WO2012127155A1

WO2012127155A1 - Visuo-tactile atlas

Info

Publication number: WO2012127155A1
Application number: PCT/FR2012/050541
Authority: WO
Inventors: Delphine PICARD
Original assignee: Universite De Toulouse Ii Le Mirail
Priority date: 2011-03-21
Filing date: 2012-03-15
Publication date: 2012-09-27
Also published as: FR2973145A1; EP2689410A1; FR2973145B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of producing a visuo-tactile atlas for the visually impaired representing structured units comprising a plurality of informative elements. The method comprises the steps consisting in: a) - determining the nature of the informative elements to be represented and defining representation rules; b) - selecting on the basis of conventional plates (1) said informative elements to be represented; c) - producing a set of tactile plates (2) according to the rules defined in step a), said objects at least being represented in relief and in colour; d) - producing a set of visual plates (3) corresponding to said tactile plates (2); e) - assembling a first booklet (100), in such a way that the tactile (2) and visual (3) plates of each structured unit are located opposite one another on either side of the binding (4); f) - producing the tactile legends (5) and the visual legends (6), and assembling a second booklet (200) in such a way that the tactile legends (5) and visual legends (6) of each structured unit are located opposite one another on either side of the binding (4). The invention is also aimed at an atlas comprising associated tactile and visual plates, as well as the corresponding legends.

Description

ATLAS VISUO-TOUCH

The present invention belongs to the field of documentary tools intended for use by persons with disabilities, and more particularly to the field of two-dimensional representation means allowing the visually impaired to know their environment.

It relates to a method for producing a visual-tactile representation atlas for the visually impaired of structured units such as geographical units, living organisms, mechanical devices or others. Another object of the invention is a visual-tactile atlas for visually impaired persons, comprising tactile boards and associated visual boards, as well as the corresponding tactile and visual legends.

Knowing the elements of your environment is an important issue for everyone. For the visually impaired, this knowledge can be brought by others through a verbal description (auditory), but then the acquisition of knowledge remains subject to the participation of a third person (usually clairvoyant), which limits the autonomy of visually impaired people. Moreover, mental representations developed on the basis of purely verbal information are generally not sufficiently accurate or complete to ensure a good knowledge of the three-dimensional configuration of the element concerned and / or the spatial organization of the environment.

In particular, the acquisition of spatial knowledge on the geography of the near environment is decisive for the access to the autonomy of the visually impaired. Various systems have been proposed with the aim of encouraging the independence of visually impaired people in their movements. In particular, there are tactile maps whose lines and writings are in relief. These maps, mostly city maps, are intended for better guidance for visually impaired people during their daily travels.

For example, the patent FR 2 681 971 describes an urban plan in relief for blind people in the form of a general plan of the city squared in neighborhoods and n plans enlarged neighborhoods on a scale such that the width of streets correspond to the width of the fingers. All graphic signs are removed and a conventional sign identification in relief is assigned to each object of the plan to be identified. A list of legends of raised signs is provided with the plan.

Another system, described in patent FR 2 906 067, is also based on the partition of an urban area to be mapped. Based on the observation that the streets often extend over several neighborhoods, and that it is difficult to identify them in a unambiguous manner, it is proposed to mark each lane with a symbol and to inscribe its name or an identifier nearby. it is connected by a line to the path of the corresponding channel.

However, the tactile cards currently offered to the visually impaired are not very readable and of little use to the intended audience. They are too complex because they are too loaded with information, badly arranged in terms of text and object; they use lines and symbols in relief that are not very discriminating to the touch, etc.

This is primarily due to the fact that they are made by simple transposition of the visual maps, after enlargement and highlighting, without taking into account the specificities of the haptic system engaged in the reading of tactile maps, nor the cognitive functioning of non-users. visionary and visually impaired. These systems then seek to provide mobility autonomy to visually impaired people, without asking the crucial preliminary question: how to promote autonomy for the acquisition of spatial knowledge and allow the development of faithful and complete mental representations of reality for visually impaired people.

Another disadvantage of these cards is that they are restrictive to the public who can use them. They are often designed only for a blind audience and Braille reader, and therefore they are of little use for the visually impaired who do not generally master Braille. They also prevent interaction with LEDs wishing to participate in reading cards.

However, recent studies show that the knowledge that blind and visually impaired subjects have about their spatial environment can be developed using a miniature model of the geographical environment (Picard, D., & Pry, R. (2009), Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 103, 199-209). However, the constraints related to the sequential processing of information in a perceptual field of reduced size specific to the haptic modality influence (limit) the capacity of the haptic short-term memory (Picard, D., & Monnier, C. (2009), Memory, 17, 789-801 and Monnier, C, & Picard , D. (2010), In AML Kappers et al (Eds.), Eurohaptics 2010, Part II, Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 6192, 94-98). It thus appeared that there was a need to create tactile maps adapted to the psychology of haptic perception and visual impairment.

