JP3661170B2 - Braille display device and tactile display device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a braille display device that continuously displays arbitrary braille using six or eight pins. Specifically, the present invention relates to a braille display device that can continuously read braille without moving a finger.
The present invention also relates to a tactile display device that displays characters and figures by arranging pins in a multi-row multi-column matrix.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A conventional braille display device arranges a predetermined number of braille display units that display braille by protruding pins electrically and mechanically and displays them as a single character string. The information was transmitted to the visually impaired in the form of reading the next line and then displaying the next line.
[0003]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 09-081029 has been proposed as a display that changes so that the displayed braille is moved without moving the finger. In this case, pressure sensors are arranged on the left and right sides of the braille display device, reading the subtle changes in pressure of the finger placed to read the braille, and the pressure sensor has a force applied to the right greater than the force applied to the left In this case, the braille display is made to flow from right to left, and when the applied force is reversed, it is controlled to flow from left to right, and the display flow rate can be adjusted by the visually impaired by the force applied to the pressure sensor. It is what.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 09-114365 has been proposed as a configuration in which the braille display on the lower surface of the finger is sequentially changed while the finger is stationary.
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-081029 [Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-114365
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional patent document 1, the braille display device that detects the movement of a part of the body and moves left and right does not periodically reciprocate between the first position and the second position. In addition, a pin for displaying Braille is provided so as to freely move forward and backward, and braille is displayed during forward movement and no braille display is displayed during backward movement. In addition, a pressure sensor that reads subtle changes in pressure is required, which complicates the structure and control, and increases the number of parts.
In Patent Document 2, there is a risk that the feeling of sliding the tactile finger on the braille paper is not obtained, and the braille tactile rate is lowered. That is, it is inferred that the visually handicapped person senses the Braille based on the two perception information of the Braille catch condition and the Braille pressing reaction force when the finger slides on the Braille paper.
[0005]
An object of the present invention is to realize a function similar to touching a finger by sliding a finger on Braille paper with a simple configuration, and to reduce the size and cost of a continuous Braille display device.
Further, in the tactile display device that arranges pins in multi-rows and multi-columns and displays characters and figures, the pins are driven by only the number of actuators corresponding to one of the pins arranged in multi-rows and multi-columns. Objective.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, a first braille display device according to the present invention is configured such that a braille unit that displays braille reciprocates alternately between a first position and a second position, and the braille unit moves from the first position to the second position. It was set as the structure which touches Braille with a finger while moving to. The Braille unit displays Braille during forward movement and has no Braille display during backward movement. In addition, each time returning to the first position, the Braille pin drive actuator is controlled so that the displayed Braille characters can be changed, so that the Braille characters can be displayed continuously.
The Braille unit may display one character or may display a plurality of characters. Furthermore, the speed of moving from the first position to the second position may be different from the speed of moving from the second position to the first position. For example, it may be a slow speed that displays 100 to 200 characters per minute at the time of forward movement, and a speed that is equivalent to twice as much as at the time of forward movement at the time of backward movement.
[0007]
The Braille unit comprises a holding member that slidably supports a total of 6 pins of 3 rows and 2 columns on the tactile surface, and six actuators that are attached to the holding member and move the 6 pins forward and backward ( Not shown).
For example, the actuator is configured to drive a pin using the piezoelectric effect of a piezoelectric element (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-301335), and has an electromagnet that drives the pin, and has a permanent magnet in the vicinity of the yoke tip. A flexible cam mechanism is provided, and this cam mechanism is rotated in the required direction by an electromagnet and held magnetically (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 09-305100). Six electromagnetic solenoids arranged in parallel in three rows and two columns Or a linear motor or an electric motor (a motor with a lead screw on the spindle).
The reciprocating motion of the braille unit is driven by a crank mechanism consisting of a motor, an eccentric disc and a link plate, driven by a disk-type cam attached to the motor shaft, linear motor drive, and a rack attached to the braille unit is driven by a motor with a pinion. Any means such as a configuration in which a braille unit is attached in the middle of the reciprocating endless belt may be used.
[0008]
A second braille display device according to the present invention is configured to press and hold a pin that displays braille on a tactile surface so as to freely move forward and backward, and a side of the pin that is disposed on the holding member in one direction. An elastic member and six actuators located in the vicinity of the holding member in the first position, abutting on the pin and projecting the pin from the tactile surface to a height of about 0.5 to 0.8 mm; Selective drive for selectively driving the six actuators, and a pin retracting means that is positioned in the vicinity of the holding member in the process of reaching the second position, contacts the pin, and retracts the pin to the tactile surface side And a holding member driving means for alternately reciprocating the holding member between the first position and the second position.
