JP2005134886A - Braille display system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To continuously display Internet text information, e-mails or the like as braille text of arbitrary length without being divided on a row-by-row basis. <P>SOLUTION: A constitution includes a rotating braille display section 100 for continuously displaying braille by moving a plurality of pins forward and backward over a touch-and-sense surface of a rotating disk, the pins corresponding to 8 to 36 characters, a key input section 200, an external interface section 400, a memory file section 300, and a control section 500 for controlling these sections using software. Also the constitution includes a means for connecting an external control device 600 like a personal computer to the external interface section 400, and for instructing the external control device 600 by operating the key input section 200 to load Internet text information or the like from the external control device 600 and store the information in the memory file memory section 300 or display the information on the rotating braille display section100 as the braille. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

The present invention relates to a Braille display device for visually handicapped persons that continuously displays arbitrary Braille using six or eight pins. Specifically, for example, a rotating disk type continuous braille display device and an external control device (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) are connected, and the Internet browser function of the personal computer is controlled from the rotating disk type continuous braille display device, The present invention relates to a Braille display device for visually handicapped persons that can capture character information on a homepage and continuously display it in Braille on a rotating disk type continuous Braille display device. The present invention also relates to a braille display device that enables display control, storage control, etc. of character information downloaded to the rotating disk type continuous braille display device, that is, braille data or text data.

A conventional braille display device displays a predetermined number of braille display parts that project 6 or 8 pins electrically and mechanically as one line of character string, and visually impaired persons can display the display part on the display part. It was a line-by-line display format in which characters were tactile (reading) by tracing with a finger. For this reason, the tactile sense of a continuous sentence is interrupted each time by the tactile sense of a line unit. In addition, the visually handicapped person suffered from a bad shoulder due to the operation of tracing Braille. Furthermore, the number of actuators that drive the Braille pins forward and backward to a predetermined protruding height from the tactile surface is also required by the number of characters of 1 character x 1 line, and there is a problem that the device weight is large and the price is high.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-032013 is proposed as an information providing system that transmits and distributes various types of information for visually impaired people using a telecommunication line represented by the Internet as a patent document of a processing device for visually impaired people.

Further, as a patent document, a visual impairment comprising a communication device for connecting to a server that provides an information distribution service on the Internet, a control device connected to the communication device, and a braille display terminal connected to the control device When an information processing apparatus for a person receives an electronic document including a document formatting command via the Internet, and there is a command sentence for displaying image information in the received character string information, the image information is displayed. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-366024 has been proposed as an information processing apparatus for a visually impaired person that creates an electronic document from which a command sentence is deleted and displays the character string information on a Braille display terminal.

Further, as a patent document, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 07-160192 discloses a braille output device that outputs text data in braille in line units, and includes line stop means for stopping display of the next text data until an instruction is given. Has been proposed.

Further, as a patent document, a configuration is disclosed in which information is analyzed by OCR, the obtained text data is output and displayed on an output device, and the displayed display content is output to a speech synthesizer and a braille display device. Japanese Patent No. -288364 has been proposed.

Furthermore, as a patent document, when a storage medium with book data is inserted into an external storage device, the control device reads the book data into the work RAM according to the procedure stored in the ROM, and refers to the Braille font ROM for the contents. Convert to pattern and transfer to VRAM for braille display. Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 06-231082 has been proposed as a configuration having functions such as underline generation, confirmation, and search.
JP 2002-032013 A JP 2002-366024 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 07-160192 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-288364 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 06-231082

However, in the conventional invention of the above-mentioned patent document, when character information such as the Internet is displayed in Braille, a continuous sentence is divided in line units, and a document is read by tactile operation in line units. Therefore, the character information cannot be continuously sensed as braille text having an arbitrary length.
Further, in the invention of the patent document, means for stopping display of continuous character information at an arbitrary position of the Braille display unit, step display means for displaying Braille in units of one character, Braille display unit in units of one character Step backward means to enable backward reading, means to set jump code to set bookmark point jump destination code in continuous character information, means to skip to bookmark point jump code setting destination of character information, character information There is no unit jump means for skipping and reading back in units of pages, words, and specific cells, and means for returning and reading character information in words.

  The present invention provides a braille display device capable of continuously touching character information such as Internet homepages and electronic mails as braille text having an arbitrary length. It is another object of the present invention to arbitrarily translate the information on the recording medium and feel it by attaching a recording medium having book data to the Braille display device of the present invention. In addition, the built-in memory saves text information on the homepage and sentences entered with the Braille input keys so that they can be carried. It is another object of the present invention to be able to sense the character information of the external control device from an arbitrary sentence position at an arbitrary Braille display speed.