More generally, there is a need to have a means of representation to offer informative and / or educational books, which are adapted to the cognitive abilities of visually impaired people, on various topics. This may be, for example, geographical maps, anatomical or botanical planks, mechanical devices operating diagrams, etc. or any other structured set that can be graphically represented in two dimensions.

The objective of the present invention is therefore to propose a system of cards or boards allowing visually impaired and blind people to acquire knowledge on the configuration and spatial organization of a structured set, using a visuo-tactile representation device adapted, that is to say, readable and accessible by both visual and tactile modality.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a method of creating maps or tactile maps taking into account the specific psycho-technical characteristics, for example in terms of the amount of information, the type of plots and graphic symbols to use, etc. , so as to reduce its complexity, while offering a complete, detailed and clear information, so that the topology of a territory or the structure of an organism, the functioning of a machine, can be discovered and studied from independently.

Another object of the invention is to provide boards readable by both the blind, visually impaired and sighted. This goal also includes the possibility for a person, regardless of their degree of disability, to learn and improve their reading skills in Braille and tactile representations. Another objective of the invention is to design atlases that combine ergonomically the tactile and visual formats. These objectives are achieved by means of the method according to the invention which makes it possible to produce a visuo-tactile atlas, that is to say that can be deciphered by sight and / or by touch, and which is based on a certain number of predefined rules, depending on:

1) the capacities and constraints of the haptic system engaged in the reading of the tactile boards, in particular as regards the tactile acuity, the size of the perceptual or empan field, the sequential mode of the information processing, and

2) the cognitive functioning of the blind and visually impaired, particularly with regard to working memory, short-term memory and visuospatial imaging capabilities.

A touch board can then be developed respecting the predefined rules adapted to the intended audience. This is how a touch board is first made, then on the base of it, a visual board is created. This original approach also makes it possible to produce a document that combines ergonomically the tactile and visual formats of the maps, in the form of an atlas.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention, a method for producing a visuo-tactile atlas of representation of structured units for visually impaired persons comprising a plurality of informative elements, in particular objects, the designation of said objects and objects. layout instructions, said method essentially comprising the steps of:

a) - determining the nature of the objects and other informative elements to be represented and defining rules for representing said information elements according to predetermined criteria based on the haptic capacities of the visually impaired persons;

b) - select, from the conventional boards of said structured units, objects and other informative elements to be represented;

c) - performing a touch board game representing said information elements according to the rules defined in step a), said objects at least being shown in relief and in color superimposed on said relief;

d) - performing a board game visual color representation said information elements corresponding to the touch panels made in the previous step;

e) - assemble a first booklet, so that the sheets of the tactile boards and the sheets of the visual boards of each of the structured units are opposite each other on both sides of the binding when said first booklet is opened ; f) - create a set of tactile legends and a set of visual legends corresponding respectively to the tactile boards and the visual boards, and assemble a second booklet so that the sheets of the tactile legends and the leaflets of the visual legends of each of the structured units lie opposite each other on the binding when said second booklet is opened.

The visuo-tactile atlas consists of two booklets, the first representing boards, the second representing legends. For each structured unit to be featured on the atlas, two boards are made available to the user.

The first plate represents the informative elements in a tactile form, that is to say by reliefs perceptible by the visually impaired or visually impaired. The term "informative element" refers to any type of indication that can be displayed on a board (whether it be an operating diagram, the representation of an organization, a map or other). In the case of a geographical map, for example, these information elements are first and foremost geographical objects such as physical sites (for example rivers, peaks, cities, etc.) or administrative boundaries (for example borders , limits of departments, ...). More generally, the informative elements are designations, explicit, abbreviated or coded, making it possible to identify the objects represented, or even indications used for the layout, so that the reader can be located in the atlas. We understand that objects can be represented by their natural forms, by their stylized forms (symbol) as is the case of a mountainous summit, or by their outline. The tactile representation will therefore reproduce in relief these outlines and symbols. On the contrary, most other informative elements are presented with alphanumeric characters, which can then be transcribed in print or Braille characters.

The method for producing the atlas according to the invention comprises two steps prior to its manufacture. Indeed, from the boards conventionally representing the desired structured units, objects and other informative elements to be represented (step b) will be selected. This step is generally implemented to make visually impaired atlases known to the state of the art. However, according to the present invention, a preliminary step is performed (step a) of determining the nature of the objects and other informative elements to be represented and defining rules of representation of said information elements according to predetermined criteria based on the haptic capacity of visually impaired persons. Rules of representation are established at this level, and fixed for all the plates composing the atlas, from the psycho-physical capacities of the public concerned. This step is decisive because it reverses the logic of design by first placing the needs and abilities of the visually impaired.

