JPH10315546A - Braille dot output system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a braille dot output system whereby a visually handicapped person can optionally select information displayed on a display screen of a computer, put selected information in braille and output by himself or herself. SOLUTION: Acquisition of optional information displayed on a display screen connected to a computer 1 is designated by an input device 5 or the like, and the designated information is output from the computer 1. The output is converted to braille signals with the use of a CPU 7, a ROM 8 and a RAM 9. The converted braille signals are output one by one sequentially for every predetermined time. A head driver 10 receiving the braille signals projects pins corresponding to the braille signals among a plurality of pins constituting a braille arrangement of a braille head part 11, thereby putting the signals into braille.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a Braille output system for selectively transcribing information displayed on a display screen of a computer and outputting the result.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 8-164635 discloses that a plurality of hammers (pins) arranged in a matrix are converted from input character data into Braille data and the data is converted into Braille data as in a dot impact printer. A braille output device that can be recognized as a Braille character by projecting in correspondence with the character and indirectly or directly tracing the finger with the finger is disclosed. In such a Braille output device, as the character data serving as an information source, a Braille creator can input from a keyboard, and can also use character data provided by teletext, personal computer communication, the Internet, or the like.

[0003]

However, in the conventional Braille output device as described above, since all the input character data is output as Braille, a person with visual impairment (hereinafter referred to as a visually impaired person). .) Had to read this from beginning to end. It is not difficult to read all the character data when the amount of input character data is small, but for example, reading a huge amount of data displayed on a computer in such a way is painful. It was not practical.

[0004] In view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present invention arbitrarily selects information displayed on a display screen of a computer by a visually impaired person and outputs the selected information by transliterating the information. It is an object of the present invention to provide a Braille output system capable of performing the following.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided a Braille output system comprising: input means for instructing acquisition of arbitrary information displayed on a display screen connected to a computer; and a part of the computer. An arbitrary information output means for outputting information instructed by the input means,
A conversion unit that receives the information output from the arbitrary information output unit and converts the information into a braille signal; and outputs a braille signal obtained by conversion by the conversion unit for a predetermined time sequentially for each character. It comprises a Braille signal output means, and a Braille output means having a plurality of pins constituting a Braille arrangement, and projecting a pin corresponding to the Braille signal output from the Braille signal output means. ). In the Braille output system thus configured, information arbitrarily obtained and instructed by the input means is output by the optional information output means, and the output information is converted into a Braille signal by the conversion means, and the Braille signal output means Thus, the Braille output means sequentially outputs a predetermined time for each character, and the Braille output means protrudes the pins corresponding to the Braille to express the Braille. Therefore, the visually impaired person can arbitrarily select information from the information displayed on the display screen and read the information by Braille output.

Further, the Braille output system (Claim 1)
In the above, the input means may include a read command key for the arbitrary information output means (claim 2).
Thus, the information displayed on the display screen is not output in real time, but can be output in synchronization with the reading intention of the operator (the visually impaired). Therefore, Braille can be read reliably.

Further, the Braille output system (Claim 1)
The input means may include a mouse, and the arbitrary information output means may output operation information of the position where the mouse pointer is placed as character data (claim 3). Thereby, any operation information displayed on the display screen can be read as Braille output.

[0008] Further, the Braille output system (Claim 1)
In the above, the arbitrary information output means may output the position information of the cursor as character data (claim 4). Thus, the cursor position can be read as Braille output. Therefore, for example, the page, the row, and the column of the opened document can be grasped.

Further, the Braille output system (Claim 1)
In the above, the arbitrary information output means may output character data in a range specified by the input means (claim 5). As a result, for example, only sentences in an arbitrary range in the document can be selected and output. Therefore,
There is no need to read the entire document from beginning to end to read the desired range of text.

Further, the Braille output system (Claim 3)
The input means may cause the mouse pointer to jump to a predetermined reference position by a predetermined key operation. Thus, the starting point for moving the mouse pointer can be set at a fixed position. Therefore, by operating the cursor movement key or moving the mouse relatively from that position, an arbitrary operation menu can be selected even if there is a visual impairment.

Further, the Braille output system (Claim 1)
In the above, the Braille signal output means may include means for increasing or decreasing the output time for displaying one Braille character. In such a configuration, the speed of Braille output can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the output time. Therefore, Braille can be output at a speed that matches the Braille reading ability of the individual.