In order to solve the above problems, a braille display device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a rotary braille display unit that continuously displays a braille by moving a pin back and forth on the tactile surface of a rotating disk, a key input unit, and an external interface unit. And a memory unit and a control unit for controlling each unit by software.
The number of brailles (number of braille cells) mounted on the rotating disk is preferably in the range of 8 to 36 characters, for example. Therefore, the number of pins for displaying Braille is 48 to 216 pins.
The Braille display device according to the aspect of the present invention further includes a personal computer, a mobile phone, a PDA, an automatic cash transaction apparatus, a ticket vending machine, a vending machine, an electronic book reading machine, a facsimile machine, a Braille learning machine, an electronic Connect an external control device such as a voting device, a navigation device, etc., send a character information request command to the external control device by operating the key input unit, and send Internet character information or e-mail character information from the external control device. It is preferable to include a means for capturing and storing in the memory unit and a means for outputting the character information to the rotary Braille display unit in Braille.

Further, means for capturing character information from the external control device by operating the key input unit and outputting Braille to the rotary braille display unit, and means for capturing character information from the external control device by operating the key input unit and storing it in the memory unit Means for calling character information from the memory unit by operating the key input unit, displaying braille on the rotary Braille display unit, means for editing character information by operating the key input unit, and Braille by operating the key input unit. It is preferable to include a means for creating data and a means for creating braille data by operating the key input unit and storing it in the memory unit.

Further, means for stopping the rotary braille display unit at an arbitrary position during rotational driving by operating the key input unit, and step feed (forward rotation) by which the rotary braille display unit is advanced by one unit by operating the key input unit. And a step retreat (reverse rotation) means for retreating the rotary Braille display unit by one character unit by operating the key input unit.

Further, the Braille display device of the present invention is a means for setting a jump destination to the captured character information, a means for skipping to the jump destination of the character information, a means for skipping and reading the character information in units of words, and returning the character information in units of words. It is preferable to have a configuration including a reading means and the like.
Further, the key input unit includes a plurality of braille data input keys, a plurality of function keys for operating various functions, a rotation speed control key for controlling the braille speed, and a device operator such as a visually impaired person. It is preferable to use a function mode key for checking the state and selecting a function. The switching of the function mode is preferably four types, for example, the Internet, e-mail, notepad, and book reading.

With the above-described configuration, the braille display device of the present invention can continuously tactile text information such as a homepage on the Internet as an arbitrary length braille sentence by simply placing the finger on the rotating disk without moving the finger. Also, by reading the book data of the information recording medium into the Braille display device of the present invention via a personal computer, the information on the information recording medium can be arbitrarily transcribed and sensed. Furthermore, even if the information recording medium is mounted on the braille display device of the present invention, the information on the information recording medium can be arbitrarily translated and tactile. In addition, text information on the homepage, text entered with Braille input keys, book data, etc. can be stored and carried in the built-in memory. Further, the character information can be sensed from an arbitrary braille display speed and an arbitrary sentence position. As a result, barrier-free information can be realized and social participation of visually impaired people is promoted.
Furthermore, in the rotary Braille display unit, Braille characters can be formed with only three actuators, and the device can be reduced in size, weight, and parts can be saved. By the way, the external dimensions of the Braille display device according to the present invention can be realized, for example, with a width of 210 mm, a depth of 130 mm, a maximum height of 30 mm, and a weight of about 450 g.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, a braille display device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of hardware of a braille display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a concept of a rotary braille display unit constituting the braille display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is an external perspective view of a braille display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a functional block configuration diagram of the braille display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flow chart of display control of the braille display device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the display control of the braille display device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of control information setting and display data storage according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A hardware configuration of a braille display device 1000 that continuously displays braille on a rotating disk is shown in FIG. A braille display device 1000 includes a rotary braille display unit 100 that continuously displays six brailles on a tactile surface of a rotary disk and continuously displays braille, a key input unit 200, a memory file unit 300, and an external interface unit. 400 and a control unit 500 that performs software control on the respective units, and are connected to each other by a bus. The external interface unit 400 is connected to an external control device 600 such as a personal computer.
The controller 500 realizes functions necessary for the braille table device by controlling each hardware based on software by a CPU.

In the rotary braille display unit 100, braille characters each consisting of six pins (six convex points) in three rows and two columns are arranged substantially concentrically at regular intervals on a rotating disk. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of an example in which pins for 24 characters are arranged on a disk. Six circles represent braille pins, and for convenience, the six circles are surrounded by a long square frame 10 and displayed as one braille character (one braille character).
Further, the rotary braille display unit 100 is provided with three actuators (not shown) corresponding to the number of pins in one row of one braille character, spaced apart in the circumferential direction in the vicinity of the rotary disk. Then, the inner pin hammer 103 of the first actuator (reference numeral 103 in FIG. 2 indicates the operating point of the pin hammer. The same applies hereinafter), the first row pin is moved by the outer pin hammer 104 of the second actuator. The pin of the third row is actuated by kicking the pin of the second row from the lower surface of the disk toward the upper surface by the center pin hammer 105 of the third actuator, and 0.5-0. It is configured to form braille characters protruding about 7 mm. Accordingly, in this rotating disk type continuous braille display device, the inner, outer and center pins are operated by the pin hammers 103, 104 and 105 while rotating the rotary braille display unit 100, so that 3 rows and 2 columns are operated. One character braille consisting of 6 pins can be displayed.

