WO2010097460A1

WO2010097460A1 - Method and communication device for providing information for partially sighted users

Info

Publication number: WO2010097460A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/052482
Authority: WO
Inventors: Raúl ROJAS-GONZALES
Original assignee: Freie Universität Berlin
Priority date: 2009-02-26
Filing date: 2010-02-26
Publication date: 2010-09-02
Also published as: DE102009061035B4; DE102009010449B4; DE102009010449A1; DE102009061035A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for providing information for at least one user having a sense disability or sense impairment, in particular a blind user or a user having poor vision, using a communication selection device. The method comprises the following process steps: selecting a communication channel from a plurality of selectable communication channels by means of an activation arrangement of the communication selection device by the user. At least one of the selectable communication channels is a communication channel between the communication selection device and at least one call center or at least one call center relay and at least one other of the selectable communication channels a communication channel between the communication selection device and at least one electronic data processing unit or an information server or at least a network of information servers. The method according to the invention furthermore comprises activating the selected communication signal by the communication selection device and transmission of information via the communication channel, wherein the selecting of the communication channel takes place by a one-time or repeated activation of precisely one element of activation device, wherein the selecting of a given selectable communication channel takes place by activating the identical element of the activation arrangement and the activating of the selected communication channel takes place automatically after the selection.

Description

PROCESS AND COMMUNICATION DEVICE FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION TO DISABLED USERS

description

The invention relates to a method for providing information, a communication dialer for performing such a method and a method for processing optical information for a user.

The invention serves to provide information for at least one user with a sensory impairment or sensory impairment, in particular a blind user or a user with poor eyesight, using a communication dialer.

In methods for providing information for at least one user with a sensory impairment or sensory impairment, especially a blind user or a user with poor eyesight, there is the difficulty that the initiation of certain procedural steps to provide information by the user due to the sensory impairment or sensory impairment is difficult ,

The invention is therefore based on the problem to provide a method and a device for providing information to the user, the simple cause of certain steps by the user despite the

To allow sensory impairment or sensory impairment. Next is a procedure for Processing of optical information to be provided to a user, which allows secure information transfer.

This problem is inventively solved by a method having the features of claim 1, a communication dialer with the features of claim 19 and a method having the features of claim 26. Embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

In a first aspect, the invention is based on the recognition that the selection of a communication channel from a plurality of selectable communication channels by a single or multiple actuation of exactly one element of the

Actuating the communication dialer is done. Here, the

Selection of each of the selectable communication channels by operating the identical element of the actuator, and the activation of the communication channel is carried out automatically after selecting the selected

Communication channel.

For the purposes of this invention, "exactly one element of the actuating device" is precisely an operating element of this actuating device that can be operated independently of other operating elements of this actuating device which can be differentiated by this operating element. For example, in the case of a keyboard as an actuating device, each button is a different element of the actuating device. in a three-button mouse with scroll wheel, each of the buttons and the scroll wheel are each a different element of the actuator.

Likewise, the actuatable element to be operated or actuated can be a sensory (touch-sensitive) control field or a region thereof and / or a virtual and (for example optically) sampled element. A sensory control field or a virtual element each have a defined, d. H. geometrically demarcated, on or in which certain movements or actions performed by a user are recognized as operations of the respective element.

For example, a touch-sensitive control panel may be a so-called touchpad. By, for example, touching such a control panel (in a certain area) by a user, this is determined by the operator or the communication dialer as Actuation evaluated. By dividing such a control panel of the actuator or the communication dialer into a plurality of distinguishable and spatially separated control areas, each of which is considered to be a single operable element, different control functionalities can be provided by means of a single control panel.

Thus, in one embodiment variant, a control field is subdivided into three control areas, which thus each represent an actuatable element. While a (first) control area defining an item to be operated once or more to select the communication channel, the adjacent (second and third) control areas constitute controls for the communication dialer. For example, with one (second) of the control areas a volume and with another (third) control area an output speed of (audio) data output by the communication dialer, in particular a speed of an acoustic signal output, can be controlled by a user.

The operation of individual control areas can be different from each other. Thus, it is conceivable to already evaluate a local pressure contact in a control area as an operation by a user z. B. presses with a finger on the control area. Of course, it is also important that a repeated actuation of an identical element corresponds to a repeated actuation of the same control area.

Likewise, it can be provided that only a movement made while maintaining a contact with the control area is evaluated as "actuation". This is particularly advantageous if on the movement a scheme such. B. at a volume should occur. In this way, a volume is preferably controlled via a vertical movement of a user's finger in a (second) control area along a control field, while a speed of an acoustic signal output can be controlled and varied via a horizontal movement in another (third) control area.

In a development, instead of a physically existing element (exclusively) at least one virtual element for the operation and control of

Communication dialer provided. A "virtual element" is to be seen in particular also in contrast to a "sensory element" under which, as above described basically a physical component of the actuator or the communication dialing device is understood, for. B. in the form of a touchpad (as a form of control panel), which determines a position of a finger on a surface of the touchpad based on the electrical capacitance. Thus, by contrast, a virtual element is not physically present on the communication dialer but is generated by the communication dialer. For this purpose, a predetermined via the communication dialer virtual control area is monitored or scanned, so that certain in this control area performed by a user movements or actions as "operation" are detectable and evaluable. It can be z. B. a comprehensive gesture recognition may be provided in which the communication dialer a gesture or more gestures of the user are evaluated as a one-time or repeated operation of a virtual element.

Based on the statements made above, it can be provided here in particular that the communication selection device virtually defines a delimiting control field and monitors therein at least one virtual control area as an element to be actuated. In this sense, the communication dialer can be set up and provided, for example, to project a control field with at least one monitored control area onto a surface (visible). This area can thus z. B. be a footprint on or above the communication dialer is positioned.

By means of an optical pickup device of the communication dialer, the area provided with the projection or a part of the area intended as a control area is monitored. If the user now executes a specific, predetermined movement in this monitored control area, for example presses with a finger in this control area or moves a finger along a straight line in this control area, this is evaluated by the optical pickup as "actuation" and leads z. B. to select the communication channel. The optical recording device is thus configured and provided to evaluate, in a specific section of the (virtual) control region, movements performed by a user as the operation of an exclusively virtually present element.

However, it remains fundamentally important that in the context of the present invention always a single, identical element, be it virtually or physically predetermined by the communication dialer, by single or multiple actuation O is used to select one of the several communication channels provided.

The inventive method is thus advantageous over conventional methods for providing information to users with sensory impairment or sensory impairment, inter alia, because the user does not have to make a choice among several different elements of the operating device of the communication dialer to select a communication channel from a plurality of selectable communication channels. For users with sensory impairment or sensory impairment, this is advantageous because you may have special difficulties due to the sensory impairment or sensory impairment in selecting an element from various elements of an actuator of a communication dialer. Therefore, the device according to the invention is particularly advantageous for blind users or users with poor eyesight.

The device is also z. B. suitable for the elderly with a different sensory impairment or sensory impairment than poor vision.

