RU213842U1 - Standalone Serial Braille Device - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to devices for receiving and transmitting information using Braille.

The technical result consists in providing the possibility of receiving and transmitting information in accordance with the Braille alphabet by means of a mechanical effect on the skin.

The device consists of two blocks-modules. The first is a microprocessor control device, on which the controls are located: high buttons for better tactile perception, adjusting knobs (optional), a sound emitter and a built-in vibration emitter for additional information about the operation of the device. In addition, it contains batteries and an interface for connecting to a personal computer. The second module is a mechanism for transmitting signals to the human skin surface, which consists of three bodies connected to each other by a swivel joint. Cells in the form of rectangular parallelepipeds are organized in each case, in which electromagnetic drives and retractable rods are placed. The mechanisms are attached to the back of the hand with adjustable bracelets and can be calibrated to the relief of the skin surface.

The developed application on a personal computer makes it easy to download books or other information to the device, as well as to diagnose and calibrate it. When the device is turned on, the user is given a choice of actions, accompanied by sound information. After selecting a book/document and setting the operating mode, the device switches to broadcasting information. Each note in the Braille system is represented as a graphic key, consisting of a specific set of dots. The six-point Braille system is imitated by special electromagnetic actuators and retractable rods. Thus, musical notes and, as a result, whole works are encoded. To work with this utility model, you only need to read the incoming information from the device. The device allows you to learn how to play musical instruments, and you can also use it to read books and receive information from other sources such as a computer, phone, etc. 4 w.p. f-ly, 6 ill.

Description

This utility model relates to information technology and can be used for tactile reception and transmission of information based on the principle of Braille dotted font.

State of the art

It is currently known to use Braille displays for input and output of data intended for people with visual impairments. Braille displays are electromechanical devices that form on a flat horizontal surface Braille dot relief elements in one line, which can be read by tactile receptors in the fingertips. Such devices are made in the form of typewriters with software control, manual manipulators and actuators that are connected as an additional device to a computer using a USB or Bluetooth interface.

However, such devices do not allow you to perform any actions with your hands while receiving information. This is especially critical when playing musical instruments and reading music at the same time. All existing inventions are aimed at minimizing the size and increasing the number of characters per line. Existing solutions make it possible to read information from the display only by the receptors of the fingertips, thus, it becomes necessary to constantly move the fingers relative to the symbols on the display.

Known device cell tactile display, disclosed in the patent of the Russian Federation No. 2101771 (publ. 10.01.1998). In accordance with the known invention, a variant with a plurality of movable drives is proposed. Each of the drives includes a magnetic memory element (EMI) formed by a rod core made of a medium-coercive magnetic material with a rectangular hysteresis loop (PHL), on which control windings are installed to create and destroy the magnetic memory of the rod core. When current pulses are applied to the control windings, the change of the Braille symbol and its indefinitely long preservation by such a cell is ensured when the power supply of the tactile display is turned off, and excessive overheating of the device is also excluded.

However, the known cell is expensive and rather difficult to manufacture, since the drive element contains complex and small-sized mechanisms of electromagnetic materials. In addition, when implementing the proposed utility model, the main feature of which is the distinguishable effect of the symbol dots on the back of the palm of the hand, the described invention cannot provide sufficient pressure of the symbol dots on the skin surface.

A device for displaying points in Braille is known, disclosed in RF patent No. 2355017 (publ. 10.05.2009). In accordance with the known invention, braille dot display is achieved by placing a recognition rod in the receiving hole with the ability to move up and down, installing a head having a plurality of electronic pins on a guiding axis below the receiving hole, and selectively extending the rods.

However, the described solution is technically expensive and rather complicated to manufacture, and does not allow creating a more compact device, which is critical when developing a device located on a human hand.

A device and a method for transmitting information through Braille are known, disclosed in the patent of the Russian Federation No. 2653234 (publ. 10.05.2009). In accordance with the known invention, the display of braille dots is achieved through the use of cells that, in the mode of receiving information, form embossed dot braille characters for reading. These cells of the device contain six or eight cavities in the form of rectangular parallelepipeds, in which rotation drives are placed, rods with external threads fixed on said drives, and fingers with a section in the form of rectangular parallelepipeds, containing a bulge that forms a relief, defined as a dot in Braille. . As well as a socket having an internal thread, which includes these rods with an external thread.

However, the known device is designed to implement Braille displays with the output of a line of text, and due to the peculiarities of the mechanical drive of the dots (thread with a small pitch), it does not allow to display characters sequentially with a high frequency.

The closest to the claimed technical solution is a Braille information transmission device disclosed in RF patent No. 2651444 (published on April 19, 2018). In accordance with the known invention, the device is in the form of a glove, which uses a tactile method to receive data.

However, in this device, the location of the vibration elements is located in such a way that it does not provide an accurate perception of signals during the playing of musical instruments. Tests with the use of vibration motors have shown that the perception of vibration from two points located nearby is perceived as "blurred" and it takes more time to understand the key.

In the course of the analysis of scientific, technical and patent literature, no analogues were identified, characterized by the same set of essential features that the proposed utility model has. Therefore, it can be assumed that the claimed utility model meets the patentability condition "Novelty".

The main advantage of the proposed device is the emergence of a new method of teaching piano for special children, which will have a leading position in comparison with currently existing methods, since it will have a significant advantage - the minimum time for its development and application.

The use of this device solves the problem of the lack of ability for people with vision problems to play with both hands at once and simultaneously read from a sheet (the device replaces reading from a sheet of music).