The three actuators may be arranged adjacent to each other and the adjacent one-letter braille pins may be operated by the pin hammers 103, 104, and 105, respectively. An actuator is preferably arranged. In the example of FIG. 2, one character is placed. Accordingly, one Braille character is formed by rotating the disk clockwise by five characters clockwise. Of course, although structurally complicated, each pin of three lines for one character may be actuated by the pin hammers 103, 104, 105, and the arrangement positions of the pin hammers 103, 104, 105 are not limited.

The three actuators include a stepping motor, a cam attached to the main shaft of the stepping motor, a pin hammer for operating a pin, and the like (not shown). In the stepping motor, the spindle rotates once with a specific number of pulses, and the cam rotates once. The pin hammer pushes the pin upward by one rotation of the cam, and protrudes to a predetermined height from the tactile surface of the disk.
In addition, the disk which comprises the rotary braille display part 100 has arrange | positioned the sensor hole 110 of the same number as the row | line | column number of a braille pin in an outer peripheral part. In the case of FIG. 2, since the number of braille displayed on the disk is 24, 48 sensor holes 110 are perforated corresponding to two rows of the front row and the rear row constituting the braille. Therefore, each operation of the pin hammers 103, 104, 105 of the actuator is controlled according to the detection timing of the sensor hole 110 regardless of the rotational speed of the disk.

The table on the lower right of FIG. 2 shows the relationship between the sensor S1 (reference numeral 101), the sensor S2 (reference numeral 102), and the operation timing of the pins. As shown in the third row of the table, when the sensor S1 (reference numeral 101) is on, the operation start timing of each actuator is indicated, and when the sensor S1 (reference numeral 101) is on and the sensor S2 (reference numeral 102) is off, The front row pins 1, 2, and 3 are controlled. As shown in the second row of the table, it is assumed that the sensor S1 is on, the S2 is on, and the back row pins 4, 5, and 6 within one Braille character are controlled. As shown in the fourth row of the table, the pin is not controlled when the sensor S1 is off and S2 is on. As described above, it is preferable to control the pins using the sensors S1 and S2.

As described above, the Braille display device of the present invention sequentially displays Braille on the disk sequentially as if it were an electric bulletin board by the rotation of the disk. And a visually handicapped person can place a finger lightly on one place on the disk and the braille can contact the abdomen of the finger one after another and continuously touch. As long as the disk continues to rotate, any long sentence can be sensed continuously without interruption. No line break operation is required, and no tactile interruption occurs.
The braille formed on the disk is maintained in the display state (the pin protrudes about 0.5 mm from the tactile surface) until just before the pin resetter 107, and the braille is sequentially reset (projected) at the position of the pin resetter 107. The pin is physically pushed down to the tactile surface one after another by the pin resetter 107). Note that the marker position 106 indicates a position serving as a reference in character editing and a position where a device operator such as a visually impaired person reads braille characters. Specifically, it is preferable to provide a shallowly recessed index portion in the housing so that it can be touched with a finger.

It is preferable that the disk rotation speed of the rotary Braille display unit 100 can be arbitrarily adjusted by voltage control of the drive motor. That is, it is preferable that the visually impaired person can adjust the number of braille that can be touched by the rotation of the disk within a range of about 100 to 400 characters per minute. Further, by switching the polarity of the disk rotation drive voltage between + and-, the disk is rotated in reverse, and the forward (forward rotation) and return (reverse rotation) operations of the rotary Braille display unit 100 can be arbitrarily controlled by software. It is preferable to do this.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the braille display device 1000 of the present invention. The key input unit includes six braille keys 201 to 206 for inputting braille data, a space key 223 and an ENTER key 221, and ten function keys for designating software functions of the apparatus of the present invention, that is, an ESC key 211 and a CTRL key 212. , DELETE key 213, INSERT key 214, forward key 215, menu key 216, backward key 217, next key 218, STOP key 219, previous key 220, and speed control key for controlling the disk rotational speed of the rotary braille display unit 100. 222 and a function mode selection switch 210 that can be operated by an operator such as a visually handicapped person while confirming the function mode of the apparatus of the present invention. There are four types of function mode switching, such as the Internet, e-mail, notepad, and book reading.
It is preferable that the Braille key and the function key function as one key by combining two keys, so that a large number of functions can be specified with a small number of keys by using a so-called composite key. The number of function designations is ((power of the number of function keys of 2) -1) × number of function selections. For example, when the number of function keys is 10 and the number of function selections is 4, the number of function designations is (2 ¹⁰ −1) × 4 = 4092.
The operation keys in FIG. 4 are assigned based on the above-mentioned concept. The display operation keys are 230 to 249, the personal computer operation keys are 250 to 269, the text editing keys are 270 to 279, and the file management operation keys are 280 to 299. .

The external interface unit 400 disposed on the side of the outer case of the braille display device 1000 may be any type of hardware that can be connected to a personal computer. For example, either RS232C or USB (Universal Serial Bus) is preferable (not shown).
The memory file unit 300 has a built-in ROM or flash memory for storing text data, braille data, and the like. It is preferable that a memory card, CD-RAM, DVD-RAM or the like can be mounted as the external memory.

