JP2000321971A - Mounting type braille data input/output device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable mounting type braille data input/output device which has an input function and a presentation function in combination without restraining the fingertips at the time of mounting. SOLUTION: This device includes six point braille data input/output sections 1A to 1F mounted at the fingers, data processing/transmission and reception sections 2A and 2B which execute data processing, such as erroneous manipulation removal processing and in addition, execute the transmission and reception of data to and from an external information apparatus and signal lines 3A and 3b for connecting the six point braille data input/output sections 1A to 1F and the data processing/transmission and reception sections 2A and 2B. The data processing/transmission and reception sections 2A and 2B are mounted in the positions of the wrists, etc., where key touch manipulation is not affected. These sections are radio or wire connected to the external information apparatus.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wearable Braille data input / output device for inputting / outputting Braille data when worn on a finger.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a wearable Braille data input / output device capable of inputting and outputting data in combination with a digital broadcast receiver, a personal computer, a word processor, or various character input / output information devices. Things.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Braille data input / output devices conventionally known can be roughly classified into the following three types.

[0004] There is a Braille input key as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-43803 (hereinafter referred to as prior art 1).
). In the prior art 1, as a word processor for the visually impaired, a six-point Braille input is enabled by six contact input keys that move up and down, and a stimulating element driven by a piezoelectric element is provided in each of the six input keys. The Braille input / output system that realizes the Braille presentation function by embedding is provided.

There is a finger-mounted Braille information input / output device as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-307530 (hereinafter referred to as prior art 2). This prior art 2 realizes a function of inputting braille data by tapping a pressure detection element attached to the tip of a finger, and attaches a stimulus generation element attached to a ring to a finger.
It is a device that implements the presentation function. Further, in the device disclosed as the prior art 2, for example, the presence / absence of contact between a ring attached to the index finger and a ring attached to the ring attached to the middle finger is controlled to control the Braille presentation state. It also has functions.

[0006] As described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-112294, there are a permanent input system, a permanent intention transmission system, a permanent music keyboard system, and a permanent Braille input / output system (hereinafter referred to as "braille input / output system"). , Prior art 3
). This prior art 3 detects an acceleration sensor attached to a finger when the key is pressed, detects an impact sound generated when the key is pressed, and a change in myoelectric potential generated when the key is pressed. This implements a portable input device.

[0007]

However, the prior art 1 described above is a stationary Braille input key like a keyboard conventionally used in a computer, so that the outer shape of the entire apparatus is reduced. There is a disadvantage that it becomes larger. Moreover, since it is a stationary type device, there is a drawback that it is not portable so that it can be used anywhere.

Further, in the above-mentioned prior art 2, since the stimulus generating element is attached to the tip of the finger, there is a disadvantage that the tip of the finger is restrained when worn. In addition, in a state where the device of the related art 2 is attached to a finger, there is an inconvenience that operations other than the keying operation become difficult.

Further, the above-mentioned prior art 3 is a device for detecting keying operation information by various detecting elements attached to a finger and inputting input data to an information device, and transmitting Braille information from the information device to a user. Although described as capable of being presented, no specific examples are disclosed.

[0010] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above problems,
An object of the present invention is to provide a portable wearable Braille data input / output device having both an input function and a presentation function without restraining a fingertip at the time of wearing.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a wearable Braille data input / output device according to the present invention is a device for inputting / outputting Braille data by being attached to a finger. A presentation unit for presenting the supplied information to the finger; and an input unit for supplying data corresponding to the movement of the finger to the outside, wherein the presentation unit and the input unit are integrally formed. . Here, the presenting means can give a linear motion stimulus on the skin surface.

Further, in the above-mentioned wearable Braille data input / output device, it is possible to further include high-pass means for removing an erroneous keying signal generated by a movement other than the keying operation of the finger. Alternatively, in the above-mentioned wearable Braille data input / output device, it is possible to further include a buffer member for removing output fluctuation of the input means caused by deformation of a ring worn on a finger.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A wearable Braille data input / output device to which the present invention is applied uses a pressure detecting element for detecting a keypress operation and a tactile stimulus element for realizing a presentation function. In addition, a tactile stimulus element is provided on the pressure detection element in order to efficiently transmit the six-point braille data input by keying to the pressure detection element. With this integrated structure, it is possible to efficiently apply a change in acceleration generated at the time of a keypress operation to the pressure detection element.

