RU2660007C1 - Device for entering and reading information in braille code - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: teaching.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to teaching devices for the blind. Technical result is achieved by a device for inputting and reading information in a Braille code that includes a housing with a front panel and a microcontroller installed in the housing, to which a line for reading symbol-forming elements of the Braille code located on the front panel, navigation and function buttons is connected. In this case, the line for reading symbol-forming elements of the Braille code is located in the left lower part of the front panel of the case, and in the right lower part of the front panel of the case there is a line connected to the microcontroller for input of symbol-forming elements of the Braille code, and the navigation buttons are located above the line for reading symbol-forming elements of the Braille code, and to the right of the navigation buttons are the function buttons. With that, navigation and functional buttons are made in the form of a membrane keyboard. Microcontroller also includes a wireless radio module wi-fi and/or Bluetooth, a USB port, a memory card port, an adapter for power from the electrical network, a battery, a code button decoder for the electronic cells of the Braille code, an electronic real-time clock and a vibration motor.

EFFECT: expansion of functionality and increased ease of operation.

5 cl, 2 dwg

Description

The invention relates to educational devices for the blind.

The Braille code, which is mainly used by a visually impaired or blind person, consists of six 3 by 2 points or 8 4 by 2 points. The Braille code was commonly used to make books. In connection with the development of technology, not only a book, but also the screen of an electronic device is used as a means for presenting text these days. An electronic device typically uses a keyboard or touchpad to enter text. However, the keyboard that is commonly used is made with a specification that is convenient for the average person who has no visual impairment, but a visually impaired person cannot conveniently use such a keyboard.

There is a known Braille code keyboard with a display containing a base, in the central part of which there is a linear string of symbol-forming elements of the Braille code, navigation keys are located in the right and left parts of the base, function keys are in the upper part of the base (Baum Products GmbH, Schloss Langenzell, D - 69257 Wiesen-bach, Catalog 1997. Germany. Page 8).

However, according to the prior art, a device is a device that simply displays Braille code characters input through a Braille code input unit, but does not include a device that converts ordinary words received from an external source into Braille code or vice versa converts an input signal in Braille code in ordinary words, so it’s difficult to associate the device with an external device, such as an external terminal, computer or laptop. In addition, the known device that outputs the Braille code is configured not only to output the text of the document, but is intended to display navigation and auxiliary information, such as the page number of the document, the current date and time.

A device is known for displaying point relief information in Braille code, selected as the closest analogue, containing a base, in the central part of which there is a first linear line of symbol-forming elements of the Braille code, navigation keys are located in the right and left parts of the base, functional keys are in the upper part of the base keys, the second linear line of symbol-forming elements of the Braille code is entered. Moreover, the second linear line of symbol-forming elements of the Braille code provides the display of navigation information about the page number and line number in it (RU 41177 U1, 10.10.2004).

This device also has inherent disadvantages regarding the complexity of communication of this device with an external device, such as an external terminal. Moreover, the second linear line displays the necessary auxiliary information only partially.

In this regard, there is a need to create a device for inputting a Braille code that converts ordinary words received from an external source into Braille code or vice versa converts the input signal in Braille to ordinary words and has enhanced usability due to the display of all the necessary navigation and auxiliary information .

This problem is solved by the proposed device for inputting and reading information in Braille code comprising a case with a front panel and a microcontroller installed in the case, to which a row of cells for reading symbol-forming elements of the Braille code located on the front panel, navigation and function buttons are connected. At the same time, a row of cells for reading the symbol-forming elements of the Braille code is located in the lower left part of the front panel of the case, and in the lower right part of the front panel of the case there is a row of cells for entering symbol-forming elements of the Braille code, containing openings for input. Moreover, the navigation buttons are located above the row of cells for reading symbol-forming elements of the Braille code, and the functional buttons are located to the right of the navigation buttons. In this navigation and function buttons are made in the form of a film keyboard. The microcontroller is also connected to a wifi and / or bluetoоth wireless radio module, a USB port, a memory card port, an adapter for power supply from the mains, a battery, a braille button descrambler board for electronic buttons, a real-time electronic clock module and a vibration motor.