In one embodiment of the invention, the element of the actuator by means of selecting a communication channel of several selectable communication channels characterized by the fact that the actuator generates a single operation of this element exactly one signal representing the operation of exactly this element. For example, the single actuation of a particular key on a keyboard as an actuator results in the generation of a specific signal representing the actuation of precisely that key.

As explained above, but also by the communication selection device or the actuator (physically) provided, sensory element, for. B. in the form of a control panel, or an exclusively virtually defined element to be used to generate a corresponding (actuation) signal in an evaluable as an operation and caused by the user event.

In one embodiment of the invention activating the communication dialer or deactivating the communication channel after completion of the transmission by a single or multiple actuation of the identical element of Actuator causes via which the selection is made. In this case, the activation can take place from a standby mode of the communication dialer.

In one embodiment of the invention, one of the selectable communication channels is a communication channel between the

Communication dialer and a subscriber line of a

Telecommunications network. The term "telecommunications network" encompasses any communication networks, including circuit-switched networks such as the telephone landline network and packet-switched networks such as the Internet or an intranet.

In a further embodiment variant of the invention, the communication channel is used for transmitting one or more of the following information contents: announcement of weather conditions, announcement of weather forecasts, announcement of messages, announcement of lottery numbers, time announcement, reading of contents of one or more printed products, in particular contents of one or more books Books or a newspaper or several newspapers, reading out contents of electronic picture or text products, in particular contents from an intranet or from the Internet, reading at least one message, in particular a letter, an e-mail or a chat text, dictation content of at least one message, in particular a letter, e-mail or chat text, by the user, broadcasting a radio program or internet radio program, transmitting music and / or sounds, announcing specific information to people with sensory disabilities or sensory impairments interference or transmission of audio data and / or optical signals.

In one variant, a transmission of audio data in the file format takes place via the communication channel. In this case, subsequent processing of the audio data z. By a speech recognition system and converting at least a portion of the audio data into text or data representing a text. In one embodiment, the speech recognition and conversion takes place automatically after activation of the communication channel and the beginning of the transmission of at least part of the dictation content.

In the transmission of information, in one embodiment of the invention, the transmission of information content to a geographical region is automatic due to the automatic determination of the geographical region due to the Location of the communication dialer, without the user must initiate the transmission of information about the location of the communication dialer by operating an actuator.

In one embodiment of the invention, a selection of information to be transmitted is selected from a database of information, and this selection from the database is part of the transmission of information over the communication channel. In this case, in an embodiment variant, the selection from the database takes place by actuating the identical element of the actuating device of the communication dialing device once or several times, via which the selection of the communication channel takes place. In one embodiment, the database is provided on the part of the call center and / or the call center operator and / or the electronic data processing unit and / or the information server and / or the network of information servers.

Below a call center is an information or

Service communication center that communicatively communicates z. B. via a telecommunications network, can be contacted by a user. Here, the call center z. B. with a preselected options menu and / or automatic speech recognition and / or one or more human call center agents with whom the user can communicate via the call center equipped. A call center in the sense of the present invention can thus be realized in particular also by a single call center agent. For example, a friend and / or friend of the user as a call center agent, the z. B. is connected via a connection to the telecommunications network, realize such a call center without interaction with other call center agents. Call center switching means a switching unit which organizes a transfer of a user to one or more call centers. An electronic data processing unit is z. B. be a computer or computer system or a computer subunit. An information server is a device that aggregates and / or forwards data from one or several sources; a network of information servers consists of at least a plurality of interconnected information servers. An example of an information server network is the World Wide Web.

In one embodiment, the method comprises recording optical information by means of a recording device of the communication dialer. In the Transmission of information via the communication channel is transmitted at least part of the recorded optical information. In one embodiment, the recorded optical information is checked for processability or non-processability in an automatic color and / or image and / or text recognition system. The test is carried out automatically in one embodiment by the communication dialer. If the processability is determined, further processing of at least a portion of the optical information is performed by an automatic color and / or image and / or text recognition system in one embodiment. Here, the further processing advantageously at least in a color and / or image and / or text recognition of at least a portion of the recorded optical information.

An acoustic signal output in conjunction with the recorded optical information by means of the communication dialer in one embodiment. Thus, after recording the optical information, eg. B. the reading or scanning (from the English word "scan" for "scanning") of a text, also a transmission of an information content in that the user read the captured text.

The optical recording device, which is provided for receiving optical information, in particular using a color and / or image and / or text recognition system, can also be set up and provided in one embodiment to at least one virtual, user-operable element as the control area to define and in a particular section of the (virtual) control area of a user performed movements as actuation of the exclusively virtual element to evaluate. Thus, the optical recording device can optically monitor or scan a control area in a designated area on the communication dialer or on any surface to be selected by the user, so that certain actions and / or movements performed by a user in this control area are detected as "actuation" , evaluated and processed. In this way, no additional components for the provision of a physical (actuating) element and for the transmission of an actuating signal from such a physical element to the optical pickup need be used when the element is actuated by a user. Rather, the optical recording device detects directly itself, whether an actuation action of a user exists. In this context, provision can be made, in particular, for a gesture recognition to be carried out to determine an interaction of a user with the communication dialer, in which at least one gesture of a user is evaluated for controlling the communication dialer.

In one embodiment variant, the communication selection device emits an acoustic signal during its use in the method, which informs the user about a functional and / or operating status. Advantageously, this output is done automatically depending on the functional and / or operating status.

Another aspect of the invention is a communication dialer for performing a method of providing information to a user with sensory impairment or sensory impairment, particularly a blind user or a low vision user having an actuator for selecting a communication channel from a plurality of selectable communication channels. Here, at least one of the selectable communication channels is a communication channel between the communication dialer and at least one call center or at least one call center agent and at least one of the selectable communication channels is a communication channel between the communication dialer and at least one electronic

Data processing unit or an information server or at least one network of information servers. In addition, the communication selection device has means for activating the selected communication channel as well as receiving and / or transmitting means for transmitting information via the communication channel. The communication dialer is provided and adapted to perform the selection of the communication channel in a single or multiple operation of exactly one element of the actuator. In this case, the selection of the communication channel from each of the selectable communication channels is carried out by operating the identical element of the actuator and the communication dialer is provided and arranged to automatically initiate the activation of the communication channel after dialing.

In an embodiment variant, the communication selection device has means for outputting acoustic signals, for. As speakers or headphones, on. In one embodiment, the communication dialer includes means for receiving optical information as a recording device, e.g. B. one or more video and / or camera and / or one or more scanner devices.

In one embodiment variant, the communication selection device has means for outputting Braille, for. B. means for Braille output, on.

In one embodiment, the communication selection device comprises means for receiving optical information as part of a recording device. Such agents may, for. As a photo camera, a video camera, a scanner or systems of a plurality of these components.

The communication dialer is set up in a variant that the means for receiving optical information by pressing the identical element of the actuator takes place, which also serves to select the communication channel.

In one embodiment, the communication dialer is designed as a mobile unit, in particular z. B. in the form of a so-called "smartphone" (English technical term for an electronic device that combines the functionality of a mobile phone and a PDA in itself, with "PDA" in English for "personal digital assistant" to German "personal digital assistant" stands) , Such a mobile communication dialer is preferably fixed in a holding device provided by means of which the communication dialer is held in a position above a tray to be scanned (area) that the tray (area) can be detected by an optical recording device of the communication dialer.

