KR102414923B1 - Braille conversion apparatus and braille conversion method - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed are a braille conversion apparatus and a braille conversion method for automatically converting text information into braille information and outputting it through a plurality of braille bars. A braille conversion apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a braille conversion unit for converting text information into braille information; a braille board including a plurality of braille bars that are raised and lowered according to the braille information; and a driving unit for driving the braille board to raise and lower the plurality of braille bars according to the braille information.

Description

BRAILLE CONVERSION APPARATUS AND BRAILLE CONVERSION METHOD

The present invention relates to a braille conversion apparatus and a braille conversion method, and more particularly, to a braille conversion apparatus and braille conversion apparatus for automatically converting text information into braille information and outputting braille information by moving the braille bars up and down according to the converted braille information It's about conversion.

Braille is a character for the visually impaired so that the visually impaired can read text, and functions to help the visually impaired recognize a character by recognizing a combination of a plurality of protruding dots with a finger. Conventionally, a visually impaired person can obtain only limited information through a print printed in Braille. As a result, blind people were unable to read text independently without printed Braille. In addition, the visually impaired are experiencing inconvenience in acquiring Braille information in real time.

An object of the present invention is to provide a braille conversion apparatus and a braille conversion method for automatically converting text information into braille information and outputting it through braille bars.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a braille conversion device and a braille conversion method capable of adjusting the elevation distance (protrusion height) of the braille bars.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a braille conversion apparatus and a braille conversion method capable of adjusting a conversion speed of braille information output by braille bars.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a braille conversion device and a braille conversion method capable of controlling the driving of the braille bars by sensing contact with the user's palm.

A braille conversion apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a braille conversion unit for converting text information into braille information; a braille board including a plurality of braille bars that are raised and lowered according to the braille information; and a driving unit for driving the braille board to raise and lower the plurality of braille bars according to the braille information.

The driving unit may include: a plurality of driving motors for adjusting rotation angles of a plurality of driving shafts according to the braille information; And one end is coupled to the plurality of drive shafts, the other end may include a plurality of rotation rods hinged to the lower ends of the plurality of braille rods.

The plurality of rotation rods may convert the rotational force of the drive shaft rotated by the drive motor into a lifting motion of the plurality of braille rods.

The plurality of braille bars may include: first braille bars arranged in a vertical direction and arranged in two rows and three columns; and second braille bars arranged in the vertical direction and arranged in 2 rows and 3 columns.

The braille conversion unit may divide the text information into two-character units and convert the text information into first braille information and second braille information.

The driving unit may lift and drive the first braille bars according to first braille information, and lift and drive the second braille bars according to second braille information.

The braille board may further include a plurality of guide passages arranged in the vertical direction to guide the lifting motion of the braille rods in the vertical direction.

The plurality of braille rods may be inserted into the plurality of guide passages and elevate in the plurality of guide passages.

A braille conversion apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: an input unit for receiving an increase/decrease input for increasing or decreasing a conversion speed of braille output by a braille board; and a conversion speed adjusting unit configured to adjust the conversion speed of the Braille characters by adjusting the driving unit according to the increase/decrease input.

The braille conversion device according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include: a plurality of touch sensing units provided at upper ends of the plurality of braille bars and configured to detect contact between the plurality of braille bars and the user's palm.

The braille conversion apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention: generates a braille pattern in which contact is sensed by the plurality of touch sensing units, and compares the braille pattern with a reference braille pattern corresponding to the braille information to obtain non-contact braille information Non-contact braille analysis unit to analyze; and a braille protrusion length determiner configured to determine protrusion lengths of the plurality of braille bars according to the non-contact braille information.

The driving unit may drive the plurality of braille bars so that the lifting distances of the plurality of braille bars are adjusted according to the protruding lengths of the plurality of braille bars.

The driving unit may reduce a rising height of a braille bar in which the contact pressure is higher than a reference contact pressure among the plurality of braille bars.

