Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
434113000 | Tactile reading aid (e.g., Braille, etc.) | 83 |
20080227060 | Driving Mechanism Using Shape Memory Alloys And Devices Equipped With The Same - A driving mechanism using shape memory alloys comprises a first and a second shape memory alloys coils ( | 09-18-2008 |
20090104587 | Defining an insertion indicator - Methods and apparatuses to define an insertion indicator on a Braille device are described. Information about an insertion indicator at a location on a display device is received. An output associated with the insertion indicator is provided to a Braille device. The output to the Braille device reproduces the location of the insertion indicator on the display device. The output associated with the insertion indicator may be provided to at least two cells of the Braille device. The output to the Braille device may be provided to raise a first dot of a first Braille cell on the Braille device, wherein the first Braille cell corresponds to a second location that precedes the first location on the display device. A Braille caption panel may be displayed on a display device, the Braille caption panel includes a simulation of the output associated with the insertion indicator on the Braille device. | 04-23-2009 |
20090220923 | Tactile user interface and related devices - An apparatus that includes an input having a surface area configured for altering its surface topology characteristic in accordance with a given function of an electronic device for providing a haptic operative input corresponding to said given function. There is a mechanism for altering surface topology of the surface area, and the mechanism does not comprise a piezoelectric motor. | 09-03-2009 |
20090286211 | MEDICAL DEVICE FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED USERS AND USERS NOT VISUALLY IMPAIRED - The present invention refers to a medical device for self testing and monitoring the concentration of analytes in a body fluid, or a blood parameter, or for the controlled administration of therapeutic agents, comprising a connectable, preferably pluggable Braille or Braille-like module for visually impaired users, so that both visually impaired users and users not visually impaired can read the data generated by the medical device and/or control the medical device. | 11-19-2009 |
20090305199 | DYNAMIC TACTILE AND LOW VISION FONTS - A dynamic tactile code in which embossed alphabetic symbols represent the letters of the conventional Roman alphabet and embossed numeric symbols represent the conventional Arabic numerals. The alphabetic symbols are divided into four regions, the alphabetic symbols in the first and third regions being denoted by a circular frame, and the alphabetic symbols in the second and fourth regions being surrounded by a square frame. At least some of the alphabetic symbols embody at least a physical association of their corresponding letter of the Roman alphabet. Uppercase symbols differentiate from the lowercase symbols by the placement of a dot centrally located above the lowercase symbol frame. The numeric symbols are denoted by a diamond-shaped frame. Certain essential attributes of the font remain constant while other attributes change as the font's size is changed. In particular, (1) inter-symbol spacing changes by a non-constant ratio; (2) line width changes by a non-constant ratio; (3) symbol element ratios changes by a non-constant ratio; (4) symbol element location changes by non-constant ratios; (5) symbol shape changes from font size to font size; (6) symbol elements can be present at some sizes and not present at other sizes or the element sizes can vary in different, non-constant proportions to each other; and (7) at one size, the symbol elements remain fixed or vary based on their location on a visual display, and symbols displayed in the middle of the display look different than when they are displayed at the side of the display. | 12-10-2009 |
20100003646 | Automated Braille Inserter - An automated Braille inserter for inserting a Braille element into a surface including a container for containing a plurality of Braille elements; a drive pin in operative juxtaposition with respect to said container and adapted for movement along a drive axis between a receiving position and a driving position, and having a driving face for driving a Braille element from said Braille inserter; a Braille element passage operatively associated with said drive pin and providing operative passage of a Braille element from said container to a deployment position in operative alignment with said driving face of said drive pin; the drive pin being arranged in operative juxtaposition in respect of the container such that the Braille element passage is closed to receiving Braille elements from the container when the drive pin is the driving position, but may receive a predetermined number of Braille elements into said Braille element passage when the drive pin is in the receiving position. | 01-07-2010 |
20100151426 | ELECTRIC TACTILE DISPLAY - An electro-tactile display includes an electrode substrate provided with a plurality of stimulation electrodes, a conductive gel layer positioned between the stimulation electrodes and the skin of a wearer, a switching circuit section electrically connected to the stimulation electrodes, a stimulation pattern generating section electrically connected to the switching circuit, and means for alleviating a sensation experienced by the wearer as a result of the stimulation electrodes. In one aspect, the means for alleviating a sensation is configured from the conductive gel layer. The conductive gel layer has a resistance value equivalent to that of the horny layer of the skin. In another aspect, the means for alleviating a sensation is configured from the stimulation determination means and the threshold value adjustment means. | 06-17-2010 |
20100285432 | INTUITIVELY ORDERED TACTILE CHARACTERS READABLE BY VISUALLY IMPAIRED PERSONS - A reduced number of selectable inputs that enable efficient communication. Simplified tactile and optically machine readable code of raised embossments, particularly for unsighted and visually impaired persons is provided, in which each character is represented by a cell of indicia of an intuitive systematic code. For the alphabet, the cells are configured in ordered positions, which correspond to the order of the alphabet, and thereby, assist in tactile perception so that a person may easily identify the character by touch. Also, optical machines are enabled to easily read the characters; and a keyboard is provided for producing the same. | 11-11-2010 |
20100311019 | Tactile sudoku game display for the blind - The Tactile Sudoku Game Display for the Blind has 4 control buttons used by the blind game player to manually direct the attached computer to change the current game square up and down and left and right. The Game Display has 27 electromechanically raised and lowered dots similar to Braille dots arranged in 3 squares each with 9 dots arranged in 3 rows and 3 columns. The raised dots in the Game Display's lower-right square communicate the current status of 1 of the 81 Sudoku game squares to the blind game player by touch. And 1 raised dot in each of the Game Display's other 2 squares communicates the column number and row number of the current game square to the blind game player by touch. The game author's given starting game squares have only 1 of the 9 dots raised; and, the blind game player touches and depresses all but 1 of the 9 dots in each remaining game square to complete the game. | 12-09-2010 |