FIG. 4 shows a block configuration of software functions of the braille display device 1000. The braille display device 1000 is configured by an arbitrary combination of a personal computer operation control function 410, a braille text editing function 700, a braille data file management function 310, and the like based on the continuous braille display control function 120.
The external control device 600 (such as a personal computer) includes a braille display control function 610 and an existing personal computer application 620. The personal computer operation control function 410, the braille display control function 610, and the personal computer application 620 cooperate with each other. The output information of the personal computer application is taken into the braille display device 1000 and displayed as braille. That is, as with healthy people, information on Internet homepages, e-mails, electronic information terminals, mobile phones, etc. can be searched and continuously sensed as Braille.

The continuous braille display control function 120 is operated by display operation keys: 1) initial processing display and head display, 2) subsequent continuous display, 3) pause, 4) advance one character ... step feed (forward rotation), 5) return one character ... step Display control such as backward (reverse rotation), 6) jump destination sign setting, 7) forward jump, 8) backward jump, 9) unit skip reading, 10) unit skip back, etc.
In addition to the above, the continuous braille display control function 120 performs display control of the rotary braille display unit 100 using a rotating disk. The display of the rotary Braille display unit 100 using a rotating disk needs to recognize and control that the position where the Braille is formed is different from the position where the Braille is sensed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the position at which the braille pin is kicked up by the pin hammers 103, 104, and 105 of the three actuators is different from the marker position 106 at which the braille pin is touched. FIG. 5 shows the relationship between Braille data, a control pin (a pin that is driven up by an actuator), and a marker position 106 (a Braille tactile position). The zero dummy area indicates an area from the pin resetter 107 in FIG. 2 to immediately before the inner peripheral pin hammer 103. This region is a section where no braille is formed.
The character forming section is a section in which the braille pin is kicked up and driven by the pin hammers 103, 104, and 105. Braille is formed after passing through the character forming section. The moving section up to the reading position is a section from immediately after the character forming section to the marker position 106. This section is a reserved section from when Braille is formed until it can be actually read. The braille data area is an area where braille data is stored.

The lower part from the center of FIG. 5 represents the relationship between the sensor S1 (reference numeral 101), the sensor S2 (reference numeral 102), and the operation timing of the pins described with reference to the lower right table of FIG.
In FIG. 5, N is the number of texts, i is a display counter, J is a text position at the time of marker point reading (J = i−M), and DC is a display end position (displayed until i = DC).

FIG. 6 shows a control flow that is the basis of braille display. The display control of the final block in various displays is a subroutine of a function of continuously displaying from the display data i-th to DC (display end position).
In the continuous braille display control function 120, the step of rotating the disk drive motor (reference numeral 121), the step of waiting for the sensor S1 (reference numeral 101) to be turned on (reference numeral 122), and the sensor S1 (reference numeral 101) are turned on. For example, the step of confirming the state of the sensor S2 (reference numeral 102) (reference numeral 123), and if the sensor S2 (reference numeral 102) is off, the step of editing the character pattern of the front row pin constituting the braille (reference numeral 125), the sensor S2 (reference numeral 102) ) Is on, the process proceeds to the step of editing the character pattern of the back row pins constituting the braille (reference numeral 124).

The sensor S2 is for ensuring the operation of the front row pin and the rear row pin. When the sensor S2 is not provided, the first row may be alternately repeated as the front row pin and the second time as the rear row pin.
In the corresponding pattern pin drive control step (reference numeral 126), the actuator (pin hammer) corresponding to steps 124 and 125 is operated. In the case of the back row pin, the display counter is advanced by one (reference numeral 129). The stop flag is set by the display control keys 232, 233, and 234. When this flag is set, step 128 is entered to end the process, and continuous display is advanced until the display counter reaches a predetermined number of texts DC (step 129). Step 130 is a display end process which stops the rotation of the disk drive motor and the display control.

1) Display initial control and head display function When new braille data is created by the key input unit, or after the head character is formed from the head of the display data by specifying the “head display” key 230 and the head character is moved to the marker position 106 Stop and be able to read the first character. In this control, the display control function is operated by DC = M, i = 0, and the STOP flag OF. M means a section up to the marker position 106 shown in FIG.
2) Subsequent continuous display function The braille data is continuously displayed to the end by specifying the “subsequent continuous display” key 231.
The continuous braille display control function 120 is operated when DC = M + 4 + the number of texts and the STOP flag is OFF.
3) Display stop “Display stop” 232 key is used and the STOP flag is turned ON. Since this control occurs during operation of the continuous braille display control function 120, it becomes an interrupt process.
4) Form a character that advances one character and stop. This function is effective when the display is stopped.
The “continue one character” key 233 activates the continuous braille display control function 120 when DC = i + 1 and the STOP flag is ON.
5) Move back one character (disk reverse rotation)
The “return one character” key 234 is used to reversely rotate the motor by one character. i = i-1 is set.
6) Jump destination code setting When displaying from a specific location, such as a bookmark point or heading (TAB mark), a code (mark) or position indicating the jump destination is set. With the jump destination code setting keys 235- (keys corresponding to the types of jumps are assigned), the data of the current marker position 106 is stored as the jump destination data in the bookmark setting. The jump destination code indicates the type and position of the jump.
7) Forward jump The “forward jump” key 238 to (a key is assigned according to the type of jump) detects a jump destination ahead of the marker position 106 and moves to the marker position 106.
8) Backward jump “Backward jump” keys 241 to (a key is assigned according to the type of jump) detect a jump destination before the marker position 106 and move to the marker position 106.
9) Unit skip reading Use the “unit skip reading” keys 244 to (there are key assignments for each type) to skip data for the specified page, word, or character (cell 10). Braille data forms pages and words with spaces (dots 1 to 6 constituting the Braille in FIG. 2 are 0). A page is expressed by a combination of a specific number of consecutive spaces and a number mark, or a word (word) is formed by separating one or more spaces. For example, skipping 10 words is a function that counts a space from the marker position 106 of the current braille data, and when 10 spaces are counted, forms a character from that position and moves to the marker position 106. Count. In order to maintain continuity, the number of characters from the marker position 106 to the resetter is skipped, and characters are formed from before the reading display point.
10) Skip back The “unit skip back” key 247 counts in the direction returning backward from the current position in reverse to skip reading, and performs the same operation as skip reading.