The plurality of braille bars may include: a plurality of vertical bars disposed in a vertical direction; a plurality of horizontal rods provided at the lower ends of the plurality of vertical bars and hingedly coupled to the plurality of rotation rods; And it is provided on the upper end of the plurality of vertical bars, it may include a plurality of buffering members for buffering the impact in contact with the user's palm.

A braille conversion method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: converting text information into braille information by a braille conversion unit; and outputting the braille information by lifting and lowering a plurality of braille bars of the braille board according to the braille information by a driving unit.

The braille conversion method according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include: detecting a contact between the plurality of braille bars and the user's palm by a plurality of touch sensing units provided at upper ends of the plurality of braille bars can

A braille conversion method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: generating, by a non-contact braille analysis unit, a braille pattern in which contact is detected by the plurality of touch sensing units; analyzing, by the non-contact braille analysis unit, the non-contact braille information by comparing the braille pattern with a reference braille pattern corresponding to the braille information; and determining, by the braille protrusion length determining unit, protrusion lengths of the plurality of braille bars according to the non-contact braille information.

The outputting of the braille information may include driving, by the driving unit, the plurality of braille bars so that the lifting distances of the plurality of braille bars are adjusted according to the protruding lengths of the plurality of braille bars.

The braille conversion method according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include: reducing, by the driving unit, a rising height of a braille bar having a higher contact pressure than a reference contact pressure among the plurality of braille bars.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there are provided a braille conversion apparatus and a braille conversion method for automatically converting text information into braille information and outputting it through braille bars.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a braille conversion device and a braille conversion method capable of adjusting the elevation distance (protrusion height) of the braille bars are provided.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a braille conversion apparatus and a braille conversion method capable of adjusting the conversion speed of braille information output by the braille bars are provided.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a braille conversion device and a braille conversion method are provided that can control the driving of the braille bars by sensing a contact with the user's palm.

1 is a block diagram of a braille conversion device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a perspective view of a braille conversion device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a braille conversion device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a perspective view showing a braille bar constituting a braille conversion device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a side view showing a braille bar constituting a braille conversion device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a flowchart of a braille conversion method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a flowchart of a braille conversion method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided so that the disclosure of the present invention is complete, and to fully inform those of ordinary skill in the art to the scope of the present invention. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. In the present specification, when a part 'includes' a certain component, it means that other components may be further included, rather than excluding other components, unless otherwise stated.

1 is a block diagram of a braille conversion device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1 , a braille conversion apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a user terminal 110 , a braille conversion unit 120 , a driving unit 130 , a braille board 140 , an input unit 150 , and a conversion speed. It may include an adjustment unit 160 , a touch sensing unit 170 , a non-contact braille analysis unit 180 , and a braille protrusion length determining unit 190 .

The user terminal 110 may transmit text information (text information) to the Braille conversion unit 120 through a wireless communication interface using a Bluetooth module or the like to convert text information into Braille information.

The user terminal 110 is a terminal possessed by a user, and may be, for example, a terminal such as a smartphone, a smart pad, a laptop, or a desktop, but is not limited thereto.

The braille conversion unit 120 may convert text information received from the user terminal 110 into braille information. The braille conversion unit 120 may convert text information into braille information composed of six braille characters. The text information may include information about the protruding braille and the non-protruding braille among the six braille.

2 is a perspective view of a braille conversion device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a braille conversion device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a perspective view showing a braille bar constituting a braille conversion device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a side view showing a braille bar constituting a braille conversion device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 to 5 , the braille board 140 may be provided on the upper plate portion of the table 10 . The braille board 140 may include a plurality of braille rods 143 and 145 , a support 146 , and a plurality of guide passages 147 . The plurality of braille bars 143 and 145 may be raised or lowered according to the braille information converted by the braille conversion unit 120 .

The plurality of guide passages 147 may be disposed in the vertical direction to guide the lifting motion of the braille rods 143 and 145 in the vertical direction. The guide passage 147 may be supported by the support 146 fixed in the vertical direction. The plurality of braille rods 143 and 145 may be inserted into the plurality of guide passages 147 and elevate in the plurality of guide passages 147 .