20100330540 | TACTILE IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED - A tactile identification and classification system including a tab having an adhesive layer, a first field on the tab having at least one first projection, in which the first field defines a main category of items. Also included is a second field on the tab having at least one second projection. Further, the at least one second projection differs from the at least one first projection in shape or size, and the second field defines a sub category of items corresponding to the main category of items. | 12-30-2010 |
20110117525 | REFRESHABLE BRAILLE DISPLAY DEVICE - Disclosed is a refreshable Braille display device comprised of a rotary character display assembly which can display a refreshable Braille character in the plane of the rotary display assembly. Also disclosed is a method of displaying a refreshable Braille character. | 05-19-2011 |
20110269106 | ACTUATION MECHANISM FOR BRAILLE DISPLAYS - According to the present invention, there is provided an improved refreshable tactile display apparatus including a housing, bias compression springs, sliding blocks, pins, and a shape memory alloy wire. The sliding block is actuated by the interaction between the bias compression spring and the shape memory alloy wire. The shape memory alloy wire is then activated by current driven from a power supply in either a modulated or unmodulated fashion. | 11-03-2011 |
20110287393 | Tactile representation of detailed visual and other sensory information by a perception interface apparatus - The present invention describes a series of embodiments that permit the characterization of digital information (i.e. pixels from screen, data from sensors, etc.) onto analogical tactile air-fluxes perception of such data (such as hue, lightness, saturation, and chromaticity, among others), by using software, hardware and pneumatic embodiments to form an apparatus targeted originally for visually impaired people, but with applications to other types of users as well. | 11-24-2011 |
20120094257 | REMOTE BRAILLE EDUCATION SYSTEM AND DEVICE - A remote Braille education system and device is disclosed. In one embodiment, a remote Braille education system includes a first computer system at a first location, second computer systems associated with visually impaired individuals at a second location, and a server. The first computer system includes an input device, and a display device, and each of the second computer systems includes an electronic Braille device(s). The input device is configured for communicating a first set of characters to the electronic Braille device via the server. The electronic Braille device is configured for embossing the first set of characters on a printing medium. Furthermore, the electronic Braille device is configured for transmitting a second set of characters inputted by the visually impaired individual(s) via the server. The display device is configured for displaying the second set of characters received from said one or more of the second computer systems. | 04-19-2012 |
20120156656 | SYSTEM FOR ASSISTING A SIGHT IMPAIRED INDIVIDUAL | 06-21-2012 |
20120171645 | Method And System For Autonomous Teaching Of Braille - The present invention is a method and system for autonomous learning of Braille by an unsighted user. The system allows the unsighted user to pass a card over an RFID reader so as to trigger an audible response that is indicative of an indicia (Braille word or character) embossed on the card. The embossed card further comprises an RFID tag and a series of raised indicia surfaces representative of a Braille-based word or character. The tag transmits a signal indicative of the word or character to the receiving (via receiver) micro-controller which will convert the signal to an audible tone to be transmitted through an output device. The system has a memory which holds a library of tones corresponding to a signal to be converted. An autonomous record mode allows the system user to record an audio input to be stored in the library, or utilize an interface port, or removable memory, for downloading an input. | 07-05-2012 |
20130004921 | ELECTRONIC APPARATUS INCLUDING PROTRUDING MEMBERS - A dot unit includes an opening formed in a housing and a protruding member disposed in the opening. The protruding member is rotatably supported by a support shaft. The protruding member is rotated by a polymer actuator in a direction that follows a reading direction in which a unit of information is read, and the protruding member is stabilized in a protruding position by contacting a restricting portion. When a finger is moved in the reading direction and contacts the protruding member, the protruding member is likely to be stabilized in the protruding position. | 01-03-2013 |
20130004922 | TACTILE DISPLAY DEVICE - Actuators are disposed between a lower wiring substrate and an upper wiring substrate. The actuators, the lower wiring substrate, and the upper wiring substrate are interposed between a lower frame and an upper frame. The end of each actuator is held between pushing parts of the lower frame and upper frame. The free ends of the actuators move projections upward that are displayed in a tactile display. | 01-03-2013 |
20130011816 | Refreshable Braille Display Device - Disclosed is a refreshable Braille display device comprised of a rotary character display assembly which can display a refreshable Braille character in the plane of the rotary display assembly. Also disclosed is a method of displaying a refreshable Braille character. | 01-10-2013 |
20130071817 | NAVIGATION ACCESSIBILITLY APPARATUS, METHOD AND SYSTEM - An apparatus, system and method are presented for improving the accessibility to self-service terminals by the visually impaired. An apparatus is provided that when attached to a touch-screen display improves accessibility. The apparatus includes touch identifiable symbols. A user operates a self-service terminal by selecting the appropriate symbol on the apparatus in response to audible instructions from the terminal. | 03-21-2013 |
20130095454 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INPUTTING BRAILLE IN A PORTABLE TERMINAL - An apparatus and method are provided for inputting braille in a portable terminal. The apparatus includes an input unit including an input button for receiving an input from a user; and a control unit for determining a dot position of a braille input unit based on the input from the user. | 04-18-2013 |
20130115579 | TACTILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE FOR THE NECK | 05-09-2013 |