In addition, the line of cells for reading and the line of cells for entering symbol-forming elements of the Braille code contain 16 cells, each of which is numbered from 1 to 16.

The electronic real-time clock module is configured to display information about the current time and date on a row of cells for reading symbol-forming elements of the Braille code after pressing the corresponding button.

The vibromotor is used to confirm the vibration of pressing a button and when entering points that form Braille symbols.

The technical result achieved by the implementation of this invention is to expand the functionality and improve ease of use.

The invention is illustrated by drawings.

Figure 1 is a diagram of the front panel of the proposed device for entering and reading information in a relief-dot Braille code;

Figure 2 is a General view of the proposed device for entering and reading information in a relief-dot Braille code.

The device for inputting and reading information in the Braille-relief code contains a case with a front panel (1), in the lower left part of the front panel (1) of the case there is a row (2) of cells for reading (7) symbol-forming elements of the Braille code. And in the lower right part of the front panel (1) of the case, there is a row (3) of cells for entering (8) symbol-forming elements of the Braille code, containing holes for entering (16). Above the line (2) of cells for reading (7) symbol-forming elements of the Braille code, there are navigation buttons (4), to the right of which there are function buttons (5). At the same time, the navigation (4) and functional (5) buttons are made in the form of a film keyboard (4, 5). Above each of the cells for reading (7) symbol-forming elements of the Braille code are buttons (6) to remove information from the cell for reading (7). Each of the cells for reading (7) and for entering (8) symbol-forming elements of the Braille code is numbered with numbers (9). The navigation buttons (4) include the up, down, and left, right buttons, combined with the back buttons (10) and the clock (11), respectively. Function buttons (5) include the memory button “M” (12), the button for accessing the memory card “SD” (13), the “settings” button (14) and the “power” button (15).

The device for inputting and reading information in Braille code is based on a microcontroller, to which various modules are connected via various interfaces. Wireless radio module wifi and / or bluetoоth, for data exchange with an external device. USB controller for connecting various external devices. Real-time clock with the output of values on a line for reading the Braille code, to control the time of occupation. An SD memory card for downloading to the proposed device information for reading and writing entered text. The adapter for supply from an electric network. Battery for autonomous power supply of the device. Power and battery management scheme. Braille relief code information input module (writing field) that allows you to enter text with a braille code. At the same time, the input module contains a control board combined with the optical part consisting of their photodiodes and infrared LEDs.

A set of electronic braille code cells (2) (a reading field) that allows you to read text entered in the input module or downloaded from another source. The decoder board for the buttons of the electronic cells of the Braille code, which allows you to convert the signals coming from the Braille code input tool. Film keyboard (4, 5), which is a panel with buttons. At the same time, holes (16) are left for entering Braille code points. Vibration motor for tactile confirmation by vibration of pressing a button.

A device for inputting and reading information in Braille code consists of two fields - a writing field (3) (input module) and a reading field (2).

Braille code points are set in the writing field (3) using a special stylus or a sharpened pencil. At the same time, the writing field (3) (input module) contains a control board combined with the optical part consisting of photodiodes and infrared LEDs. The writing field is divided into 16 cells, consisting of six 3 by 2 dots, and contains 32 vertical optical lines and 3 horizontal optical lines. LEDs are located opposite the photodiodes at the ends of the optical lines both horizontally and vertically. The controller alternately switches the LEDs and reads information from the photodiodes opposite the turned on LEDs. When the optical line is blocked at the point of pressing with the stylus, the controller determines its location and displays it in the reading field by raising the plastic convex point in the corresponding cell. Each time you press the stylus, the vibrator produces a vibration that confirms the perfect action. Thus, by pressing a point on the input panel, a braille symbol is formed on the reading panel (2).

On the body of the device in the writing area (3) and in the reading area (2), a patch (9) is glued containing the numbers of the letter cells and the corresponding reading cells. The numbers are printed in numbers and indicated by tactile elements in the form of a dot. Such an informational pad helps to navigate the cells of writing (8) and reading (7).

After entering the text in the cells for writing (8), a person can check the written text in the appropriate cells for reading (7). To save the typed text on a digital medium, a person presses the “Confirm” button. The controller converts Braille code characters to text characters and writes to the memory card.