The driving unit 130 may drive the braille board 140 to elevate the plurality of braille bars 143 and 145 according to the braille information converted by the braille converter 120 . The driving unit 130 may include a driving motor driver 132 , a plurality of driving motors 134 , and a plurality of rotation rods 136 .

The plurality of driving motors 134 may adjust the rotation angles of the plurality of driving shafts according to the braille information generated by the braille conversion unit 120 . The driving motor 134 may be, for example, a servo motor. The driving motor 134 may adjust the rotation angle of the driving shaft within a range of 90°.

One end of the plurality of rotation rods 136 may be coupled to the driving shaft of the plurality of driving motors 134 , and the other end may be hinged to the lower end of the plurality of braille rods 143 and 145 . The plurality of rotation rods 136 may convert the rotational force of the driving shaft rotated by the driving motor 134 into a lifting motion of the plurality of braille rods 143 and 145 .

That is, when the drive shaft is rotated by the drive motor 134 and the rotation rod 136 rotates in one direction, the rotation rod 136 pushes the braille rod 140 upward, so that the braille rod 140 rises. do. Conversely, the rotating rod 136 rotates in the other direction, and the braille rod 140 descends to its original position.

The rotation rod 136 may rotate between a first direction (eg, a horizontal direction) and a second direction (eg, a vertical direction) by the driving motor 134 . When the rotating rod 136 is rotated in the first direction, the upper end of the braille bar 140 descends below the through hole 141b, and when the rotating rod 136 is rotated in the second direction, the upper end of the braille bar 140 is It rises above the through hole 141b and protrudes above the table 10 .

The plurality of braille rods 140 may include a plurality of vertical rods 148 , a plurality of horizontal rods 138 , and a plurality of cushioning members 149 . The plurality of vertical bars 148 may be disposed in the vertical direction. The plurality of vertical bars 148 may be made of a material such as wood or plastic, but is not limited thereto. The plurality of horizontal rods 138 are provided at the lower ends of the plurality of vertical rods 148 , and may be hingedly coupled to the plurality of rotation rods 136 .

A plurality of cushioning members 149 are provided at the upper end of the plurality of vertical bars 148, it is possible to buffer the impact in contact with the user's palm. The cushioning member 149 may be provided with a material having elasticity and softness in order to cushion the impact applied to the user's palm.

The plurality of braille bars 143 and 145 may be installed on the braille board body 141 . The plurality of braille bars 143 and 145 are arranged in the vertical direction and arranged in two rows and three columns, the first braille bars 142 and the second braille bars 144 are arranged in the vertical direction and arranged in two rows and three columns. may include

The first braille bars 142 may be disposed at a position corresponding to the palm of the left hand, and the second braille bars 144 may be disposed at a position corresponding to the palm of the right hand. The first braille bars 142 may be arranged in two rows and three columns in an area smaller than the palm of the left hand. Also, the second braille bars 144 may be arranged in two rows and three columns in an area smaller than the right palm.

A through hole 141b through which a plurality of braille rods 143 and 145 may pass may be formed in the upper surface 141a of the braille board body 141 . The through hole 141b may be provided with a size slightly larger than that of the braille rods 143 and 145 .

The braille conversion unit 120 may divide the text information into two-character units and convert it into first braille information and second braille information. The driving unit 130 may lift and drive the first braille bars according to the first braille information and drive the second braille bars up and down according to the second braille information.

The first braille information may be braille information for the user to recognize braille with the palm of the user's left hand, and the second braille information may be braille information for the user to recognize braille with the palm of the user's right hand. Accordingly, the user can recognize two pieces of braille at a time with both palms.

The input unit 150 may receive an increase/decrease input for increasing or decreasing a conversion speed of braille output by the braille board 140 . The input unit 150 may include a decrease input button 152 and an increase input button 154 .

When the user inputs the decrease input button 152, the output speed of the braille information may be reduced. When the user inputs the increase input button 154 , the output speed of the braille information may be increased. The input unit 150 may be provided at a position where the tip of a finger touches the user's palm on the braille board 140 .