20130183641 | BRAILLE READING-WRITING DEVICE - A braille reading-writing device includes a body and a plurality of braille buttons. The body has a first surface and a second surface. The braille buttons are disposed through the body. Each of the braille buttons includes a pressing portion located at the same side with the first surface and a touching portion located at the same side with the second surface. The touching portion protrudes from the second surface when the pressing portion is pressed. The braille reading-writing device allows the blind people to write braille on the first surface and to touch to read the written braille on the second surface, thereby integrating the functions of writing and reading braille. | 07-18-2013 |
20130203022 | REFRESHABLE BRAILLE DISPLAY - A refreshable Braille display created by movable actuators having discrete surfaces bearing protrusions. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a pair of actuators has discrete surfaces bearing portions of Braille characters, so that when the pair is read together, the entire Braille characters may be read. Movement of the actuators, which may be rotating discs, may be controlled by electromechanical and/or electronic devices. | 08-08-2013 |
20130330692 | TACTILE DISPLAY AND OPERATING SYSTEM THEREFOR - A tactile display includes a base; movable pins having free ends for tactile sensing by a user, the pins arranged in rows and columns and movable between an extended position and retracted position with respect to the base so as to selectively display tactilely sensible data; a resilient element for supporting each pin in the extended position when at rest, and further operative to urge the pin from the retracted position to the extended position in the presence of an opposing force; one or more reset elements for lowering the pins from the extended position to the retracted position; row stoppers for lockably engaging rows of pins when in the second position. | 12-12-2013 |
20140170605 | Reusable Adherent Labels and Related Methods - Reusable, PSA labels and related methods. Some labels comprise a layer of PSA and an information layer. The PSA layer defines bond and exposed surfaces wherein the exposed surface is removable and bondable to contact surfaces. Additionally, the information layer defines exposed and bond surfaces wherein the exposed surface is able to receive a (removable) marking. The information layer is bonded to the layer of PSA. Labels can comprise Braille structures on the exposed surfaces of the information layer. Some reusable PSA labels comprise an intermediate adhesive layer so that the bonding is via the intermediate layer. If desired, the bond surfaces of the PSA layers can be on a sub-layer of the PSA layers and can have flow temperatures of no more than about 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Moreover, labels can have PSA layers that remain flexible at a temperature of about 20 degrees Fahrenheit. | 06-19-2014 |
20140242554 | SYSTEM FOR ENABLING A VISUALLY IMPAIRED OR BLIND PERSON TO USE AN INPUT DEVICE HAVING AT LEAST ONE KEY - System for enabling a visually impaired or blind person to use an input device having at least one key, comprising: at least one tactile sensor array, in particular a pressure sensor array, attachable to a fingertip of a visually impaired or blind person for acquiring a pressure distribution image of a key slightly touched by a finger of said person when attached to said finger, a pressure distribution image processing and character recognition unit that is connected to said tactile sensor array for processing said pressure distribution image and for recognizing the key label of the touched key and an audio output device that is connected to said unit for outputting and acoustic reproduction of said key label. | 08-28-2014 |
20140242555 | Braille Display Device And Method Of Constructing Same - Disclosed is a Braille display device. The device supports an array of individual Braille cells with corresponding tactile pins. The pins can be selectively lifted by way of reeds to generate Braille characters that can be felt by the user. The Braille characters can correspond to visible characters, such as characters on a computer screen. The display is refreshable to allow for the sequential display of lines, paragraphs, or pages. In accordance with the disclosure, the Braille cells are constructed in a manner that minimizes manufacturing costs and that also permits the size of the display to be greatly reduced. | 08-28-2014 |
20150140522 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR TACTILE CODE INTERPRETATION - Methods and systems ( | 05-21-2015 |
20150310762 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND APPARATUSES TO CONVEY CHORDED INPUT - Disclosed herein are methods, systems, computer readable media, and apparatuses for conveying chorded input to a user. Chorded input can be conveyed by one or more sequences of stimulation events, wherein each sequence represents a particular chorded input. | 10-29-2015 |
20160035241 | Letter Manipulative Identification Board - A set of letter manipulatives and a board on which said letter manipulatives may be placed, where the board comprises an identification module that can identify the letter manipulatives placed on the board and communicate the identification to a computing device. | 02-04-2016 |
20160379523 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTONOMOUS TEACHING OF BRAILLE - The present invention is a method and system for autonomous learning of Braille by an unsighted user. The system allows the unsighted user to pass a card over an RFID reader so as to trigger an audible response that is indicative of an indicia (Braille word or character) embossed on the card. The embossed card further comprises an RFID tag and a series of raised indicia surfaces representative of a Braille-based word or character. The tag transmits a signal of a function to be performed including one of an erase and a record instruction to associate or dissociate a function to be performed including one of an erase instruction and a record instruction. | 12-29-2016 |
20220139257 | Tactile and visual display with paired and active stylus with means and methods - An active, specialized stylus and sharp color graphics may be combined with a tactile display in order to increase accessibility to the blind and visually impaired. A tactile display may consist of an array of pins that may be raised to varying heights to represent contours and outlines of images that are recognizable when touched. A specialized stylus may allow the user to instantly create, touch and save tactile drawings or alter with multi-sensory feedback. | 05-05-2022 |
434114000 | Converting information to tactile output | 46 |
20080206722 | BRAILLE-CHARACTER DISPLAY DEVICE, AND PORTABLE TERMINAL INCLUDING THE SAME - A Braille-character display device includes a movable pin array, a plurality of movable pin pressing parts, a Braille-character generating part and a movable pin controlling part. The movable pin array has a plurality of movable pins arranged in a matrix form. The plurality of movable pin pressing parts presses the plurality of movable pins, respectively. The Braille-character generating part generates Braille characters. The movable pin controlling part allows the movable pin pressing parts to press the movable pins corresponding to a pattern of the generated Braille characters. | 08-28-2008 |