A pressure detecting element mounted on a finger may erroneously detect a finger operation other than a key operation as a key operation. Therefore, in order to separate a keying operation detection signal (including a high frequency component) from an erroneous detection signal (including a low frequency component), the keying operation detection signal output from the pressure detecting element is passed through a high-pass filter.

In order to flexibly cope with individual differences in the size of a finger to be worn, when a ring with a notch is used, the shape of the worn ring changes according to the size of the user's finger. Will do. As a result, when the pressure sensing element is directly attached to the ring,
An external force is applied to the pressure detecting element due to the deformation of the ring shape, and this external force may cause a disadvantage that the key input operation detection area of the pressure detecting element is narrowed. Therefore, in the wearable Braille data input / output device to which the present invention is applied, a buffer material for removing an external force is provided between the ring and the pressure detection element in order to stabilize the keying operation detection area.

Furthermore, in order to reduce erroneous recognition of the presentation information, it is possible to use a tactile stimulus element that applies a linear stimulus to the skin of the finger worn. A tactile stimulus element for giving a stimulus to be directly stroked on the skin of a finger enables stable reading of six-point Braille data as compared with a vibration stimulus by a vibration motor or the like.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is an overhead view of a state in which a six-point Braille data input / output device to which the present invention is applied is mounted on both hands. The data processing / transmission / reception units 2A and 2B perform data processing such as 6-point braille data input / output units 1A to 1F mounted on a finger, erroneous operation removal processing, and also transmit and receive data to and from external information devices. , 6-point braille data input / output units 1A to 1F and data processing / transmission / reception units 2A and 2B. Here, the data processing / transmission / reception unit 2
A and 2B are attached to positions such as the wrist that do not affect the keying operation, and are connected to external information devices wirelessly or by wire.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a 6-point Braille data input / output section 1A to 1F using a vibration stimulating element 6 as a tactile stimulating element. 6-point Braille data input / output unit 1A-1F to be attached to finger
Is constituted integrally with a ring 4 to be attached to a finger, a pressure detecting element 5 for detecting a keying operation, a vibration stimulating element 6, and a cushioning material 7 for stabilizing a keying operation detecting area. It was done. Instead of the vibration stimulating element 6, a linear tactile stimulating element for giving a stimulating stroke to a finger, as will be described later in detail in Embodiment 2,
As will be described in detail later, a virtual movement stimulating element that provides a virtual movement such that the skin of a finger is linearly stroked can be used.

FIG. 3 shows an erroneous detection / elimination circuit of the pressure detecting element 5 provided to prevent an erroneous operation other than the keying operation. The detection signal obtained from the pressure detection element 5 becomes a keying operation detection signal via the detection circuit 8 which functions as a buffer circuit. This keying operation detection signal is passed through a high-pass filter 9 in order to remove an erroneous detection signal due to a finger operation other than keying. The analog signal output from the high-pass filter 9 is converted into a keying signal (TTL signal) by an analog / TTL conversion circuit 10 and then supplied to an external information device.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 4 shows a structure of a linear tactile stimulus element for giving a stimulus such as a linear stroke. In this figure, a shaft 11 having a rotating spiral groove is supported by a bearing unit 12, and the tactile stimulation unit 13 performs a linear reciprocating movement 14 by changing the rotation direction of the shaft 11. The bearing 12 and the ring 15 attached to the finger are integrally formed with the pressure detecting element 5 and the cushioning member 7.

A stimulator 17 for stimulating a finger is supported by a fulcrum 16
Rotate around. Since the degree of freedom of rotation of the stimulator 17 varies depending on the traveling direction of the tactile stimulation unit 13, the stimulation intensity applied to the finger changes. In the example of FIG. 4, when the stimulator 17 moves in a direction away from the bearing unit 12 (to the left in the drawing), the stimulator 17 rotates in the counterclockwise direction 18 and is weak against the skin of the contacting finger. Give stimulation. On the other hand, when the stimulator 17 moves in the direction approaching the bearing 12 (rightward in the figure), the clockwise rotation of the stimulator 17 is restricted.
Gives strong irritation to the skin of the contacting finger. As described above, the stimulator 17 is changed due to the difference in the moving direction of the tactile stimulation unit 13.
It is possible to apply different tactile stimuli to the finger by giving a constraint condition in the rotation direction of.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the stimulus varies depending on the moving direction of the stimulator 17, it is possible to provide a tactile stimulus with less erroneous recognition.