The conversion speed adjusting unit 160 may adjust the conversion speed of the Braille characters by adjusting the driving unit 130 according to the increase/decrease input input through the input unit 150 . Accordingly, the user can conveniently adjust the reading speed of the Braille information.

The plurality of touch sensing units 170 are provided at upper ends of the plurality of braille bars 143 and 145 and may detect contact between the plurality of braille bars 143 and 145 and the user's palm.

The touch sensing unit 170 includes a first touch sensing sensor 172 provided on upper surfaces of the first braille bars 172 and a second touch sensing sensor 174 provided on upper surfaces of the second braille bars 174 . ) may be included. The touch sensing unit 170 may be provided as, for example, a pressure sensor or a touch sensor, but is not limited thereto.

The non-contact braille analysis unit 180 may generate a braille pattern in which a contact is sensed by the plurality of touch detection units 170 and compare the braille pattern with a reference braille pattern corresponding to the braille information to analyze the non-contact braille information. .

The braille protrusion length determiner 190 may determine the protrusion lengths of the plurality of braille bars 143 and 145 according to the non-contact braille information analyzed by the non-contact braille analysis unit 180 .

The driving unit 130 adjusts the rotation angle range of the drive shaft so that the lifting distance of the plurality of braille rods 143 and 145 is adjusted according to the protruding length of the plurality of braille rods 143 and 145, so that the plurality of braille rods ( 143, 145) can be driven.

For example, a discrepancy has occurred between the reference braille pattern corresponding to the braille information among the plurality of braille bars 143 and 145 in the non-contact braille analysis unit 180 and the braille pattern (contact pattern) of the contact detection unit 170 . When the braille bar is recognized, the braille protrusion length determiner 190 may determine the braille protrusion length so that the elevation height of the braille bar in which the corresponding mismatch occurs is increased.

When the braille protrusion length is determined by the braille protrusion length determining unit 190, the driving unit 130 increases the rising height of the braille bar at which the mismatch has occurred to the first height so that the braille bar is in stable contact with the user's palm. can do. In this case, the first height may be a position higher than the upper surface of the table 10 by the first distance.

In addition, even if the reference braille pattern corresponding to the braille information and the contact pattern of the braille bars are the same, when the contact pressure on the corresponding braille bar is higher than the reference contact pressure, the braille protrusion length determining unit 190 determines the length of the braille bar. It is possible to determine the length of the braille protrusion to reduce the raised height of the corresponding braille bar so that the contact pressure does not exceed the existing contact pressure range.

Accordingly, the driving unit 130 lowers the raised height of the corresponding braille bar to a second height to prevent the braille bar from rising to a higher position than necessary, and to prevent excessive pressure from being applied to the user's palm. In this case, the second height may be a position higher than the upper surface of the table 10 by a second distance. The second distance may be smaller than the first distance.

In addition, the braille protrusion length determining unit 190 determines the respective rising heights of the braille bars 143 and 145 so that the contact pressure between the plurality of braille bars 143 and 145 and the user's palm is within the reference contact range. can The driving unit 130 sets the braille bars 143 so that the contact pressure between the plurality of braille bars 143 and 145 and the user's palm is within the reference contact range according to the braille protrusion length determined by the braille protrusion length determining unit 190 . , 145) can be driven.

Accordingly, the elevation height of the plurality of braille bars 143 and 145 is adjusted according to the shape of the user's palm to prevent the braille bars 143 and 145 from contacting the user's palm while preventing the braille bars 143 and 145 from being in contact with the user's palm. ) by reducing the lifting distance, it is possible to reduce the energy required for driving the plurality of braille bars (143, 145).

In addition, when there is a discrepancy between the reference braille pattern corresponding to the braille information and the contact patterns of the plurality of braille bars 143 and 145, the user is informed that the braille is not recognized as an auditory information such as a warning sound, a guide sound, or a voice. It can notify you or notify you through tactile information such as vibration.