It is on the basis of the rules thus established that the objects selected from the conventional boards and other informative elements that one wishes to represent, will be organized, calibrated and arranged, to achieve a set of tactile boards representing in relief said informative elements according to the rules defined in step a). The objects will generally be represented by lines or symbols, while the designations and indications will advantageously be represented by alphanumeric characters.

At the same time that we highlight the information elements, we color the elements in relief, at least those that represent objects. The tactile boards of the first booklet according to the invention are therefore strictly touch boards and at least partially visual. This has a significant advantage for people learning tactile reading, for people with some visual acuity, but also for the visionaries accompanying the blind in their reading.

This support is made possible also by the second board, called visual, which reproduces all the informative elements of the tactile board by a process of printing, by plots, symbols and colored characters, the colored term having here the sense of visible hue in contrast with the paper support. One or more shades can be used, especially black. The colored part of the tactile board, as the part only in relief are reproduced on the visual board, the two boards being then placed vis-à-vis when the booklet pinning, so that the reader can refer to the one or the other representation of the same structured unit, at its discretion (or according to its capabilities).

Finally, we establish the legends respectively corresponding to tactile boards and visual boards and we realize a set of tactile legends and a set of visual legends. A second booklet is assembled so that the leaflets of the tactile legends and the leaflets of the visual legends of each of the structured units are facing each other on either side of the binding when said second booklet is opened. Here too, several types of readers can take advantage of the possibility of referring to the tactile and / or visual legends, for optimum use of the atlas according to the invention.

This double booklet system offers a great capacity for information representation combined with a practical use of the atlas.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method for producing a visual-tactile atlas which is the subject of the invention, in step a), the rules for representing the information elements relate to at least the number of said information elements, their mode of representation, their method of designation and their arrangement.

According to another preferred characteristic of the method which is the subject of the invention, in step a), the rules for representing the information elements satisfy at least one of the following conditions:

the total number of informative elements represented on a card is at most 30;

the total number of informative elements represented on a card is i) within the outline of the structured unit of not more than 25, preferably not more than 20, and ii) outside the outline of the structured unit of at most 15, preferably at most 10;

the density of the information elements represented on a board is at most 2 elements for 2 cm ² .

In terms of density (number of elements / unit area) indeed, it is desirable not to exceed two graphic elements in a space of size 2 x 2 cm, this space corresponding to the size of the perceptive haptic field of the pulp the index of an adult individual when the index moves laterally with a movement back and forth to explore tactile information. To check that the density of elements of a board is correct, we can use a transparent grid at a pitch of 2 x 2 cm that we place on the map.

In addition, the number of different types of traces (succession of rectilinear segments or curves) present in the touch panel must be limited to avoid overloading the working memory. The same goes for point symbols. This is why, according to still another preferred characteristic of the method which is the subject of the present invention, in step a), the rules for representing the objects satisfy at least one of the following conditions:

the objects are represented by at most four types of linear plots, one of which is dedicated to the contour of the structured unit concerned, and at most four types of point symbols.

- the represented objects are designated by abbreviated names placed near the corresponding objects.

It is not a question of simply copying the plots of the conventional reference plank, but of transcribing it by reducing the complexity of the contours. In particular, a rectilinear segment must have sufficient length, otherwise it will not be perceived as an element in itself. The changes of direction in the course that one wishes to make evident at the tactile level must be locatable, as well as the zones carved contours which must have a certain amplitude to be correctly perceived.

This is why, advantageously, for the linear plots, the rules of representation of the informative elements meet the following conditions:

i) the length of a rectilinear segment is at least 8 mm;

(ii) the significant angles of a plot are greater than 60 °;

iii) the outlines can accommodate a circle 6 mm in diameter.

For a better ergonomics of tactile reading, and to facilitate the perception of a relation letter / element, the names in Braille will be inserted in the board in the immediate vicinity of the designated element, and as much as possible in a constant relative position. Indeed, if it is desirable that the selected plots allow to easily distinguish them from each other, it is also important that the location of the various informative elements can be spotted quickly on the boards. In particular, it will promote the proximity, with a relative relative arrangement, objects and their designation. In this way, reading an item that is from left to right, from top to bottom, or by contour tracking using the index, results in the Braille designation of that item. also goes under the finger. The designation is then met in an expected position, which moreover also allows the reader to go looking for it voluntarily. A minimal separation space between two tracks (for example, two parallel tracks, one representing a river and the other the outline of a department following this river) can be respected so as not to risk tactile confusion of the two lines. The minimum space of separation between two plots is defined as the space corresponding to the size of the haptic perceptual field of the pulp of the index (of an adult individual) when the index moves laterally with a movement of va and comes to explore tactile information.

Thus, preferably, for the designation of the objects represented, the representation rules satisfy the following conditions:

- the abbreviated names are placed at a distance of 2 to 3 mm from the objects they designate,

- the abbreviated names are to the right of the point symbols,

the abbreviated names are in the middle of the path of the linear elements traversing, and at the beginning of the drawing of the non-traversing linear elements.