[0009]
The actuator for projecting the pin from the tactile surface of the holding member is selected from, for example, six electromagnetic solenoids arranged in 3 rows and 2 columns, a linear motor, an electric motor, a motor and a disk-type cam attached to the motor shaft. It was
The means for retracting the pin to the tactile surface side was either a cam with a gently inclined surface or a rotatable roller. The cam, the roller, and the actuator are fixedly disposed on the housing or the base in the vicinity of the holding member. The reciprocating means of the holding member was the same as that of the first braille display device.
[0010]
The elastic member that is disposed in the concave groove of the holding member and presses and holds the pin is one selected from rubber, a flexible rod-shaped member made of resin, a flexible tube-shaped member, a flexible plate-shaped member, and the like. Specifically, the pin is supported by two plates constituting the holding member so as to freely advance and retract, and the side portion of the pin is pressed from one side by a rubber rod-like elastic member having a circular cross section disposed between the two plates. And it was set as the structure which hold | maintains a pin in arbitrary advance / retreat positions.
[0011]
The holding force of the pin by the elastic member was in the range of 0.3N to 1.0N, preferably 0.4N to 0.8N. The definition of the holding force refers to a state where the pin does not retract to the tactile surface side when a visually impaired person touches the pin. The finger pressure when the visually handicapped person touches the pin is as small as about 0.1N. When the pin diameter is 1.2 mm and the elastic member is nitrile butadiene rubber, the diameter is about 1.4 mm to 1.6 mm, and the amount of bending (dent) of the elastic member side wall by the pin pressing is 0.2 mm to 0.6 mm. The degree. The cross-sectional shape of the elastic member was one selected from a circular shape, a substantially circular shape, a rectangular shape, a diamond shape, a bellows shape, and the like. The elastic member may be a resin member in addition to rubber. The elastic member may include a lubricating member such as a fluororesin on the surface or in the member.
When the elastic member is made of rubber, one selected from silicon rubber, fluorine rubber, nitrile butadiene rubber, natural rubber, and the like was used. In the case of a tubular member, one selected from soft resins such as rubber, nylon, vinyl, fluorine, and polyethylene was used.
[0012]
The diameter of the pin for displaying Braille was about 1 to 2 mm, and both ends were curved surfaces, for example, substantially hemispherical. In addition to stainless steel members, the pins are mixed with nickel, anodized aluminum, brass, iron-based metals that have been rust-proofed and coated with fluororesin, making them difficult to get dirty, copper members with antibacterial effects, resin members, and photocatalytic particles The selected resin member, stainless steel coated with a photocatalyst, and the like were used.
[0013]
With the above-described configuration, the Braille display device according to the present invention can realize the same function as if it were touched by sliding a finger on the Braille paper with a single Braille display unit, and the size and cost of the device can be reduced. You can also read Braille continuously without moving your finger.
[0014]
The tactile display device according to the present invention includes a holding member that freely holds a pin for displaying characters / graphics on the tactile surface, and is positioned in the vicinity of the holding member, contacts the pin, and the pin is A plurality of actuators that project to a height, a pin retraction means that is positioned in the vicinity of the holding member and abuts against the pins and retreats the pins to the tactile surface side, and selectively drives the plurality of actuators Selection drive means, and the number of the actuators corresponds to the number of pins arranged in a row on the holding member. Further, the operation time of the actuator is divided into a plurality of times.
[0015]
With the above configuration, the tactile display device of the present invention can greatly reduce the number of actuators and the mechanism for moving the pins back and forth becomes extremely simple. In addition, the device cost and weight can be reduced.
[0016]
【Example】
Hereinafter, a braille display device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Embodiment 1)
1 is a plan view of a concept in the forward movement process of a Braille unit constituting the Braille display device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view of a concept of a backward movement process of the Braille unit in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a Braille unit in FIG. It is a block block diagram of control circuits, such as a motor which reciprocates and an actuator which advances and retracts a pin.
[0017]
The braille display device 100 includes a braille unit 110, a means for reciprocating the braille unit 110 alternately between a first position and a second position, a selection drive means for selectively driving an actuator for advancing and retracting a pin, and a braille unit. And a control circuit for controlling the actuator and the like.
The Braille unit 110 includes a holding member that slidably supports the pin 601 and six actuators (not shown) that move the pin 601 forward and backward. The braille shown in FIG. 1 consists of 6 pins in 3 rows and 2 columns. The actuator is configured to use the piezoelectric effect of a piezoelectric element, for example.