Disclosure of the essence of the utility model

The technical objective of the present utility model is to create a device that is easy to use and inexpensive to manufacture, accessible to people with visual impairments, allowing the reception of information through Braille.

The technical result achieved in the implementation of this utility model is to create a parallelepiped-shaped device located on the back of the hand and containing compact cells that form Braille characters.

The utility model discloses an assembly consisting of three blocks interconnected by a swivel joint. Cells in the form of rectangular parallelepipeds are organized in each case, in which electromagnetic drives and retractable rods are placed. Unlike prototypes, the device is attached to the arm and transmits information sequentially.

Additional advantages and features of the present utility model can be presented in the following particular embodiments:

In particular, in order to install the case on a hand of any shape, return springs are installed between the cases in the corresponding guides. Thus, a continuous and accurate perception of Braille dots by a person is ensured, regardless of the shape of the hand and its position in space, due to the uniform pressing of the plane of each body to the skin surface.

In particular, the versatility that allows the use of two methods of transferring the state of a Braille point: rod and rotation.

In particular, on the sides of the central block there are fastening nodes for quick fixation of the device on the hand.

In particular, in the middle of each block there is a cavity for arranging the strands of electrical wires.

In particular, the blocks containing the actuators are made collapsible and consist of two parts connected by built-in plastic latches.

In particular, the main device contains an additional control unit for data analysis and conversion, as well as signal transmission, connected by wires to the main unit and installed separately from the hand.

In one version, the main device contains an additional control unit for signal transmission, connected by wires to the main unit and also fixed on the arm in its inactive part.

In particular, the developed model allows you to exchange data with a personal computer via Bluetooth or a wireless radio module.

This utility model can be implemented using known materials, processes and equipment. Therefore, it can be assumed that the claimed utility model meets the patentability condition "Industrial applicability".

Detailed description of the utility model

According to the drawing shown in FIG. 1, mutual fastening of cases 1-3 of the character generation module is carried out using pins with self-locking at the base of the model. Between the guides 2, springs are installed with such rigidity that will ensure a snug fit of the bases of each of the cases to the back of the hand.

The middle part of the module shown in Fig. 2, contains the plane of attachment of the fixation belt 3, which is a nylon tape - Velcro. Inside each cell there are mechanical stops 1, which are a rectangular parallelepiped of solid filling, which serves as a limiter when installing the electromagnetic module. The walls of the housing serve as guides, and the connections of the outputs of the electromagnetic module with signal wires are installed in the corresponding cells 2 (Fig.4), while the wires between the housings are laid through special channels 1.

The control and signal processing unit shown in Fig. 6 is universal in terms of the applied mechanism of action on the skin surface (electromagnet, electric micromotor), thus allowing the use of different character generation modules with the control unit. The main screen displays the minimum necessary information: the number of the reproduced document, the playback speed, the operating mode, the status of the blocks.

Electromagnetic modules (shown in Fig. 5) are solenoids installed in a square section frame, inside of which a rod is located. A return spring is installed on the rod in such a way that all module rods in the initial state are inside the housings. When a pulse is applied to the solenoid coil, the rod, overcoming the force of the spring, goes beyond the body and rests on the surface of the skin with a circular cross-section, thus providing a mechanical effect perceived by a person as a point.

Alternatively, instead of electromagnetic modules, microelectric motors, the overall dimensions of which correspond to electromagnetic modules, can be installed in character formation units. When using electric motors, the rotating shaft is constantly above the base plane and has constant contact with the skin surface. The impact during the formation of characters is provided by the rotation of the motor shaft.

Brief description of the drawings

In FIG. 1 shows a side view of the character generation module, showing the following elements: cell bodies (1), (2), (3) and return spring guides (2), which is not shown in the view.

In FIG. 2 shows section A-A along the base of the module, showing the stops of the electromagnetic mechanism (1), holes for hinged connection of the cells (2), platform (3) for attaching the device to the belt for fixing the device on the arm.

In FIG. 3 is a top view without the module cover.

In FIG. 4 shows a cross-section along the B-B plane, showing a channel (1) for laying a current-carrying wire, a cavity (2) for laying wires and switching connections, an internal cavity of a cell (3), stops (4) of electromagnetic mechanisms, a mounting platform (5) to the strap for fixing the device on the arm and the hole for the rods of electromagnetic devices.

In FIG. 5 shows a sketch of the electromagnetic mechanism, which is a rod located in the middle and a winding located between the square limiting stops.

In FIG. 6 shows a general view of the device. The device includes a control unit (1), a character formation unit (9-10), as well as a method for installing the symbol formation module on the hand (7). On the control unit are located: information display (2), operating mode indicator (8), control buttons (5). On the side of the case there are: a connector for data exchange and charging the built-in battery (6), an operating mode selection button (4), a power on/off button (3).

Claims (5)

1. The device for the formation of Braille characters, consisting of three blocks interconnected by a swivel joint, in the body of each block there are two cells in the form of rectangular parallelepipeds, in which electromagnetic drives and retractable rods are placed, which extend beyond the body and a surface with a circular cross section rest on the surface of the skin, providing a mechanical effect perceived by a person as a Braille dot, while the device has an attachment site to the fixation belt, by means of which it is attached to the back of the hand, and is configured to transmit information of Braille characters sequentially. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that in the middle of each block there is a cavity for locating the strands of electrical wires. 3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the body of each block is made collapsible and consists of a base and a cover connected by built-in plastic latches. 4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is made with the possibility of wired communication with the control unit for analyzing and converting data, as well as transmitting signals directly to the device installed on the inactive part of the arm. 5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is configured to exchange data with a personal computer via Bluetooth or a wireless radio module.

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