The shelf (area) can be a physical part of the holding device, z. B. a surface of a flat plate, above which a support arm or arm of the holding device extends. At this boom then the mobile communication dialer is determined, for example by the

Communication dialer is plugged into it.

Alternatively, it can be provided that the tray (surface), on the optically to be detected by the receiving device of the communication selection device, z. B. einzcannende objects can be arranged by a user through the

Communication dialing device is virtually defined and / or projected. In other words In this case, the communication dialer is detachably fixed to a holding device which places the communication dialer at a distance from a (setting) surface, and the tray (area) is defined by a virtual area within which objects can be detected by the receiving device, which is a user filed there.

In a development, such a mobile communication dialer is also set up and provided to project a virtual control panel and visually monitor or scan. The selection of a communication channel is thus not directly on a physically present on the communication selection device operating or operating element, but mounted on the holder device communication selection device projects on a surface above which the communication selection device is positioned, at least one virtual, to be actuated element, eg. B. in the form of an outline or a graphic. By a (certain) action of a user on this virtual element, for. B. by changing the projection with an outstretched finger, this is as a (one-time) operation, eg. B. recognized as a "press", the projected element.

The communication dialer may thus be in one embodiment, a detachable from the holding device assembly or mobile unit, in particular a mobile phone, PDA or smartphone, which allows the implementation of a method according to the invention via a software located thereon.

Alternatively, the communication dialer may be a fixed unit to be installed stationary. Such a stand device can - as explained above - in particular form a physical filing or storage surface, on the objects to be detected by an optical recording device for the user, for. B. documents to be arranged.

Another aspect of the invention is a method for processing optical information for a user with a sensory impairment or

Sensory impairment, especially blindness or poor eyesight, under

Use of a communication dialer, comprising: receiving optical information on the user side by means of a recording device of the user

Communication dialer. As a next method step, a check of the optical information on the processability or non-processability in a color and / or image and / or text recognition system, wherein when the processability is detected, further processing at least a part of the optical Information is provided by the color and / or image and / or text recognition system. Or if the non-processability is detected, an automatic activation of a communication channel between the communication dialer and at least one call center or at least one call center switching takes place a transmission of at least a portion of the optical information via the communication channel.

In this case, if the processability is determined, in a variant, the further processing locally on the side of the communication dialer or in a remote from the communication dialer processing unit.

In one embodiment, the step of inspecting the optical information for processability or non-processability in a color and / or image and / or text recognition system is automatically performed by an electronic data processing unit that is part of the communication dialer. In one embodiment, this data processing unit is remotely programmable, so that an update of the software that is the basis of the test, is vornehmbar.

In one embodiment, the further processing of at least a portion of the optical information by an electronic color and / or image and / or text recognition system, which consists in particular in a color and / or image and / or text recognition of at least a portion of the recorded optical information in a processing unit that is part of the communication dialer. In an alternative embodiment, at least parts of the color and / or image and / or text recognition system are part of an external device with respect to the communication dialer, in particular a device which can be connected to the communication dialer via a communication channel. This device may be, for example, an external data processing device or an information server or a composite of information servers.

In one embodiment, the process step of checking the optical information for processability or non-processability in a color and / or image and / or text recognition system is performed as a subprocess in the color and / or image and / or text recognition system.

In one embodiment of the method for processing optical information, if the non-processability is determined after the transmission, at least one Part of the optical information on the information channel, a further processing of at least a portion of the recorded optical information on the part of the CaII center or the call center mediation made.

In one exemplary embodiment, the further processing on the part of the call center or the call center switching device comprises a color and / or image and / or text recognition of at least part of the recorded optical information.

In one embodiment, an acoustic signal output takes place in connection with the recorded optical information by means of the communication dialer. For this purpose, the communication selection device output means for acoustic signals, such. For example, one or more headphones, headphone jacks or speakers. The acoustic signal output consists in one embodiment in the output of speech, in particular in the output of speech in connection with color, BiId or text contents, which are derived from the optical information. In one embodiment, the color is. Image and text recognition system provided and arranged so that after color, image and text recognition in connection with at least a portion of the optical information voice information in the form of data transmitted to the communication dialer and the voice information is output acoustically. In one embodiment, speech is also output in the case where information is transmitted to a call center or call center provider.

The method for processing optical information is in one embodiment part of a method for providing information.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the figures. Show it:

1 shows the sequence of method steps of a method according to the invention for providing information in the form of a flow chart;

2a shows a communication selection device according to the invention for carrying out a method for providing information; FIG. 2b shows another communication dialer according to the invention for carrying out a method for providing information; FIG.

3 shows the sequence of method steps of a method according to the invention for providing information in the form of a flow chart;

4a is a schematic illustration of a component of a communication dialer according to the invention; and

4b shows a schematic illustration of a circuit board of the component of FIG. 4a

5 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a communication dialing device according to the invention, in which a touch-sensitive control field with a plurality of mutually separate control areas is provided for the purpose of forming an actuating or operating element in each case;

6 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a communication dialer according to the invention, in which a virtual control field is defined by projection by means of an optical pickup device of the communication dialer;

7 shows an embodiment for a communication dialer which is fixed to a holding device and which defines a virtual control field for the user by means of an integrated optical pickup device.

The rectangular boxes in FIG. 1 each represent a method step. Lines with arrows connect a plurality of the rectangular boxes to one another. The direction in which the arrow points indicates that the method step to which the arrow assigns takes place after the method step away from the arrow. The following process steps, which are usually later in time, are represented by boxes that are mapped below usually preceding method steps.

The method depicted in FIG. 1 has the following sequence: There is an activation 1 of a communication dialing device, for example by switching on the device. The next step 2 is a selection of a communication channel as indicated by the arrow pointing from the activation step to the selection step. When selecting 2 a communication channel this is made of several selectable communication channels by means of an actuator of the Communication dialer by a user with a sensory impairment or sensory impairment, especially a blind user or a user with poor eyesight, selected. Here, at least one of the selectable communication channels is a communication channel between the communication dialer and at least one call center or at least one call center agent. At least one of the selectable communication channels is a communication channel between the communication dialer and at least one electronic data processing unit or an information server or at least one composite of information servers.

The method step of selecting a communication channel from a plurality of selectable communication channels is carried out by means of an actuating device of the communication dialer. Here, the user selects the communication channel by a single or multiple actuation of exactly one element of the actuator, wherein the selection of each of the selectable communication channels is effected by actuation of the identical element of the actuator.

In one embodiment of the method, the selection 2 of the communication channel by one or more pressing and / or turning a single actuator of the actuator of the

Communication dialer realized by the user. The actuating element may be, for example, a pushbutton or a rotatable element. Also, a so-called trackball could be used.

Advantageously, in a variant embodiment, after actuation of the identical element of the actuating device, a signal output, z. B. an acoustic signal output, which communication channel has been selected. In one embodiment, a confirmation by the user after the acoustic signal output by actuation of the identical element.

