JP3446873B2 - Braille forming device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a braille forming device for visually impaired people who forms convex braille on a braille paper, and more particularly to a braille forming device effective for forming large dots and thick lines.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a braille forming device for forming a convex braille for a visually impaired person, a relatively thick braille paper made of a special material is placed on a platen made of, for example, a rubber platen, and a hard rod-shaped pen tip is used. By pressing the braille paper, the braille is formed so that the platen side of the braille paper is convex. When a large dot is formed by such a Braille forming device, it is necessary to use
As shown in Fig. 11, small closed loops of circles (a) and rectangles (b) are formed on Braille paper, or the forming process shown in Fig. 11 is shifted in the Y direction (when the left and right directions in the diagram are set to the X direction). Repeats. In the forming process shown in FIG.
On the Braille paper S on the platen 21 (a), press the pen tip on the Braille paper S to form a concave portion (a convex portion when viewed from the platen 21 side) (b), and raise the pen tip once In the example of 11, the pen 23 is moved to the right and the pen tip is pressed again, and in that state the pen tip is moved to the left (c, d). Finally, the pen 23 is lifted (e). The line is represented by a plurality of dots, and the thick line is represented by a plurality of large dots formed as described above.

[0003]

However, in the conventional technique shown in FIG. 10 described above, as shown in FIG.
When the point becomes large, the settling occurs in the central part. Further, in the conventional technique shown in FIG. 11, the vertical movement of the pen occurs many times, noise caused by the collision between the pen tip and the platen becomes a problem, and the time required for dot formation becomes long. In particular, the time required for forming a thick line increases. An object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the conventional techniques as described above, to eliminate the settling in the central portion, and to provide a braille forming device capable of forming a large point or a thick line in a short required time. To provide.

[0004]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is a braille forming device for forming a convex braille on a braille paper by pressing the braille paper on a platen. Braille pen that forms a convex braille on a braille paper, and when forming a dot larger than a predetermined value, control the braille pen to form a closed loop small figure on the braille paper and then in the closed loop. And a pen control means for controlling so as to form a small figure smaller than the above-mentioned small figure. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in a braille forming device for forming a convex braille on a braille paper, a braille pen for pressing the braille paper on the platen to form a convex braille on the braille paper, When a line thicker than a predetermined value is formed, a pen control unit is provided for controlling to draw a zigzag trajectory in a state where the braille pen is pressed against the braille paper between both ends of the formed line segment. I am trying. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the braille forming device according to the second aspect, the pen control means controls to draw a zigzag trajectory by repeating an S-shaped or N-shaped movement. Is characterized by. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the braille forming device according to the second aspect, the pen control means moves a predetermined length in the direction of the end point of the line segment to be formed, and then in the direction of the start point of the line segment. It is characterized in that it is controlled so as to draw a zigzag trajectory by repeating a movement that is shorter than the predetermined length. According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in the invention of the second aspect, the pen control means includes the line width W1 and the predetermined line widths W2 and W3 included in the acquired drawing information.
(W2 <W3) is compared, and when W1 is larger than W2 and smaller than W3, a predetermined length of movement is performed in the end direction of the line segment to be formed, and then the line segment is continuously formed. It is controlled so as to draw a zigzag trajectory by repeating a movement shorter than the above predetermined length in the direction of the starting point, and when W1 is larger than W3, it is S-shaped or N-shaped.
It is characterized by controlling to draw a zigzag trajectory by repeating the movement of the character shape. In addition, claim 6
The described invention is the braille forming device according to claim 2,
The pen control means performs a control to draw a zigzag trajectory by repeating S-shaped or N-shaped movement, and a movement of a predetermined length toward the end point of the line segment to be formed. It has a mode to control so as to draw a zigzag trajectory by repeating a movement that is shorter than the predetermined length in the direction of the starting point of the line segment, and control in either one of the modes in response to a selection request. It is characterized by doing.

[0005]

With the above-mentioned means, in the invention according to the first aspect, a large point is formed by the line drawing forming the closed loop and the small figure arranged inside the line drawing. Further, in the invention according to claims 2 to 4, a thick line is formed by a line drawing that repeats zigzag. In the invention according to claim 5, the optimum drawing method is automatically selected according to the required line thickness. Further, in the invention according to claim 6, the user can select the mode according to the case such as when the high speed of the drawing is prioritized or when the quality is prioritized. Therefore, the convenience is improved.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a main part of the Braille forming device of the present invention. As shown in the figure, this braille forming device includes a platen 1 whose surface is formed of a member having low hardness such as rubber, a first pulse motor 2 for rotating the platen 1 in a forward direction or a reverse direction, and a braille on the platen. A second pulse motor 5 for horizontally moving a hard pen 3 for forming a convex braille on the paper S, a pen driving magnet 4, and a braille forming means composed of the pen 3 and the pen driving magnet 4; The wire 6 and the shaft 7 are provided. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control unit (control means) 10 for controlling the Braille forming device as described above. As illustrated, the control unit 10 includes a drive circuit 11 that drives the first pulse motor 2, the second pulse motor 5, and the pen driving magnet 4, and a memory 12.
A CPU 13 for controlling the drive circuit 11 according to a program therein, an input signal buffer 14, and the like are provided.