20080280266 | Braille Cell Cap - An electromechanical Braille cell assembly includes a plurality of parallel bimorph reeds. A first plurality of bimorph reeds is mounted to a first side of a printed circuit board by a first plurality of clips and a second plurality of bimorph reeds is mounted to a second side of the printed circuit board by a second plurality of clips. A frame has a top wall, a bottom wall, a first side wall in the form of an angle wall and a second side wall in the form of a flat wall. Pinholes are formed in the angle wall to accommodate Braille pins and the flat wall is slotted to accommodate a plurality of printed circuit boards. A monolithic cap covers all of the Braille pins. Pinholes formed in the cap receive the respective tips of the Braille cells when actuated bimorph reeds cause displacement of the Braille pins. | 11-13-2008 |
20080318191 | Braille type device, system, and method - A Braille type device including printed or displayed matter on a medium in combination with printed or displayed Braille type code, preferably machine readable Braille type bar code. The Braille type system includes the combination of the Braille type device and a Braille type-scanning device. The Braille type method includes printing or displaying a Braille type bar code on a medium. | 12-25-2008 |
20090011390 | Method and Apparatus for Facilitating Tactile Identification of a Document Attribute - The illustrative embodiments described herein provide an apparatus and method for facilitating tactile identification of a document attribute. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a document. The document has a set of document attributes. The apparatus also includes a fluid incorporated within the document at a designated location associated with a document attribute in the set of document attributes. The fluid changes rigidity in the presence of an electric field to facilitate tactile identification of the document attribute. | 01-08-2009 |
20090011391 | Electromechanical relief display - An electromechanical relief display device comprising:
| 01-08-2009 |
20090023116 | Braille module with compressible pin arrays - A refreshable tactile reader apparatus for Braille text and graphics, utilizing a plurality of compressible tactile pins that can absorb strong downward forces. Such strong forces transmitted through tactile pins can damage pin actuation mechanisms. The physical enclosure of the reader provides open channels that allow the apparatus to be more easily cleaned than prior art enablements. | 01-22-2009 |
20090035731 | Electromechanical Tactile Braille Cell Assembly - The present invention discloses an electromechanical tactile cell assembly comprising a plurality of piezoelectric element reeds, each one of the piezoelectric element reeds being bendable at an elongated end portion when a voltage is applied to the reed, a plurality of conductive fulcrum pins secured to a printed circuit board, and a plurality of multiple element conductive supports secured to a printed circuit board, each multiple element conductive support, in combination with the plurality of conductive fulcrum pins, adapted to secure a plurality of piezoelectric reeds, corresponding to the plurality of conductive fulcrum pins, to the printed circuit board. The electromechanical tactile cell is adaptable for use with a Braille display. | 02-05-2009 |
20090130639 | TACTILE DISPLAY TO ALLOW SIGHT IMPAIRED TO FEEL VISUAL INFORMATION INCLUDING COLOR - A tactile display may comprise an array of pins that may be raised in height relative to one another to represent contours of objects in a graphic image or picture when touched. Various physical attributes may be given to individual pins to represent color or brightness. For example, pins may be heated or cooled to represent cool or warm colors in the original image. Pins may also be vibrated or otherwise enhanced to represent color or brightness information in the original image. | 05-21-2009 |
20100055651 | Tactile feedback - For providing a tactile feedback to a user of a device, textual or graphical information is converted into instructions for a sequence of pulses representing the information. An actuator is then caused to move at least a part of a display according to the obtained instructions. | 03-04-2010 |
20100099061 | ALPHANUMERIC FONT FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED - A tactile alphanumeric font includes raised alphabetic symbols representing the letters of the Roman alphabet and raised numeric symbols representing the Arabic numerals. The alphabetic symbols are divided into first-fourth regions, the alphabetic symbols in the first and third regions being denoted by a circular frame, and the alphabetic symbols in the second and fourth regions being denoted by a square frame. Uppercase symbols are designated by a dot centrally located above the lowercase symbol frame. The numeric symbols are denoted by a pentagonal frame. All of the frames have an aspect ratio of less than or equal to approximately 1.25. At least some of the alphabet and numeric symbols also include an interior element inside of and separated from the frame; and at least some of the alphabet and numeric symbols embody at least a physical association, such as a dominant characteristic, of their corresponding letter of the Roman alphabet or corresponding Arabic numeral 0-9. | 04-22-2010 |
20100099062 | Braille Cell Cap - An electromechanical Braille cell assembly includes a plurality of parallel bimorph reeds. A first plurality of bimorph reeds is mounted to a first side of a printed circuit board by a first plurality of clips and a second plurality of bimorph reeds is mounted to a second side of the printed circuit board by a second plurality of clips. A frame has a top wall, a bottom wall, a first side wall in the form of an angle wall and a second side wall in the form of a flat wall. Pinholes are formed in the angle wall to accommodate Braille pins and the flat wall is slotted to accommodate a plurality of printed circuit boards. A monolithic cap covers all of the Braille pins. Pinholes formed in the cap receive the respective tips of the Braille cells when actuated bimorph reeds cause displacement of the Braille pins. | 04-22-2010 |
20100159423 | Tactile Pin Display Apparatus - A tactile pin display apparatus comprises: tactile pins | 06-24-2010 |
20100304340 | Electromechanical Tactile Braille Cell Assembly - The present invention discloses an electromechanical tactile cell assembly comprising a plurality of piezoelectric element reeds, each one of the piezoelectric element reeds being bendable at an elongated end portion when a voltage is applied to the reed, a plurality of conductive fulcrum pins secured to a printed circuit board, and a plurality of multiple element conductive supports secured to a printed circuit board, each multiple element conductive support, in combination with the plurality of conductive fulcrum pins, adapted to secure a plurality of piezoelectric reeds, corresponding to the plurality of conductive fulcrum pins, to the printed circuit board. The electromechanical tactile cell is adaptable for use with a Braille display. | 12-02-2010 |