Embodiment 3 FIG. 5 shows a configuration of the apparent movement stimulating element 19. As shown in this figure, the apparent movement stimulating element 19 gives the apparent movement to the finger by arranging a plurality of stimulators 20A to 20C that move up and down (the number is not limited to three). Here, the extension springs 21A to 21C always apply a force to the stimulators 20A to 20C in a direction of pushing down. When energized, the electromagnets 22A to 22C generate stimulators 20A to 22C by electromagnetic force generated when a current flows through a coil (not shown).
Push 20C upward and fix it. Extension spring 21A-2
The stimulators 20A to 20C which are constantly receiving a force in a direction pushed down by the force of 1C are electromagnets 22A to 22C.
When the electromagnetic force of 2C disappears, the finger is stimulated by the spring force. The stimulators 20A to 20C are composed of electromagnets 22A to 22C.
Move away from the finger by passing the current through C again.

Each of the stimulators 20A to 20C causes the apparent motion to act on the stimulating finger by the cooperative operation of giving the time lag stimulus. The finger stimulated by the cooperative operation of the plurality of stimuli 20A to 20C feels a tactile stimulus moving in the movement direction of 25 or 26.

The apparent movement stimulating element 19 and the pressure detecting element 5
And the cushioning material 7 are integrally formed, and are attached to the finger by the ring 27.

Effects of the Embodiments According to each of the above embodiments, a finger-mounted type 6-point Braille data input and presentation function for visually impaired or deafblind persons to access information equipment such as a computer at the same time. An output device can be realized.

That is, in order to realize a function of inputting six-point braille data to an information device, a small pressure detecting element is attached to a finger, and a force generated by an input keying operation is detected to detect a keying operation. In order to realize a function of presenting data as a signal, on the other hand, a tactile stimulus element is attached to a finger, and a tactile stimulus is applied directly or indirectly to the skin of the finger according to output data. Therefore, it is possible to provide a highly portable 6-point Braille data input / output device having both a function of attaching to a finger and a data input / output function.

[0029]

As described above, according to the present invention, a portable information device can be realized by attaching this device having both an input function and an output function to a finger. In addition, by giving a linear stimulus to a finger wearing this device, it is possible to present Braille data with less erroneous recognition.

Furthermore, by using this device for visually impaired persons and deafblind persons, it is possible to obtain and transmit Braille information to digital broadcasting receivers, personal computers, word processors and other information devices at any time and anywhere. It becomes possible.

When the vibration stimulating element is used, the stimulating finger may not be specified or the stimulating finger may be erroneously recognized depending on the stimulating condition. By using the motion stimulating element, it is possible to linearly stimulate the skin of the finger that receives the stimulus, so that a stable stimulus can be recognized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overhead view when the wearable Braille data input / output device according to the first embodiment is worn on a finger.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the wearable Braille data input / output device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an erroneous detection removal circuit of a keying operation detecting pressure detecting element caused by a movement other than the keying operation.

FIG. 4 is an external view showing a wearable Braille data input / output device including a linear tactile stimulus element according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram illustrating a wearable Braille data input / output device including a virtual movement stimulating element according to a third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1A to 1F 6-point Braille data input / output unit 2A, 2B Data processing / transmission / reception unit 3A, 3B Signal line 4 Ring 5 Pressure detection element for keying operation detection 6 Vibration stimulation element 7 Buffer material 8 Detection circuit 9 High-pass filter 10 Analog / TTL conversion circuit 11 axis 12 bearing unit 13 tactile stimulation unit 14 reciprocating movement 15 ring 16 fulcrum 17 stimulator 18 counterclockwise 19 apparent motion stimulating element 20A to 20C stimulator 21A to 21C extension spring 22A to 22C electromagnet 25, 26 Moving direction 27 Ring

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Takayuki Ito 1-10-11 Kinuta, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo Japan Broadcasting Corporation Broadcasting Research Institute F-term (reference) 5B020 BB10 DD01 KK14

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus for inputting and outputting Braille data by attaching to a finger, a presentation means for presenting information supplied from the outside to the finger, and an input for supplying data corresponding to the movement of the finger to the outside. Means, wherein the presenting means and the input means are integrally formed. 2. The wearable Braille data input / output device according to claim 1, wherein the presenting means applies a linear motion stimulus to the skin surface. 3. The wearable Braille data input / output device according to claim 1, further comprising a high-pass means for removing an erroneous key-stroke signal generated by a movement other than a key-stroke operation of a finger. Wearable Braille data input / output device. 4. The wearable Braille data input / output device according to claim 1, further comprising a buffer member for removing output fluctuation of said input means caused by deformation of a ring worn on a finger. Wearable Braille data input / output device.