JP5789893B2 - Braille display device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a braille display device that allows a deafblind person or a visually impaired person to display timetable information such as trains and buses, address tables, telephone books, schedule tables, and program tables. In particular, the present invention relates to a braille display device that can easily understand the configuration of table information two-dimensionally and can easily recognize the contents of table elements in a short time without special learning.

  Braille (paper-based Braille and Braille display device) is one of the means by which a deafblind or visually impaired person recognizes and organizes information. In Braille, one character is basically displayed by six or eight convex points. In the braille display device, in order to display braille, six or eight braille pins using braille pins corresponding to the convex points are arranged through the through holes formed at a predetermined interval on the panel, and one character is arranged. Configure. Further, the Braille pin is displaced by a predetermined amount from the panel by electrical or mechanical drive such as a micro solenoid, a piezoelectric element, an electromagnet, a motor and a cam, etc. to display one character. Then, a predetermined number of braille characters, for example, 16, 24, 32 characters, etc. are arranged in the horizontal direction and displayed as a character string in one line. Here, in the case of a portable braille display device, in many cases, 16 characters are arranged in consideration of practicality and the size of the device. A deaf-blind person or a visually impaired person touches (reads) Braille characters by tracing the Braille character string (braille pin string) with a finger.

  However, the conventional braille display device is suitable as a recognition device for serial information such as text data, but it is a timetable for trains and buses, an address table, a telephone book, a schedule table, a program table, etc. It is rarely used as an information recognition / confirmation device. And as a result of research on many deafblind people or visually impaired people, it is clear that recognition and confirmation of table information that is indispensable for daily life is difficult in its original form, and it is a serious problem in living became. However, at present, no effective means or technology has been established for deafblind persons or visually impaired persons to recognize the table information, and even a commonly used braille display device recognizes and confirms the information. Is not presented.

  On the other hand, several methods for enabling the visually impaired to recognize the table information have been proposed. For example, there is a method that conveys data in a tabular format using voice reading, and a method of reading out the whole text sequentially in a time column of table row and column cell information, or the title and content of rows and columns can be determined in advance. There is a method in which a creator creates a read-out sentence using HTML or the like so that it is read out according to the reading order of the rules. However, speech confirmation is impossible for deafblind people, and as a result of research on many visually handicapped persons, any cell is arbitrarily moved in the table row and column at will, and any cell is selected. There is an opinion that because it is not structured, it is necessary to listen to the whole sentence or a lot of information in order to obtain the table information of the intended position, and it takes a lot of time to acquire the information, and it is accompanied by fatigue. Furthermore, there is an opinion that it is difficult to reconfirm and edit information, and the acquisition of table information by voice means is not generally disseminated.

  As another method, a method has been proposed in which a dedicated device that can spatially confirm the cell configuration of a table by tactile sense is developed, and an arbitrary cell is accessed to know the contents of the table (patent) Reference 1). Patent Document 1 provides a dedicated tactile display control device and a tactile display control method for visually handicapped persons that enable two-dimensionally easy understanding of the configuration of table information. There has been proposed a tactile sensation presentation control device that has a switch that presents a selected object so that it can be identified by tactile sense from data, and that can recognize the contents of the selected object. For example, when the data has a table structure, it has a matrix control switch group that presents titles of rows and columns in the table structure, and a table object switch group that presents objects in the table structure. Tabular information can be understood two-dimensionally by the displayed arrangement of switches having a vertically movable mechanism. Further, since the presenter shares the function with the input switch, if the switch is pressed while confirming the selected object by touch, the contents of each selected object can be confirmed by voice or Braille.

  Furthermore, as another method, not only a part having a function of recognizing the position of the table information and selecting necessary information, but also a tactile presentation control device and a tactile sensation including a part for displaying the selected information in Braille / voice A presentation control method has been proposed (see Patent Document 2). The dedicated device presented in Patent Document 2 includes a tactile sensation presentation unit composed of one or more tactile stimulation elements arranged two-dimensionally, and the tactile stimulation among one or more cells included in the tabular data. A cell extraction unit that extracts a cell corresponding to the element, a presentation state generation unit that generates a presentation state of the tactile stimulation element according to the cell corresponding to the tactile stimulation element, and a presentation state of the generated tactile stimulation element And an output control unit for controlling the tactile sense presenting unit and outputting irregular tabular data. In other words, it is a tactile sensation presentation device that presents tabular data defining functional blocks so that it can be identified by tactile sensation, and not only a part having a function of recognizing the position of table information and selecting necessary information but also selecting selected information. It has a part that displays in braille and voice.

JP 2002-312095 A JP-A-2005-331539

  The above-described method of table recognition by reading aloud is naturally unusable for a deafblind person. Also, for visually impaired people, reading aloud is essentially serial information processing, so it takes a lot of time to obtain the table information of the intended position. There is a problem that is difficult. In the case of Patent Document 1, a tactile sensation presentation control device that is a dedicated device is required, and a large learning time is required for a deafblind or visually impaired person to use the dedicated device. Also, even if you are proficient at the time of use, you will need the dedicated device and Braille or audio device. In particular, if you want to look at the train or bus timetable etc. outside, you will need 3 devices in addition to the mobile communication information device that downloads the timetable, which makes it extremely difficult to use outdoors. . Also, in the case of Patent Document 2, a tactile sensation presentation control device that is a dedicated device is necessary, and learning is still necessary in order to use the dedicated device. For deafblind and visually handicapped people, learning requires great effort and is extremely difficult to use. In addition, since the apparatus has two large parts, a part for recognizing and selecting table information and a part for displaying the selected information in braille and voice, there is a problem that the device becomes large and portability is also poor.