The basic operation of the Braille forming device as described above will be described below. First, when a drive signal is input from the drive circuit 11 to the first pulse motor 2, the platen 1 rotates, whereby the Braille paper S moves in the forward direction or the reverse direction. Further, the pen 3 is pressed onto the Braille paper S by the attraction of the pen driving magnet 4, and is separated from the Braille paper S when released from the pen driving magnet 4. on the other hand,
The pen 3 horizontally moves via the wire 7 when a drive signal is input to the second pulse motor 5. The drive signals are output from the drive circuit 11 under the control of the CPU 13, as shown in FIG. That is,
When the input signal is given to the CPU 13 via the buffer 14, the CPU 13 operates according to the program in the memory 12 and outputs the drive signal from the drive circuit 11. In this way, relative displacement in the X direction (horizontal direction), the Y direction, and the Z direction (vertical direction to the braille paper S) is realized between the pen 3 and the braille paper S, and the braille paper S is composed of a plurality of points. Forming braille.

FIG. 1 is an operation flow chart showing the first embodiment of the present invention. The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. Although the operation flow shown in FIG. 1 is for the case where the points are circular, the present invention can also be implemented in the same manner by determining the length of one side even when the points are, for example, square points. Is. Prior to the operation flow shown in FIG. 1, a series of drawing information for forming Braille is stored in the memory 12 in advance, and the CPU 13 sequentially acquires the above drawing information in the memory 12 from the beginning according to a program, Braille formation is performed. In such a series of braille formation, the CPU 13 obtains a circular dot figure drawing request as drawing information from the memory 12 (S).
1). Since this drawing information has the diameter D1 of the circle and the relative position information of the center position of the circle,
Based on these pieces of information, the CPU 13 first determines the position where the pen 3 is first pressed onto the braille paper S.

Subsequently, the CPU 13 controls the drive circuit 11 to move the X position to position the pen 3 at the determined position.
The direction displacement amount and the Y direction displacement amount are given, and the drive circuit 11 gives the pulse signal of the pulse number corresponding to the X direction displacement amount to the second pulse motor 5, and the pulse signal of the pulse number corresponding to the Y direction displacement amount. To the first pulse motor 2.
Thus, with the pen 3 separated from the braille paper S, the pen 3
Moves in the horizontal direction, and the Braille paper S moves up and down (Y direction)
The pen 3 is positioned by moving to. Then, the drive circuit 11 applies a drive signal to the drive magnet 4 to press the pen 3 against the Braille paper S, and in that state again applies a plurality of pulse signals to the two pulse motors 2 and 5. The circle is approximated by a plurality of straight lines, and the X-direction displacement amount and the Y-direction displacement amount for forming each straight line are C
Since the drive circuit 11 is supplied from the PU 13 to the drive circuit 11, the drive circuit 11 keeps the drive magnet 4 in a driven state, that is, while the pen 3 is pressed against the braille paper S, the displacement amounts of the respective straight lines in the X direction and A pulse train corresponding to the Y-direction displacement is applied to the two pulse motors 2 and 5 to form a circle on the Braille paper S (S
2).

Next, the CPU 13 determines whether or not the diameter D1 of the formed circle is larger than the predetermined diameter D2 (S3). It should be noted that the value of the diameter D2 is built in the program in the memory 12 in advance or set in a predetermined area in the memory 12 in advance. As a result of the above determination, when D1 is larger than D2 (Yes in S3), the CPU 13 forms, for example, a smaller circle inside the circle formed at that time as described above (S4). If D1 is not larger than D2 (No in S3), this operation flow is terminated without forming a small circle inside. Figure 2
(B) shows a cross section of the dot graphic formed in this way. FIG. 2A is a cross section of a corresponding conventional dot pattern (see FIG. 12). In the cross section of the dotted pattern shown in FIG. 2B, the small circle formed on the inside eliminates the settling in the central portion indicated by the dotted line. Depending on the size of the dots to be formed, instead of forming a small circle inside, you may simply push the center of the dot with the pen tip, and conversely you can draw a double circle (including a spiral circle) inside. It is also possible to form. Further, the figure formed inside does not need to be similar to the figure outside. Thus, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to form a large dot figure with no sagging in the central portion by reducing the vertical movement of the pen, and thus with low noise and short time.

