Braille display with internal note-taking function

Abstract

Braille display (1) with internal note-taking function comprising: at least one interface to a computer system, which interfaces may also be wireless, e.g. via Bluetooth; a series of Braille output elements – the so-called Braille modules (3) – with which information is tactilely displayed in Braille; at least one internal storage medium for storing notes in the form of files; with controls by which the displayed information can be influenced; characterized in that the information displayed tactilely on the Braille modules (3) is stored directly in the internal storage medium, whereby the tactile information to be stored is highlighted, e.g. by the tactile addition of an additional stylus on the respective Braille modules (3).

Description

The invention relates to a braille line with an internal note function according to the preamble of claim 1.Prior ArtThe use of different computer systems and smartphones is also central information access for blinds and visually handicapped persons.Blinds use so-called screen reading programs (screenreaders) for blind-appropriate conversion of screen information. Information is displayed tactilely with the aid of a voice output and / or with the aid of a point writing output, a so-called braille line.A braille line allows blind people to access the written language in a discrete and self-determined manner. In particular for taubblinds, the braille line is the central aid for accessing information.On the braille line, Braille characters arranged in a row are displayed, which consist of a character-specific combination of punctiform elevations of a 2 x 3 or 2 x 4 matrix. Per braille character, a tactile output element, a so-called braille module, is used. Tactile reading pins-the tactile pins-are movably embedded in the sensing surface of the braille module, which can assume two states: a raised state of the tactile pin (set) and a lowered state (erased). In the erased state, the surface of the sensing surface just closes with the upper edge of the sensing stylus and is thus no longer sensing.Depending on the application, in the case of braille rows, 40, 64 or 80 braille modules are generally used. By actuating operating elements of a braille line, control commands are transferred to the screen reading program (screenreader), e.g. for navigation in a text. Furthermore, there are also braille lines which are equipped with internal functions and storage facilities.DE 19539306 A1 discloses a mobile blind text reader which, by means of braille modules and an internal storage medium, enables mobile access to information, such as literature, for blind users.Furthermore, a braille line with navigation aid is known from DE 602 08 276 T2, which has at least one interface to a computer system and stores notes in an internal storage medium and displays them on braille modules.US 2015 / 0 262 509 A1 describes a portable single device for braille. Inputs to Braille are not only displayed tactilely, but also stored directly in the internal memory. US 2002 / 0 138 521 A1 describes a braille line with a note function with at least one, also wireless, interface to a computer system. In this case, notes can be edited and stored internally in the form of files.Furthermore, the data transmission between computer system and braille system is known from DE 102014003097 A1, in which internally stored notes are transmitted to a computer system in such a way that the transmitted data are interpreted by the data receiver as keyboard input.US 10971034 B1 discloses a method for automatically dividing a braille line into a primary and a secondary information content, wherein the secondary content is associated in direct connection with the primary content, e.g. as a footnote to the content of the primary content.A tactile control device is known from patent specification DE 102004046526 A1, in which electrical voltage fluctuations in different Braille modules are evaluated in such a way that the tactile reading position is detected by a suitable sensor system detecting the scanning forces and evaluating them relative to one another.Object Setting Up To AchieveThe invention is based on the object of making information contents, which are displayed by external computer systems on the braille modules of a braille line in a tactile manner, also available for the internal functions of the braille line.Furthermore, the extension of the functionality of the braille line is intended to make it possible to be able to exchange information bidirectionally between a plurality of computer systems connected to the braille line.Incompatibilities of different systems and file formats can significantly impair the workflow, in particular for a blind computer user. With the aim of using the braille line as the central distribution point of information, incompatibilities of different computer systems, with often different operating systems and screenreading programs (screenreader), are also to be avoided.Improving blind computer user workflows also aims to open new work perspectives for these blind experts. The extension of the functionality of the braille line is also intended to contribute to the fact that blind computer users can experience their creativity unimpeded.Disclosure of the InventionThese objects are achieved by the features of the Braille line (1) with internal note function as specified in claims 1 to 8.According to the invention, the information displayed in tactially on the braille modules (3) is stored directly in the internal memory of the braille line (1). If information interesting, such as a telephone number, is displayed to the blind user of the braille line (1) on the braille modules (3), this information can be selected in a targeted manner and buffered in the braille line (1). According to the invention, the stored information can be transmitted in a suitable form to a further computer system, for example to a smartphone.The information to be stored is also tally highlighted. This emphasis is selected such that the information is still easily readable in a tactile manner. One possibility is that the braille content selected for intermediate storage is t tactially emphasized by the additional setting of the braille point P8 (8)-at the bottom right in the 2 x 4 matrix of the braille point assignment-on the corresponding braille modules (3).The tactile information is selected via a key assigned per braille module ( 3), the so-called cursor routing keys ( 5). If the braille line ( 1) is equipped with a sensor system for detecting the tactile reading position ( 7), the tactile information can also be selected for internal storage by the tactile reading position ( 7).According to the invention, the internally stored information of a connected computer system is transmitted in a suitable form to a further computer system. Before the stored information is transmitted to a further computer system, processing such as content interpretation, e.g. for translation into another language or to summarize content, can be carried out according to the invention.It is thus also possible for the braille line ( 1) to navigate automatically in longer text sections or also in complete texts in order to expand the information section to be stored. If redundant information arises as a result of intersections, then these are filtered out according to the invention.If information is displayed on a braille line (1) by a screen reading program (screen reader), then these are generally converted into braille dot patterns before their transmission-corresponding to language-specific coding. With the internal functionality of the braille line (1), the braille dot pattern displayed on the braille line (1) can be retranslated into the textual content of the information before storage.According to the invention, the assignment of the characters takes place by knowing the context of the transmitted braille point combinations, e.g. the country-specific coding used. The character string extracted in this way can be further processed by the internal editing function of the braille line (1) or can be transmitted on a further communication channel connected to the braille line (1).The invention is explained in more detail on the basis of the embodiments illustrated in the drawings FIGS. 1 and 2. Identical elements or elements with the same function are provided with the same reference numbers in the figures.The following are shown: FIG. 1 shows a braille line ( 1) with an internal note function. FIG. 2 shows a plurality of Braille modules (3) arranged in a row.Figure 1 shows a braille line (1) with an internal note function and a braille keyboard (2) consisting of 8 keys, which has the capability to store notes internally. The Braille row (1) uses, as tactile output element, so-called Braille modules (3) which are arranged in a 2 x 4 matrix (P1 to P8) of tactile pins. The assignment of the 2 x 4 point matrix to the braille points P1 to P8 is shown.The braille output (4) consists of 40 braille modules (3) arranged in a row. The braille line ( 1) is connected to computer systems via interfaces, also wirelessly, for example, via Bluetooth. Screen reading programs, the so-called screenreader, are used to activate the braille line ( 1) to display tactile information contents.An information content to be stored is selected using the cursor routing keys (5) of the individual braille modules (3) or via the tactile reading position (7). The selected area of the information (6) displayed on the Braille modules (3) arranged in a row is graphically highlighted by a frame. The tactile emphasis of the selected tactile information content ( 6) in the area of the frame is effected in this embodiment of the invention in that, in addition to the set braille points, the braille point P 8 ( 8) is now also t tactially emphasized on the corresponding braille modules ( 3). If the braille line (1) also has a sensor system for detecting the tactile reading position (7), shown as a sensing hand, the selection of the information contents on the braille modules (3) can also be effected by following the tactile reading position (7).FIG. 2 shows a plurality of Braille modules ( 3) arranged in a row. Here, the set braille dots are represented as solid dots. The area of the tactile information (6) selected for internal storage on the braille modules (3) is represented as a frame. In this area, the braille modules ( 3) with the set braille points P 8 ( 8) are additionally highlighted in a tactile manner. The use of the braille point P8 (8) as highlight is expedient since it is not used in the representation of texts in the braille text.For internal storage, the textual content of the Braille dots set, without the Braille dots P8 (8) set for emphasis, is extracted by a reverse translation. In the reverse translation (9) symbolized as a block arrow, the textual information is extracted from the set braille points on the basis of the respective country-specific coding. The textual content, in the example shown "Hello World", is then stored internally in the braille line (1). This text content now stored can be transmitted to another system connected to the braille line (1). Before the transmission of the textual information to a further system, the latter can be processed, for example translated into a different language. The processing of the textual information can also take place in the course of the internal storage in the braille line ( 1). For example, a text displayed in shorthand can be retranslated to fullhand.List of reference characters1 Braille line 2 Braille keyboard 3 Braille modules 4 Braille output 5 Cursor routing keys 6 Selected tactile information content (graphically highlighted as frames) 7 Tactile reading position (shown as a scanning hand) 8 Braille point P 8 9 Reverse translation (symbolized as block arrow)Source DetectionDE 19539306 A1DE 102014003097 A1US 1097134 B1DE 102004046526 A1DE 602 08 276 T2US 2015 / 0 262 509 A1US 2002 / 0 138 521 A1