  The above-described conventional method based on speech reading has a drawback due to the fact that speech is basically suitable for expressing serial data, but not suitable for expressing arbitrary data. In addition, the methods described in each patent document have a problem that it takes a long time to use a dedicated device, and more time is required for the blind and visually impaired. In addition, the adoption of a dedicated functional part with a large occupied volume for recognizing a two-dimensional structure has various problems such as an increase in the size of the device. There is no disclosure of proposals for acquisition, confirmation, and organization.

  In addition, the conventional Braille display device, which has become a de facto standard, is basically configured to read a text document serially in the right direction. Therefore, it is easy to use when reading novels, news, e-mail documents, etc., but when looking at information arranged two-dimensionally such as table information, it is inconvenient to simply read serially. For the processing of table information, it is indispensable to touch the data displayed on the braille pin row and move in the direction to the data adjacent to the top, bottom, left and right, but the braille pin row and the direction key are installed in a separate place. Therefore, operability is poor, and there is also a problem that operation with one hand is particularly difficult.

  The object of the present invention is to solve these various problems, so that the deaf and visually impaired can easily acquire, confirm and organize the necessary table information without special learning. It is an object to provide a braille display device having a function and excellent in portability.

The Braille display device according to the present invention is
A braille pin string in which one braille character is composed of a plurality of braille pins and can display a plurality of braille pins,
A Braille pin drive unit for driving the Braille pin to displace and displaying Braille;
Direction keys including four directions, up, down, left and right,
A first table decomposition unit that decomposes Braille table data having matrix elements into data for each matrix element and associates the decomposed matrix elements with the direction key;
A second table decomposition unit that decomposes the data into each row element of one row of braille table data having matrix elements, and associates the decomposed row elements with the direction key;
A table output switching key for selecting either the first table decomposition unit or the second table decomposition unit;
With
Decomposing table data having the matrix elements into data for each matrix element or data for each row element by the first table decomposition unit or the second table decomposition unit selected by the table output switching key;
The Braille pin driving unit displays the data in the table data corresponding to the direction key associated with the data displayed in the Braille pin row by driving the Braille pin to be displaced and displaying the data in the Braille pin row. .

  Further, the first table decomposition unit and the second table decomposition unit associate each column item of the Braille table data as a higher / lower relationship, and a lower column belonging to an element of the same higher column item It may be set so that mutual movement between element elements is possible, and direct movement between elements of lower column items belonging to elements of different upper column items is not allowed.

Further, the first table decomposition unit may further decompose the data for each matrix element of the Braille table data into display unit data according to the number of display characters of the Braille pin string.
Further, the second table decomposition unit may further decompose the data for each row element of the Braille table data into display unit data according to the number of display characters of the Braille pin string.
With the above configuration, a deaf-blind person or visually handicapped person who is a user can select a display unit on the braille pin of the table data. Thus, a deafblind person or a visually impaired person can quickly and easily acquire necessary information by understanding the table structure.

  Still further, the first table decomposition unit and the second table decomposition unit may include at least one abbreviation in each of the displayed display unit data. When the number of characters in a braille pin string is limited as in a portable braille display device, it is often too long as it is. Therefore, the decomposed data may be expressed in a form including at least one simplified word.

The first table decomposition unit may add a recognition symbol to each of the display unit data corresponding to the start and end of the data for each matrix element among the decomposed display unit data.
Further, the second table decomposition unit may add a recognition symbol to each of the display unit data corresponding to the beginning and end of the data for each row element of the one row among the decomposed display unit data.
In many cases, the decomposed data displayed in the braille pin row is so large that it is unclear which position in the table is being viewed. Therefore, recognition symbols are added to the beginning and end of the disassembled display unit data, respectively, so that the position being viewed in the table can be easily confirmed.

The direction key is
An upward key provided above the braille pin row;
A downward key provided below the braille pin row;
A left direction key provided to the left of the braille pin row;
A right direction key provided to the right of the braille pin row;
May be included.

  Since the braille display device is easy to read when reading a text document serially in the right direction, it is not very suitable for displaying table data in which information is arranged vertically and horizontally. When moving the display of such table data to the display of data adjacent in the vertical and horizontal directions, it is not particularly convenient. In the braille display device according to the present invention, the four direction keys are arranged around the braille pin row on the upper, lower, left and right sides of the braille pin row. Thus, when changing the display to the adjacent data in the table data of the decomposed data, the usability when operating the direction keys while reading the data displayed with the Braille pins is improved.

  According to the Braille display device of the present invention, table information such as trains, buses, timetables, address tables, telephone books, schedule tables, program tables, and the like are table-separated by blind deaf people and visually impaired persons using table output switching keys. Select the Braille display type 1 or Braille type display type 2 that is easy to recognize by selecting the part, and specify whether the content to be displayed in the braille pin row at a time is a table element unit or a table row unit You can choose. In addition, since the braille display device having the same key arrangement as the standard key arrangement is adopted, the configuration of the table can be easily understood two-dimensionally without special learning. Furthermore, the contents of the table element can be recognized easily and in a short time. Moreover, since a new function can be added with the conventional braille display device having almost the same size, it is excellent in portability.

  According to the braille display device of the present invention, since the amount of display data is increased by performing shortened display of the braille data displayed on the braille pin row, the necessary information can be acquired quickly and easily. Can do. In addition, since a start symbol and an end symbol are added to the beginning and end of each data group, it is easy to confirm the current position of the table information being viewed.

  According to the braille display device of the present invention, it is displayed on the braille pin row by the front up direction key, the front down direction key, the front left direction key, and the front right direction key installed around the braille pin row. Data can be moved. As a result, it can be used as if using a conventional standard Braille display device, and the current position of the table can be easily determined and obtained only with the finger of the hand reading the Braille pin. Therefore, it is also suitable for outdoor use where one-handed device operation is desirable.