Next, a function of displaying character information such as an Internet homepage or an e-mail for the visually impaired using the apparatus 1000 of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the personal computer operation control 410 function, the Braille display control function 610 inside the personal computer, and the personal computer application function 620 continuously display character information such as Internet homepages and e-mails in Braille. That is, the browser function on the personal computer side is operated from the Braille display device 1000 to connect to the Internet from the personal computer, and the character information (text) of the same homepage as that of the healthy person is converted into Braille code and taken into the Braille display device 1000. If it is the text information that has been imported, it is difficult for the visually impaired to read, so the Braille code is converted so that it is easy to read. Braille code conversion varies depending on the country used, but in Japanese, for example, kanji is converted to kana and converted to easy to read with a space between words or between phrases. This refers to the process of converting to braille code. In English, it refers to the conversion process for visually impaired persons (second-level English). That is, the English sentence is longer than the Japanese sentence, so the word is omitted or reduced. Such editing is performed by a Braille code conversion function 616. Thus, it converts into a braille code | cord | chord and displays continuously as braille on the rotary braille display part 100. FIG. Alternatively, it is stored in the memory file unit 300 as braille data.
As described above, the browser operation function for visually impaired persons according to the present invention is characterized by removing image and sound information without changing the web browser, converting only character information into braille code, and displaying the braille continuously on a rotating disk. To do.

The flow of this control is shown in FIG. First, when an initial homepage start key 250 of the personal computer operation key is pressed from the braille display device 1000, an initial homepage start command is sent to the personal computer 600 by the personal computer operation control 410 (input / output control). The personal computer 600 receives this command with the continuous Braille display device input / output control function 611, selects the corresponding browser operation with the operation command analysis function 612, and sets the initial homepage URL (uniform resource locator) with the browser operation function 613. The web browser 621 is activated by sending it to the browser 621. The web browser 621 acquires an HTML (hyper text markup language) file from a server existing on the Internet 800 and performs display based on the HTML file.

The content analysis function 615 analyzes the HTML file taken in by the web browser 621, selects only the text file from which the image and audio files have been removed, and divides it into a homepage text and a link file. If this data is a file created for Braille, the Braille data is sent to the continuous Braille display device input / output control function 611 as it is. If the text file is a normal text file, the braille code conversion function 616 performs the braille code conversion as described above, and then sends the converted braille data to the continuous braille display device input / output control function 611.
The continuous braille display device input / output control function 611 converts the braille data into NABCC (north american braille computer code) and sends it to the braille display device 1000.

In the braille display device 1000, the personal computer operation control 410 receives the braille text sent from the personal computer 600, converts it into a braille pattern by the braille pattern conversion initial display control function 411, and then performs initial display control. That is, the first character of the data fetched from the home page is advanced to the marker position 106 so that the braille character can be touched (read).
After the contents of the home page are read according to the continuous braille display control function 120 using the display operation keys 230 to 249, the personal computer browser is operated using the personal computer operation keys 250 to 269. Use the link menu key 251 to move the link information to the next link information (TAB) key 252, return to the previous link information (back TAB) key 253, display the arbitrary link information in the same procedure, and press the ENTER key. Corresponding link information data can be displayed in continuous braille at 221 (FIG. 3).
A key 254 for returning to the home page before the web browser function, a key 255 for proceeding with the returned home page, a favorite registration key 256, a favorite display key 257, and link information selection can be used in the same manner, and it is possible to cope with favorite selection.
The contents of the home page are stored as a home page file in the recording file 303 of the apparatus 1000 of the present invention by the home page recording key 258.

  E-mail can be handled in the same way as homepage processing. 4 and 7, when an e-mail activation key 260 is pressed from the braille display device 1000, an e-mail activation command is sent to the personal computer 620 by the personal computer operation control function 410 (input / output control). The personal computer side receives the command by the continuous Braille display device input / output control function 611, selects the mail operation function by the operation command analysis function 612, starts the electronic mail software 622 of the personal computer application 620 by the mail operation function 614, and starts from the server. A mail list or mail document corresponding to the mail operation function 614 is acquired.