20110020771 | ELECTRONIC BRAILLE TYPING INTERFACE - A user interface system for entry of Braille input to electronic devices comprises a module with a single set of six tactile keys arranged in a 6 dot Braille configuration. The user interface system is configured to recognize data entered therein by user contact with one or more of the tactile keys as Braille input and to transmit said Braille input to an electronic device for display or further transmission. The interface further includes function keys which allow the user to manipulate, modify, or otherwise control the data entered and how the data is transmitted. | 01-27-2011 |
20110111375 | Messaging Device Having Braille Output - A Braille cell is incorporated within a messaging device. The Braille cell may be defined on a portion of a keypad, a touchscreen, or a navigation pad. An alphanumeric string, such as a text message, is transcribed into Braille. A resulting Braille character or contraction is represented on the Braille cell via actuators coupled to the keypad, touchscreen, or navigation pad. The actuators mechanically raise, lower, or vibrate to correspond to active bits in the Braille character. A tactile sensation is therefore experienced by the user. | 05-12-2011 |
20110111376 | Braille Mirroring - Techniques for performing Braille mirroring are disclosed. In one aspect, content is converted into Braille content, and then formatted for each of a plurality of Braille displays. The formatted content is then sent to each of the Braille displays. In another aspect, data identifying a primary Braille display in a plurality of Braille displays is stored. Input requesting that a data processing apparatus perform an action is received from one of the Braille displays, and it is determined whether to perform the action, based in part on whether the requesting Braille display is the primary Braille display. | 05-12-2011 |
20110136082 | ELECTRONIC AID - An electronic aid which comprises a device ( | 06-09-2011 |
20110143321 | Portable multifunctional communication and environment aid for the visually handicapped - A processor, portable power source and Braille character touchpad with a first column area is described, containing three substantially linearly arranged finger responsive areas corresponding to column representations of a Braille character and an adjacent-offset second column area containing one finger responsive area to indicate a null column. Braille character is input by engaging at least one area of the three substantially linearly arranged finger responsive areas and the one finger responsive area. Alternatively, a Braille touchpad containing six finger responsive areas arranged in two columns corresponding to first and second column representations of a Braille character and an adjacent touch gesture pad is described, containing a plurality of finger and gesture responsive areas. A Braille character is input by engaging at least one of the six finger responsive areas and the plurality of finger and gesture responsive areas. Word processing and command action may be initiated by the gesture pad. | 06-16-2011 |
20110207093 | HANDHELD BRAILLE CONVERTING DEVICE, BRAILLE CONVERTING METHOD, AND BRAILLE CONVERTING PROGRAM - When a user positions a handheld Braille converting device on an object, a CCD camera captures an image of a predetermined range around it. The presence/absence of character(s) is detected based on the captured image. When the characters exist, the characters are recognized, and the recognized characters are converted to Braille and displayed. When the relative position between the moving direction of the handheld Braille converting device and the character string existing in the captured image is not correct, an error is displayed. | 08-25-2011 |
20120009549 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CAPTURING AND TRANSLATING BRAILLE EMBOSSING - The present disclosure describes, among other things, a device. The device includes a plurality of sensors, an output system, a processor coupled to the plurality of sensors and the output system, and a memory. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive a signal from the plurality of sensors, interpret the signal as a first Braille cell, and send a signal corresponding to the first Braille cell to the output system. | 01-12-2012 |
20120070805 | Text-to-Touch Techniques - Text-to-touch techniques, in accordance with embodiment of the present technology, include apparatuses and methods for receiving content including textual portions and non-textual portions. The textual portions include letters, select words, numbers and punctuation having recognized Braille codes. The non-textual portions may include metadata, graphics, formatting, decorations, hyperlinks, radio buttons, submit buttons, check boxes, windows, icons, fields and/or the like. The systems and methods convert the textual portion to Braille codes and select non-textual portions to haptic feedback. The Braille code may then be output to a user. In addition, the haptic feedback associated with various Braille codes may also be output to the user along the associated Braille codes. | 03-22-2012 |
20120082962 | BRAILLE ERASURE MECHANISM - An improved Braille erasure mechanism may comprise a reverse-embosser or impressing mechanism to imprint a negative Braille cell. A negative Braille cell is the reverse of a normal Braille cell, with one or more dots lowered or pressed into the printing medium in an opposite direction to the raised dots of a normal Braille cell. Because the dots of a negative Braille cell are lowered past the surface of the printing medium, they may be ordinarily undetectable to the fingers of a Braille user. Accordingly, by imprinting a full negative Braille cell on top of a Braille cell to be erased, all of the previously raised dots of the Braille cell may be lowered beyond the surface of the printing medium. Any further Braille cell embossed over the erased cell will be free from corruption, because any dot not used by the new cell will remain lowered and undetectable. | 04-05-2012 |
20120214139 | Braille Display Device And Method Of Constructing Same - Disclosed is a Braille display device. The device supports an array of individual Braille cells with corresponding tactile pins. The pins can be selectively lifted by way of reeds to generate Braille characters that can be felt by the user. The Braille characters can correspond to visible characters, such as characters on a computer screen. The display is refreshable to allow for the sequential display of lines, paragraphs, or pages. In accordance with the disclosure, the Braille cells are constructed in a manner that minimizes manufacturing costs and that also permits the size of the display to be greatly reduced. | 08-23-2012 |