After dialing 2 of the communication channel, activation 3 of the selected communication channel takes place. Here, the activation of the selected communication channel 3 is carried out automatically by the communication dialer after dialing the communication channel. 2 In the case of a connection which is not yet established, activation of the selected communication channel 3 establishes a connection via the selected communication channel and / or a request to establish a connection via the selected communication channel.

After the activation 3 of the selected communication channel, the transmission 4 of information about the communication channel takes place as the next method step. After completion of the transmission 4 of information via the communication channel is a deactivation 5 of the communication channel.

FIG. 2a shows a communication selection device 1000 which is suitable and designed for carrying out the method explained with reference to FIG.

The main body of the housing 15 of the communication dialer 1000 has a rectangular base on which the device can be set up. This base has a longer and a shorter side, with the longer side one

Main extension direction of the housing defined. On the shorter side of this

Base surface, which faces the viewer in Fig. 2a, connects along one of the longer sides of a rectangular front surface 14. The front surface 114 forms a substantially right angle with the base. On the second longer side of the

Front surface 114 includes a rectangular button with one of its longer sides

1 13, which forms an angle of more than 90 degrees to the front surface 114. These

Button 113 is for the arrangement of actuators on her, in particular for the arrangement of z. As switches or buttons, set up and provided. On the second longer side of the base surface includes a rectangular surface 1 15 of the

Housing 105 so that the surface 1 15 extends to the base, on which the housing is erected, substantially parallel.

On the surface 115 of the communication dialer 1000 is an essentially consisting of two cuboids, L-shaped holder 1 1 1 mounted so that it protrudes perpendicularly from the surface 115 and a boom 1 16 which is dimensioned so that its one end protrudes over the base.

The communication dialer 1000 has a rotatable substantially circular-cylindrical actuator 101 with pressure point as an element of

Actuating device for selecting a communication channel 2 of several

Communication channels on. This control knob is on the button 1 13 next to two further circular cylindrical rotary control knobs 102 and 103 mounted. On a front surface 14 of the housing 105 adjacent to the button 113, the communication dialer 1000 has a headphone terminal 108 and a speaker 107.

On the surface 1 15 is close to the control knob 101, a control knob 104 mounted in a corner of the surface. At the opposite corner is a switch 106.

On the boom 116 of the L-shaped holder 11, a digital camera 110 is provided and arranged to receive optical information from the direction of the plane to which the housing of the communication dialer is set.

Along the longer base side of the base of the housing 1 15 is a substantially rectangular tray 112, created on the level to which the communication dialer. This tray is made in one embodiment, in particular made of plastic and / or connectable to the housing 115.

The digital camera 110 is set up and provided for, when activated, to be able to record optical information of one or more objects that can be arranged on the shelf 1 12. For example, a document may be placed on the tray 112.

On the arm 116 of the L-shaped holder 1 11 a microphone 109 is arranged for receiving acoustic signals.

The switch 106 is used for activation or deactivation of the communication dialer.

The communication dialer 1000 is provided and arranged so that after activation of the communication dialer 1000 via actuation of the switch, a selection of a communication channel 2 from a plurality of selectable communication channels by means of the control knob 101 can be done as an element of the actuator by the user. Here, the user operates one or more times the control knob 101, wherein the selection of each of the selectable communication channels by pressing the identical element, that is, the control knob 101, the actuator is carried out. Here, the communication dialer 1000 is set up and provided such that at least one of the selectable communication channels is a communication channel between the communication dialer and at least one call center agent or at least one call center agent and at least one of the selectable communication channels is a communication channel between the communication dialer and at least one electronic

Data processing unit or an information server or at least a composite of information servers.

The communication dialer has at its front side 1 14 a headphone jack 108 and a speaker 107, which are adapted and intended to output acoustic signal or forward acoustic information to a connectable headphones.

In one embodiment, the selection of the communication channel from a plurality of selectable communication channels by turning the control knob 101 about an imaginary axis that passes through the center of the control knob 101, by the user. In this case, in an embodiment of the communication dialer, an acoustic output of a name of the communication channel preselected accordingly by rotation takes place. This can be z. Example, the name of a particular call center or a particular information server or the name of an information to be retrieved from this information server or information server. After the acoustic output via the speaker 107 and / or a connected to the headphone jack 108 headphones the preselected communication channel of a variant z. B. by pressing the control knob 101 or z. B. by non-pressing the control knob for a predefined period, selected.

It is important that in all described embodiments, the selection of a communication channel 2 from each of the selectable communication channels by one or more times pressing the identical control knob 101 is done. Thus, it is not necessary for the step of selecting each of the selectable communication channels to serve other elements of the actuator. This is particularly advantageous because a user with a sensory impairment or sensory impairment due to this sensory impairment or sensory impairment may cause particular difficulties to a user without this Sensory impairment or sensory impairment that complicate selection of a communication channel 2 by pressing several different elements of the actuator.

The number of selectable communication channels can be adjusted in a variant by a hardware and / or software update of the communication dialer, in particular new selectable communication channels can be added.

After the selection of the communication channel 2, the communication dialer causes the activation of the selected communication channel 3 automatically. For this purpose, the communication dialer receiving and / or

Transmitting means for transmitting information over the communication channel. In one embodiment of the communication dialer, the

Activation of the selected communication channel via external connections of the communication dialer, z. As an Ethernet port, a wireless transmitting and / or receiving unit (wireless), or a universal Mobile Telecommunications

System (UMTS) connection. For this purpose, the communication device in a

Embodiment of a circuit board, which is equipped with the corresponding terminals and which is shown in Fig. 4a, 4b and is discussed in the relevant figure description.

After the activation of the communication channel, information is transmitted via the communication channel. In one embodiment, it is provided in particular that an acoustic output, in particular a voice output, takes place, which is related to the transmission of information. In particular, it is provided in this embodiment variant that the user with impaired hearing hears this acoustic output via a headphone (not shown) via the headphone connection 108 or via the loudspeaker 107.

In this case, the volume control is performed by turning the control knob 102 about an imaginary axis of rotation through its center. Turning in one direction causes increased output volume, turning in the other direction decreases output volume. In addition, a rotatable control knob 103 is provided, which is able to control the speed of the acoustic signal output within certain limits. Is the transmitted information to be pre-stored information, such. As the content of a book to be output acoustically, the voice output by turning the knob 103, for example accelerated compared to an average speech rate of a human being during reading aloud.

In one embodiment of the invention, a selection of information to be transmitted is selected from a database of information, and this selection from the database is part of the transmission of information over the communication channel. In this case, in an embodiment variant, the selection is made from the database by single or multiple actuation of the control knob 101, which is the identical element of the actuating device of the communication dialer, via which the selection of the communication channel takes place. In one embodiment, the database is provided on the part of the call center and / or the call center operator and / or the electronic data processing unit and / or the information server and / or the combination of information servers.