Further, the Braille output system (Claim 1)
A tape made of a heat-deformable resin in which a projection is formed in response to the protrusion of the pin, a tape running means for running the tape, and flattening the tape formed with the projection by heating and pressing. And an erasing means. In such a configuration, Braille can be recorded on the tape by sequentially forming the protrusions on the tape run by the tape running means. Further, if the tape on which the Braille is once recorded is flattened by heating and pressing by the erasing means, the recording can be erased and the recording can be performed again.

[0013]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a Braille output system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
In the figure, a computer 1 is, for example, a personal computer, to which a display 2, a keyboard 3 and a mouse 4 are connected. A dedicated input device 5 is connected to the terminal 1a of the computer 1. The other terminal 1 b and the input device 5 of the computer 1 are connected to the CPU 7 via the interface circuit 6. As the terminals 1a and 1b, an expansion bus of the computer 1, a PCI bus, a serial terminal, or the like is used.

The CPU 7 stores a dictionary function for transliterating character data, a control procedure for translating braille, and the like.
M8, RAM 9 for temporarily storing character data, and CP
Head driver 1 as drive circuit based on output of U7
0 is connected. A Braille head unit 11 is connected to the head driver 10. A braille translation device 100 is configured by using the input device 5, the interface circuit 6, the CPU 7, the ROM 8, the RAM 9, the head driver 10, and the Braille head unit 11 as main components.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the Braille head section 11. As shown in FIG. The Braille head unit 11 displays Braille according to the principle of the head of the dot impact printer.
The pins 11b are accommodated in pin holes 11a formed in a matrix of three rows and two columns. The pin 11b moves up and down by an actuator (not shown), and a predetermined pin 11b protrudes according to a Braille signal to express Braille. A visually impaired person can read braille by placing his / her finger on the braille head 11. For example, in the state shown in the figure, when viewed from the near side of the drawing, the pins 11b in the first and third rows in the left column are protruding, and thus the letter “na” is displayed.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the appearance of the translator 100. The braille transcription device 100 is a device that is used by being placed on a desk together with the keyboard 3 and the mouse 4, and has, for example, a cursor movement key 51, a shift key 52, a control key 53, and a return (enter) which constitute the input device 5. A key 54 and an escape key 55 are provided. Further, the above-mentioned Braille head portion 11 is embedded so that only its surface portion is exposed. A read key (read command key) 5 is provided near the braille head 11.
6. Speed adjustment key 57 to increase or decrease the output time for one Braille character
And a repeat key 5 for re-outputting a series of Braille outputs
8 are provided. The interface circuit 6, the CPU 7, the ROM,
8, a RAM 9, and a head driver 10.

The Braille output system according to the present invention comprises an input device 5
An input means including a mouse 4 and a keyboard 3 as needed instructs acquisition of arbitrary information displayed on a display screen connected to the computer. A part of the computer 1 and an operation system and application software mounted thereon constitute an arbitrary information output unit that outputs information specified by the input unit. Interface circuit 6, CP
The U7, the ROM 8, and the RAM 9 constitute a conversion unit that receives the information output from the arbitrary information output unit and converts the information into a Braille signal. Further, the CPU 7 constitutes a Braille signal output means for sequentially outputting a Braille signal obtained by conversion by the conversion means for a predetermined time for each character. The head driver 10 and the Braille head unit 11 constitute Braille output means.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation executed by the CPU 7 in the transliteration apparatus 100.
4 and 1, when character data is input from the computer 1 via the interface circuit 6 (Y in step 101), the character data is temporarily stored in the RAM 9 (step 102). Subsequently, the character data is read from the RAM 9 (step 103) and converted into Braille based on the braille translation function stored in the ROM 8 (step 1).
04). Next, the output time set by the speed adjustment key 57 (FIG. 3) is read (step 105),
Braille signals are sequentially output one by one from the first Braille (step 106). Upon receiving this output, the head driver 10 drives the print head unit 11 to protrude the pin 11b (FIG. 2) corresponding to Braille. Thereby, Braille is represented.