It is the schematic which shows the structure of the braille display apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is the schematic which shows another structure of the braille display apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the braille display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the braille display apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is an example of the timetable of the train which is one of the tables. It is an example of the table decomposition | disassembly pattern 1 in the braille display apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is an example of the table decomposition | disassembly pattern 2 in the braille display apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is another example of the table decomposition | disassembly pattern 2 in the braille display apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is another example of the table decomposition | disassembly pattern 2 in the braille display apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is an example of a table decomposition pattern in the braille display device of Reference Example 1. It is an example of a table decomposition pattern in the braille display device of Reference Example 2. It is an example of the contact table which is one of the tables. It is an example of the table decomposition | disassembly pattern 1 in the braille display apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is an example of the table decomposition | disassembly pattern 2 in the braille display apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is another example of the table decomposition | disassembly pattern 2 in the braille display apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention.

  The Braille display device according to the present invention has substantially the same key arrangement as a generally used Braille display device, and may have an ink table data input function and a Braille table data input function as input functions. The input table data is table data necessary for daily life, such as a timetable such as a train or a bus, an address table, a telephone book, a schedule table, and a program table. The ink table data is converted into Braille table data and then stored in the Braille table data storage circuit. On the other hand, the Braille table data is stored as it is in the Braille table data storage unit. The Braille table decomposition unit A or the Braille table decomposition unit B is selected according to the table output switching key operated by the deaf-blind person or visually impaired person who is the user. When the Braille table decomposition unit A is selected, the Braille table data stored in the Braille table data storage unit is decomposed into matrix elements constituting the table, and when the Braille table decomposition unit B is selected, the Braille table data is stored. The tabular data is decomposed into each row, and each decomposed data is stored in the braille data storage circuit. The braille data stored in the braille data storage circuit is output as a braille character string by driving the braille pin train to be displaced by the braille pin drive circuit. A deafblind person or a visually impaired person can easily read the tabular data by selecting an easy-to-read method and tracing the braille pin row with his / her finger in element units or row units.

  In the braille display device according to the present invention, data start and data end symbols are added to the necessary locations of the table data. When the Braille table decomposition section A is selected, data start and data end symbols are added to the beginning and end of the element that decomposed the column item and the element that decomposed the row item. When the Braille table decomposition unit B is selected, data start and data end symbols are added to the beginning and end of each line. A deafblind person or a visually impaired person can easily confirm the position of tactile reading in the tabular data using symbols representing the beginning and end of data.

  In the braille display device according to the present invention, the direction key is installed in the vicinity of the periphery of the braille pin row. Therefore, deafblind people or visually impaired people can operate the direction key with one hand while reading the braille pin row, and can easily move the display data in the vertical and horizontal directions. Can be reached.

  Hereinafter, a braille display device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, substantially the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a braille display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Usually, one Braille character is displayed by six or eight convex points. In the Braille display device 100, six Braille pins for displaying one Braille character are disposed through through holes formed in the panel at a predetermined interval. The braille pin 107 can be protruded by a predetermined amount from the panel by electrical or mechanical drive such as a micro solenoid, piezoelectric element, electromagnet, motor and cam. Then, a Braille character string is formed by a Braille pin string 102 in which a predetermined number of Braille characters are arranged in a predetermined number (16 characters in FIG. 1, but 24 characters and 32 characters are other common characters). Display as. A deaf-blind person or a visually handicapped person can touch (read) a character by tracing the Braille character string composed of convex points displayed by the Braille pin array 102 with a finger.

  The braille display device 100 further includes a braille input key 101 that can input braille. The braille input key 101 is composed of six keys corresponding to six convex points constituting one braille character, and a deafblind person or a visually impaired person can input braille data by pressing a predetermined key of the braille input key 101. . The function key A103 is a key assigned to a function indicating a direction, and the function key B104 is a key assigned to various functions such as determination, return, correction, and deletion. These keys 100, 101, 103, and 104 are installed in a standard braille display device, and are not essential in the present invention, but are effective during standard use of the braille display device. In the braille display device 100 according to the present invention, the newly installed table output switching key 105 is a mode (display type 1) in which the input table data is output to the braille pin row 102 in matrix elements. This is a push button for selecting one of the output modes (display type 2) for outputting to the braille pin row 102 in units of rows. Each time the table output switching key 105 is pressed, the output mode is switched in order to each mode of display type 1 or display type 2. As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 3, when the braille data is other than table data, normal display is performed, so the table output switching key 105 does not function.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of another Braille display device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. A different point from FIG. 1 is a function key A103 which is a key assigned to a function indicating a direction, an up / down direction key 106a indicating an upper direction in the vicinity of the periphery of the braille pin row 102, and a lower / upward direction indicating a lower direction. A key 106b, a front left direction key 106c indicating the left direction, and a front right direction key 106d indicating the right direction are provided. With these keys 106a, 106b, 106c, and 106d, the braille display device 100 according to the present invention reads the braille data displayed on the braille pin row 102 without having to operate with both hands, and then displays the braille data next. Can also be indicated, so that the operability of the braille display device 100 can be improved. In our research on deafblind people and visually impaired people, when reading table information, the direction key is often used unlike reading text information, so the direction key should be easy to press. There has been a strong demand that it is desirable that the braille display device 100 can be used with one hand. In the braille display device 100 of the present invention, the keys 106a, 106b, 106c, and 106d are installed in the vicinity of the braille pin row 102, thereby responding to the needs of the deaf and blind persons. It is extremely useful for the elderly and visually impaired.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the braille display device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The braille display device 100 includes, as functional blocks, a braille pin row 102, a table output switching key 105, a table up direction key 106a, a table down direction key 106b, a table left direction key 106c, and a table right direction key 106d. (These table direction keys may be function keys A103), the ink character / braille conversion unit 122, the braille table data storage circuit 124, the braille table decomposition unit A125, the braille table decomposition unit B126, and the braille data storage circuit 127. And a Braille pin drive circuit 128. The braille display device 100 can accept an external ink data input 121 or an external braille data input 123 as an input.