Interestingly, in the method of producing a visuo-tactile atlas according to the invention, in step b), the informative elements are chosen from: the objects composing the structured unit; the names of the objects; Layout indications. The layout indications are preferably at least the title, the page number and the scale of the figure. When the represented structured unit is a geographical area, for example, the information elements may be selected from geographical objects, preferably physical sites and administrative boundaries; the names of geographical objects; Layout indications, preferably title, page number, scale, north arrow.

The preferred conditions mentioned above meet readability criteria boards and cards, which involve the amount of information present, the number of different patterns of patterns and symbols. They maximize the discriminability of the lines between them and reduce the risk of overloading the working memory of the reader.

According to a particular embodiment of the method for producing a visu-tactile atlas which is the subject of the present invention, in step c), for each of the structured units intended to compose the atlas: c1) - short names are defined and placed close to the corresponding objects according to the predefined rules;

c2) - the representation of said objects and abbreviated names, in relief and in color superimposed on said relief, is transcribed onto a Swell-Touch paper sheet to obtain a tactile plate;

c3) - the representation of said objects and abbreviated names in printed characters is transcribed on a printable sheet to obtain a visual plate corresponding to the touch panel obtained in step c2);

According to another mode of implementation of the method which is the subject of the invention, in step f) for each of the structured units intended to compose the visuo-tactile atlas:

f1) - the tactile legend and the visual legend of the abbreviated names used respectively on the tactile plate and on the visual plate of the first booklet are established,

f2) - it is transcribed on a sheet of Braille paper said tactile legend and

f3) - the said visual legend is transcribed on a printable page.

In the manufacture of both booklets, the techniques employed differ. It will be possible to represent tactile alphanumeric characters using a Braille machine, and by conventional printing for the visual characters, while the reproduction of the reliefs and outlines will make use of other techniques, for example a technique of heat treatment on Swell-Touch paper, also known as microcapsule paper stereoscopic process. Note that according to the invention, the heat-treated elements to obtain a relief are also printed by a tinted ink (colored or black), so as to allow a double reading.

Advantageously, for the realization of the visuo-tactile atlas according to the invention, the first and second booklets are made on A4 sheets and are assembled in the landscape orientation. Indeed, this arrangement offers a better ergonomics of tactile reading, and facilitates the identification of the relationship letter / element, because of the size of the perceptive field accessible by an adult hand.

The method according to the invention makes it possible to produce a visuo-tactile atlas in which the structured units to be represented belong to very varied categories. In particular, the structured unit to be represented may be a geographical area, a device mechanical, a plant or animal organism, without the invention being limited to these categories.

The method just described makes it possible to design and manufacture an atlas with numerous advantages. It is readable by both blind and visually impaired people, regardless of the degree of visual impairment and fluency in Braille reading. It can be accessed by a visually impaired Braille learner who can make a gradual transition from black writing to Braille writing. Finally, the atlas can be appreciated by a visually impaired person accompanied in his reading by a sighted person.

Therefore, is also an object of the present invention visuo-tactile atlas of representation of structured units for visually impaired, obtainable by a method as just described, which atlas comprises a first and a second booklet each formed of a plurality of sheets united by a binding, comprising a plurality of informative elements,

the first booklet comprising, for each structured unit shown, a tactile sheet and a sheet of visual board, placed opposite each other on both sides of the binding when the booklet is opened,

the tactile plate comprising the representation of objects in relief and in color superimposed on said relief, and abbreviated names in braille characters corresponding to said objects,

the visual board comprising the representation of said objects in color, and abbreviated printed names corresponding to said objects,

the second booklet comprising, for each structured unit represented, a sheet of tactile legends and a leaflet of visual legends of abbreviated names used respectively on the tactile board and on the corresponding visual board of the first booklet, said sheets of tactile legends and visual legends; being placed opposite each other on both sides of the binding when the booklet is opened.

In the visuo-tactile atlas as described, the term "informative element" any type of information that can be worn on a map or board. This includes objects (geographical, botanical, anatomical, mechanical ...) and the designations of these objects, but also indications of layout. Geographical objects by example are essentially physical sites and the boundaries of administrative units.

According to a preferred feature of the visuo-tactile atlas which is the subject of the invention, the objects are represented by at most four types of linear plots, one of which is dedicated to the contour of the structured unit concerned, and at most four types of point symbols. , and these objects are designated by abbreviated names placed nearby.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the visuo-tactile atlas according to the invention, the linear plots satisfy the following conditions:

i) the length of a rectilinear segment is at least 8 mm;

(ii) the significant angles of a plot are greater than 60 °;

(iii) the outlines may accommodate a circle 6 mm in diameter;

iv) two parallel lines are at least 2 mm apart.

According to another preferred feature of the visuo-tactile atlas object of the invention, the total number of informative elements represented on a board is at most 30.