In one embodiment, the selection process is such that after activation of the communication channel, an announcement regarding a main menu of the database takes place via the loudspeaker 107 and / or via a headphone (not shown) which is connected to the headphone connection 108. By turning the knob 101 while a main menu item from several selectable menu items is preselected. This preselected main menu item is called acoustic and the acoustic label is output to the user via the speaker 107 or the headphones. By pressing the button 101, the selection of the menu item takes place. Then the relevant information is transmitted directly and / or a submenu is called. In the case of calling a submenu, a submenu item is selectable from a plurality of selectable submenu items by turning the control knob 101. This sub-menu item is called acoustic and output the acoustic designation via the speaker 107 or the headphones to the user. This results in the submenu level selection method of a submenu item, which is similar to the selection method of a main menu item at the level of the main menu. It is possible to subordinate and select further submenus of higher level in the same way to each submenu item. In one embodiment, communication dialer 1000 stores which main menus, submenus, and higher level submenus have been selected by the user.

The Bedienknopfes104 allows the communication device in the state immediately after activation of the communication device to reset (so-called "reset") .It can be operated by pressing. The digital camera 110 is a pickup device of the communication dialer 1000 for receiving optical information. In particular, in one embodiment, the digital camera 110 is provided and arranged to receive optical information from any objects positioned in the area of the tray 112. Advantageously, the surface finish of the tray is such that it is rough. In a rough surface, a user with sensory impairment or sensory impairment, for example, by buttons determine where the tray 1 12 is located and thus from which area the digital camera at least receives information. If, for example, the user does not place an object from which optical information is to be recorded completely on the tray 112, he can do this, for example. B. independently determine by sensing the shelf surface due to their surface properties and optionally adjust the position of the object.

In one embodiment, the communication dialer 1000 may be adapted to both the needs of left-handed users and the needs of right-handed users. For this purpose, the L-shaped holder 1 1 1, is attached to the boom 116, inter alia, the digital camera 1 15, set up and provided so that it can be staked on the surface 1 15 and 15 of this surface. In this case, the tray 112 and the L-shaped holder 1 11 and its boom 1 16 are arranged so that the shelf along one of the longer base sides of the base of the housing 1 10 left of the housing 1 15 (see Fig. 2a) or right of the housing 1 15 (see Fig. 2b) is located. The digital camera 1 10 is set up on the holder and provided that they by staking, rotating and attaching the L-shaped holder 11 1 on the surface 1 15 after their activation optical information from one or more (not shown) objects that the left (see Fig. 2) or the right (see Fig. 2a) arranged from the housing 115 tray 1 12 can be arranged, receives.

3 shows a flowchart of a method for processing optical information for a user with a sensory impairment or impaired senses, in particular blindness or poor vision, using a communication selection device.

The rectangular boxes in FIG. 3 each represent a method step. Lines with arrows connect a plurality of the rectangular boxes to one another, the index being indicated Direction in which the arrow points, that the process step to which the arrow assigns, takes place after the method step from which the arrow points away. The following process steps, which are usually later in time, are represented by boxes that are mapped below usually preceding method steps. One box is shown rotated by 45 degrees with respect to the other boxes, and two different lines descend from it, at the end of which arrows are attached, which each assign to one of two other boxes. This symbol represents a branch point of the method. Depending on which of two cases exists, one or the other method step is carried out here.

The method depicted in FIG. 3 has the following procedure: activation of a communication dialing device 1 takes place, this activation can take place from a standby idle state of the device, and then as the next step a recording of optical information 201 on the part of the user by means of a recording device the communication dialer 1000 instead. This is indicated by the arrow pointing from the top to the next box. To carry out the recording of optical information 201, for example, a communication dialer as shown in FIG. 2 a can be used. In the communication selection device 1000 depicted in FIG. 2a, a digital camera 110 serves as a recording device. The recording of optical information can be done in an embodiment of a template on which, the receiving device is directed. Such a template is z. B. printed or described paper or a three-dimensional object. In this case, in one embodiment, the template can be positioned by the user on the tray 112, so that the user also exchange the template or z. B. in a book as a template, pages of the book can turn.

The next step following the acquisition of optical information is to inspect the optical information 202 for processability 203 or non-processability 204 in a color and / or image and / or text recognition system. This is a test that z. B. in a data processing system, whether the automatic color and / or image and / or text recognition system is expected to at least partially successful color and / or image and / or text recognition of at least a portion of the recorded optical information in another will be able to perform the test to be distinguished from the test. A criterion in this test in an embodiment is whether at all writing and / or images are shown, so z. B. be recognized whether one-sided printed paper has been positioned by the user with the unprinted side in the direction of the recording device in one In such a case, for example, no text recognition is possible on the side facing away from the recording device.

As shown by the branching due to two lines of directional arrows and the substantially 45 degree rotated position of the box, which illustrates the process step of inspecting optical information 202 for processability 203 or non-processability 204, two different possibilities now result depending on the result of the test as a subsequent process step.

In the event that the processability 203 was determined during the examination of the optical information 202, the next processing step 205 is the further processing 205 of at least some of the optical information by the color and / or image and / or text recognition system. In one embodiment, this further processing of at least part of the optical information 205 comprises a color and / or image and / or text recognition of at least part of the recorded optical information. Such a text recognition consists in one embodiment in that at least a part of the optical information is recognized as text and translated into acoustic information. This is done, for example, by a voice output of the recognized text, which takes place via speakers of the communication dialer. The further processing 205 of at least part of the optical information can be carried out automatically in one embodiment, that is, after checking in the case of processability 203 at least a part of the optical information is further processed, without the user, for example, a further actuation of the communication dialer is necessary , The further processing of the optical information can take place in the communication dialer or in a device remote from the communication dialer.

Or in the case that the non-processability 204 was determined during the examination of the optical information, the next step is an automatic activation of a communication channel 3 between the communication dialer and at least one call center or at least one call center switching and a transmission of at least one Part of the optical information over the communication channel. In one embodiment, the entire recorded optical information is transmitted via the communication channel. In one embodiment, information about the examination of the optical information 202 is also transmitted, this may, for. For example, it may be a test report that provides information about one or more intermediate steps of the test. In one embodiment, following the activation of the communication channel 3 after the transmission of at least part of the optical information via the information channel, further processing 205 of at least part of the recorded optical information takes place on the part of the call center or call center. This consists, for example, in reading a text or recognizing a color or an image as part of the optical information by a call center agent. In this case, in one exemplary embodiment, the language of the call center agent is transmitted via the communication channel to output devices for acoustic signals of the communication dialer, for example a loudspeaker or headphone connection.

In one embodiment, the call center gives an instruction to the user, so that z. B. after changing the position of a template, were taken from the optical information, a re-recording optical information on his pages by means of a recording device of the communication dialer can be made again. Here, the instruction of the call center preferably aims at the fact that after changing the position of the original in accordance with the instructions and re-recording optical information, it can be expected that a re-examination of the optical information on the processability or non-processability in a dyeing and / or image and / or text recognition system will presumably lead to the determination of processability. An example of such an instruction is one-sided printed paper, the printed side facing away from the receiving device of the communication dialer to rotate so that the printed side comes to rest in the direction of the optical information recording device. After the change of the position by the user, the method steps of the method can be run through again beginning with the inclusion of optical information on the part of the user.