  Hereinafter, each functional unit of the braille display device 100 will be described in detail.

<Input section>
Table data input includes Braille input and ink character input, and ink table data input 121 or Braille table data input 123 can be received as table data from the outside such as a personal computer, a mobile phone, or a mobile terminal.
Note that normal ink character data input 131 or braille data input 133 other than table data can also be accepted. For example, the ink character data input 131 is converted into braille data by the ink character / braille conversion unit 132 and then stored in the braille data storage circuit 134. The braille data input 133 is stored in the braille data storage circuit 134 as it is.
<Input data converter>
The ink table data input 121 from the outside is converted into Braille table data by the ink / braille table converter 122.
<Braille table data storage circuit>
The ink table data input 121 from the outside is converted into the Braille table data by the ink / braille table converter 122 and then stored in the Braille table data storage circuit 124. The external Braille table data input 123 is stored in the Braille table data storage circuit 124 as it is.

<Output unit>
As an output unit, a Braille pin row 102 for outputting Braille data in Braille is provided. In this braille pin row 102, one braille character is represented by six braille pins 107, and has, for example, a 16-character braille row.

<Table output switching key>
A table output switching key 105 is a mode for outputting input table data to the braille pin array 102 in matrix elements (braille display type 1), or a mode for outputting table data to the braille pin array 102 in units of rows (braille display). This is a push button for selecting one of the output modes of type 2). Each time this table output switching key 105 is pressed, the output mode is switched in turn to the Braille display type 1 or Braille display type 2 mode. When the braille display type 1 is selected, the braille table decomposition unit A125 is selected, and when the braille display type 2 is selected, the braille table decomposition unit B126 is selected.

<Braille table decomposition part A>
When either the Braille table decomposition unit A125 (Braille display type 1) or the Braille table decomposition unit B126 (Braille display type 2) is selected by the table output switching key 105 and the Braille table decomposition unit A125 is selected, the Braille table data The Braille table data stored in the storage circuit 124 is broken down into element units of rows and columns that are easy for the user to read as Braille display type 1 and output to the Braille data storage circuit 127. This Braille table decomposition unit A125 decomposes the Braille table data having matrix elements into data for each matrix element and associates the decomposed matrix elements with direction keys.

<Braille table decomposition part B>
When either the Braille table decomposition unit A125 (Braille display type 1) or the Braille table decomposition unit B126 (Braille display type 2) is selected by the table output switching key 105 and the Braille table decomposition unit B126 is selected, the Braille table data The Braille table data stored in the storage circuit 124 is decomposed as a Braille display type 2 for each row element unit that is easy to read by the user, and is output to the Braille data storage circuit 127. This Braille table decomposition unit B126 decomposes the Braille table data having matrix elements into data for each row element and associates the decomposed row elements with direction keys.

  Also, the braille table decomposition unit A125 and the braille table decomposition unit B126 associate each column item of the braille table data as an upper / lower relationship, and elements of lower column items belonging to the same upper column item element Mutual movement between each other is possible, and it can be set so that direct movement between elements of lower column items belonging to different upper column item elements is not allowed.

<Braille data storage circuit>
Braille data (Braille display type 1 or Braille display type 2) that is decomposed into predetermined elements by the Braille table decomposition unit A125 or the Braille table decomposition unit B126 and associated as an upper / lower relationship is stored in the Braille data storage circuit 127. Is done.
<Braille pin drive circuit>
The braille data stored in the braille data storage circuit 127 is driven to displace the braille pins 107 of the braille pin array 102 by the braille pin drive circuit 128. By the braille pin drive circuit 128, the data in the table data corresponding to the direction keys 106a to 106d associated with the data displayed in the braille pin row 102 is displayed in the braille pin row 102 by driving the braille pin 107 to be displaced. Let

  Deafblind people or visually impaired people have built-in PCs, mobile phones, personal digital assistants, etc. when they want to get timetables such as trains and buses, address tables, phone books, schedule tables, and program tables. Table information obtained or downloaded table information is transferred to the Braille display device 100. The table information to be transferred may be ink table data or Braille table data. Here, the table information may be transferred via a wired communication means such as USB, a wireless communication means such as WLAN, Bluetooth, or a cellular phone cellular phone, or a memory such as a USB memory.

  The user can select a mode for outputting the table data to the braille pin array 102 using the table output switching key 105. When the braille table decomposition unit A125 is selected, the braille table data stored in the braille table data storage circuit 124 is decomposed into matrix elements that are easy for the user to read and output to the braille pin array 102 (braille). Display type 1). On the other hand, when the Braille table decomposition unit B126 is selected, the Braille table data stored in the Braille table data storage circuit 124 is decomposed into row element units that are easy to read by the user and output to the Braille pin array 102 ( Braille display type 2).

  Here, taking the train timetable as the table data of FIG. 5 as an example, elements output to the Braille pin array 102 by the Braille table decomposition unit A125 (Braille display type 1) or Braille table decomposition unit B126 (Braille display type 2) The decomposition method will be described. FIG. 5 is a train timetable, which is table data composed of elements of 18 rows × 2 columns. Each column represents an hour and a minute, and each row represents a train time every hour from 6:00 to 22:00.

