JPH0744096A - Braille display device with editing function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simply and inexpensively manufacture a braille display device provided with an editing function. CONSTITUTION:In a braille display section, braille cells 10 forming protrusions corresponding to braille patterns are arranged in many rows and columns. The display section has a peripheral frame in which electrical switches 61 corresponding to the braille cells 10 are arranged. By combining a keyboard input means with a storage means, the braille display device 60 provided with an editing function for blind people is provided at a low cost.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a braille display device which allows a visually impaired person to change / correct a character once input, that is, a braille display device with an editing function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a Braille character for the visually impaired, a Braille character composed of a combination of 6 projections in 3 rows and 2 columns shown in FIG.

Conventionally, such braille characters are produced on a paper by forming a document using a braille word processor (word processor) or the like, but an input error cannot be avoided, and editing such as correction is necessary. As an apparatus that enables editing, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 4
Japanese Patent No. 324572 is proposed.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional device, the structure of the magnetic shield and the pressure sensor for pressing the Braille to detect the position is complicated, which requires a lot of man-hours for assembly and a high cost of parts. In addition, there is a risk that it may be erroneously pressed to cause a malfunction.

The present invention solves the above problems and provides a simple and simple structure for detecting the Braille cell position at low cost.

[0006]

In order to solve the above problems, an input unit for inputting document information, for example, a keyboard input unit, and a Braille cell for displaying a document input by this input unit in a projected Braille form. It is equipped with a Braille display unit equipped with multiple rows and columns and position detection means for detecting the position of the Braille cells provided in this Braille display unit, and has an editing function that enables the change / correction of characters once input. It is configured.

The Braille cell position detecting means of the first configuration of the present invention is an electric switch (push switch or push switch) corresponding to the row number and column number of each Braille cell in the frame portion in four directions around the Braille display device. Touch panel etc.) are arranged. The braille cell position detecting means of the second configuration of the present invention comprises a pair of a light emitting element and a light receiving element corresponding to the row number and the column number of each of the braille cells in the frame portion in four directions around the braille display device. The photoelectric switch is arranged in a plurality of places. The braille cell position detecting means of the third configuration of the present invention is configured such that position detecting electric switches (push switch, touch panel, etc.) are arranged in the vicinity of the respective braille cells, corresponding to the respective braille cells. I am trying. Braille cell position detection means of the fourth configuration of the present invention, corresponding to each braille cell, a tube or piping hole having an open end near each of the braille cells is arranged for the purpose of position detection,
A fluid pressure detecting means for detecting a pressure change of a fluid flowing in or out of the tube or the piping hole, for example, an air pressure is provided.

As the Braille cells that compose the four types of Braille display devices, the first Braille cell has the following structure.
Cells having a thin film corresponding to a diaphragm on one side and having a working fluid, for example, Freon 113 sealed inside, are arranged at 6 locations in a matrix of 3 rows and 2 columns corresponding to each element of Braille. By using a light source such as a semiconductor laser (not shown) that transmits using an optical fiber arranged on the other side to cause a phase change or a volume change of the working fluid, the thin film is displaced in a convex shape. The structure is such that protrusions corresponding to the Braille pattern are formed. The second Braille cell is composed of a thin film corresponding to a diaphragm on one side and a tube on the other side, in a matrix of 3 rows and 2 columns corresponding to each element of Braille. Arranged at 6 positions, air is supplied (injected) into the cell using the tube, and pressure is applied to the thin film to displace the thin film in a convex shape so that protrusions corresponding to a Braille pattern are formed. It has been configured.

[0009]

With the above structure, malfunction can be prevented and
(EN) A small and lightweight braille cell position detection structure is simple and simple, and a braille display device in which braille cells are arranged in multiple rows and multiple columns is constructed at low cost.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Prior to the description of the device of the present invention, the Braille cells constituting the present invention and the display section in which the Braille cells are arranged in multiple rows and multiple columns will be described first. An example of the first braille cell used in the present invention is shown in FIGS. The Braille cell 10 includes a thin film 3, a lid 6, a cell 4, a working fluid 2, and a base 5.
And the optical fiber 1. A thin film 3 corresponding to a diaphragm is provided on one surface, and a working fluid 2 such as Freon 113 is provided inside.
The cells 4 which are sealed are arranged at 6 locations in a matrix of 3 rows and 2 columns corresponding to each element of Braille. Working fluid 2
On the other side of each of the cells 4 which are housed in a sealed state, the optical fiber 1 is arranged in a predetermined manner by means such as bonding. Using a light source such as a semiconductor laser transmitted through the optical fiber 1 as a heat source, a phase change or a volume change of the working fluid 2 is caused, and the thin film 3 is displaced to a state shown by a two-dot chain line to correspond to a Braille pattern. The structure is such that projections are formed.