  The content analysis function 615 analyzes the mail list and mail document captured by the electronic mail software 622, and selects only text data from which images and audio files are removed. The converted braille data is sent to the continuous braille display device input / output control function 611. The continuous braille display device input / output control function 611 converts the braille data into NABCC and sends it to the braille display device 1000.

In the braille display device 1000, the personal computer operation control function 410 receives the braille text sent from the personal computer, converts it into a braille pattern by the braille pattern conversion initial display control 411, and then performs initial display control. That is, the first character of the data fetched from the electronic mail software is advanced to the marker position 106 so that the braille character can be touched.
The contents of the mail list or mail document can be read in accordance with the braille display control 120 with the display operation keys 230 to 249.
At the beginning of e-mail activation, the contents of the mail list are displayed, and the list to be read is selected with the next personal computer operation key. Select mail to read by next mail list key (all mail) 261, previous mail list key (all mail) 262, next mail list key (unread mail) 263, previous mail list key (unread mail) 264 To do.
The mail list can be confirmed by the ENTER key 221 (FIG. 3), and the mail document (text) can be read. The mail document is stored as a mail file in the recording file 303 of the apparatus of the present invention by the mail recording key 265.

The Braille text editing function 700 is a function that enables creation of Braille documents by using Braille input keys 201 to 206 and Braille text editing keys 270 to 275, and editing such as correction and deletion. Phone books, address books, etc. can be used as defense fences.
The Braille text editing start key 270 is pressed to initialize (clear) the input data. Creation of a new document starts in this state.
When editing an existing Braille document, a Braille document to be edited is set in Braille data by a Braille file read operation described later, and the edit start point is advanced to the marker position 106 by display operation keys 230 to 249. Editing is based on data corresponding to the marker position 106.

Braille input is regarded as a character creation period when one or more keys are pressed while the Braille input keys 201 to 206 shown in FIG. 3 are pressed. Be subject to formation. When all keys are touched off, the logical sum of the keys pressed so far is stored in the input data area as a braille code. The braille editing key is also stored as an editing code in the input data area in the same manner as braille data.
The contents of the braille editing key are as follows. The INSERT key 271 inserts braille data after this code. The DELETE key 272 deletes data at the corresponding position. An overwrite editing key 273 overwrites and corrects braille data after this key. The operation cancel key 274 deletes the last Braille code or edit key code in the input data area.
Pressing the ENTER key 221 shown in FIG. 3 edits the Braille data by incorporating the input data from the Braille data corresponding to the marker position 106 as a base point. Thereafter, display control is performed up to the marker position 106 with the edited content, and the edited content can be confirmed with the display control keys 230 to 234.
The braille data edited here is stored in a predetermined file by the recording key 275. The file storage control preferably refers to the following Braille data file management.

The Braille data file management function 310 is an information recording medium (Braille book / Braille book / Braille information created by the personal computer operation control function 410, Braille information created by the Braille text editing function 700, book data) The specified braille information such as the information of the book) can be read by the continuous braille display control function 120, or the braille data described in the text editing is stored in the recording file 303 of the apparatus 1000 of the present invention (FIG. 4).

The Braille data stored in the recording file 303 is read by the notepad file read key 280, the homepage file read key 281, the mail file read key 282, and the book file read key 283, and each file is displayed by the display operation keys 230 to 249 from the initial display control. Can read the contents.
The next file read key 285 displays the contents of the same file type in ascending order of the file numbers, and the previous file read key 286 displays the contents in the descending order of the file numbers.

The display data storage operation can be simplified by setting the control information (file type, file number, control code) shown in FIG. 8 at the top of the display data. This control information can be corrected by a text editing function, and braille data is stored in a predetermined file according to this control information.
If the file number is blank, the file number is assigned by searching for an empty area of that file type. If there is a file number, it is overwritten and saved in the area of that number. If you want to store in the specified location, modify the file number.
In the above embodiment, the braille display control function 610 is provided in the external control device 600 (personal computer). However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the function 610 according to the braille display device 1000 may be provided. Good.

With the above configuration, the braille display device of the present invention can continuously sense character information such as Internet homepages and e-mails as braille. Also, by reading the book data of the information recording medium into the Braille display device of the present invention via a personal computer, or mounting the information recording medium on the Braille display device of the present invention, the information on the information recording medium is You can translate freely and tactile sense. Furthermore, it is possible to edit a Braille document by editing the Braille input key and edit key, and it can be used as a memo pad for visually impaired persons. Furthermore, the character information can be sensed from any Braille display speed and any sentence position.

(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, the braille display device has been described in which the external control device can continuously sense the homepage of the Internet, the character information of the e-mail, the book data of the information recording medium, etc. as braille. However, the present invention can be used as a versatile braille display terminal that can be applied to other electronic devices.