[Braille display type 1]
FIG. 6 shows a Braille display type 1 that is output to the Braille pin column 102 for each column and row element when the Braille table separation unit A125 is selected by the table output switching key 105.
First, as shown in FIG. 6, the time table which is the table data of FIG. 5 is divided into the braille data of the time and the minute which are the column items and the row items of the table. Furthermore, the data contained in one item is subdivided into each element of the minimum unit. For example, “6” of one item of time becomes one element as it is, but the item “10 30 50” of one minute is subdivided for each minimum unit, and “10” is set in each column item of the same amount. , “30” and “50”. Here, the abbreviation for the purpose of shortening is used for the Braille output data of each element in order to increase the display contents as much as possible. Also, braille symbols (numbers) placed in front of numbers are usually omitted to represent numbers. The abbreviation “shi” represents time, “fu” represents minutes, “ha” represents the beginning, and “e” represents the end. For example, “Hashi 6” represents that the first train is in the 6 o'clock range, and “Shi 22e” represents that the last is in the 22:00 zone. Also, “Hafu 10” next to “Hashi 6” indicates that the beginning of the 6 o'clock range is 10 minutes, so the first departure is at 6:10 and the last is 22:20. I know that there is. Here, braille symbols (numbers) placed in front of the numbers may be used as usual to represent the numbers. Further, different symbols may be used for the symbol representing the beginning and the symbol representing the end.

  In addition, in the Braille arrangement, “e” of hiragana has the same pin arrangement (1 pin, 2 pins, 4 pins) as the number “6”, so in the case of the above “shi 22e”, “shi 226” May be confused with. Therefore, in order to avoid confusion between numbers and hiragana, a first tick (3 pins, 6 pins) may be placed in front of “E” indicating the end. Alternatively, it is necessary for the user to understand in advance that “e” displayed at the end of the display of the tabular data represents “end” instead of the number “6”. Also, since there is no corresponding character in the 6-point braille 4 pin, 5 pin, and 6 pin convex convex braille arrangement, this 4-6 pin arrangement is used as a symbol representing the end instead of “e”. May be.

  In addition, the arrows in FIG. 6 indicate that the data display direction can be changed, and each arrow indicates a front direction key 106a, a front direction key 106b, a front left direction key 106c, and a front right direction. This corresponds to the direction key 106d (may be function key A103). For example, when “shi 7” representing 7 o'clock is currently output to the braille pin row 102, if the table right direction key 106d is pressed, “hafu 00” representing 00 minutes, which is the start of the time, is displayed on the braille pin. If the table down direction key 106b is further pressed, "F10" representing 10 minutes is output to the braille pin array 102, and it can be seen that the train departs at 7:10. Furthermore, if you want to get on the train at a later time, press the front left key 106c to move the display to "Sh7", and further press the front down key 106b to change the display to "Sh8". The departure time of a slower train can be known by the same operation. Here, when the time is displayed, the front left direction key 106c is invalid, and when the minute is displayed, the front right direction key 106d is invalid.

  In other words, in the braille display type 1 of FIG. 6, “10 30 50” included in one column item in the row at 6 o'clock is the element “10”, “30”, “50” that is the smallest unit ”Is divided into three in the vertical direction within one column item. In addition, “00 10 20 30 40 50” included in one column item in the row at 7 o'clock is the minimum unit of each element “00”, “10”, “20”, “30”, “40” and “50” are divided into six parts vertically in one column item.

  If the front left direction key 106c is pressed at the 6 o'clock level when the front left direction key 106c is pressed, "Hashi 6" is displayed. If the front right direction key 106d is pressed from that state, Instead of “30”, “Hafu 10” is displayed. In this case, the movement from “Fu 30” and “Fu 50e” to “Hashi 6” when the front left direction key 106c is pressed is one-way. This is because the display element cannot be related to a plurality of elements when the front right key 106d is pressed from the display state of “Hashi 6”, and only one element “Hafu 10” needs to be associated. Because there is.

  In addition, between the “hashi 6” representing the 6 o'clock range of the time column item and “shi 7” representing the 7 o'clock range, it is possible to display each other by the front direction key 106a and the front direction key 106b. ing. On the other hand, between the 6 o'clock range “50e” and the 7 o'clock range “hafu 00”, the up / down direction key 106a and the up / down direction key 106b may display each other. Can not. In this case, the time column item is associated with the minute column item as an upper / lower relationship, and mutual movement between elements of lower column items belonging to the same upper column item element is possible. On the other hand, it is set so that direct movement between elements of lower column items belonging to different upper column item elements is not allowed. This makes it easier to recognize lower column item elements belonging to a common higher column item as mutually related information.

[Braille display type 2-part 1]
FIG. 7A shows a display example when the braille pin string is composed of 32 characters in Braille display type 2 (part 1) that is output to the braille pin string 102 for each row element when the braille table decomposition unit B126 is selected. Is shown.
First, the table data of FIG. 5 is divided into braille data of row elements as shown in FIG. 7A. Here, as in FIG. 6, “fu” represents minutes, “ha” represents the beginning, and “e” represents the end. The number before “fu” is time, but “shi” representing time is omitted to shorten the data. For example, “ha” represents the beginning of data. In addition, the display “Hafu 10_fu 30_6 fu 50e” indicates that the first train is at 6 o'clock and that the train departs at 6:10, 6:30, and 6:50. Yes. “E” indicates the end of the data. In addition, numbers representing time are shown every other minute data in order to shorten the data. In FIG. 7A, since the target is a braille display device displaying 32 characters, each row element is displayed in one row. Further, the arrows in FIG. 7A represent the direction change of the data display as in FIG. 6, and each arrow corresponds to the up / down direction key 106a and the down / up direction key 106b (or the function key A103). .