Figures 4a, 4b illustrate the transmitting and / or receiving devices of the communication dialer 1000. Figure 4a shows the housing 105 of the communication dialer 1000 shown and discussed in Figures 2a and 2b in a schematic sectional view in a particular embodiment with a circuit board 1 17 as a component. The substantially rectangular circuit board 117 is installed in the housing 105 parallel to the surface 1 15 and connected via a line 1 18 with a switch 106. The switch 106 is used for activation or deactivation of the communication dialer. Fig. 4b shows the circuit board in plan view. Here, three rectangular unconnected regions 119a, 119b, and 119c are depicted on the circuit board 117, which schematically represent three different data ports. The area 1 19a in this case represents electronic components which are provided and set up to be able to establish a communication channel via radio between the communication dialing device and at least one data processing unit, an information server or at least one network of information servers. The area 1 19b stands for electronic components that are provided and set up to be able to establish a communication channel between the communication dialer 1000 and a telecommunication network. In one embodiment, this is done via a mobile radio network, in particular a UMTS mobile radio network. The area 1 19c represents an Ethernet port which is provided and arranged to be able to establish a communication channel between the communication dialer and at least one data processing unit, an information server, or at least a composite of information servers.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a communication dialing device 1000 ^* according to the invention, which, like the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 2 a and 2 ^b , is designed as a stationary device to be installed stationary. Here, components which are identical to the components shown in the preceding figures, provided with identical reference numerals.

In contrast to the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 2a and 2b, the communication dialer 1000 ^* shown in a perspective view in FIG. 5 has on its housing 105 ^* a button 1 ^* on which no actuating element 101 in the form of a control button for dialing 2 a communication channel or further control buttons 102 and 103 are provided. ^* In contrast, in a plurality of (first, second and third) control regions 101 ^*, 102 ^* and 103 ^* divided, touch-sensitive control panel is provided on the button 100 ^* 113th

The individual spatially separated, touch-sensitive control areas 101 ^* , 102 ^* and 103 ^* are used in the same way as the control buttons 101, 102 and 103 for selecting a communication channel (first control area 101 ^* ) or for volume control (second control area 102 ^* ) and for controlling the speed of the acoustic signal output (third control section 103 ^* ). The three Control areas 101 ^* , 102 ^* , 103 ^* or the control field 100 ^* preferably work similarly to a so-called touchpad on the basis of a measurement of an electrical capacitance. In this case, touching the surface of a control area 101 ^* , 102 ^* , 103 ^* and / or passing a finger of the user along a surface of the respective control area 101 ^* , 102 ^* , 103 ^* becomes actuation of the control area 101 ^* , 102 ^* or 103 ^* and thus evaluated as actuation of the control element 101 ^* , 102 ^* , 103 ^* each defined element of an actuator.

While the first touch-sensitive control area 101 ^* in analogy to the actuating element 101, in particular preferred to pressing the

Control area 101 ^* detects an actuation, at the adjacent second and third control areas 102 ^* and 103 ^*, at least movements that are caused by a touching finger along the surface of the respective

Control range 102 ^* , 103 ^{* are} performed, evaluated to control the stored function. In this case, the second control area 102 ^* evaluates a vertical component of the

Movement of the finger along for the control of an output volume, while the third control section 103 ^* a horizontal component for the

Speed regulation of the signal output evaluates. Depending on which in which

(Vertical or horizontal) direction, a user leads his finger on the second or third control area 102 ^* , 103 ^* along the respective controllable value is lowered or raised.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6, a communication dialing device 1000 'is again shown which does not form any actuation or operating elements physically present on the communication dialing device 1000' or its housing 105 'for carrying out a method according to the invention. Instead, an optical recording device 110 'of the communication dialer 1000', which is also used for the detection of optical information, projects a virtual control field 100 'visible to the user next to the shelf (area) 12 once again integrated in the communication dialer 1000'.

The optical recording device 1 10 'detects - as the digital camera 110 of the preceding embodiments - of the tray 1 12 a defined surface area as a detection space 1 120 for optical information. Within this detection space 1120 can on the tray 1 12 arranged by a user objects or objects such. B. scanned documents through the optical pickup 110 'detected and corresponding optical information is detected.

The virtual control field 100 ', in turn, is generated on an activation of the communication dialer 1000' out on an optionally arbitrary for the user surface. In one embodiment variant, the optical pickup device 110 'is designed to be at least partially movable, so that at least one part of the optical pickup device 110' projecting the control field 100 'is adjustably mounted on the extension arm 116. In this context, an identical to the control panel 100 'control panel 100 ", which is offset and rotated by 90 degrees to the control panel 100' to the tray 112, illustrates that a virtual control panel 100 ', 100" almost arbitrary by the User is positionable. Optionally, the control panel 100 ', 100 "on the optical recording device 1 10' also be variably adjustable in size.

In the generated virtual control field 100 ', in analogy to the physical control field 100 ^* of FIG. 5, separate, virtual control regions 101', 102 'and 103' are formed. The individual control regions 101 ', 102', 103 'are monitored by the optical recording device 1 10', ie in the present case, optically scanned so that a (specific) gesture carried out by a user in the respective control region 101 ', 102', 103 ' detected as an interaction with the control area 101 ', 102', 103 'and evaluated as an actuation of the thus defined actuating or operating element. The communication dialer 1000 'thus has, in particular, means in the optical pickup device 1 10', which are set up and provided with the (first) control area 101 'to provide a virtual element for dialing 2 of the communication channel and an interaction of a user with this virtual element (101 ') as an actuation of the exclusively virtually present element (101').

As an "actuation" of the first control area 101 'is evaluated, for example, such action of the user, in which the user inserts a finger in the projected outline of the first control area 101' and leaves there a short period of time or performs a movement that a "pressing "corresponds to an (imaginary or virtual) control knob. Thus, gesture recognition is performed in which part of the virtual control field 100 'is permanently optically scanned by the optical pickup device 1 10' in response to a to initiate interaction of the user to be assessed as an actuation, in particular the selection 2 of the communication channel.

The two adjacently to the first control area 101 'and juxtaposed projected second (102') and third (103 ') control areas are each again the Lautstärkenbzw. Speed control. Again, the optical pickup 1 10 'equipped with means for gesture recognition, so that a predetermined linear movement with a finger within the control areas 102', 103 'respectively causes a change in the volume or speed of an acoustic signal output.

FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment variant of a communication dialer 3000, via which all electronic components which were previously accommodated in or on the housings 105, 105 ^* , 105 'next to the shelf 1 12 in the preceding exemplary embodiments are integrated in a single component. Preferably, the communication dialer 3000 shown schematically in Figure 7 is designed as a mobile unit. The communication dialer 3000 can hereby z. Example, be a commercial so-called smartphones or a commercially available mobile phone, which is set up and provided for carrying out a method according to the invention by being equipped with appropriate software.

Alternatively, the communication dialer together with a holding device 3001 to which it is attached and from the z. B. is only removable for repair purposes, form a standalone unit, so that such a communication dialer 3000 is not independently used without the holding device 3001.