20120315605 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING LEARNING INFORMATION FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE BASED ON HAPTIC ELECTRONIC BOARD - A system and method for providing learning information for visually impaired people based on a haptic electronic board is disclosed. The system for visually impaired people includes a learning information server in conjunction with a lecture and authoring program; a first information output device (PC) for receiving learning information for people with low vision from the learning information server through a wired/wireless network (LAN or WLAN) and having a viewer program for people with low vision, which is install therein, for providing functions of enlarging and reducing a screen; and a second information output device (haptic electronic board) for accessing to the learning information server through a local wireless network (ZigBee or Bluetooth) by using unique device IDs, converting learning information for blind people received from the learning information server to the haptic electronic board into haptic information, and transferring the haptic information to blind people. | 12-13-2012 |
20120315606 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INPUTTING BRAILLE IN DEVICE HAVING TOUCH SCREEN - A method and an apparatus for inputting Braille in a device having a touch screen are provided. In the method, flicking motion that occurs on the touch screen is detected. At least one of predetermined flicking patterns included in the flicking motion is determined. Braille input is configured by filling a dot of a position corresponding to at least one flicking pattern determined inside the Braille input. | 12-13-2012 |
20120315607 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING AN INTERFACE IN A DEVICE WITH TOUCH SCREEN - In one embodiment, an apparatus and method for providing an interface in a device with a touch screen. The method includes displaying on a screen, a directory including a plurality of names and phone numbers corresponding to the names. When a touch event takes place, focusing a region in screen where the touch event occurs, and converting a name and phone number in the focusing region into Braille data and transmitting the Braille data to a Braille display through the interface. | 12-13-2012 |
20130017516 | ACTIVE BRAILLE TIMEPIECE & RELATED METHODSAANM Tyler; KellyAACI JamulAAST CAAACO USAAGP Tyler; Kelly Jamul CA US - A timepiece adapted for efficient mechanical display of time and date according to a condensed Braille number format, the timepiece including a Braille actuation mechanism comprising a plurality of servo motors, translational pins, and similar components. The timepiece is adapted to display time (hour:minute), and date (month:day) using Braille character cells in accordance with a condensed Braille format. Additionally, the timepiece is adapted for scrollable Braille representations such that a user can set the time, date, and an optional alarm. Certain methods for providing a Braille display of numeric information are further disclosed. | 01-17-2013 |
20130029297 | Haptic graphic computer for blind people - A haptic panel computer of portable type includes a computer module, a digit and symbol decoding circuit, a graphic decoding circuit, and a haptic displaying device, the computer module is connected to other devices for controlling them. The haptic displaying device includes an array of guiding tubes and sliding or movable members arranged in a matrix, and the movable members are selectively extendible in or out of the guiding tubes with an electromagnetic device for forming various patterns, graphs, or digits and for Braille reading or listening by the blind people. A text file is imported to the computer through input/output device from the World Wide Web or a memory device, and the texts are transformed to Braille texts which are displayed in the lower portion of the screen by digit and symbol decoding circuit and some particular texts in the paragraph are displayed with haptic graphs in the upper portion of the screen through the graphic decoding circuit picking up pre-built graph database. The haptic graphic computer of portable type includes an improved and simplified structure to be easily and quickly manufactured and assembled and to be easily and suitably operated by the blind people. | 01-31-2013 |
20130149674 | BRAILLE WATCH - A Braille watch is provided that includes a first disk including a first raised surface, a first pin, a second pin, a third pin, and a fourth pin, a top plate, and an actuator to rotate the first disk. The top plate includes a first hole, a second hole, a third hole, and a fourth hole, wherein the first pin is mounted to slide within the first hole, the second pin is mounted to slide within the second hole, the third pin is mounted to slide within the third hole, and the fourth pin is mounted to slide within the fourth hole. The first pin, the second pin, the third pin, and the fourth pin are mounted above the first disk to extend above a top surface of the top plate when the first raised surface is positioned below the respective pin. | 06-13-2013 |
20130157230 | ELECTRONIC BRAILLE TYPING INTERFACE - A user interface system for entry of Braille input to electronic devices comprises a module with a single set of six tactile keys arranged in a 6 dot Braille configuration. The user interface system is configured to recognize data entered therein by user contact with one or more of the tactile keys as Braille input and to transmit said Braille input to an electronic device for display or further transmission. The interface further includes function keys which allow the user to manipulate, modify, or otherwise control the data entered and how the data is transmitted. | 06-20-2013 |
20130164717 | BRAILLE DISPLAY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A REFRESHABLE BRAILLE DISPLAY - A Braille display system and a method for operating a refreshable Braille display 14 is provided. A string of characters is assigned to a drive signal for specifying the activation or deactivation of a tuple of dots which are raised through holes in a touch and sense surface of the Braille display 14 upon activation and which are retracted upon deactivation. The Braille display 14 is driven by a drive signal which is configured to activate and/or to deactivate the tuple of dots so as to generate a dynamic tactile display of said string of characters. The time dependent characteristic of activation and/or deactivation of the tuple of dots is defined by the string of characters. | 06-27-2013 |
20130316312 | Apparatus for Displaying Braille on an Attachable Device and Method Thereof - The present invention includes a flat face, a dots raising mechanism, a display cell, a first column, a second column, an interface, and a connection port. The first column includes a first dot, second dot, and a third dot while the second column includes a fourth dot, a fifth dot, and a sixth dot. The columns are on the display cell. The display cell is capable of displaying a single Braille character. To convey information from a text source, the display cell raises and lowers the dots, successively forming different characters. A first time interval, a second time interval, and a third time interval help differentiate the first column from the second column, a first character from a following character, and a first word from a following word. The time intervals simulate physical space between and with the cells found in printed Braille. | 11-28-2013 |