[Braille display type 2-2]
FIG. 7B shows another example (part 2) of the Braille display type 2 that is output to the Braille pin row 102 for each row element when the Braille table decomposition unit B126 is selected. FIG. 7B shows a display example when the braille pin string is composed of 16 characters.
First, the table data of FIG. 5 is divided into braille data for each row element as shown in FIG. 7B. Here, as in FIG. 6, “fu” represents minutes, “ha” represents the beginning, and “e” represents the end. The number before “fu” is time, but “shi” representing time is omitted to shorten the data. For example, “ha” represents the beginning of data, and “ha 6_10_30_6_50” indicates that the first train is 6 o'clock, 6:10, 6:30, 6:50 This means that the train departs every minute. “E” represents the end of the data. In addition, numbers representing time are shown every other minute data in order to shorten the data. In FIG. 7B, since the target is a braille display device displaying 16 characters, each row element is divided into two. If the beginning of the display data is “ha”, it is the beginning of the row element, and if the end of the display data is “e”, it is the end of the row element. In addition, the arrows in FIG. 7B represent the data display direction change as in FIG. 6, and each arrow corresponds to the front direction key 106 a and the front direction key 106 b (may be function key A 103). . Further, an arrow from “7 30_7 40_7 50” diagonally downward corresponds to the front right direction key 106d.

  In the above example, the arrow from “7-30_7-40_7-50” diagonally downward corresponds to the front right direction key 106d. However, the present invention is not limited to this. You may make it respond | correspond to the direction key 106b. In this case, a left arrow from “7 30_7 40_7 50” to “Ha 7 00_7 10_7 20” can be added to correspond to the front left direction key 106c. In the above example, it is not possible to return directly to the first half from the state where the second half of the line is displayed. On the other hand, in this case, it is possible to mutually display the first half to the second half and the second half to the first half by dividing one line into two.

[Braille display type 2-part 3]
FIG. 7C shows yet another example (part 3) of the braille display type 2 that is output to the braille pin row 102 for each row element when the braille table decomposition unit B126 is selected. FIG. 7C shows a display example when the braille pin string is composed of 10 characters. The case where the braille pin string is 10 characters is a case of a more compact terminal such as a mobile phone.
First, the table data of FIG. 5 is divided into braille data for each row element as shown in FIG. 7B. In FIG. 7C, since the target is a braille display device displaying 10 characters, each row element is divided into three. If the beginning of the display data is “ha”, it is the beginning of the row element, and if the end of the display data is “e”, it is the end of the row element. Further, when there is no “ha” at the beginning and no “e” at the end of the display data, it is in the middle of the row element divided into three. The arrows in FIG. 7C represent the data display direction change as in FIG. 6, and each arrow corresponds to the up / down direction key 106a and the down / up direction key 106b (or the function key A103). Furthermore, an arrow from “7 40_7 50” diagonally downward corresponds to the front right direction key 106d.

  In the above example, the diagonally downward arrow from “7 40_7 50” corresponds to the front right direction key 106d. However, the present invention is not limited to this. 106b may be used. In this case, a left arrow from “7F40_7F50” to “7F20_7F30” and a left arrow from “7F20_7F30” to “HaF00_7F10” are added. Thus, each can correspond to the front left direction key 106c. In the above example, it is not possible to return directly to the middle from the state where the second half of the line is displayed. On the other hand, in this case, display changes in the first half, the middle, and the second half in which one line is divided into three can be performed mutually.

  In the embodiment described above, in order to display as much as possible, the braille output data of each element uses abbreviations for the purpose of shortening, and usually, in front of the numbers to represent the numbers. Symbols (numbers) indicating numbers to be placed are omitted, but a normal display method may be used where it is difficult for the user to understand.

<Operation flowchart>
Next, an operation example using the Braille display device 100 according to the present invention will be described with reference to an operation flowchart of FIG.

1. The user (deafblind or visually impaired) first selects whether the data displayed on the braille display device 100 is normal text data or tabular data. In the case of table data, the table data is selected from either the ink table data input 121 or the Braille table data input 123 from the outside, and the table data is input.
2. In the case of an external ink table data input 121, the ink character / braille table conversion unit 122 converts the data into braille table data and then stores the data in the braille table data storage circuit 124. Further, in the case of external Braille table data input 123, it is stored in the Braille table data storage circuit 124 as it is as Braille table data.
3. The braille display type is selected with the table switching key 105.
4). According to the selection result of the braille display type, the stored contents of the braille table data storage circuit 124 are decomposed into matrix elements or row elements by the braille table decomposition unit A or the braille table decomposition unit B.
5. The first time is from the beginning, and from the second time, the braille table decomposition unit A125 or the braille table is disassembled according to the up / down direction key 106a, the up / down direction key 106b, the front left direction key 106c, the front / right direction key 106d or the function key A103 The Braille data decomposed in the part B126 is output to the Braille data storage circuit 127.
6). The braille data in the braille data storage circuit 127 is output to the braille pin array 102 by the braille pin drive circuit 128. The user palpates the braille pin row 102.
7). When the data in the braille pin row 102 is the information that is required, the braille display is terminated. When the data in the braille pin row 102 is not the desired information, the front direction key 106a, the front direction key 106b, the front left direction key 106c, and the front right direction key 106d (the function key A103 may be used) are used. Then, the braille display data is moved, and the process returns to step 5 above.
As described above, a deaf-blind person or a visually impaired person can easily obtain necessary information from the table data by the braille display device 100 while understanding the structure of the table data.