According to the embodiment of the present invention as described above, desired information is input in real time using communication such as Bluetooth so that the visually impaired can participate in informatization, and a braille board is installed using a servo motor to easily obtain information using the sense of touch. can do.

6 is a flowchart of a braille conversion method according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 to 6 , the user terminal 110 may transmit text information (text information) to the Braille conversion unit 120 through a wireless communication interface using a Bluetooth module or the like to convert text information into Braille information. There is (S110).

The braille conversion unit 120 may convert text information transmitted from the user terminal 110 into braille information. The braille conversion unit 120 may convert the text information into braille information consisting of six braille characters (S120).

The plurality of braille bars 143 and 145 may be raised or lowered according to the braille information converted by the braille converter 120 (S130). The plurality of braille rods 143 and 145 may be inserted into the plurality of guide passages 147 and elevate in the plurality of guide passages 147 .

The driving unit 130 may drive the braille board 140 to elevate the plurality of braille bars 143 and 145 according to the braille information converted by the braille converter 120 . The plurality of drive motors 134 may adjust the rotation angles of the plurality of drive shafts according to Braille information.

The plurality of rotating rods 136 may convert the rotational force of the driving shaft rotated by the driving motor 134 into a lifting motion of the plurality of braille rods 143 and 145 according to the braille information.

7 is a flowchart of a braille conversion method according to another embodiment of the present invention. The plurality of touch sensing units 170 may detect contact between the plurality of braille bars 143 and 145 and the user's palm (S140).

The non-contact braille analysis unit 180 may generate a braille pattern in which a contact is sensed by the plurality of touch detection units 170 and compare the braille pattern with a reference braille pattern corresponding to the braille information to analyze the non-contact braille information. (S150).

The non-contact braille analysis unit 180 generates a warning sound or a guide sound indicating that braille is not recognized to the user when there is a discrepancy between the reference braille pattern corresponding to the braille information and the contact pattern of the plurality of braille bars 143 and 145; The information may be informed by auditory information such as voice or by tactile information such as vibration.

The braille protrusion length determiner 190 may determine the protrusion lengths of the plurality of braille bars 143 and 145 according to the non-contact braille information analyzed by the non-contact braille analysis unit 180 ( S160 ).

The driving unit 130 may drive the plurality of braille bars 143 and 145 so that the lifting distance of the plurality of braille bars 143 and 145 is adjusted according to the protrusion length of the plurality of braille bars 143 and 145 . have.

In addition, the driving unit 130 may drive the plurality of braille rods 143 and 145 to reduce the height of rise of the braille rod in which the contact pressure exceeds the reference contact pressure among the plurality of braille rods 143 and 145 . have.

According to the braille conversion method according to the embodiment of the present invention as described above, so that the visually impaired can participate in informatization, desired information is input in real time using communication such as Bluetooth, and a braille board is installed using a servo motor to use the sense of touch. This makes it easy to obtain information.

In addition, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the elevation height of the plurality of braille bars 143 and 145 is adjusted according to the shape of the user's palm to prevent the braille bars 143 and 145 from contacting the user's palm. While reducing the elevating distance of the braille bars 143 and 145, it is possible to reduce the energy required to drive the plurality of braille bars (143, 145).

As described above, although the embodiments have been described with reference to the limited embodiments and drawings, various modifications and variations are possible from the above description by those skilled in the art. For example, the described techniques are performed in an order different from the described method, and/or the described components of the system, structure, apparatus, circuit, etc. are combined or combined in a different form than the described method, or other components Or substituted or substituted by equivalents may achieve an appropriate result. Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents to the claims are also within the scope of the following claims.