The thin film 3 is made of a rubber member such as silicon or butyl or a plastic member such as polyethylene.
The thickness dimension is set to several hundreds of micrometers to several hundreds of micrometers and it is elastically deformable and adhered to the lid 6. Of course, the members of the thin film 3 are optional, such as silicon oxide and N 2.
A thin film composed of two layers of iCrSi may be formed by using a semiconductor technique or a sputtering technique.

As a heat source for light, a semiconductor laser, for example, a wavelength of about 800 nm, or any light source such as infrared rays or halogen may be used.

Further, regarding the working fluid, the Freon 113 is used.
Needless to say, the boiling point is not limited to (boiling point 47.6), and a liquid or gas having a low boiling point and a high expansion coefficient may be used. In extreme cases it may be air. The number and arrangement of the cells 4 may be arbitrarily set according to the purpose and application of Braille, and may be arranged corresponding to each element of the Braille pattern each time.

Each cell 4 is provided with a predetermined optical fiber 1 on the side of the substrate 5 opposite to the thin film 3, and a through hole 7
The working fluid 2 is heated via. As a matter of course, an optical transmission control means, that is, a semiconductor laser control means is provided in each cell 4 in a predetermined manner, and the formation of the Braille projections is controlled for each cell 4. In addition,
Although an example of supplying light energy has been described as a means for causing a phase change or a volume change of the working fluid, the means is not limited to another light energy and any means may be used. Needless to say, a new working fluid may be introduced into the cell.

As the members of the base body 5 and the lid body 6 constituting the cell 4, any members such as a rubber member, a resin member, a metal member or a ceramic member may be used. In the embodiment of the present invention, the thin film 3, the base 5 and the lid 6 are separately formed and integrated by means such as adhesion, but the base 5 and the lid 6 are formed by means such as injection molding. It goes without saying that and may be integrally molded. Of course, the thin film 3 may be integrally formed.

Further, in order to make the thin film 3 feel like a paper member, a thin paper member may be laminated and attached to the surface of the thin film 3, or may be integrally injection-molded. Also in the injection molding means, in addition to general molding, means such as two-color molding of a paper member and a resin member or in-mold molding may be used.

Next, FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. The Braille cell 30 includes a thin film 3, a lid 6, a cell 4, a working fluid 32, a base 5, and an optical fiber 1. A cell 4 having a thin film 3 corresponding to a diaphragm on one surface and having a working fluid 32, for example, air sealed therein, is arranged in a matrix of 6 rows and 3 columns corresponding to each element of Braille.
The cell 4 that stores the working fluid 32 in a hermetically sealed state.
On the other side of each of the above, a piping tube 31 is arranged in a predetermined manner by means such as adhesion. A working fluid 32 injected (supplied) from the tube 31 such as an air is applied to the thin film 3 to displace the thin film 3 in a convex shape to form a projection corresponding to a Braille pattern. . The thin film 3, the base 5, the lid 6, and the cell 4 have the same structure as in the first embodiment. In the case of the second embodiment, since air or the like can be used as the working fluid, it is not necessary to hermetically seal CFCs in the cells 4 in advance, and the Braille cell 30 has the configuration of the first embodiment. It is simpler and cheaper than the configuration.
Each tube 31 is provided with a means for independently supplying a working fluid, such as a micro pump 33. Of course, the piping may be branched from one working fluid supply means, and the working fluid may be supplied via an electromagnetic valve or the like (not shown).

Next, FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a main part of the Braille display device 40 before adding the editing function. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a control unit for controlling the Braille display device 40. The Braille display device 40 before adding the editing function includes a Braille display unit 44 and keyboard input means 4 in which the Braille cells 10 are arranged in multiple rows and multiple columns.
It is composed of 5 and. Braille key 41 is character 42
Alternatively, a letter 42 or Braille 43 corresponding to the number is attached to the surface of the key as well as the number. Further, the character input means of the keyboard and the respective elements of the braille pattern are made to correspond in advance, and the respective cells 4 arranged corresponding to the respective elements (6 places) of the braille are replaced by the braille from the keyboard input means 45. It is configured to operate according to information.

When a semiconductor laser (not shown) is operated and laser light is supplied to the cell 4, the working fluid 2 is heated to cause a phase change or a volume change to expand and the thin film 3 is displaced, as shown in the right side of FIG. A spherical protrusion is formed as shown by the chain double-dashed line. By arranging these protrusions in any of the six points corresponding to each element of Braille, the Braille function equivalent to that of the protrusion formed on the conventional paper is fulfilled. As described above, the Braille cells 10 are arranged alone or in multiple rows and multiple columns to form the Braille display unit 44, and by combining with the keyboard input means 45 or the like corresponding to Braille, the display device 40 for visually impaired persons. Can be used as For example, it can be utilized as a display device such as a personal computer (PC).