20140038139 | TACTILE COMMUNICATION APPARATUS, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - A tactile communication apparatus that includes a signal receiver configured decode data received via a wireless signal, a tactile communication device containing a plurality of pins on one side, each pin configured to respectively move in both an outward direction and inward direction to form a plurality of pin combinations based on a plurality of activation signals, and a communication processor configured to generate the plurality of pin activation signals based on the received data so as to convey the data to a user through the plurality of pin combinations of the tactile communication device. | 02-06-2014 |
20140065579 | BRAILLE ERASURE MECHANISM - An improved Braille erasure mechanism may comprise a reverse-embosser or impressing mechanism to imprint a negative Braille cell. A negative Braille cell is the reverse of a normal Braille cell, with one or more dots lowered or pressed into the printing medium in an opposite direction to the raised dots of a normal Braille cell. Because the dots of a negative Braille cell are lowered past the surface of the printing medium, they may be ordinarily undetectable to the fingers of a Braille user. Accordingly, by imprinting a full negative Braille cell on top of a Braille cell to be erased, all of the previously raised dots of the Braille cell may be lowered beyond the surface of the printing medium. Any further Braille cell embossed over the erased cell will be free from corruption, because any dot not used by the new cell will remain lowered and undetectable. | 03-06-2014 |
20140134575 | WEARABLE DEVICE TO REPRESENT BRAILLE AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A wearable device in a glove shape that can be worn by a user body includes a motion recognition sensor which recognizes a motion of the wearable device, a bending sensor to sense bending of the wearable device, a touch sensor to sense whether touch is inputted or not, a storage unit to store control codes corresponding to user motion, a controller to determine motion of a user wearing the wearable device based on sensing values of the motion recognition sensor, the bending sensor, and the touch sensor, and to generate control signals by using the control codes corresponding to the determined motion, a communicator which transmits the control signals to a user terminal apparatus and receives data transmitted from the user terminal apparatus in response to the control signals, and an actuator unit which forms a Braille pattern according to the received data. | 05-15-2014 |
20140356819 | PORTABLE ELECTRONIC BRAILLE READER - A portable electronic Braille reader which includes a capacitive screen to which information is input via an input port or any other suitable means, which information is decoded and coded by a microprocessor in order to convert the information into Braille characters; a thimble which includes elements capable of generating a stimulus in the reader's finger so that the reader recognizes the characters represented on the screen, and guide lines for ensuring that the thimble slides in the correct direction and on the correct trajectories during reading. | 12-04-2014 |
20140377721 | SYNCHRONOUS PRESENTATION OF CONTENT WITH A BRAILLE TRANSLATION - A computing device may provide an interface that enables a user to synchronously present an item of primary content and a corresponding braille translation. The item of primary content may be an audio book, an e-book, or other form of media. The item of primary content may include supplemental information which may correspond, for example, to character descriptions, place descriptions, image descriptions, endnotes, footnotes, glossaries, appendices, commentary from an author, editor, or other party, or to additional supplemental information, and which may also have a corresponding braille translation. During presentation of the item of primary content, a user may indicate that an item of supplemental information associated with a current presentation position of the item of primary content should be presented. In some embodiments, this indication may be in response to an indication to the user that supplemental information is available. The device may then present the supplemental information associated with the current presentation position. | 12-25-2014 |
20140377722 | SYNCHRONOUS PRESENTATION OF CONTENT WITH A BRAILLE TRANSLATION - A computing device may provide an interface that enables a user to synchronously present an item of primary content and a corresponding braille translation. The item of primary content may be an audio book, an e-book, or other form of media. The item of primary content may include supplemental information which may correspond, for example, to character descriptions, place descriptions, image descriptions, endnotes, footnotes, glossaries, appendices, commentary from an author, editor, or other party, or to additional supplemental information, and which may also have a corresponding braille translation. During presentation of the item of primary content, a user may indicate that an item of supplemental information associated with a current presentation position of the item of primary content should be presented. In some embodiments, this indication may be in response to an indication to the user that supplemental information is available. The device may then present the supplemental information associated with the current presentation position. | 12-25-2014 |
20150125831 | Tactile Pin Array Device - A handheld electronic device having a tactile pin array thereon is provided for assisting those with vision impairments. The device comprises a set of cameras that can capture a forward image, whereby the image is processed and used to output a three dimensional representation of the image on the tactile pin array. This allows one to recognize objects and obstacles in the area in front of the device, while the pin array may also be deployed as an adaptive braille reader. A specific pin assembly is contemplated using a micro stepper motor, while the overall system provides several functions for visually impaired users, including navigation capabilities, facial recognition, connection to wireless networks, and various input/output means. | 05-07-2015 |
20150310766 | Portable Multilingual Braille Reader With Words Translator Device And Method - A portable multilingual braille reader with words translator device and method for the ease and convenience in reading braille is disclosed. In an embodiment, the portable multilingual braille reader with words translator device and method generally includes a protective casing adapted to receive a portable electronic device, a language processing unit attached to said protective casing; said language processing unit to process language data received from said portable electronic device; and a braille cell to receive processed language data from said language translation processing unit. | 10-29-2015 |