In any case, the communication dialer 3000 is preferably set to perform a method according to the invention on a holding device 3001. This holding device 3001 has a base part 3105 in the form of a plan view in the U-shaped foot on a footprint S, z. B. a table top, rests and rests flat on this footprint. On the base part 3105 is a perpendicular to the footprint S extending rod-shaped holder 311 1 fixed to the transverse to the longitudinal direction of the holder 31 1 1 and thus substantially parallel to the footprint S extending a boom 3116 connects. The holder 31 11 and the boom 3116 thus form substantially in side view an L-shape. On the boom 31 16, a receptacle 3161 is formed on or in which the communication dialer 3000 is permanently or (in the case of a trained as a mobile unit communication dialer 3000) releasably fixed. If the communication dialer 3000 is mounted on the boom 3116, it is hereby positioned in one above the footprint S and at a distance from the footprint S, which corresponds substantially to the length of the holder 311 1. As a result of this positioning above the footprint S, an area of the footprint S which can be predetermined via the communication dialer 3000 can be detected optically by means of an optical recording device 3110 provided on the communication dialer 3000. Optical information of objects arranged within this depositing surface 3112 can thus be detected by the optical recording device 31 10. For this purpose, the optical recording device 31 10 is at least partially, for. In the form of a lens visible on the communication dialer 3000, on a side of the communication dialer 3000 facing in the state of the footprint S mounted on the holder 3001.

The setting of the communication dialer 3000 is carried out in the illustrated embodiment by inserting or inserting the communication dialer 3000 in a suitable receptacle 3161 at a remote from the holder 311 1 end of the boom 3116. For this purpose, the receptacle 3161 has two opposite legs 3162 and 3163, which are separated by a longitudinal gap. The opposite legs 3162 and 3163 thus make the receptacle 3161 appear U-shaped in side view and in longitudinal section, wherein a portion of the communication dialing device along the longitudinal axis of the boom 31 16 can be inserted in the gap formed between the legs 3162, 3163. About this section, the communication dialer 3000 is held positively in the receptacle 3161 and may optionally be fixed by a resilient design of the legs 3162, 3163 by clamping in the receptacle 3161.

Alternatively or in addition to the insertion or insertion of the communication dialer 3000 shown in the receptacle 3161 can of course also a determination of the communication dialer 3000 on the boom 3116 by means of additional fastening means (not shown) z. B. in the form of a clamping screw may be provided. Functionally consistent with the control panel 100 'of FIG. 6, in the embodiment of FIG. 7, the communication dialer 3000 also does not provide physical elements for activation and control while performing a method of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 , In contrast, a virtual control panel 3100 is defined and monitored by the optical pickup 31 10 of the communication dialer 3000, so that an action of a user performed therein can be judged by the pickup optical apparatus 3110 to be an operation.

The control panel 3100 is preferably projected visibly onto the footprint S for the user, e.g. B. with a built-in optical recording device projector component.

The control panel 3100 is further divided into a plurality of (currently four) virtual control areas 3101, 3102, 3103, 3104 in which user-performed (identical) actions are judged to be operation and / or operation of different functions of the communication dialer 3000.

In this way, the individual virtual control areas 3101, 3102, 3103, 3104 define individual virtual operating and / or operating elements that can be used by a user for the control of the communication dialer 3000.

Thus, for example, a user can select the communication channel (2) via a single or multiple touch of the footprint S in the area defined as control area 3101 (FIG. 2) to the user via the communication dialer 3000 with a call center or a call center exchange or a electronic data processing unit or an information server or a network of information servers. By virtue of the optical recording device 31 10 having a scanning or monitoring sensor system by means of which the control section 3101 (or 3102, 3103, 3104) virtually generated by the optical recording device 31 is optically scanned and by means of which an action of a user is recognized, this can Action automatically (eg, based on an image analysis) to be evaluated to determine whether you with a stored, ie in the optical communication dialer 3000 stored or retrievable, match, which is to be evaluated as actuation of the corresponding control area 3101. For example, the communication dialer 3000 or its optical recording device 3110 can be set up and provided for locally touching the footprint S with a finger F of a hand H of the user in the virtual Control area 3101 as "pressing", ie to evaluate as operating the control area 3101. It can be z. B. such a touch or "pressing" are relatively easily recognized by the fact that the user with his finger F a part of the projection generated by the optical pickup 31 10 or the previously predetermined exclusively by the footprint S projection surface measurably influenced.

In addition, in particular in addition to the projection of a virtual control area 101 'to 103' or 3101 to 3104 and an associated gesture recognition, it is also conceivable to provide an acoustic control on the communication dialer 1000, 1000 ^* , 1000 ', 3000. Thus, in addition to the evaluation of recordings of the user, which are detected via an optical recording device of the communication dialer with a camera unit to recognize in the context of an image analysis gestures of the user, also a voice control may be provided to implement a method according to the invention. Likewise, gesture recognition (additionally) can also be provided in the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 2 a, 2 b and 5 in order to control a communication dialer.

It should be noted at this point again that in the sense of the present invention thus under an actuatable element of an actuator of a communication dialer 1000, 1000 ^* , 1000 ', 3000, in particular an element for selecting 2 one of the several communication channels provided both a on the communication dialer 1000, 1000 ^* physically present (as in the case of the elements 101, 102, 103 in Figures 2a and 2b or the elements 101 ^* , 102 ^* , 103 ^* in Figure 5) as well as by the communication dialer 1000 ', 3000 virtually generated (as in the case of the elements 101 ', 102', 103 'of Figure 6 or the elements 3101, 3102, 3103, 3104 of Figure 7) element can be understood.

Claims

claims

A method for providing information to at least one user with a sensory impairment or sensory impairment, in particular a blind user or a user with poor eyesight, using a communication dialer (1000, 1000 ^* , 1000 ', 3000) comprising:

Selecting (2) a communication channel from a plurality of selectable communication channels by means of an activation device of the communication selection device (1000, 1000 ^* , 1000 ', 3000) by the user, wherein at least one of the selectable communication channels is a communication channel between the communication selection device (1000, 1000 ^* , 1000 ', 3000) and at least one call center or at least one call center exchange and at least one of the selectable communication channels o communication channel between the communication dialer (1000, 1000 ^* , 1000', 3000) and at least one electronic data processing unit or an information server or at least a network of information servers, activation (3) of the selected communication channel by the

Communication dialer,

• transmission (4) of information via the communication channel, wherein

• the selection (2) of the communication channel by a single or multiple actuation of exactly one identical element (101, 101 ^* , 101 ', 3101) of the actuator is carried out, wherein the selection of each of the selectable

Communication channels by actuation of the identical element (101, 101 ^* , 101 ', 3101) of the actuator takes place, and

• Activation (3) of the selected communication channel takes place automatically after the selection.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that an activation (1) of the communication dialer (1000, 1000 ^* , 1000 ', 3000) or deactivating the communication channel (5) after completion of the transmission by one or more actuation of the identical element (101, 101 ^* , 101 ', 3101) of the actuating device is initiated via which the selection (2) takes place.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that one of the selectable communication channels is a communication channel between the communication dialer (1000, 1000 ^* , 1000 ', 3000) and a subscriber line of a telecommunications network.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the communication channel for transmitting (4) one or more of the following information contents is used:

• announcement of weather conditions, • announcement of weather forecasts,

Announcement of messages,

• announcement of lottery numbers,

• time announcement,

• reading the contents of one or more printed materials, especially content from one or more books or a newspaper or several newspapers,

• reading content of electronic picture or text products, in particular contents from an intranet or from the Internet,

• reading at least one message, in particular a letter, an e-mail or a chat text,

• dictation content of at least one message, in particular a letter, e-mail or a chat text, by the user,

• broadcasting a radio program or internet radio program,

• transmission of music and / or sounds, • announcement of information for the disabled or

• Transmission of audio data and / or optical signals.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one selection of said information contents from a database and that the selection from the database is part of the transmission (5) of information.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the selection from the database by operation of the identical element (101, 101 ^* , 101 ', 3101) of the actuator is selected, via which the selection (2) of the communication channel.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for the selection (2) of the communication channel to be actuated element (101 ', 3101) of the actuator exclusively exists virtually and upon activation of the communication dialer (1000', 3000) is generated ,

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that an interaction of a user with the virtual element (101 ', 3101) is evaluated as actuation of the exclusively virtual element (101', 3101).

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for detecting an interaction of a user with the communication dialer (1000, 1000 ^* , 1000 ', 3000) a gesture recognition is performed, wherein at least one gesture of a user for controlling the communication dialing device ( 1000, 1000 ^* , 1000 ', 3000) is evaluated.

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method comprises a recording of optical information (201) by means of a recording device (1 10, 1 10 ', 31 10) of the communication dialer (1000, 1000 ^* , 1000', 3000) ,

1 1. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that in the transmission (5) of information via the communication channel at least part of the recorded optical information is transmitted.

12. The method according to claim 10 or claim 1 1, characterized in that the recorded optical information is checked for processability or non-processability in an automatic color and / or image and / or text recognition system.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the test (202) automatically by the communication dialer (1000, 1000 ^* , 1000 ', 3000) takes place.

14. The method according to claim 12 or claim 13, characterized in that after the test (202), if the processability is determined, a further processing at least a part of the optical information by an automatic color and / or image and / or text recognition system ,

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 1 to 14, characterized in that after the test, if the non-processability is determined

• an activation of the communication channel (1) between the communication dialer (1000, 1000 ^* , 1000 ', 3000) and at least one call center or at least one call center switching by the communication device takes place and

• at the transmission (5) of information between the communication dialer (1000, 1000 ^* , 1000 ', 3000) and at least one call center or at least one call center switching over the communication channel at least part of the recorded optical information is transmitted and

A further processing (205) of at least part of the recorded optical information on the part of the call center or the call center exchange takes place.

16. The method according to any one of claims 14 or 15, characterized in that the further processing consists in a color and / or image and / or text recognition of at least a portion of the recorded optical information.

17. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 16, characterized in that an acoustic signal output in connection with the recorded optical information by means of the communication dialer (1000, 1000 ^* , 1000 ', 3000) takes place.

18. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the communication dialer (1000, 1000 ^* , 1000 ', 3000) outputs acoustic signals during its use in the method, which inform the user of a functional and / or operating status.

19. A communication dialer (1000, 1000 ^* , 1000 ', 3000) for carrying out a method for providing information to a user with a sensory impairment or sensory impairment, in particular a method according to any one of claims 1 to 18, comprising:

• An actuator for selecting a communication channel of a plurality of selectable communication channels, wherein at least one of the selectable communication channels a o communication channel between the communication dialer (1000, 1000 ^* , 1000 ', 3000) and at least one call center agent or at least one call center switch and at least one of the selectable communication channels o communication channel between the communication dialer

(1000, 1000 ^* , 1000 ', 3000) and at least one electronic data processing unit or an information server or at least one network of information servers,

• means for activating the selected communication channel, • receiving and / or transmitting means for transmitting information via the communication channel, wherein

• the communication dialer (1000, 1000 ^* , 1000 ', 3000) is provided and arranged to perform the selection of the communication channel in a single or multiple actuation of exactly one element (101, 101 ^* , 101', 3101) of the actuator, wherein the Selection of each of the selectable communication channels by actuation of the identical element (101, 101 ^* , 101 ', 3101) of the actuator takes place, and

• the communication selection device (1000, 1000 ^* , 1000 ', 3000) is designed and set up to activate the communication channel after the

Dial automatically.

20. Communication dialer according to claim 19, characterized in that the communication dialer (1000, 1000 ^* , 1000 ', 3000) has means for outputting acoustic signals.

21. Communication dialer according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the communication dialer (1000, 1000 ^* , 1000 ', 3000) comprises means for receiving optical information.

22. Communication dialer according to one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that the communication dialer (1000, 1000 ^* , 1000 ', 3000) has means which are adapted and provided to a virtual element (101', 3101) for selecting the To provide communication channel and to evaluate an interaction of a user with this virtual element (101 ', 3101) as an operation of the exclusively virtual present element (101', 3101).

23. Communication dialer according to one of claims 19 to 22, characterized in that the communication dialer (1000, 1000 ^* , 1000 ', 3000) comprises means for color and / or image and / or text recognition.

24. Communication dialer according to one of claims 19 to 23, characterized in that the communication dialer (3000) is designed as a mobile unit, which is in a designated holding device (3001) can be fixed by means of which the communication dialer (3000) so in a position above a storage surface (S, 31 12) is held, that the storage surface (S, 31 12) can be detected by an optical pickup device (3110) of the communication dialer (3000).

25. Communication dialer according to one of claims 19 to 24, characterized in that the communication dialer (1000, 1000 ^* , 1000 ', 3000) is a stationary to be installed stand device.

26. A method for processing optical information for a user with a sensory impairment or sensory impairment, in particular blindness or poor eyesight, using a user-operable communication dialer (1000, 1000 ^* , 1000 ', 3000) comprising:

Detecting (201) optical information by means of a recording device of the communication dialer (1000, 1000 ^* , 1000 ', 3000),

Examining (202) the optical information for processability (203) or non-processability (204) in a color and / or image and / or text recognition system,

Wherein, when the processability is detected, further processing (205) of at least a portion of the optical information by the color and / or image and / or text recognition system takes place or

O if the non-processability (204) is detected, o an automatic activation of a communication channel (3) between the communication dialer (1000, 1000 ^* , 1000 ', 3000) and at least one call center or at least one call center exchange, and o a transmission (4) of at least a part of the optical information takes place via the communication channel.

27. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that, when the non-processability (204) is detected, after the transmission (4) of at least a part of the optical information on the information channel further processing (205) at least a part of the recorded optical information on the part of the call center or call center.

28. The method of claim 26 or 27, characterized in that the further processing consists in a color and / or image and / or text recognition of at least a portion of the recorded optical information.

29. The method according to any one of claims 26 to 28, characterized in that an acoustic signal output in connection with the recorded optical information by means of the communication dialer (1000, 1000 ^* , 1000 ', 3000) takes place.

_{* * * * ** * * * *}