The means for reciprocating the braille unit 110 between the first position and the second position is a pulse motor, an eccentric disk attached to the pulse motor, a link connecting the eccentric disk and the braille unit, and a slidable braille unit. It consists of a guide to be supported (not shown).
The pin 601 is made of stainless steel, has a diameter of about 1.2 mm, and both ends are substantially hemispherical.
[0018]
The operation of visually impaired people touching Braille will be described. The Braille unit 110 in FIG. 1 has a pin in the first row and the second column and a pin in the second row and the first column, which are painted black by the actuator that is selectively driven, projecting to a height of about 0.5 mm from the tactile surface. “O” is displayed. In the process of moving the braille unit from the first position to the second position (moving from the right to the left of the arrow), the braille “o” is sensed by a finger placed on the flat tactile surface of the braille unit 110. . Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 2, the pins protruding when the second position is reached are retracted to the tactile surface, and all six of them are retracted and there is no braille display. The braille unit 110 moves backward (moves from the left to the right of the arrow) to the first position without displaying the braille. The visually impaired person does not feel Braille because the pin does not protrude during the backward movement process. By repeating this Braille unit reciprocating operation 100 to 300 times per minute, about 200 times on average, a visually handicapped person can make a continuous tactile sensation as if reading a Braille paper with his finger still. A line feed operation as in reading braille paper is not required.
[0019]
As described above, the Braille display device 100 of the present invention controls the actuator so that the Braille characters to be displayed can be changed every time when returning to the first position, so that the Braille characters can be continuously displayed.
The Braille unit may display one character or may display a plurality of characters. Further, the speed of moving from the first position to the second position is different from the speed of moving from the second position to the first position. For example, when returning, the speed is about twice as fast as when moving forward.
[0020]
An example of a control circuit such as a pulse motor for reciprocating the Braille unit 110 and an actuator for driving the pin back and forth is shown in the block diagram of FIG.
The timing for driving the actuator is performed by detecting the phase with a photo interrupter (perforated rotating plate or the like / not shown) that rotates in synchronization with the eccentric disc. You may make it take the drive timing of an actuator using the pulse motor which drives an eccentric disk.
[0021]
As described above, the device according to the present invention has a very simple structure in which the braille display unit can be constituted by only one braille unit. The braille units can be continuously displayed by alternately reciprocating the braille units. As a result, the apparatus can be reduced in size and price.
[0022]
(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the concept at the first position of the holding member constituting another Braille display device of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the concept at the second position in FIG.
The braille display device 200 includes a holding member 910 that supports a pin 601 on a tactile surface so as to freely advance and retreat, an elastic member 900 that is disposed on the holding member 910 and presses and holds a side portion of the pin 601 in one direction, Six actuators 920 that are positioned in the vicinity of the holding member 910 in the first position, abut against the pin 601 and project the pin 601 to a height of about 0.5 mm from the tactile surface, and a second position. In the process of reaching, the pin retracting means located near the holding member and contacting the pin 601 to retract the pin 601 to the tactile surface side, and selective driving means for selectively driving the six actuators 920 And means for reciprocating the holding member 910 alternately between the first position and the second position.
[0023]
In the first embodiment, the actuator for advancing and retracting the braille pin is disposed integrally with the holding member, whereas in the second embodiment, the actuator is fixedly disposed separately from the holding member. Similarly, the pin retracting means for retracting the pin to the tactile surface side is also arranged separately from the holding member.
Specifically, in the second embodiment, the pins 601 are selectively protruded from the tactile surface by six actuators, for example, electromagnetic solenoids 920, arranged in the vicinity of the holding member 910 at the first position. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the pin 601 is retracted to the tactile surface side by a rotatable roller 930 disposed in the vicinity of the holding member 910 in the process of reaching the stroke end of the second position. Other configurations and tactile movements of Braille are the same as in the first embodiment.
Obviously, the actuator may use any means such as a configuration using a piezoelectric element. Similarly, the pin retracting means may be a plate cam or the like.
[0024]
Next, the holding structure of the holding member 910 and the pin 601 will be described. In FIG. 3, the holding member 910 is formed by integrally assembling an upper plate 910A made of ABS resin and a lower plate 910B. The elastic member 900 is disposed in the concave groove of the lower plate 910B.