Here, the state is maintained until a predetermined output time elapses (N in step 107). When the output time elapses, it is determined whether all the braille to be displayed have been output (step 108). ), Steps 105 to 108 are repeated until all Braille is output. Thus, Braille is sequentially output. Since the reading of the output time (step 105) is included in this repetition routine, the Braille output speed can be freely increased or decreased by operating the speed adjustment key 57 with another finger even during Braille output. it can. When all the braille corresponding to the input character data has been output (Y in step 108), the process returns to step 101 and waits for the next character data to be input (N in step 101 to N in step 109). When the repeat key 58 (FIG. 3) is pressed (step 109)
In (Y), a series of Braille immediately before is output again.

Next, the overall operation of the Braille output system configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. For example, an operation for opening an existing document using a Japanese word processor using Windows 95 of Microsoft Corporation in the United States as an operation system will be described. First, it is assumed that the activation of the Japanese word processor in the computer 1 is completed. At this time, although the document is not yet displayed on the screen of the display 2, “File”, “Edit”
And operation information such as a pull-down menu on a menu bar and toolbars (icons) corresponding to various operations. When a person with normal vision selects these operations with the mouse, the user moves the mouse pointer while checking which position is displayed on the screen, and clicks at a predetermined position to determine the operation. However, since the visually impaired person does not know the current position of the mouse pointer, the operation becomes difficult.

The pull-down menu can be selected by a predetermined key operation other than the mouse, so that a visually impaired person can perform the selection operation by remembering the key arrangement of the keyboard 3 and the predetermined key operation. be able to. For example, if the menu bar is activated by pressing the graph (GRAPH) key and then "F" is pressed, "File" is displayed in reverse (reverse), and the second hierarchical menu in the "File" menu is displayed. Next, a document list is displayed by pressing a key “O” corresponding to “open”.
However, from here onward, the conventional system cannot be operated by visually impaired persons. Therefore, in the present system, the character data (document file name, heading, etc.) at the cursor position in the state where the document list is displayed is read by the read key 56.
Pressing causes the computer 1 to output.

The output character data is sent to the CPU 7 via the interface circuit 6. Then, the character data is converted into a braille signal according to the above-described flowchart, and the print head unit 11 is driven in accordance with the signal, and the pins 11b corresponding to the braille project. The visually impaired reads this with a finger and grasps the document file name or the like pointed to by the cursor. If the document file name is not the desired document file, the cursor is moved by operating the cursor movement key 51 of the translator 100 (or the cursor movement key of the keyboard 3), and the read key 56 is pressed each time the read key 56 is pressed. Read in braille. When the desired document file is found, the return key 54 is pressed to open the document. In addition,
In the above operation, the system may be configured such that the contents are output in Braille according to the cursor position at the stage of the first hierarchical menu such as “File” and the stage of the second hierarchical menu.

On the other hand, when the operation is performed using the icons on the toolbar, the operation is performed as follows. The mouse pointer is set in advance so as to move to a predetermined position in response to a predetermined key operation of the transliteration device 100. For example, by pressing the control key 53 and the “↑” of the cursor movement key 51, the mouse pointer is jumped to the uppermost leftmost icon of the toolbar (this is set as a reference position). Here, if the icon pointed to by the mouse pointer is "new creation", the character data "new creation" is output from the computer 1 by pressing the read key 56 and displayed in braille. The mouse pointer moves to the right each time the cursor movement key 51 is pressed “→” from the reference position as a starting point (to return to the left, press “←”). When the read key 56 is pressed, the function of the icon at that position is output in Braille. Thus, various operation information can be grasped. When opening a document, the user normally checks the "open" operation icon one position to the right of the reference position and presses the return key 54 to display the above-described document list. After this, the operation is the same as that described above.

The mouse 4 can be used instead of the cursor movement key 51. When the mouse pointer deviates from the icon, Braille output is not performed even if the read key 56 is pressed, so that it is understood that the moving direction of the mouse 4 is incorrect. In this way, by learning while feeding back information on the movement of the mouse 4, it is possible to learn the relationship between the position of the icon and the movement of the mouse 4. In addition, a reference position of the mouse pointer is set as necessary, and relative movement therefrom is performed by the cursor movement key 51 or the mouse 4, thereby recognizing desired operation information and selecting an operation. In this way, a configuration for selectively outputting the operation information to Braille is added to the conventional system for the visually impaired,
A system that can be used by visually impaired persons can be constructed.