If an error is detected when checking the entered text, then the device provides the ability to correct the entered information. There is a button (6) above each cell in the reading area, when you click on it, the contents of the cell are cleared and you can enter the character again.

Reading files is as follows. The contents of the text file recorded on the memory card are converted by the controller into the corresponding Braille code symbol and displayed in the reading area (2). You can navigate through the contents of the file by pressing the “forward” and “back” buttons.

Access to information on the memory card occurs after pressing the button for accessing the memory card “SD” (13). The controller reads the contents of the memory card and displays the names of folders or files in the reading area. Moving through file folders is done by pressing the “up” and “down” buttons. The desired folder or file is selected when you click the Confirm button. Exit the file and return to the previous folder by pressing the back button (10).

The device can create bookmarks in text files for convenient navigation through the contents of the file.

In the open text file, when you press the memory button "M" (12) and hold it for 3 seconds, the bookmark menu is called up, the list of bookmark menus is displayed in the reading area. The user can navigate the bookmark menu using the up and down buttons. When selecting the desired item in this menu, the user confirms the action with the “A” button, thereby saving the bookmark in the right place of the file. If the selected bookmark menu item already has a saved bookmark, it will be overwritten to the new saved bookmark. If the user changes his mind to save the bookmark, he can cancel this action by pressing the back button until the bookmark is saved. Opening a bookmark occurs by pressing the "M" button and holding for three seconds to enter the bookmark menu, while all text files must be closed. In the bookmark menu, use the up and down buttons to select the desired bookmark. Pressing the “A” button opens the selected bookmark.

Bookmarks allow you to remember the place in the text that was opened upon reading.

When you press any button or when the stylus pins a point (16), an indication in the form of vibration occurs. With a long press of the button, double vibration occurs. Vibration serves as a notification of the perfect action.

The device is equipped with the ability to display the current time and date in the reading area. To display the time and date, press the “clock” button (11) and hold it for more than three seconds. While the time is displayed, by briefly pressing the “clock” button, the current date starts to be displayed. After three seconds, the device enters the normal operating mode.

If the text was displayed in the reading cells (7) while pressing the “clock” button (11), it will disappear and the current time will be displayed. After the device enters the normal operating mode, the display of the missing text resumes.

Wireless radio module wifi and / or bluetoоth, allow you to connect the device to a PC for data exchange. USB controller provides wired connection to PC. The real-time clock provides a calendar function and displays the time of the device. An SD memory card is designed to write and read information. The power and battery management scheme ensures uninterrupted operation of the device when the external power source is disconnected. The information input module for braille-dot braille (3) (writing field) allows you to enter information in braille-braille. A set of electronic braille cells (2) (a reading field) allows you to display information on a braille dot font. The button decoder board for the electronic braille buttons and the film keyboard (4, 5) are used to control the device and its functions.

Claims (5)

1. A device for entering and reading information in a braille-relief code, comprising a case with a front panel and a microcontroller installed in the case, to which a row of cells for reading symbol-forming elements of the Braille code located on the front panel, navigation and function buttons, characterized in that the row of cells for reading the symbol-forming elements of the Braille code is located in the lower left part of the front panel of the housing, and in the lower right part of the front panel of the housing is connected to the microcon to the troller, a row of cells for inputting symbol-forming elements of the Braille code, containing openings for input, the navigation buttons are located above the row of cells for reading symbol-forming elements of the Braille code, and the function buttons are located to the right of the navigation buttons, while the navigation and function buttons are made in the form of a film keyboard, a wifi and / or bluetoоth wireless radio module, a USB port, a memory card port, an adapter for power supply from an electric network, a battery, a board are also connected to the microcontroller button decoder for electronic braille code buttons, real-time electronic clock module and vibration motor. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the row of cells for reading and the row of cells for input symbol-forming elements of the Braille code contains 16 cells, each cell numbered from 1 to 16. 3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic real-time clock module is configured to output information about the current time and date to a row of cells for reading symbol-forming elements of the Braille code after pressing the corresponding button. 4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the vibromotor is used to be able to confirm by pressing the button. 5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the vibrator is used to confirm the pressing of a point when entering a braille symbol.

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