FIG. 9 is a functional block configuration diagram of the braille display device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a functional block configuration diagram in a state where the braille display device and the electronic device according to the second embodiment are connected. The same functional blocks as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted. In the second embodiment, data is transmitted and received between the braille display device 1000 and the electronic apparatus (external control device) 1600 via an interface (not shown). The braille display device 1000 and the electronic device 1600 may be connected by a cable, or may be connected by radio such as infrared rays or radio waves.
Examples of the electronic device 1600 include a mobile phone, a PDA, an automatic cash transaction apparatus, a ticket vending machine, a vending machine, an electronic book reading machine, a facsimile, a Braille learning machine, an electronic voting apparatus, and a navigation apparatus in addition to the personal computer. is there.

  The electronic device operation control function 1410 incorporates a function for operating and controlling the electronic device 1600. By operating the operation key 1250, an operation command for controlling the electronic device 1600 is transmitted to the braille display control function 1610. As the operation key 1250, an activation key, a menu key, a TAB key, a back TAB key, an ENTER key, and the like corresponding to each electronic device 1600 are assigned. Other keys unique to each electronic device, such as a password input key for an automatic teller machine, a payment key for electronic payment in a ticket vending machine, a communication status confirmation key for a facsimile, etc. Assign the operation key.

  The braille display control function 1610 performs substantially the same function as in the first embodiment. An activation command from the electronic device operation control function 1410 is input to the continuous Braille display device input / output control function 611. The continuous braille display device input / output control function 611 inputs a start command to the operation command analysis function 612. The operation command analysis function 612 determines that the input command is a command that activates the electronic device 1600, and activates the electronic device 1600 to send the command to the electronic device operation function 1613. When the electronic device 1600 is activated, an initial menu is sent to the electronic device operation function 1613.

  The content analysis function 615 analyzes the initial menu captured by the electronic device operation function 1613 and selects only the text file from which the image and audio files are removed. If this data is a file created for Braille, the Braille data is sent to the continuous Braille display device input / output control function 611 as it is. If the text file is a normal text file, the braille code conversion function 616 performs the braille code conversion as described above, and then sends the converted braille data to the continuous braille display device input / output control function 611.

The continuous braille display device input / output control function 611 converts the braille data into NABCC (north american braille computer code) and sends it to the braille display device 1000.
In the braille display device 1000, the electronic device operation control function 1410 receives the sent NABCC and converts it into a braille pattern by the braille pattern conversion initial display control function 1411, and then performs initial display control. That is, the first character of the data fetched from the electronic device 1600 is advanced to the marker position 106 so that the braille character can be touched (read).

  After reading the contents of the initial menu of the electronic device 1600 according to the continuous braille display control function 120 using the display operation keys 230 to 249, the electronic device 1600 is operated using the operation keys 1250 to 1269. The operation of the electronic device 1600 differs depending on each electronic device. For example, a mobile phone mail is almost the same as the mail operation of the personal computer described above, and a message to be read is selected from the message list screen, the mail list is confirmed by the ENTER key 221, and a mail document (text) is read. Can do. The automatic teller machine, ticket vending machine, and vending machine select the required menu from the contents of the initial menu, and select the PIN, type of ticket to be purchased, payment method, etc. according to the menu contents. To do.

The Braille display device of the present invention is connected to a personal computer and browses Internet homepages, as a mobile Internet Braille display terminal in cooperation with a mobile phone or PDA, an automatic teller machine, a ticket machine, It can be used as a braille display terminal for various electronic devices such as vending machines, electronic book readers, facsimiles, braille learners, electronic voting devices, and navigation devices.

Hardware block configuration diagram of a braille display device in an embodiment of the present invention The top view of the concept of the rotary braille display part which comprises FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a braille display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Functional block diagram of a braille display device in an embodiment of the present invention Explanatory drawing of the braille display data and control method of the braille display apparatus in one embodiment of this invention Flow chart of display control of braille display device in one embodiment of the present invention Functional block block diagram of the state which connected the braille display apparatus and external control apparatus in one embodiment of this invention Explanatory drawing of control information setting and braille data storage in one embodiment of the present invention Functional block configuration diagram of the braille display device in the second embodiment of the present invention Functional block block diagram in the state which connected the braille display apparatus and electronic device in Embodiment 2 of this invention

Explanation of symbols

10 Frame 100 Rotary Braille Display 101 Sensor 1
102 Sensor 2
103, 104, 105 Pin hammer 106 Marker position 110 Sensor hole 120 Continuous braille display control function 200 Key input unit 201-206 Braille data input key 210 Function mode selection switch 211-220 Function key 221 ENTER key 222 Speed control key 223 SPACE key 300 Memory file section 301 Braille data 302 Input data 303 Recording file 310 Braille data file management function 400 External interface section 410 Personal computer operation control functions 411 and 1411 Braille pattern conversion initial display control function 500 Control section 600 External control devices 610 and 1610 Braille Display control function 611, 1611 Continuous Braille display device input / output control function 612 Operation command analysis function 613 Browser operation function 615 Content analysis function 61 Mail operation function 616 Braille code conversion function 620 personal computer application 621 web browser 622 e-mail software 700 Braille text editing features 800 Internet 1000 Braille display device 1410 operating an electronic device control function 1600 electronic equipment