20150317915 | State Change Device And System For The Tactile Display of Information - A state change device and system for the tactile display of information is disclosed. The state change device uses a novel pin and driving coil arrangement combined with a bistable plate to create a high state and a low state where the pin either protrudes from a surface or is recessed below the surface. The state change device may be combined with other similar devices to create a Braille character and may be further combined to create a Braille reader where transient information is displayed on the Braille reader from a computing device or processor. The state change device makes possible low cost Braille displays that are reliable, compact, quickly refreshable and with more characters than current Braille displays, thus providing new life and opportunity for both the Braille alphabet and those that require the use of such. | 11-05-2015 |
20150325146 | ORAL-BASED METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR EDUCATING VISUALLY IMPAIRED STUDENTS - The present disclosure provides a method and system for using oral sensory stimulation with models for educating visually impaired students. The oral senses through the mouth using a three-dimensional model of a structure offer an improved approach to educating such students. A student can insert a 3-D model in the mouth and use oral senses to feel the model and learn the shape that a non-visually impaired student can see on a computer. The model can have a reference guide for orientation that can also be used to hold the model. Further, model indicia, such as Braille, can be printed on the reference guide or model to help guide the student. The student can use other senses, such as tactile or hearing senses, to understand supplemental educational information related to the model using the oral senses to feel the model and relate such feel to the educational information. | 11-12-2015 |
20150332607 | System for Producing Tactile Images - A system for producing tactile images from a drawing or graphics file includes an image scanner or input device for importing and creating a digital file, which may be operated upon by software in a computer. The software has edge detection and color detection functions that may be adjusted to create an image file that may be provided to an embossing machine, which in turn prints a tactile image. | 11-19-2015 |
20150379895 | Tactile Graphic Display - A tactile graphic display for providing a display representation of a graph or image generated by a graphic device for visually impaired users or other users who wish to access tactile information. The display includes one or more frame assemblies including hollow actuator chambers and hollow shaft chambers, the hollow shaft chambers extending perpendicular to the hollow actuator members. Actuators are received within the plurality of hollow actuator chambers and drive shafts are received with the hollow shaft members. Cams operably connect the actuators to the drive shafts. Each actuator rotates each cam about an axis of the actuator in a first direction from a down position to an up position thereby extending each drive shaft upwardly, and each actuator operably rotates each cam about the axis of the actuator in a second direction opposite to the first direction to the down position thereby retracting each drive shaft downwardly. | 12-31-2015 |
20160148538 | METHOD AND SYSTEM TO CONVERT PORTABLE DOCUMENT FORMAT FILE TO BRAILLE - The method and system to convert portable document format (PDF) file to Braille includes an electrical interactive refreshable dynamic board connected to a processor that inputs scanned text and outputs embossed Braille tactile indicia readable by anyone who can read Braille via the sense of touch. Piezoelectric actuators raise and lower Braille pins according to the translated scanned text. Moreover, the system supports Arabic language. Preferably, open source software is used for cross-platform compatibility. The GUI was developed in JAVA and the PDF conversion drivers were developed in C. | 05-26-2016 |
20160163230 | DEVICE OF BRAILLE INPUT AND OUTPUT - The present invention relates to a braille input and output device which recognizes a normal word transmitted from the outside as braille by a tactile sense of a person and converts a braille input through an input key assembly into a normal word to wirely or wirelessly transmit the normal word. According to the present invention, the braille input through the input key assembly is reversely translated into the normal word or the normal word which is transmitted from a wirelessly connected external apparatus is translated into braille so that information which is input as the braille is translated into the normal word to be transmitted to the external apparatus. Further, according to the present invention, a signal which is input as a braille through the input key assembly is converted into a command which performs a predetermined function or an abbreviation obtained by abbreviating a word to be recognized by tactile sense or auditory sense of a user so that a lot of braille information may be embossed on a braille display module which is restrictedly output. | 06-09-2016 |
434115000 | Braille writing slate | 4 |
20090004632 | Braille Writing Apparatus With Information Processing Function - A Braille writing device capable of processing information, comprises a motherboard ( | 01-01-2009 |
20120295232 | Touch sense device for the visually impaired - A touch sense device (TSD) implements an electrical pulse technology to mimic a Braille dot includes a series of sensor cells. A sensor cell consists of eight dots is composed of an anode (+) and cathode (−) electrodes with each dot arranged in a two by four matrices portraying a Braille syntax. Depending on the Braille characters, low electrical currents are passed through different positioned anodes, when touched by a finger delivers currents to the cathode completing the electrical circuits forming character dot(s); there provides a communication device for reading, writing, editing, and/or social media interactions for the visually impaired individuals. | 11-22-2012 |
20140287382 | Writing, Braille and Drawings Board for Blind or Visually Impaired Persons - The invention relates to a board for blind persons, which makes it easier to write, draw and learn shapes through positive relief elements that can be reused. When writing or drawing, it is possible to check what has been done and to correct errors detected with the fingertip ( | 09-25-2014 |
20150037763 | ELECTROACTIVE, ACTUATED DOT STRUCTURES AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - Systems and methods for an electroactive polymer actuated dot structure is disclosed herein. According to an aspect, an actuated dot structure includes a housing. The actuated dot structure also includes a pin configured to move between a first position and a second position with respect to the housing. Further, the actuated dot structure includes a multimorph engaged with the pin and configured to displace the pin between the first and second positions and to latch the pin in the second position. | 02-05-2015 |