According to yet another preferred feature of the visuo-tactile atlas which is the subject of the invention, the total number of informative elements represented on a board is i) within the outline of the structured unit of at most 25, preferably at most 20, and ii) outside the contour of the structured unit of at most 15, preferably at most 10.

In general, it is advantageous for the density of the information elements represented on a card to be at most 2 elements per 2 cm ² .

According to one particular characteristic of the invention, the abbreviated names are placed close to the objects they designate, preferably at a distance of 2 mm to 3 mm from the objects they designate, in a predetermined and constant relative position according to which :

- the abbreviated names are to the right of the point symbols,

the abbreviated names are in the middle of the path of the linear elements traversing, and at the beginning of the drawing of the non-traversing linear elements. In a particular embodiment of the visuo-tactile atlas according to the invention the leaflets composing the two booklets are in A4 format and are assembled in the landscape orientation. The A4 landscape format is chosen because it offers good ergonomics for tactile reading. Indeed, if we consider the size of the perceptive field accessible with an adult hand that is about 14 x 10 cm, the A4 landscape format allows a quick identification of the elements on the surface of the sheet in 4 times or zones, contrary to a portrait orientation that leads to divide the leaflet into 6 areas. For a public of children, this condition can obviously be adapted.

The atlas made in accordance with the present invention ergonomically combines cards of tactile and visual formats with reduced complexity and having an optimized number of information.

It is pointed out that the present invention can be applied to the design of atlases dealing with multiple subjects. These can be maps. Anatomical or botanical boards can be made on the same principle. Similarly device operating diagrams, instructions for use, etc., will be advantageously designed according to the approach described herein, and are an integral part of the present invention.

The present invention will be better understood, and details will arise, thanks to the description that will be made of one of its variants, in connection with the accompanying figures, in which:

Figures 1a and 1b illustrate the steps of making a geographical map belonging to an atlas according to the invention.

FIG. 2a represents a touch map of an atlas according to the invention, and FIG. 2b represents the visual map corresponding to said touch map.

FIG. 3 illustrates the compliance of the format of a card according to the invention with the haptic perception field.

Figure 4 shows the two booklets composing a visuo-tactile atlas according to the invention.

EXAMPLE 1: Conception of a visual-tactile atlas of the Midi-Pyrenees Region

The structured units here are geographical areas, represented by maps. The maps making up the atlas are the departments of the Midi-Pyrénées region. We work to from conventional maps 1 of these departments. Figures 1a and 1b illustrate the steps of the method of designing and producing the cards making up the atlas.

In a first step, the nature of the geographical objects 8, 8 'and other information elements to be represented were determined. We have chosen to represent on each map the physical sites 20 (major rivers, large cities, mountain peaks) and the administrative boundaries 21, namely the outline of the department 7, and where appropriate the national border. The other informative elements are the names 22 of the geographical objects (here, the abbreviated name 9, 9 'of the geographical objects within the department, the full name of the bordering departments and possibly that of the frontier country), the indications of implementation. page such as title 23, page number 24, scale 25, north arrow 26 and the word "North" nearby.

In a second step, the rules of representation of these informative elements are defined, taking into account the haptic capacities of the visually impaired persons.

The rules adopted are as follows:

the total number of informative elements represented on each of the cards 2, 3 will be at most 30;

within the contour 7 of the department, the total number of informative elements represented will be at most 25;

- outside of contour 7 of the department, the total number of informative elements represented will be not more than 15,

the density of the information elements represented will be at most 2 elements for 2 cm ² .

More specifically, for geographical objects 8, 8 ', the representation rules will be as follows:

the geographical objects 8, 8 'will be represented by four types of linear plots, one of which is dedicated to the contour 7 of the department concerned, and four types of point symbols.

the geographical objects 8, 8 'will be designated by abbreviated names 9, 9' placed close to the corresponding objects. In addition, in the linear plots, the length of a rectilinear segment will be at least 8 mm. The angles between two segments will be greater than 60 °, and the contours will be able to accommodate a circle of 6 mm in diameter.

For each department, it is selected on the conventional map 1, the geographical objects 8, 8 'concrete and other informative elements that will be represented in tactile form. In the case of the department of Tarn, were selected the city prefecture and several other cities, two peaks and some rivers. The five bordering departments are mentioned outside the department boundary. On the basis of the established rules, the touch card 2 of the department is thus designed from the conventional card 1 (FIG. 1 a). The corresponding visual map 3 is then established (Figure 1b).

To obtain the first booklet 100 of the atlas, we realize a set of tactile maps 2 of the departments of the region. Said geographical objects are represented both in relief and in color superimposed on said relief. The other informative elements are represented in Braille script (Figure 2a).

We then realize a set of visual maps 3 of these departments, representing the informative elements in color only (Figure 2b). Finally, the leaflets 12 of the tactile cards 2 and the leaflets 13 of the visual cards 3 of each of the departments are assembled so as to be opposite each other on the side of the binding 4 when the first booklet 100 is opened. , as shown in Figure 4.