FIG. 3 is an operation flow chart showing the second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is intended to form a thick line by reducing the lifting and lowering of the pen 3.
In the series of Braille formation, first, the CPU 13 causes the memory 1
A line drawing drawing request is acquired as drawing information from 2 (S1).
1). This is, for example, a ~ -shaped (meandering) line figure as shown in Fig. 4, and the line width is W1. This line width W1
Corresponds to the diameter when formed as a dot figure. Subsequently, the CPU 13 compares the line width W1 included in the acquired drawing information with a predetermined line width W2 (S12), and W1 is W2.
If it is larger (Yes in S12), the pen is moved to the N-shape as shown in FIG. 4 (relative movement to the Braille paper).
The line drawing formation is repeated (S13). That is, the pen control means first positions the pen 3 at the point a shown in FIG. 4, then presses the pen 3 against the Braille paper, and in the pressed state in the arrow direction (the arrow indicates two lines on both sides of the pen track width). (Shown with)). Note that the pen tip is kept pressed against the paper until the formation of all the thick lines of the mold is completed. On the other hand, if W1 is not larger than W2 (S
No. 12), a single line (single line) diagram is formed (S
14). As described above, according to the second embodiment, the pen 3 can be relatively moved in an N-shape (or an S-shape) in a zigzag manner while the pen 3 is being pressed against the braille paper, so that a thick line can be formed. The line can be formed in a shorter time than in the conventional case, and the collision noise due to the raising and lowering of the pen 3 is eliminated, so that the noise is also eliminated. Furthermore, since the pen tip passes through the line width of the thick line a plurality of times, the set is eliminated.

FIG. 5 shows the locus of the pen 3 in the third embodiment of the present invention. When a thick line is formed on this locus, in step S13 shown in FIG.
A movement of a predetermined length c is performed in the direction of substantially the end point b of the line segment to be formed, and then a movement of a predetermined length d that is shorter than the predetermined length c in the direction of the substantially start point a of the line segment is repeated. Draw a zigzag trajectory to form a thick line. Thus, also in the third embodiment, the same effect as that of the second embodiment can be realized. The third embodiment is suitable for forming a line slightly thinner than that of the second embodiment. Further, the method of drawing the zigzag trajectory is shown in the second and third embodiments, but it is also possible to draw the zigzag trajectory by a method other than these two embodiments.

FIG. 6 is an operation flow chart showing the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the optimum drawing method is automatically selected according to the required line thickness. First, the CPU 13 acquires a line drawing drawing request as drawing information from the memory 12 (S21). ). Subsequently, the CPU 13 compares the line width W1 included in the acquired drawing information with predetermined line widths W2 and W3 (W2 <W3) (S22). As a result, if W1 is smaller than W2, a single line (single line) diagram is formed by the conventional method (S23). If W1 is larger than W2 and smaller than W3, a line having an intermediate thickness is formed by the method of FIG. 5 (S24). If W1 is W3
If it is larger than that, the diagram of the thickest line is formed by the method of FIG. 4 (S25). In this way, the optimum drawing method is automatically selected according to the required line thickness, so that unnecessary movement of the pen 3 can be prevented and the drawing time of the line figure can be shortened.

FIG. 7 is an operation flow chart showing the fifth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, it is possible to select whether to prioritize the speed of line drawing formation or to prevent sag and prioritize good quality. First, the CPU 13 draws data from the memory 12 and draws it. A line drawing drawing request is acquired as information (S31). Then, CPU
13 compares the line width W1 included in the acquired drawing information with a predetermined line width W2 (S32). As a result, if
If W1 is smaller than W2, a single line (single line) diagram is formed by the conventional method (S33). If W1 is larger than W2, the process proceeds to step S34 to check whether the high speed mode is currently selected. The high-speed mode is a mode that is appropriately selected by the user, for example, when performing a trial drawing or when making a draft drawing, and when the high-speed mode is selected (S
34, Yes), the diagram is formed by the method of FIG. 5 (S
35). As a result, line drawing is formed at high speed while preventing settling. On the other hand, if the high-speed mode is not selected for the reason that it is necessary to perform drawing with high quality (No in S34), the diagram is formed by the method of FIG. 4 (S36). As a result, line drawing is formed while more surely preventing the settling. In this way, by allowing the user to select whether or not to perform line drawing formation at high speed, line drawing quality does not matter so much, but if you want to obtain a trial drawing in a short time, or conversely, give priority to quality. Since it is possible to perform drawing by a method according to the case, convenience is improved.