The elastic member 900 presses the side portion of the pin 601 in one direction from one side and holds it at an arbitrary position in the advancing / retreating direction. Specifically, the holding member 910 supports the pin so as to freely advance and retreat, and an elastic member 900, for example, a bar-shaped rubber is arranged between the first row pin and the second row pin constituting the braille so as to cross the pin. One bar-shaped elastic member 900 holds 6 pins for one Braille character. The rod-like rubber had an outer diameter of 1.5 mm, a dent amount by pressing the pin 601 of about 0.3 mm, and a pin holding force of about 0.3N to 0.4N. The pressing force of the finger touching the pin 601 by a visually impaired person is as small as about 0.1 N. Thereby, even if a visually handicapped person touches, it does not retract. The pin holding structure can be simplified by setting the same pin holding force at a position where the visually impaired person touches or does not touch the braille display.
[0025]
The elastic member 900 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 has a circular cross section. The type of rod-shaped rubber was nitrile butadiene rubber, and the hardness was about 70. The elastic member may be a resin member in addition to rubber.
[0026]
Also in the braille display device 200, if a finger is lightly placed on the tactile surface of the holding member 910, the holding member 910 displaying the braille moves leftward from the first position to the second position, as if braille. This corresponds to a tactile sensation traced from left to right on paper. As described above, the apparatus according to the present invention can display phrases continuously with one Braille display unit and does not require a line feed operation like Braille paper, which makes it extremely easy to use for persons with disabilities.
Further, since the pin-driven actuator is separated and fixedly arranged from the holding member, the mass of the holding member 910 and the inertia during the reciprocating motion are reduced, and higher speed movement is possible.
[0027]
As described above, the braille display device according to the second embodiment can also have a very simple braille pin holding structure and braille pin advancement / retraction structure, and can be further reduced in size and price.
[0028]
(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the main part of the concept of the tactile display device of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a side view of the main part at the second position in FIG.
A tactile display device 300 according to the present invention includes a holding member 1010 for holding a pin 1001 for displaying characters / graphics on a tactile surface so as to freely advance and retreat, and the holding member 1010 in the vicinity of the second member. In the process of moving to the first position, a plurality of actuators 1020 that abut against the pins 1001 and project the pins 1001 to a height of 0.5 mm to 0.8 mm from the tactile surface, and positions near the holding member 1010 In the process of moving from the first position to the second position, a pin retracting means for contacting the pin 1001 and retracting the pin toward the tactile surface, and a selective driving means for selectively driving the plurality of actuators 1020 And means for reciprocating the holding member 1010 alternately between the first position and the second position.
[0029]
The actuators 1020, for example, electromagnetic solenoids, are arranged side by side in a number corresponding to one row among pins arranged in multiple rows and multiple columns. That is, FIG. 6 shows an example in which the same number of actuators (electromagnetic solenoids) as five pins in one row are arranged in parallel for a total of 25 pins in 5 rows and 5 columns.
In addition, when it is desired to give flexibility to the outer dimensions of the actuator 1020, the actuators 1020 may be distributed in a plurality of rows such as two rows so that the operation timings may be different. By varying the operation timing of the actuator, the peak value of the drive current can be lowered as compared with the case where the actuators are driven simultaneously.
[0030]
The tactile display device 300 basically has the same concept as the Braille display device of the second embodiment, and has substantially the same configuration. That is, the configuration in which the pin 1001 is held in the holding member 1010 so as to freely move back and forth, the configuration in which the holding member 1010 is reciprocated between the first position and the second position, and the means for moving the pin 1001 back to the tactile surface side are the same.
The difference is that tactile pins are arranged in a multi-row, multi-column matrix instead of Braille to display characters and figures, and the actuator 1020 is in the vicinity of the lower surface side of the holding member. The number of actuators 1020 is the same as the number of pins arranged in the multi-row multi-column, the number of actuators 1020 is the same as the number of pins arranged in the multi-row multi-column. The only difference is that it is driven in synchronism with the column, the position where the visually impaired person touches is not the first position and the second position, but the first position.
The drive timing of the actuator may be implemented by a plate and a photocoupler (not shown) attached to the holding member 1010 and perforated as corresponding to the row. A pulse motor that reciprocates the holding member may be used.
[0031]
Next, the operation of the tactile display device 300 will be described. In the first position of FIG. 6, the holding member 1010 holds a total of 25 pins 1001 of 5 rows and 5 columns, which can freely advance and retreat. A black circle shows a protruding pin and indicates the outline of the house. The white circle pin shows a state where it is retracted to the tactile surface.
In the process of the holding member 1010 moving (forward movement) from the first position to the second position, the black protruding pins are sequentially retracted to the tactile surface by the rotatable roller 1030. FIG. 7 shows a state where the holding member 1010 has moved to the second position. In the second position, all the pins 1001 are retracted to the tactile surface and there is no display.