In order to obtain the second booklet 200, the abbreviated names used on each departmental map are recorded, and a set of tactile legends 5 and a set of visual legends 6 corresponding respectively to the tactile cards 2 and to the visual cards 3 are created. leaflets 15 of the tactile legends 5 and the leaflets 16 of the visual legends 6 of each of the departments so that they are opposite one another on either side of the binding 4 when the second booklet 200 is open (FIG. ).

The entire first and second booklets constitute a complete atlas.

EXAMPLE 2: Realization of the tactile map of Tarn The tactile cards were made according to the procedure described in Example 1. The department of Tarn is taken here as an example, the approach can be easily reproduced for other geographical areas.

The reference map is selected from http: //www.1 france.fr, giving free access to the geographical maps of the departments of France. Free vector graphics editing software (http://inkscape.org) was used to draw and edit the touch map based on the reference map.

Conventional Map 1 is imported into an A4 landscape file of the Inkscape software. The A4 landscape format allows rapid identification of the elements on the surface of the sheet in four times or zones, as shown in FIG.

Touch card 2 is composed as follows (Figure 2a):

- complete title 23 of the map at the top left,

- tracks: limit 7 of the department, rivers,

- punctual symbols: cities, mountain peaks

- Braille names: one or two letters indicating the name of the information element,

- full name of departments and / or border countries, around the department,

- North arrow 26 + NORTH written in Braille,

- page number 24 (number in Braille),

- scale (rectilinear plot with Braille numbers).

The four models of plots present in the tactile map concern:

Plot 1: border with another country, long dotted 3.0 mm thick

Plot 2: outline of the department, short dotted 2.5 mm thick

Plot 3: channel, long dotted, thickness 1, 5 mm

Plot 4: river or river, continuous line 0.8 mm thick

The minimum separation space between two parallel plots, one representing the outline of the department and the other a river along this contour) is 2 mm.

All of these plots are produced using a tool for drawing straight line segments ("Draw Bezier curve and straight lines"). In practice, the cursor is placed on the conventional reference card 1 and the information elements are drawn on top of it desired. The different plots are then set as "Object" using the "Fill and stroke" tool.

The four types of symbols used in Touch Map 2 are:

Symbol 1: prefecture city, full circle 8 mm in diameter,

Symbol 2: cities, full circle 5 mm in diameter,

Symbol 3: mountainous peaks, empty triangle 1 cm side, thickness 2 mm,

Symbol 4: North arrow, full arrow, 1.5 cm high, 4 mm thick.

The minimum space separating two graphic elements, for example, a symbol and a plot, is 2 mm. These symbols are produced using a tool for drawing geometric figures in the Inkscape software. In practice, the cursor is positioned on the conventional reference card 1 and the symbol is drawn over the information element.

Additional Braille information is then added. Outside the county boundary are added the full title of the map, the full name of the counties and / or border countries, the north indication, the page number, and the scale. Inside the county boundary, the first two Braille letters are added to the name of each river and river, each city and each peak. The default is the first letter of the name (for example, A for Albi). In the case where several elements begin with the same letter, the first two letters of the name are indicated. The preferred positions of the Braille letters in relation to the informative elements they designate are:

- right for the symbols of cities and peaks (direction of reading left - right)

- at the beginning of the route for a river (Le., at the source), or in the middle of the river when it crosses the department; if the route is long and the river receives tributaries, it is preferable to place the letters designating the river several times.

To define the letters that are used, the list of names of all the informative elements of the map is established in alphabetical order. This list of the names of the informative elements used for a given card constitutes the legend associated with this card 2 which is placed in the second booklet 200 of the atlas, and which the reader will consult in parallel with the first booklet 100 including the tactile cards. 2. An excerpt from the legend Braille 5 for the Tarn map is shown in Figure 4. The legend states whether it is a river or river, from a prefecture or subprefecture city, and also indicates the altitude of the mountainous peaks.

The tactile maps 2 thus designed for all the departments of the region are recorded using the Inkscape software in a landscape format A4 file.

Braille legends are saved in a dxb (Duxbury Braille Translator) file. Visual captions (black text) are saved in a Word file.

EXAMPLE 3: Production of the visual map of the Tarn

The visual equivalent of the touch card 2 is developed on the basis of the tactile map obtained in the previous example.

Braille information is converted to black print (or black text), ARIAL font, size 36 (which is a font frequently used by the visually impaired for readability). A color code can be applied to visually differentiate streams, cities and other geographical objects from the map. This color code also appears on the caption in black text.

The visual maps 3 thus designed for all the departments of the region are recorded using the Inkscape software in a landscape format A4 file.

