GB2414438A

GB2414438A - Eye level reading rulers

Info

Publication number: GB2414438A
Application number: GB0411644A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert William Hext; Theresa Anne Hext
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-05-25
Filing date: 2004-05-25
Publication date: 2005-11-30
Anticipated expiration: 2024-05-25
Also published as: GB2414438B; GB0411644D0

Abstract

A problem arises with reading text and other representations on white backgrounds in that the text or representation can appear to float making it difficult to read particularly for people suffering from dyslexia etc. Tinted transparencies (A,B) are used to limit the effects of glare on the viewed text and by providing an opaque centre (D) to a reading aid it is possible to create transparent strips (A,B) of different width dependent upon a user's preference or particular requirements. To facilitate spatial reference for a user in a viewed area opaque markers are provided in a transparent strip (A,B). Normally this opaque marker is an opaque line (C) along or associated with an edge of a transparent strip.

Description

Title. Description.

A device that can make text, diagrams and figures clearer to the reader when they are printed on white paper, and which can help people keep their place on a page when reading text, diagrams or figures.

Background

A significant number of people experience visual difficulties when reading which are caused by the optical effect of the white page background interfering with the letters or numbers that are printed on the page. Typically, words or letters "dance", "move", or "jump"; words or letters can be reversed and even whole lines can appear to move.

Screening out the white with a tinted transparent sheet can reduce or eliminate this effect. Different colours appear to be effective for different people. However large, whole page size tinted transparent sheets are unwieldy and expensive and do not provide any additional support for focussing on a particular area of a page. A small, handy device that highlights a selected area of the page in a different colour, and which provides visual support to the process of keeping one's place on the page, can make the process of reading and studying figures and diagrams easier and more comfortable for many people. This device shall be referred to henceforward as "the reading ruler".

Essential Features.

One essential and unique feature of the reading ruler is the combination of tinted transparent strips of differing widths at the top and bottom of the reading ruler with an opaque central strip. This allows the reader to choose whether to highlight an individual line of text or to scan on into the paragraph.

The wide strip also allows the opportunity to scan columns of figures (eg a phone directory or mathematical problems), or small diagrams.

A further essential feature Is the presence of the opaque line (called henceforward the "tracking line") at the top of the wider transparent strip, which provides a clear reference from which readers can read or scan down a paragraph, or when used vertically, across a column.

A further essential feature of the reading ruler is the availability of a selection of colours so that individual preferences can be met.

A further essential feature is the combination of all of the above individual features in the one device.

Drawing The attached drawing illustrates how the above features are combined on the reading ruler.

Example (see drawing) To use the reading ruler, the reader will first select their preferred colour (E), then orientate the reading ruler to select either the narrow transparent edge (A) or the broad transparent edge (B), depending on the type of reading function they wish to perform. The term preferred colour refers only to the colour ofthe TRANSPARENT EDGE of the reading ruler. The colour of the central opaque strip is non critical.

As they read, they will move the reading ruler down the page using either the edge of the opaque area (C) or the tracking line (D) to mark the line that they are reading or scanning down from.

Claims

1. A reading aid comprising an opaque central strip with at least one tinted transparent strip, the tinted transparent strip having a width to provide a specifically sized viewing area through the transparent strip for reduced contrast glare. I

2. An aid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tinted transparent strips are of different colour. I

3. An aid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tinted transparent strips in the same reading aid are of substantially the same colour.

4. An aid as claimed in any of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the tinted transparent strips are arranged so that one tinted transparent strip is substantially the width of a line of typically sized font text and a second tinted transparent strip is wider to allow a plurality of lines of text to be viewed in use.

5. An aid as claimed in any preceding claim wherein at least one transparent slip has an opaque marker for spatial reference by a user relative to an underlying viewed image in use. I

6. An aid as claimed in claim 5 wherein the opaque marker comprises an opaque line at or near the edge of the second tinted transparent strip.

7. A reading aid as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the tinted I transparent strips have an anti-glare coating.

8. A reading aid substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9. A reading aid set comprising a plurality of reading aids as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, each reading aid having a different colour tint for the tinted transparent strips to provide a user with variety with respect to a I particular reading aid to be used for particular text or representations to be viewed or user preference relative to a background for the text or representations.

10. A set as claimed in claim 9 wherein the reading aids are graded in terms of colour to provide an indication to a user as to the potential effects of utilising different reading aids of a similar grading to their preference or as an advisory grade for a particular type of text or representation to be viewed

relative to its background.

11. A set as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the different colours include pink, blue, yellow, green and turquoise.

12. A reading aid set substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. A method of improving readability of representations comprising taking a reading aid as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, overlaying the reading aid upon text or other representations and viewing the text or other representations.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein the reading aid taken is chosen dependent upon the background colour of the material upon which the text or the representation is formed for contrast associated glare reduction.

15. A method of improving readability for text or representations substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

16. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.