, A. Adler. “A Picture of Louis Braille.” New York, McGrawHill, 1999.
[2] Durre, K. P., W. Tuttle. “A Universal Computer Braille Code for Literacy and Scientific Texts.”
International Technology Conference, 1991.
[3] Padmavathi, S., S. Sphoorthy Reddy, and D. Meenakshy. "Conversion of braille to text in english, hindi
and tamil languages." arXiv preprint arXiv:1307.2997 (2013).
[4] Jiménez, Javier, et al. "Biography of louis braille and invention of the braille alphabet." Survey of
ophthalmology 54.1 (2009): 142-149.
[5] W. Bledsoe. “Braille: ‘A Success Story’, in Evaluation of Sensory Aids for the Visually Handicapped.”
Washington D. C.: National Academy of Science, 1972, pp. 3-36.
[6] World Braille Usage. UNESCO, Paris: The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped. Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress, 1990.