The braille display device 40 has a keyboard input means 45 corresponding to each element of the braille pattern.
And storage means for storing the Braille information inputted from the keyboard input means 45, and optical transmission control means 51 for controlling the optical transmission based on the Braille information inputted from the keyboard input means, for example a switching means. I have it. Of course, the Braille cells may be operated based on the Braille information input from the keyboard input unit, and may be output as voice information.

Further, pen input means or voice input may be used instead of the keyboard input means such as letters, numbers and symbols. Of course, information such as printed characters and numbers may be read by using an image scanner, or information recorded on an optical disk or a floppy disk may be read by an FDD (floppy disk driver) or the like. The good things are the same. Needless to say, the Braille cell of the second embodiment may be used in the Braille display device 40 instead of the Braille cell of the first embodiment that causes the volume expansion or phase change of the working fluid by laser light.

A Braille display device with an editing function according to an embodiment of the present invention using the Braille cell and the display unit will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9.

FIG. 6 shows a Braille display device with an editing function according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the Braille cells 10 are arranged in multiple rows and multiple columns (in the embodiment, in the embodiment). 16 rows of electric switches 61 for position detection are arranged on the frame portion in four directions around the braille display portion 60 in correspondence with the row number and the column number of each of the braille cells 10. . In other words, the number of rows is three at the left and right, and the number of columns is five at the top and bottom. For example, when it is desired to modify the Braille cells in the first row and the third column, the switch corresponding to the first row on either the left or right side and the switch corresponding to the third column on the upper or lower side may be pressed. By this operation, the braille cells in the first row and the third column are erased and can be re-entered.

FIG. 7 shows a Braille display device with an editing function according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In addition to the configuration of FIG. 4, the Braille cells 10 are arranged in multiple rows and multiple columns (in the embodiment, it is shown in FIG. (3 rows and 5 columns) In a frame portion in four directions around the braille display unit 70, a pair of a light emitting element 71 and a light receiving element (phototransistor) 72 is formed corresponding to the row number and the column number of each of the Braille cells 10. The photoelectric switch is arranged at a plurality of positions to detect the position. As shown in the figure, by arranging three pairs of photoelectric switches (also called photoelectric sensors) on the left and right corresponding to the rows and five pairs on the upper and lower sides corresponding to the columns, for example, in the first row, When it is desired to modify the braille cells in three rows, the photoelectric switch detects and stores the position of the braille cells by touching the corresponding braille cells with a finger. Next, any key of the keyboard input means 45, such as the space key or the return key, may be pressed. By this operation, the braille cells in the first row and the third column are erased and can be re-entered. Needless to say, the photoelectric switch (also referred to as a photoelectric sensor) may be of a reflection type in which a light emitting element and a light receiving element (phototransistor) are integrated, in addition to the paired configuration.

FIG. 8 shows a braille display device with an editing function according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In addition to the configuration of FIG. 4, the braille cells 10 are arranged in multiple rows and multiple columns (in the embodiment, it is shown in FIG. The Braille display unit 80 (3 rows, 5 columns) has 15 electric switches 81 for position detection arranged in the vicinity of the Braille cells 10 in correspondence with the Braille cells 10. Therefore, for example, when the Braille cells in the first row and the third column are desired to be corrected, the switch in the immediate vicinity may be pressed. By this operation, the braille cells in the first row and the third column are erased and can be re-entered. When it is desired to prevent malfunction, in addition to pressing the switch 81, the keyboard input means 45
The display of the Braille cells in the first row and the third column may be erased only by pressing an arbitrary key such as the space key.

FIG. 9 shows a Braille display device with an editing function according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In addition to the configuration of FIG. 4, the Braille cells 10 are arranged in multiple rows and multiple columns (in the embodiment, in the embodiment). The Braille display unit 90 (3 rows, 5 columns) has 15 tubes 91 or piping holes (not shown) each having an open end in the vicinity of the Braille cell 10 corresponding to each of the Braille cells 10. There is. In addition, this tube 9
The position of each of the tubes 91 or the piping holes is detected by providing a fluid pressure detecting means (not shown) for detecting a change in the pressure of the fluid flowing in or out of the pipe 1 or the piping hole. As the fluid pressure detection means,
It goes without saying that any means such as a diaphragm type pressure sensor or a semiconductor type pressure sensor or a means using a fluid logic element may be used. For example, when it is desired to correct the braille cells in the first row and the third column, the operation of detecting the braille cell position may be performed by covering the tube 91 in the immediate vicinity and pressing the tube 91 so as to prevent the fluid from flowing in and out. By this operation, the positions of the braille cells in the first row and the third column are detected and stored. Next, any key of the keyboard input means 45, for example, the space key may be pressed. By this operation, the braille cells in the first row and the third column are erased and can be re-entered.

