FR2725541A1 - Text or document illustration discrimination method - Google Patents

Abstract

The method for illustrating texts consists of using cut-out shapes of different materials for each subject in an illustration to create a contrasting touch sensation. The materials used for the illustration have different textures which may be related to the subjects represented, e.g. paper, wall-paper, fabric, wood, plastics, wool, metal, and other natural or synthetic materials. The cut-out shapes are fixed to the support with adhesive, or by sewing, riveting or stapling, and the fixings may permit a degree of movement such as rotation, opening or vibration.

Description

 The present invention relates to the illustration of publications, mainly intended for the blind and visually impaired (books, documents, ...) based on the contrast of colors, the diversity of shapes and materials, which can sometimes include movement.

 The illustration, in particular of children's books, is currently carried out using thermoform boards, colored or not. Such a method makes it possible to detect the shapes of the subjects represented, and only the shapes.

The proposed invention makes it possible to fill the gaps in this area by adding new techniques which
- exploit the sense of touch and allow it to develop,
- call upon the imagination of the blind,
- allow the visually impaired to use their faculty to perceive the contrasts of
color.

 This invention, through both artistic and educational achievement, helps to facilitate the understanding of the accompanying text. It consists in introducing into the illustration boards pre-cut shapes in a wide variety of materials chosen in close relation to the subject to be represented (paper, wallpaper, fabrics, wood, plastics, manufactured objects, wool, metal, natural or synthetic materials, ...).

 The juxtaposition or superposition of various elements can accentuate the feeling of relief and create that of volume.

 The variety and originality of the materials used also makes it possible to play on the contrasts of the colors, thus helping the visually impaired to enrich their own images.

 The various elements of the illustration are fixed on suitable supports (cardboard, plastic, ...) by different means (gluing, stitching, rivets, staples, ...).

 Movement (rotation, translation, opening, vibration, ...) is made possible by the use of simple techniques (Parisian attachments, attachment point, ...).

The use of diversified materials, the play of color contrast, relief, volume and movement are all new elements that allow
- compose illustrative or descriptive scenes, in two or three
dimensions,
- awaken, develop and exploit the resources offered by the sense of
touch blind and visually impaired people,
- increase interest and taste for reading,
- facilitate the understanding of documents.

 The cutting and assembly of the various constituent elements of each piece of illustration can be considered industrially.

 The invention is particularly intended for the blind and visually impaired.

Claims (6)

 1) Process for illustrating texts or documents particularly suitable for the blind and visually impaired, characterized in that it consists in introducing into the illustration boards pre-cut shapes in a different material for each subject, so as to create a sensation contrast to the touch.  2) Method according to claim (1) characterized in that the materials are chosen in close relation to the subject to be represented by the texture (paper, wallpaper, fabrics, wood, plastics, manufactured objects, wool, metal, materials natural or synthetic, ...).  3) Method according to claim (1) or (2) characterized in that the materials are also selected differently for each color.  4) Method according to claim (1) or (2) characterized in that the forms are fixed on their support by gluing, stitching, riveting, stapling ..  5) Method according to claim (1) or (2) or (4) characterized in that the fixing sometimes allows certain degrees of freedom (rotation, translation, opening, vibration, ...) by the use of Parisian fasteners , attachment points, ... etc.  6) Method according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the illustrations are in two or three dimensions.