  According to the braille display device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to display table information such as timetables such as trains and buses, address tables, telephone books, schedule tables, and program tables. In particular, Braille display type 1 or Braille type display type 2 that can be easily recognized by deafblind people and visually impaired persons is selected arbitrarily, and the table structure is two-dimensional with a Braille display device with a standard key layout. Can be easily understood. In this case, users who are deafblind and visually handicapped users can easily recognize and acquire the contents of the table elements in a short time without special learning. In the above example, the selection of Braille display type 1 or Braille display type 2 is performed at the beginning of the acquisition of the table information. Also good.

  According to the braille display device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in order to reduce the length of the braille data as much as possible, in the braille display type 1, the braille following “shi” is a number representing time, “fu” The number that follows is a number that represents minutes. In the table display type 2, the number before “F” represents time, and the number following “F” represents a minute. For a user who feels that this shortening is difficult to understand, an identification symbol (numerical mark) of numerical data may be added in front of the numeral in the normal Braille notation and displayed on the Braille pin array 102.

  According to the braille display device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the beginning is represented by the simplified symbol “ha”, the end is “e”, the time is “shi”, and the minute is “fu”. Needless to say, any simplified symbol can be used. However, care must be taken because muddy and semi-voiced sounds are represented by two characters (symbol and hiragana) when expressed in braille.

  According to the braille display device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the front up direction key 106 a and the front down direction key 106 b have substantially the same length as the braille pin row 102. Further, the front left direction key 106c and the front right direction key 106d are installed so as to surround the braille pin row 102 at almost the same height as that of the braille pin row 102, but each of the direction keys 106a to 106d. The configuration is not limited to the above configuration. For example, when used to touch the Braille pin row, if the placement is within the range that can be used with the same hand as the hand reading the Braille pin row, the up / down direction key 106a and the up / down direction key 106b may have a short length, but the front left direction key 106c and the front right direction key 106d may have a low height.

(Reference Example 1)
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table decomposition pattern of the table data of FIG. 5 by the braille display device of Reference Example 1. In this example, each row element of the timetable of FIG. 5 is serially displayed in units that can be displayed. In addition, the arrows in FIG. 8 indicate that the data display direction can be changed, and each arrow corresponds to the front right direction key 106d (or the function key A103). The diagonally downward arrow corresponds to the front right direction key 106d. In the case of this reference example 1, it must be displayed in one-way from the beginning to the end of the entire timetable, and it cannot be reversed for each row element or column element, and it takes time to obtain necessary information. Especially when the amount of data is large, it is relatively difficult to obtain necessary information.

(Reference Example 2)
FIG. 9 is an example of a table decomposition pattern of the table data of FIG. 5 by the braille display device of the reference example 2. In this example, each row element of the timetable of FIG. 5 is serially displayed one line at a time. Further, the arrows in FIG. 9 indicate that the direction of data display can be changed, and each arrow corresponds to the front / lower direction key 106b (or the function key A103). In the case of this reference example 2, it must be displayed in a one-way manner from the beginning to the end of the entire timetable, and cannot be reversed for each row element or column element, and it is relatively easy to obtain necessary information. If it is difficult to check the information again, it has to be displayed in one way from the beginning to the end of the entire timetable again, and free handling is difficult.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 10 is an example of a contact table as table data. In the communication table of FIG. 10, the first column relates to “group”, and includes “friend man”, “friend woman”, “company”, and the like. The second column includes the names and names of individuals or groups included in each group. The third column contains the contact information for the individual or group in the second column. The contact information includes two types of landline and mobile phone. While the first embodiment is composed of two columns of “hour” and “minute”, it is composed of three columns.

[Braille display type 1]
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a table decomposition pattern of the table data of FIG. 10 according to the braille display type 1 characterized by being decomposed into each element.
First, as shown in FIG. 11, the contact table that is the table data of FIG. 10 is divided into group, name / name, and contact braille data, which are column items and row items of the table. In this case, the contact information of each individual or company is subdivided into two. This decomposition is similar in concept to that shown in FIG. 6, and FIG. 11 has three layers as compared to the two layers in FIG.

  In addition, the arrows in FIG. 11 indicate that the direction of data display can be changed, and the arrows indicate the front direction key 106a, the front direction key 106b, the front left direction key 106c, and the front right direction. This corresponds to the direction key 106d (may be function key A103). For example, if the display of the table data is started, “ha friend boy” is displayed, and if the table right direction key 106d is pressed, the individual “ha friend male” of “friend man” is displayed. When the front right key 106d is pressed from this display state, "075-111-2222" of the landline of "Contacts" is displayed, and when the further down key 106b is further pressed, another "contact" is displayed. “Destination” “090-1111-2222” is displayed. When “090-1111-2222” is displayed, the front right key 106d and the front down key 106b are invalid, and it is read that “E” is the end of the data in the same group. It can be recognized with. In addition, when “XXX” is displayed, the up / down direction key 106b is invalid, and it can be recognized together with the reading of “E” that the data in the same group is the end. In this case, as in the first embodiment, the column items are associated as upper / lower relationships in the order of “group”> “name / name”> “contact” and belong to the same upper column item element. It is possible to move between elements of lower column items, while setting to prevent direct movement between elements of lower column items belonging to different upper column item elements. Yes.