Next, reading of the opened text will be described. Information about the currently opened page and the row and column where the cursor is located is usually displayed at the bottom of the screen even in a conventional Japanese word processor. Therefore, every time the visually impaired person presses the read key 56, this information is output in Braille in the same manner as the operation information. This allows the visually impaired to obtain information about the currently opened page and the row and column where the cursor is located. Also, by moving the cursor movement key 51 while pressing the shift key 52 or dragging with the mouse 4 from an arbitrary cursor position, the text in an arbitrary range is highlighted. Then, when the read key 56 is pressed in this state, only the highlighted text is output as Braille. This allows the visually impaired to read the arbitrarily selected text. The reverse display is released by the escape key 55. In this way,
Just as a healthy person can read an arbitrary sentence visually, even a visually impaired person can select and read an arbitrary sentence.

Although the Japanese word processor has been described above as an example, it goes without saying that the system of the present invention can be applied to various other application software. For example,
Internet navigation software and CD-ROM
When applied to encyclopedia software or the like, even a visually impaired person can select and read desired information from a vast amount of information, just like a healthy person.

In the above embodiment, the transliteration device 10
Although 0 is provided separately from the original keyboard 3, it is also possible to combine them as needed. In that case,
Cursor movement key 51, shift key 52, control key 53, return key 54, and escape key 55
Can be shared because it overlaps with the original function of the keyboard 3. When a normal person does not use and does not perform character input or the like, a system configuration in which the normal keyboard 3 is omitted is also possible. Further, for example, a speaker may be connected to an audio output terminal of the computer 1, and a character on the screen may be uttered in synchronism with a command from the read key 56 by a synthesized voice using a text reader function of the computer 1 and a PCM sound source or the like. it can.

In the above-described embodiment, the read key 56 is provided, and by pressing the read key 56, operation information and text are output.
It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the information pointed to by the mouse pointer is sequentially output by omitting the operation 6. However, since the Braille output requires a certain period of time, the Braille output may not catch up with the character data sequentially output by the quick movement of the mouse pointer, and may not be synchronized with the operation information pointed to by the mouse pointer. It is preferable to operate the read key 56 with the mouse pointer stopped to output Braille synchronized with the operator's reading intention.

Further, by assigning certain operations such as start-up and termination of application software to specific keys (for example, providing function keys on the translator 100) as a macro operation, the visually impaired person can more easily. It is also possible to handle it.

Next, a Braille output system according to a second embodiment will be described. This embodiment includes a Braille recording / reproducing device capable of recording / reproducing Braille on a tape in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the Braille recording / reproducing device 200. In the figure, a Braille recording / reproducing apparatus 200 includes a removable Braille tape cassette case 61, a plurality of support rollers 63 for stretching a tape 62 of the Braille tape cassette case 61, and a constant speed running of the tape 62. A drive roller 64 for performing the operation, a Braille head unit 11x, a printing table 65 arranged opposite to the Braille head unit 11x, and a heating / pressing roller 66 constituting a means for erasing recorded Braille. . The heating / pressing rollers 66 are separated from each other except when erasing Braille, and do not restrain the tape 62.

The Braille recording / reproducing device 200 has a tape feeding function (recording, reproducing, fast-forwarding, rewinding, stopping, etc.) similar to that of a general tape recorder. Make up.
The Braille recording / reproducing device 200 also has a tape loading function and the like. The tape 62 is a tape made of resin, and has a property of causing deformation due to local pressing and easily causing thermal deformation. The Braille head 11x is the same as the Braille head 11 in the first embodiment.
However, this is not for directly touching a finger, but for recording (printing) Braille on the tape 62 according to the same principle as that of the head of the dot impact printer. The configuration for providing a Braille signal to the Braille head unit 11x is the same as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

In the Braille recording / reproducing apparatus 200, when a Braille signal is input to the Braille head 11x, the tape 62
Is started, and a pin (not shown, corresponding to 11b in FIG. 2) corresponding to the braille signal protrudes from the braille head portion 11x, and the tape 6 located between the braille head 11x and the printing board 65.
2, a projection portion 62a of a braille pattern (see FIG. 6) is formed. Here, the output time of the braille is set to the shortest necessary minimum time, the printing is performed substantially instantaneously, and the pins are immediately retracted. After a certain period of time, the next Braille is printed. Thus, as shown in FIG. 6, the braille signals sent one after another can be continuously printed on the tape 62 as braille.