[0015]

As described above, the present invention has the following excellent effects. According to the first aspect of the invention, since a large point is formed by the line drawing forming the closed loop and the small figure arranged inside the line drawing, when the large point is formed, no settling at the center of the point occurs, and The number of times of raising and lowering is reduced, so that noise is reduced and Braille can be formed in a short time. Further, according to the second aspect of the invention, since a thick line is formed by repeating the zigzag line drawing, the number of times of raising and lowering the pen is reduced, so that noise is reduced and Braille can be formed in a short time. Also,
According to the invention of claim 3, in the invention of claim 2, the movement of the pen is controlled so as to draw a zigzag trajectory by repeating the movement of the S-shape or the N-shape. The number of times of raising and lowering is reduced, so that noise is reduced and Braille can be formed in a short time. In the invention according to claim 4, in the invention according to claim 2, a movement of a predetermined length is performed in the direction of the end point of the line segment to be formed, and then a movement shorter than the predetermined length is performed in the direction of the start point of the line segment. Since the movement of the pen is controlled so as to draw a zigzag locus by repeating the movement for performing the drawing, it is possible to shorten the movement distance of the pen and form the diagram at a high speed compared to the case of claim 3. it can. Further, in the invention according to claim 5, in the invention according to claim 2, the optimum drawing method is automatically selected according to the required line thickness, so that unnecessary movement of the pen is prevented. The drawing time of a figure can be shortened. Further, according to the invention of claim 6,
In the invention described above, the convenience can be improved because the user can select the mode depending on the case, such as when giving priority to high-speed drawing or when giving priority to quality.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an operation example in a first embodiment of a braille forming device of the present invention.

2A and 2B are explanatory diagrams of operation results in the first embodiment of the Braille forming device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation example in the second embodiment of the braille forming device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory diagram in the second embodiment of the braille forming device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory diagram of the Braille forming device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation example in the fourth embodiment of the braille forming device of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation example in the fifth embodiment of the braille forming device of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a main part of the embodiment of the Braille forming device of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an embodiment of a Braille forming device of the present invention.

10A and 10B are operation explanatory diagrams of a braille forming device showing an example of a conventional technique.

11A to 11E are operation explanatory views of a braille forming device showing another example of the conventional technique.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a problem of the conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 platen, 2 first pulse motor, 3 pen, 4
Pen drive magnet, 5 second pulse motor, 1
0 control unit, 11 drive circuit, 12 memory, 13
CPU.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 3/32, 3/38 B41M 3/16 G09B 21/02

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A braille forming device for forming a convex braille on a braille paper, a braille pen for pressing a braille paper on a platen to form a convex braille on the braille paper, and a braille larger than a predetermined value. A pen control means for controlling the braille pen to form a closed loop small figure on the braille paper when forming dots, and then controlling to form a small figure smaller than the small figure in the closed loop. Braille forming device characterized in that 2. A braille forming device for forming a convex braille on a braille paper, a braille pen for pressing a braille paper on a platen to form a convex braille on the braille paper, and a thicker than a predetermined value. When forming a line, the braille forming device is provided with a pen control means for controlling so as to draw a zigzag trajectory in a state where the braille pen is pressed against the braille paper between both ends of the formed line segment. . 3. The braille forming device according to claim 2,
A braille forming device characterized by being controlled so as to draw a zigzag trajectory by repeating S-shaped or N-shaped movement. 4. The braille forming device according to claim 2,
Controlling to draw a zigzag trajectory by repeating a movement of a predetermined length in the direction of the end point of the line segment to be formed and then repeating a movement of shorter than the predetermined length in the direction of the start point of the line segment. Braille forming device. 5. The braille forming device according to claim 2,
The pen control means has a function of comparing the line width W1 included in the acquired drawing information with predetermined line widths W2 and W3 (W2 <W3), and W1 is larger than W2 and W3.
If it is smaller than the above, a zigzag locus is obtained by repeating a movement of a predetermined length in the direction of the end point of the line segment to be formed and then repeating a movement shorter than the predetermined length in the direction of the start point of the line segment. A braille forming device characterized in that it is controlled so as to draw, and when W1 is larger than W3, it is controlled so as to draw a zigzag trajectory by repeating S-shaped or N-shaped movement. 6. The braille forming device according to claim 2,
The pen control means performs a high quality mode in which the movement of the S-shape or the N-shape is repeated to draw a zigzag trajectory, and a movement of a predetermined length in the direction of the end point of the line segment to be formed. Then, having a high-speed mode for controlling to draw a zigzag trajectory by repeating a movement that is shorter than the predetermined length in the direction of the starting point of the line segment,
A Braille forming device characterized by performing control in either one of the modes in response to a selection request.