[Braille display type 2-part 1]
12A is a diagram illustrating an example of a table decomposition pattern of the table data in FIG. 10 by combining Braille display type 1 and Braille display type 2 (part 1). In FIG. 12A, each group is displayed independently by Braille display type 1, but “name / name” and “contact” are sequentially displayed as one line elements by Braille display type 2. Different from Braille display type 1. The arrows in FIG. 12A indicate that the direction of data display can be changed. Each arrow indicates a front up direction key 106a, a front down direction key 106b, a front left direction key 106c, and a front right direction key 106d. (Function key A103 may be used). Also in this case, similar to the braille display type 1 in FIG. 11, it is set so that mutual movement between individuals or companies belonging to different groups is not allowed. As an example of operation, if Braille display type 1 is first selected and “HOOXX male” in FIG. 11 is displayed and Braille display type 2 is selected, “HA” in FIG. 12A is displayed. Then, when the front / lower direction key 106b is pressed, “hao_o male — 075-111-2222-090-1111-2222” is displayed.

[Braille display type 2-2]
FIG. 12B is a diagram illustrating an example of a table decomposition pattern of the table data of FIG. 10 by combining Braille display type 1 and Braille display type 2 (part 2). In FIG. 12B, each group, name, and name are displayed independently by the Braille display type 1, but two “contacts” are sequentially displayed as one line element by the Braille display type 2. In FIG. It is different from the display type 1 and the braille display type 2 (part 1) of FIG. 12A. The arrows in FIG. 12B indicate that the direction of data display can be changed, and each arrow indicates a front up direction key 106a, a front down direction key 106b, a front left direction key 106c, and a front right direction key. 106d (may be function key A103). It should be noted that the arrow pointing downward from “ha — 075-111-2222 — 090-1111-2222” corresponds to the front right direction key 106d. In this case as well, similar to the braille display type 1 in FIG. 11 and the braille display type 2 in FIG. 12A (part 1), it is set not to allow mutual movement between individuals or companies belonging to different groups. As an operation example, if Braille display type 1 is first selected and “has _075-111-2222” in FIG. 11 is displayed, Braille display type 2 is selected, then “has _075-111-2222-090-”. 1111-2222 "is displayed. When the amount of table data is large and it is difficult to represent it in one line as in the second embodiment, decomposition by combining Braille display type 1 and Braille display type 2 is effective. When the display braille string of the braille display device is long, it can be displayed in one line using only the braille display type 2.

  The Braille display device according to the present invention can display table information such as timetables such as trains and buses, address tables, telephone books, schedule tables, and program tables. According to this braille display device, using a braille display device having a table output switching key or a table direction key while having a standard key layout, the table information is decomposed into a matrix element or a row unit element of the table, and a braille pin string By displaying in braille, the structure of table information and data can be acquired. Therefore, it is useful for users who are deafblind or visually impaired, who have little time to learn the operation of the equipment, and can easily obtain the necessary table data in a short time. It is.

100 Braille display device 101 Braille input key 102 Braille pin array 103 Function key A
104 Function key B
105 Table output switching key 106a Table up direction key 106b Table down direction key 106c Table left direction key 106d Table right direction key 107 Braille pin 121 Ink table data input 122 Ink / Braille table conversion unit 123 Braille table data input 124 Braille table Data storage circuit 125 Braille table decomposition section A
126 Braille table decomposition part B
127 Braille data storage circuit 128 Braille pin drive circuit

Claims (6)

A braille pin string in which one braille character is composed of a plurality of braille pins and can display a plurality of braille pins,
A Braille pin drive unit for driving the Braille pin to displace and displaying Braille;
Direction keys including four directions, up, down, left and right,
A first table decomposition unit for decomposing Braille table data having matrix elements into data for each matrix element and performing association with the direction key so that the matrix elements can be sequentially moved between the decomposed matrix elements;
A second table decomposition unit that decomposes into data for each row element of one row of braille table data having a matrix element, and associates with the direction key so as to be able to sequentially move between the decomposed row elements;
A table output switching key for selecting either the first table decomposition unit or the second table decomposition unit;
With
Decomposing table data having the matrix elements into data for each matrix element or data for each row element by the first table decomposition unit or the second table decomposition unit selected by the table output switching key;
The Braille pin driving unit displays the data in the table data corresponding to the direction key associated with the data displayed in the Braille pin row by driving the Braille pin to be displaced and displaying the data in the Braille pin row. , Braille display device.   The first table decomposition unit and the second table decomposition unit associate each column item of the Braille table data as a higher / lower relationship, and the lower column item belonging to the same upper column item element. The braille according to claim 1, wherein mutual movement between elements is possible, and direct movement between elements of lower column items belonging to elements of different upper column items is not permitted. Display device. The Table 1 decomposition unit, the data for each matrix element of the braille table data, and further depending on the number of displayed characters of the Braille pin array, is decomposed in the display unit data constituting the matrix elements, the respective display The direction key is assigned to the unit data so that it can be moved in order,
The Table 2 decomposition unit, the data for each row element of one row of the braille table data, and further depending on the number of displayed characters of the Braille pin array, is decomposed in the display unit data constituting the row elements, each The braille display device according to claim 1, wherein the direction key is assigned to display unit data so as to be sequentially movable .   The braille display device according to claim 3, wherein the first table decomposition unit and the second table decomposition unit include a simple word in at least one of the decomposed display unit data. The first table decomposition unit adds a recognition symbol to each of the display unit data corresponding to the beginning and end of the data for each matrix element among the decomposed display unit data,
The said 2nd table decomposition | disassembly part adds a recognition symbol to each of the said display unit data corresponding to the beginning and the end of the data for every row element of the said line among the said display unit data decomposed | disassembled. Braille display device. The direction key is
An upward key provided above the braille pin row;
A downward key provided below the braille pin row;
A left direction key provided to the left of the braille pin row;
A right direction key provided to the right of the braille pin row;
The braille display device according to claim 1, comprising:

Images