10: table
100: braille conversion device
110: user terminal
120: Braille conversion unit
130: driving unit
132: drive motor driver
134: drive motor
136: rotating rod
138: horizontal rod
140: Braille board
141: Braille board body
142: first braille bar
143, 145: braille bar
144: second braille bar
147: guide passage
148: vertical bar
149: cushioning member
150: input unit
152: decrease input button
154: increment input button
160: conversion speed control unit
170: touch sensing unit
180: non-contact braille analysis unit
190: braille protrusion length determining unit

Claims (15)

a braille conversion unit for converting text information into braille information;
a braille board including a plurality of braille bars that are raised and lowered according to the braille information; and
a driving unit for driving the braille board to raise and lower the plurality of braille bars according to the braille information;
a plurality of touch sensing units provided at upper ends of the plurality of braille bars and configured to detect contact between the plurality of braille bars and the user's palm;
a non-contact braille analysis unit that generates a braille pattern in which a contact is sensed by the plurality of touch sensing units, and compares the braille pattern with a reference braille pattern corresponding to the braille information to analyze the non-contact braille information; and
and a braille protrusion length determining unit for determining protrusion lengths of the plurality of braille bars according to the non-contact braille information,
The driving unit drives the plurality of braille bars so that the lifting distance of the plurality of braille bars is adjusted according to the protrusion length of the plurality of braille bars, a braille conversion device.
According to claim 1,
The driving unit:
a plurality of drive motors for adjusting rotation angles of a plurality of drive shafts according to the braille information; and
One end is coupled to the plurality of drive shafts, and the other end includes a plurality of rotation rods hinged to the lower ends of the plurality of braille rods, Braille conversion device. 3. The method of claim 2,
The plurality of rotation rods convert the rotational force of the drive shaft rotated by the drive motor into a lifting motion of the plurality of braille rods, a braille conversion device. According to claim 1,
The plurality of braille bars are:
first braille bars arranged in the vertical direction and arranged in 2 rows and 3 columns; and
It includes second braille bars arranged in the vertical direction and arranged in 2 rows and 3 columns,
The braille converter divides the text information into two-character units and converts the text information into first braille information and second braille information. 5. The method of claim 4,
The driving unit:
The first braille bars are driven up and down according to the first braille information, and the second braille bars are driven up and down according to the second braille information, the braille conversion device. According to claim 1,
The braille board is:
Further comprising a plurality of guide passages arranged in the vertical direction to guide the lifting motion of the braille rods in the vertical direction,
The plurality of braille rods are inserted into the plurality of guide passages and lifted and lowered in the plurality of guide passages, Braille conversion device. According to claim 1,
an input unit receiving an increase/decrease input for increasing or decreasing a conversion speed of braille output by the braille board; and
The braille conversion device further comprising a conversion speed adjusting unit for adjusting the conversion speed of the braille by adjusting the driving unit according to the increase/decrease input. delete delete According to claim 1,
The driving unit reduces the height of the raising of the braille bar, wherein the contact pressure is higher than the reference contact pressure among the plurality of braille bars. 3. The method of claim 2,
The plurality of braille bars are:
a plurality of vertical bars arranged in the vertical direction;
a plurality of horizontal rods provided at the lower ends of the plurality of vertical bars and hingedly coupled to the plurality of rotation rods; and
Provided at the upper end of the plurality of vertical bars, Braille conversion device comprising a plurality of cushioning members for buffering the impact in contact with the user's palm. converting text information into braille information by a braille conversion unit; and
and outputting the braille information by elevating and driving a plurality of braille bars of a braille board according to the braille information by a driving unit,
detecting contact between the plurality of braille bars and the user's palm by a plurality of touch sensing units provided at upper ends of the plurality of braille bars;
generating, by a non-contact braille analysis unit, a braille pattern in which contact is detected by the plurality of touch sensing units;
analyzing, by the non-contact braille analysis unit, the non-contact braille information by comparing the braille pattern with a reference braille pattern corresponding to the braille information; and
Further comprising the step of determining, by the braille protrusion length determining unit, the protrusion length of the plurality of braille bars according to the non-contact braille information,
The step of outputting the braille information includes:
and driving, by the driving unit, the plurality of braille bars so that the lifting distances of the plurality of braille bars are adjusted according to the protruding lengths of the plurality of braille bars.
delete delete 13. The method of claim 12,
The method further comprising the step of reducing, by the driving unit, a height of raising of a braille bar in which the contact pressure is higher than a reference contact pressure among the plurality of braille bars.

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