Next, in the process in which the holding member 1010 moves (returns) from the second position toward the first position, the five actuators 1020 arranged side by side operate correspondingly for each row of the pins 1001 and selectively pin. Push 1001 up. As a result, the holding member 1010 that has reached the first position displays a desired graphic, or a character and a graphic so as to be tactile. When the visually handicapped person touches the shape at the first position and then presses a key switch for displaying a new figure, or inputs a desired article name, characters, etc. (not shown) by the braille input key switch (not shown), the holding member 1010 is again displayed. Then, the above-described reciprocating operation is repeated to display new characters and figures with pins.
[0032]
As described above, the tactile display device 300 of the present invention does not need to arrange the number of actuators corresponding to all the pins by reciprocating the holding member provided with the pins in multiple rows and multiple columns. All that is required is the number of pins arranged in a row. This greatly reduces the number of actuators that cause the pins to protrude from the tactile surface and greatly contributes to cost reduction. It also contributes to reducing the weight of the device.
When it is desired to keep the width dimension of the tactile display device 300 small, it may be a dimension obtained by adding a range including the roller 1030 to the width dimension of the holding member 1010. That is, in the second position, the holding member 1010 may be configured to protrude from the apparatus main body.
[0033]
It is obvious that the number of pins arranged on the holding member 1010 may be implemented in an arbitrary multi-row / multi-row. Further, instead of arranging a plurality of actuators in a line corresponding to the number of pins in a line and simultaneously performing selective driving, the actuators may be distributed in a plurality of lines, for example, two lines, and selectively driven at different timings.
Further, a plate cam or the like may be used instead of the roller that retracts the pin to the tactile surface.
Furthermore, an electric motor or the like may be used as an actuator, and the amount of protrusion from the tactile surface may be changed for each pin so that the figure is displayed in a three-dimensional three-dimensional shape. Further, instead of reciprocating the holding member 1010, the holding member 1010 may be fixed and the actuator 1020 corresponding to the number of pins in a row may be reciprocated. In that case, it is necessary to reciprocate the means for retracting the pin to the tactile surface, and to appropriately abut the pin.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
The braille display device of the present invention can continuously display braille by reciprocating one braille display unit alternately between the first position and the second position. Blind people can read Braille continuously without moving their fingers. In addition, as in the case of touching a braille paper, a perception equivalent to a pointing motion can be obtained, which contributes to an improvement in the touch rate and speed.
Further, the pin holding structure can be simplified by setting the same pin holding force at a position where the visually handicapped person touches or does not touch the braille display. As a result, the device can be reduced in size and price, and can be widely used for mobile phones, station ticket machines, installation in ATMs, etc., and installation in public facilities such as libraries.
Furthermore, the tactile display device of the present invention can greatly reduce the number of actuators, and can reduce costs and weight.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a concept in a forward movement process of a Braille unit constituting a Braille display device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a concept of a backward movement process of a Braille unit in FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the concept at the first position of the holding member constituting one Braille display device. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the concept at the second position in FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the main part of the concept of the tactile display device of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a side view of the main part at the second position in FIG. Description】
100, 200 Braille display device 110 Braille unit 300 Tactile display device 601, 1001 Pin 900 Elastic member 910, 1010 Holding member 910A, 1010A Upper plate 910B, 1010B Lower plate 920 Electromagnetic solenoid 921, 1021 Moving member 930, 1030 Roller 1020 Actuator

Claims (3)

A pin that displays braille on the tactile surface, and a holding member that can freely move forward and backward, and a fixed member that is separated from the holding member, and abuts the pin so that the pin protrudes from the tactile surface to a predetermined height. An actuator, a fixed arrangement separated from the holding member, a pin retraction means that contacts the pin and retreats the pin to the tactile surface side, and a selective drive means that selectively drives the plurality of actuators; A Braille display device comprising means for reciprocating the holding member between a first position and a second position. A holding member for holding a pin for displaying characters / graphics on the tactile surface so as to freely move forward and backward, and a plurality of pins arranged separately from the holding member and projecting the pin from the tactile surface to a predetermined height by contacting the pin An actuator, a pin retraction means that is fixedly disposed separately from the holding member, abuts against the pin, and retreats the pin toward the tactile surface, and a selection drive means that selectively drives the plurality of actuators. A tactile display device comprising means for reciprocating the holding member between a first position and a second position. 3. The tactile display device according to claim 2, wherein the number of actuators corresponds to the number of pins arranged in a row on the holding member .

Images