After recording a series of sentences as described above, the tape 62 is rewound and reproduced. The visually impaired
A sentence is read by placing a finger on the tape 62 running at a constant reproduction speed in the direction of arrow A. When erasing the Braille once recorded and recording again on the same tape, the heating / pressing rollers 66 are pressed against each other with the tape 62 interposed therebetween, and pressure is applied simultaneously with heating. Thereby, the tape 62
Is flattened, and the braille is erased. The heating / pressing roller 66 may be operated at the same time as recording, or may be operated only when the erasing is provided as a single mode.

[0034]

The present invention configured as described above has the following effects. According to the Braille output system of claim 1,
The visually impaired can select any information from the information displayed on the display screen and read it by braille output.

According to the Braille output system of the second aspect, the information displayed on the display screen is not output in real time, but in synchronization with the reading intention of the operator (visually impaired person). Since it is output, Braille can be read reliably.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, any operation information displayed on the display screen can be read as Braille output.

Further, according to the Braille output system of the present invention, since the cursor position can be read as Braille output, for example, the page, line, and column of the opened document can be grasped. .

According to the Braille output system of the present invention, for example, it is possible to select and output only an arbitrary range of text in a document, so that the entire document is read in order to read a desired range of text. No need to read from beginning to end.

According to the Braille output system of the present invention, since the starting point for moving the mouse pointer can be set at a fixed position, the user can operate the cursor movement key or move the mouse relative to that position. By moving to, it is possible to select an arbitrary operation menu even if the vision is impaired.

Further, according to the Braille output system of the present invention, since the Braille can be output at a speed suitable for the Braille reading ability of the individual, the Braille can be read reliably.

Further, according to the Braille output system of the eighth aspect, Braille can be recorded on a tape. Further, if the tape on which the Braille is once recorded is flattened by heating and pressing by the erasing means, the recording can be erased and the recording can be performed again.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a Braille output system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a Braille head unit.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an external configuration of a braille translator in the Braille output system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation executed by a CPU in a Braille translator in the Braille output system of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a Braille recording / reproducing device in a Braille output system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a tape on which Braille is recorded by the Braille recording / reproducing device shown in FIG. 5;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Computer 2 Display 3 Keyboard 4 Mouse 5 Input Device 6 Interface Circuit 7 CPU 8 ROM 9 RAM 10 Head Driver 11, 11x Braille Head 11b Pin 51 Cursor Movement Key 52 Shift Key 53 Control Key 54 Return Key 55 Escape Key 56 Read Key 57 Speed adjustment key 58 Repeat key 61 Braille tape cassette case 62 Tape 62a Projection 64 Drive roller 66 Heating / pressing roller 100 Translator 200 Braille recorder / reproducer

Claims (8)

[Claims] An input unit for instructing acquisition of arbitrary information displayed on a display screen connected to a computer, and a part of the computer, which outputs information specified by the input unit. Optional information output means, conversion means for receiving the information output from the arbitrary information output means and converting the information into a braille signal, and converting the braille signal obtained by the conversion means into one-by-one characters Braille signal output means for sequentially outputting at predetermined time intervals, and Braille output means having a plurality of pins forming a Braille array and projecting pins corresponding to the Braille signals output from the Braille signal output means. Braille output system characterized by the following. 2. The Braille output system according to claim 1, wherein said input means includes a read command key for said arbitrary information output means. 3. The input means includes a mouse.
2. The Braille output system according to claim 1, wherein said arbitrary information output means outputs operation information of a position where a mouse pointer is placed as character data. 4. The Braille output system according to claim 1, wherein said arbitrary information output means outputs position information of a cursor as character data. 5. The Braille output system according to claim 1, wherein said arbitrary information output means outputs character data in a range designated by said input means. 6. The Braille output system according to claim 3, wherein said input means causes a mouse pointer to jump to a predetermined reference position by a predetermined key operation. 7. The Braille output system according to claim 1, wherein said Braille signal output means includes means for increasing or decreasing an output time for displaying one Braille character. 8. A tape made of a heat-deformable resin having a projection formed by receiving the protrusion of the pin, a tape running means for running the tape, and heating and heating the tape formed with the projection. 2. The Braille output system according to claim 1, further comprising an erasing means for flattening by pressing.