EXAMPLE 4: Production of booklets

Maps 2, 3 and legends 5, 6 once established for each department of the region, booklets 100, 200 can be manufactured. The production of the two documents was carried out using suitable equipment: embossed image production furnace, Swell-Touch paper, Braille printer, Braille paper, card stock, color printer, binding equipment.

For touch cards, the contents of Inkscape files are printed in black ink on Swell-Touch paper. Then each sheet of Swell-Touch paper is baked into the production line with raised lines, causing the objects to be highlighted. geographical. For visual maps, the contents of Inkscape files are printed on thick paper (160 g / m ² ) using a color printer.

For tactile legends (in Braille), the contents of the dxb file are printed on Braille paper using a Braille printer (Everest Embosser). For visual legends (black text), the contents of the Word file are printed on thick paper (160 g / m ² ) using a color printer.

A summary with a page numbering system is added to each booklet to facilitate coupled reading of a map and its legend.

The sheets 12, 13 of the cards 2, 3 on the one hand and the leaflets 15, 16 of the legends 5, 6 on the other hand, were assembled by a binding 4, to constitute the visuo-tactile atlas entitled "Atlas Region Midi-Pyrénées and its eight departments "which includes:

- the first booklet 100, in A4 landscape format, containing maps 2, 3 of the departments (12 sheets printed on both sides);

the second booklet 200, of A4 landscape format, containing the legends 5, 6 associated with the cards of the first booklet (ie 20 sheets printed on both sides).

This atlas is called visuo-tactile because once opened, each book presents on its right side the tactile version (and partially visual) of a map or a legend, and on its left side, the visual version in color of this same map or legend. A summary with a page numbering system in each booklet allows the coupled reading of a map and its legend.

The arrangement selected for better ergonomics of use of the document is a double booklet. By placing them one above the other, reading the document is conveniently done by going back and forth between cards and legends. Reading a tactile map refers to its legend Braille, reading a visual map refers to its legend in black, but reading can also easily alternate visual and touch mode. EXAMPLE 5: Performance Tests

The functional character of the visuo-tactile atlas developed according to the invention has been tested with the public concerned. For this, a panel of visually impaired people (visually impaired and blind with different levels of expertise in Braille reading), representative of future users, was formed. This panel tested and experimented the atlas three times. The evaluations consisted of a set of objective measures (tests of haptic discrimination of the lines and symbols, short-term memory tests, speed of reading, questionnaire, etc.) and subjective (scales of assessment of the readability of the information, semi-directed interview, spontaneous comments, etc.). The data collected during each evaluation made it possible to verify that the atlas according to the invention integrates the appropriate technical characteristics and the ergonomic format desired, and that it allows an improved reading for an efficient spatial identification.

Claims

1. - A method for producing a visuo-tactile atlas of representation of structured units for visually impaired persons comprising a plurality of information elements, including objects (8, 8 '), the designation of said objects, layout indications, characterized by essentially comprising the steps of:

a) - determining the nature of the objects (8, 8 ') and other informative elements to be represented and defining rules for representing said information elements according to predetermined criteria on the basis of the haptic capacities of the visually impaired persons;

b) - select, from the conventional boards (1) of said structured units, the objects (8, 8 ') and the other information elements to be represented;

c) - producing a set of tactile boards (2) representing said information elements according to the rules defined in step a), said objects at least being shown in relief and in color superimposed on said relief;

d) - producing a set of visual boards (3) representing in color said informative elements corresponding to the tactile boards (2) made in the previous step;

e) - assembling a first booklet (100), so that the sheets (12) of the tactile boards (2) and the sheets (13) of the visual boards (3) of each of the structured units are in facing relation on both sides of the binding (4) when said first booklet is opened;

f) - producing a set of tactile legends (5) and a set of visual legends (6) respectively corresponding to the tactile boards (2) and the visual boards (3), and assembling a second booklet (200) so that the sheets (15) tactile legends (5) and the leaflets (16) of the visual legends (6) of each of the structured units are located opposite each other on the binding (4) when said second booklet is open.

2. - A method of producing a visuo-tactile atlas according to claim 1, characterized in that in step a), the rules for representing the information elements relate to at least the number of said information elements, their mode of representation, their mode of designation and their arrangement.

3. - A method of producing a visuo-tactile atlas according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in step a), the representation rules of the informative elements meet at least one of the following conditions: the total number of informative elements represented on a card (2, 3) is at most 30;

the total number of informative elements represented on a card (2, 3) is: i) within the contour (7) of the structured unit of at most 25, preferably at most 20, and ii) outside the contour (7) of the structured unit of at most 15, preferably at most 10;

the density of the information elements represented on a board (2, 3) is at most 2 elements for 2 cm ² .

4. - A method of producing a visuo-tactile atlas according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in step a), the object representation rules meet at least one of the following conditions:

the objects (8, 8 ') are represented by at most four types of linear plots, one of which is dedicated to the contour (7) of the structured unit concerned, and at most four types of point symbols.

the represented objects (8, 8 ') are designated by abbreviated names (9, 9') placed close to the corresponding objects.