Claims (14)

A braille display device including a rotary braille display unit having a braille display pin, a key input unit, an external interface unit, and a memory unit, wherein the rotary braille display unit is spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the rotary member Control means for continuously displaying Braille in a substantially concentric manner on the tactile surface of the rotating member by a plurality of actuators arranged in such a manner, means for holding the display state of the Braille by a predetermined rotation angle of the rotating member, and A braille display device comprising pin reset means for resetting the braille display pin to an initial state downstream of the rotating member. Pin control for forming braille, and a pair of sensor holes provided corresponding to each row constituting the braille cell, and two sensors arranged so as to correspond to the distance between the pair of sensor holes, the 2 One sensor identifies the control timing of the front and rear rows of the braille cell, converts the content of the braille memory to the actuators arranged separately, and forms braille in the process of continuous rotation of the rotating member, 2. The braille display device according to claim 1. An external control device is connected to the external interface unit, a character information request command is transmitted to the external control device by operation of the key input unit, and Internet character information or e-mail character information is taken in from the external control device. 2. The braille display device according to claim 1, further comprising: means for storing in a section; and means for outputting the character information in braille to the rotary braille display section. Means for capturing character information from the external control device by operating the key input unit and outputting it in braille to the rotary braille display; means for capturing character information from the external control device by operating the key input unit; Means for calling character information from the memory file portion by operation of the key input portion, displaying braille on the rotary braille display portion, means for editing character information by operation of the key input portion, and braille data by operation of the key input portion 2. The braille display device according to claim 1, further comprising: means for generating the character string; and means for generating braille data by operating the key input unit and storing the data in the memory file unit. A means for stopping the rotary Braille display unit at an arbitrary position during the rotational drive by operating the key input unit, a step feed means for rotating the rotary Braille display unit in units of one character by operating the key input unit, and a key The braille display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising step retreat means for reversely rotating the rotary braille display unit in units of one character by operating the input unit. Jump code setting means for setting the jump point code of the bookmark point in the character information, code jump means for skipping and reading back to the bookmark point jump code setting destination of the character information, character information in page units, word units, and The braille display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising means for skipping and reading in units of specific cells and unit jump means for reading back character information in units of words. Key input section: Braille data input key, function keys for operating various functions, rotation speed control key for controlling braille display speed, and device status operator confirms character information processing status and selects functions The braille display device according to claim 1, comprising a mode key. A Braille display device for transmitting and receiving signals by connecting to an external control device incorporating conversion software for converting ink characters into Braille code, wherein the external control device sends out the Braille code to a Braille display unit A Braille forming means for converting the Braille code sent from the external control device into Braille by the appearance of a plurality of pins, and the Braille is arranged adjacent and non-terminal so that the Braille is continuously A braille display device comprising braille display means for displaying. A Braille display device for transmitting and receiving signals by connecting to an external control device incorporating conversion software for converting ink characters into Braille code, wherein the external control device sends out the Braille code to a Braille display unit Control operation means for sending a command to activate the conversion software by operating an operation key to the external control device, and the Braille code sent from the external control device by the appearance of a plurality of pins A Braille display device comprising Braille forming means for converting into Braille, and Braille display means for arranging the Braille adjacently and in an endless manner so as to continuously display the Braille. A Braille display device that transmits and receives signals by connecting to an external control device that operates browser software for browsing a homepage on the Internet, wherein the external control device converts the text on the homepage into a Braille code; Sending means for sending the Braille code converted by the conversion software to the Braille display device; control means for sending a command for starting the conversion software by operating an operation key to the external control device; Braille forming means for converting the Braille code sent from the external control device into Braille by the appearance of a plurality of pins, and the Braille are arranged adjacent and non-terminal so that the Braille is continuously displayed. A braille display device, comprising: A braille display device that transmits and receives signals by connecting to an external control device that operates mail software for browsing electronic mail, wherein the external control device converts the text of the email into braille code; Sending means for sending the Braille code converted by the conversion software to the Braille display device; and control means for sending a command for starting the mail software by operating an operation key to the external control device; Braille forming means for converting the Braille code sent from the external control device into Braille by the appearance of a plurality of pins, and the Braille are arranged adjacent and non-terminal so that the Braille is continuously displayed. A Braille display device comprising the Braille display means. A Braille display device that transmits and receives signals to and from an external control device, and converts the external control device signal into Braille code, and sends the Braille code converted by the conversion software to the Braille display device A sending means for sending, a control means for sending a command for starting the external control device by operating an operation key to the external control device, and a Braille code sent from the sending means by braiding a plurality of pins. A braille display device comprising: braille forming means for converting to a braille; and braille display means for arranging the braille adjacently and in an endless manner so as to continuously display the braille. 13. The Braille display device according to claim 10, wherein the conversion software for converting the signal of the external control device into a Braille code has a content analysis function and a Braille code conversion function. . The sending means for sending the braille code to the braille display device has a continuous braille display device input / output control function for converting the braille data sent from the content analysis function and the braille code conversion function into NABCC. The braille display device according to claim 10 or 11 or 12.

Images