GB2098961A

GB2098961A - Prerecorded tape cassettes suitable for use by blind persons

Info

Publication number: GB2098961A
Application number: GB8128520A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: MATOS DON ATILANO FERNANDEZ
Current assignee: MATOS DON ATILANO FERNANDEZ
Priority date: 1981-05-27
Filing date: 1981-09-18
Publication date: 1982-12-01
Also published as: FR2506984A3; IT8153840V0; FR2506984B3; DE3200606A1

Abstract

A prerecorded tape cassette suitable for use by a blind person has its cassette housing formed with one or more depressions 4 to enable the cassette to be identified by touch. In the preferred embodiment the edges of the housing of the cassette are formed with notches 4, the number of notches in a particular edge identifying the position of that particular cassette in a series of cassettes so that the cassettes can be played in the correct sequence More details of the matter recorded on the tape may be written in braile on space 3. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to prerecorded tapes suitable for use by blind persons This invention relates to improvements in or relating to prerecorded tapes suitable for use by blind persons.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a prerecorced tape suitable for use by a blind person, wherein a housing of the tape is formed with one or more depressions to enable the tape to be identified by touch.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of producing a prerecorded tape suitable for use by a blind person comprising forming one or more depressions in a housing of the tape to enable the tape to be identified by touch.

Preferably, the number of depressions formed in the housing enables the tape to be identified by touch as a particular one of a series of tapes to allow a blind person to play the series of tapes in the correct sequence.

Thus, a blind person using prerecorded tapes, for example prerecorded cassettes, embodying the invention will be able to arrange the tapes in an orderly manner, for example in a case, even if the tapes were originally disordered and will also be able to identify the particular tape required, on which may be recorded for example reference or recreational reading matter, by means of the depressions which are formed in the tape housing and which may be in the form of notches, slots or grooves.

In the case where the particular matter required by the blind person is recorded on a series of tapes, the first tape in the series (on which may be recorded a first chapter or lesson) may have one depression formed in the housing thereof, the second tape (on which may be recorded the second chapter or lesson) may have two depressions and so on allowing easy identification of the next tape to be played. Conveniently, the or each depression is formed in an edge or side of the housing. Of course, one or more other edges or sides of the housing may be formed with an identical number of depressions to facilitate identification of the tape.

Preferably, at the beginning of each side of the tape there is recorded material identifying that particular side of the tape to assist a blind person in correctly selecting the side of the tape to be played.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, an embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a prerecorded cassette embodying the invention illustrating the manner in which the cassette is identified by touch; and FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the cassette similar to that shown in Figure 2 but illustrating more clearly the notches formed in the cassette housing.

Referring now to the drawing, the Figures show a cassette 2 embodying the invention. The edges or sides of the housing of the cassette are formed with one or more notches 4, the number of notches in each edge depending upon the particular cassette, thereby allowing a blind person to identify a particular cassette and the material recorded thereon by using his hands 1 to feel for and count the number of notches formed in an edge of the cassette housing. As shown, identical numbers of notches may be formed in each closed edge of the cassette housing to facilitate detection of the notches.

In the case where the particular matter required by the blind person, for example recreational reading or reference matter is recorded on more than one tape, the number of notches formed in an edge of the cassette housing identifies the position of that particular cassette in the series of cassettes on which the required matter is recorded allowing, the blind person to select and play the cassettes in the correct sequence. Thus, the cassette on which the first chapter of a book or the first lesson is recorded may have one notch formed in one or each edge of the cassette housing, while the housing of the cassette on which the next part of the book or series of lessons is recorded may be notches with two formed in one or each edge thereof and so on.Such an arrangement also facilitates arrangement of the cassettes in an orderly manner by a blind person for storage in, for example, a suitable case even when the cassettes were originally disordered to speed selection of a tape when required.

A space 3 may be provided on the cassette housing to enable more details of the matter recorded on the cassette to be provided for example in Braille or raised letters.

Each side of the cassette, when played, preferably begins with recorded material identifying that particular side of the tape, so that the blind person may determine quickly that the correct side of the tape is being played. Thus, the first side of the cassette may start with a message recorded in a clear slow voice giving a brief description of what is recorded on the cassette.

For example, the blind person on playing the first side of the first cassette in a series of cassettes on which a reading of a book is recorded may hear the message "Tape one, side one, (Title of the book), Chapter One" and on playing the second side of the first cassette, the message "Tape one, side two, (Title of the book), Chapter n", where n is the next chapter of the book following the last chapter recorded on side one of the cassette.

Of course, in order to enable selection of the correct side of the tape before playing the tape, the cassette housing may be formed on the major faces thereof with depressions, for example the major face of the housing which must be placed facing upwardly in the recorder in order to play side one of the tape may be marked with one depression and the other face with two depressions, preferably of a different shape or size to those used to identify the cassette.

The cassette should preferably be recorded such that the blind person when listening to the cassette hears a well-modulated, slow, clear speaking voice free from disturbances caused by background noise or music on the tape which may distract the listener.

Although as described above the depressions identifying a particular cassette are provided on one edge of the cassette housing or identical numbers of depressions or notches are provided on all the closed edges of the housing, the notches or depressions identifying a particular cassette may be spaced around the closed edges of the housing such that the total number thereof identifies the particular cassette.

The prerecorded tape may of course be of a different size or material from that shown in the drawing. The tape may also be designed to be played on a reel-to-reel tape recorder rather than a cassette recorder, the depressions or notches then being provided in the edge of the reel housing.

It should be noted that prerecorded tapes embodying the invention may be used by a normally sighted as well as a blind person because the information provided for the blind person will not interfere with the contents of the tape, which may be a business tape. Information readable by a sighted person may also be provided on the housing of the tape.

Claims

1. A prerecorded tape suitable for use by a blind person, wherein a housing of the tape is formed with one or more depressions to enable the tape to be identified by touch.

2. A prerecorded tape according to claim 1, wherein the number of depressions formed in the housing enables the tape to be identified by touch as a particular one of a series of tapes to allow a blind person to play the series of tapes in the correct sequence.

3. A prerecorded tape according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the or each depression is formed in an edge or side of the housing.

4. A prerecorded tape according to claim 3, wherein one or more other edges or sides of the housing are formed with an identical number of depressions.

5. A prerecorded tape according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the or each depression is a notch, slot or groove.

6. A prerecorded tape according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein at the beginning of each side of the tape there is recorded material identifying that particular side of the tape to enable a blind person to correctly select the side of the tape to be 'played.

7. A prerecorded tape according to any preceding claim, wherein the tape is a prerecorded cassette.

8. A method of producing a prerecorded tape suitable for use by a blind person comprising forming one or more depressions in a housing of the tape to enable the tape to be identified by touch.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the number of depressions formed in the housing enables the tape to be identified by touch as a particular one of a series of tapes to allow a blind person to play the series of tapes in the correct sequence.

10. A method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the or each depression is formed in an edge or side of the housing.

1 A method according to claim 10, wherein one or more other edges or sides of the housing are formed with an identical number of depressions.

12. A method according to claim 8, 9, 10 or 1 1, wherein the or each depression is a notch, slot or groove.

13. A method according to claim 8,9, 10, 11 or 12, wherein at the beginning of each side of the tape there is recorded material identifying that particular side of the tape to enable a blind person to correctly select the side of the tape to be played.

14. A method according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the tape is a prerecorded cassette.

15. A prerecorded tape suitable for use by a blind person substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawing.

16. A method of producing a prerecorded tape suitable for use by a blind person substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

17. Any novel feature or combination of features described herein.