5. - A method for producing a visuo-tactile atlas according to the preceding claim, characterized in that for the linear plots, the representation rules of the informative elements meet the following conditions:

i) the length of a rectilinear segment is at least 8 mm;

(ii) the significant angles of a plot are greater than 60 °;

(iii) the outlines may accommodate a circle 6 mm in diameter;

6. - A method of producing a visuo-tactile atlas according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for the designation of the objects (8, 8 '), the representation rules meet the following conditions:

the abbreviated names (9, 9 ') are placed at a distance of 2 to 3 mm from the objects they designate,

the abbreviated names (9, 9 ') are to the right of the point symbols,

the abbreviated names (9, 9 ') are in the middle of the path of the linear traversing elements, and at the beginning of the path of the non-traversing linear elements.

7. - Method for producing a visuo-tactile atlas according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in step b), the information elements are chosen among the objects (8, 8 ') composing the structured unit; the names of the objects (22); Layout indications.

8. - A method of producing a visuo-tactile atlas according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in step c), for each of the structured units intended to compose the atlas:

c1) - short names are defined and placed close to the corresponding objects according to the predefined rules;

c2) - the representation of said objects and abbreviated names, in relief and in color superimposed on said relief, is transcribed onto a sheet of Swell-Touch paper to obtain a tactile plate (2);

c3) - transcribing on a printable sheet the representation of said objects and abbreviated names in printed characters to obtain a visual plate (3) corresponding to the touch panel (2) obtained in step c2);

9. - A method of producing a visuo-tactile atlas according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in step f) for each of the structured units for composing the visuo-tactile atlas,

f1) - the tactile legend (5) and the visual legend (6) of the abbreviated names used respectively on the tactile board (2) and on the visual board (3) of the first booklet (100) are established,

f2) - it is transcribed on a sheet of Braille paper said tactile legend and

f3) - the said visual legend is transcribed on a printable page.

10. - A method of producing a visuo-tactile atlas according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the structured unit to be represented is a geographical area, a mechanical device, a plant or animal organism.

1 1. Visuo-tactile visual representation of structured units for visually impaired, characterized in that it comprises a first and a second booklet (100, 200) each formed of a plurality of sheets united by a binding (4), comprising a plurality of informative elements,

the first booklet (100) comprising, for each structured unit shown, a sheet (12) of a tactile board (2) and a sheet (13) of a visual board (3) placed facing each other and other of the binding (4) when the booklet (100) is open, said tactile board comprising the representation of objects (8) in relief and in color superimposed on said relief, and abbreviated names (9) in braille characters corresponding to said objects,

said visual board comprising the representation of said objects (8 ') in color, and abbreviated names (9') in block letters corresponding to said objects,

the second booklet (200) comprising, for each structured unit represented, a sheet (15) of tactile legends (5) and a leaflet (16) of visual legends (6) of abbreviated names (9, 9 ') used respectively on the touch board (2) and on the corresponding visual board (3) of the first booklet (100), said sheets of tactile legends and visual legends being placed facing each other on both sides of the binding (4) when the booklet is opened.

12. - visu-tactile atlas according to claim 1 1, characterized in that the objects (8, 8 ') are represented by at most four types of linear plots, including one dedicated to the contour (7) of the structured unit concerned , and at most four types of point symbols, and in that they are designated by abbreviated names (9, 9 ') placed in proximity.

13. - Visuo-tactile atlas according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the linear plots meet the following conditions:

i) the length of a rectilinear segment is at least 8 mm;

(ii) the significant angles of a plot are greater than 60 °;

(iii) the outlines may accommodate a circle 6 mm in diameter,

iv) two parallel lines are at least 2 mm apart.

14. visu-tactile Atlas according to one of claims 1 1 to 13, characterized in that the total number of informative elements represented on a board (2, 3) is at most 30.

15. - Visuo-tactile atlas according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the total number of informative elements shown on a board (2, 3) is i) inside the contour (7) of the structured unit of at most 25, preferably at most 20, and ii) outside the contour (7) of the structured unit of at most 15, preferably at most 10.

16. - visu-tactile Atlas according to one of claims 1 1 to 15, characterized in that the density of the informative elements shown on a board (2, 3) is at most 2 elements for 2 cm ² .

17. - visu-tactile atlas according to any one of claims 1 1 to 16, characterized in that the abbreviated names (9, 9 ') are placed near objects they designate, preferably at a distance of 2 at 3 mm from the objects they designate, in a predetermined and constant relative position according to which:

- the abbreviated names are to the right of the point symbols,

18. - Visuo-tactile atlas according to any one of claims 1 1 to 17, characterized in that the sheets of the two booklets (100, 200) are in A4 format and are assembled in the landscape orientation.