The electric switch in the first and third embodiments is arranged in the middle of a predetermined Braille cell position detecting circuit and has a function of turning on / off the energization. It goes without saying that the electrical switch may be a mechanical switchable type or an arbitrary configuration switch such as a touch panel. Of course, the size, design, arrangement, etc. of the switch are free, and the height of the switch is equal to the surface on which the Braille cell 10 is arranged or is not higher than the Braille protrusion.

[0028]

As described above, according to the present invention, the structure of the Braille cell is extremely simple and simple, the assembly is easy and the cost is low, and since the moving part is only the diaphragm thin film, the reliability is increased and the weight is reduced. Can be achieved. Therefore, the structure of the Braille display device in which the Braille cells are arranged in multiple rows and columns is also simple.
In addition, various portable Braille display devices having an editing function become possible, which has many effects such as enriching the lives of visually impaired people.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a main part of a first braille cell used in a braille display device with an editing function according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of FIG. 1 taken from the directions S1 to S1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a second braille cell used in the braille display device with an editing function according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a main part of a Braille display device before adding an editing function used for explaining the present invention.

5 is a block diagram of a control system for controlling the Braille display device of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a Braille display unit constituting the Braille display device with an editing function according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a Braille display unit constituting the Braille display device with an editing function according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a Braille display unit constituting a Braille display device with an editing function according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a Braille display unit constituting a Braille display device with an editing function according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of an essential part of a braille sheet used for explaining the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Optical Fiber 2,32 Working Fluid 3 Thin Film 4 Cell 5 Base 6 Lid 7 Through Hole 10,30 Braille Cell 31 Tube 33 Micro Pump 40, 60, 70, 80, 90 Braille Display Device 41 Braille Key 42 Character 43 Character Braille 44 Braille display unit 45 Keyboard input means 51 Optical transmission or fluid control means 61, 81 Electric switch 71 Light emitting element 72 Light receiving element (phototransistor) 91 Tube

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A frame surrounding a braille display part, in which braille cells forming protrusions corresponding to a braille pattern are arranged in multiple rows and multiple columns, and an electrical pattern corresponding to the row number and column number of each of the braille cells is provided. Braille display device with edit function characterized by arranging switches. 2. The light is emitted in correspondence with the row number and column number of each of the braille cells on the frame around the braille display part, which is formed by arranging the braille cells forming protrusions corresponding to the braille pattern in multiple rows and columns. A braille display device with an editing function, characterized in that a photoelectric switch composed of an element and a light receiving element is arranged. 3. A braille display unit comprising braille cells forming protrusions corresponding to a braille pattern arranged in multiple rows and multiple columns, and detecting a position in the vicinity of each braille cell corresponding to each braille cell. Braille display device with edit function, which is characterized by arranging an electric switch for it. 4. The Braille display device with an editing function according to claim 3, wherein the electric switch is a touch panel. 5. A braille display unit, in which braille cells forming protrusions corresponding to a braille pattern are arranged in multiple rows and multiple columns, to detect a position in the vicinity of each braille cell in correspondence with each braille cell. A braille display device with an editing function, which is provided with a tube or a piping hole for use therein, and is provided with a fluid pressure detecting means for detecting a pressure change of a fluid flowing in and out of the tube or the piping hole. 6. A braille cell having protrusions corresponding to a braille pattern, wherein a cell having a thin film on one side and a tube on the other side is arranged corresponding to each element of the braille, and the tube is formed. A fluid is further injected to displace the thin film in a convex shape.
Braille display device with editing function described in 3, 4, or 5. 7. A braille cell having protrusions corresponding to a braille pattern, wherein a cell having a thin film on one surface and having a working fluid sealed inside is arranged corresponding to each element of the braille. 5. The thin film is displaced in a convex shape by causing a volume change of the above.
Braille display device with editing function described in 4 or 5. 8. The Braille display device with an editing function according to claim 7, wherein light is used as a heat source as a means for causing a volume change of the working fluid. 9. A Braille cell having protrusions corresponding to a Braille pattern is formed by arranging a cell having a thin film on one side and sealing a working fluid inside, corresponding to each element of the Braille. The Braille with an editing function according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the transmitted light is used as a heat source to cause a phase change of the working fluid to displace the thin film in a convex shape. Display device. 10. A keyboard input unit corresponding to each element of a Braille pattern, and an optical transmission control unit for controlling light transmission based on Braille information input from the keyboard input unit, and corresponding to the keyboard input. The braille display device with an editing function according to claim 7 or 9, wherein the protrusions of the braille pattern are formed. 11. The keyboard input means is replaced by any one of a pen input means, a voice input means, an image scanner input means, a floppy disk input means or an IC card input means. Braille display device with editing function described in 10.