Claims

Braille line (1) with an internal note function comprising: at least one interface to a computer system, wherein these interfaces can also be formed wirelessly, e.g. by Bluetooth; lined-up braille output elements - the so-called braille modules (3) - with which information is represented tactilely in Braille writing; at least one internal storage medium for storing notes in the form of files; with control elements via which the represented information can be influenced; characterized in that the information displayed tactilely on the braille modules (3) is stored directly in the internal storage medium, wherein the tactile information to be stored is emphasized, such as by the tactile addition of an additionally set stylus on the respective braille modules (3).The Braille line (1) with an internal note function according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the selection of the tactile information is influenced via a key assigned per Braille module (3), the so-called cursor routing keys (5).Braille line (1) with an internal note function according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the selected tactile information content (6) is selected for internal storage by the tactile reading position (7) by means of the provision of a suitable sensor system.Braille line (1) with an internal note function according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two interfaces to computer systems exist - wherein these interfaces can also be formed wirelessly, e.g. by Bluetooth, - and the information of a connected computer system stored in the internal storage medium can be transmitted, in a suitable form, to a further computer system.Braille line (1) with an internal note function according to claim 4da characterised in that before the stored information is transmitted to a further computer system, processing takes place in the form of a content-related interpretation, for example for translation into another language or for summary of different contents.Braille line (1) with an internal note function according to claim 4da characterized in that the displayed and stored information section is expanded by the automatic forwarding of the tactilely displayed information.Braille line (1) with an internal note function according to claim 6da characterized in that redundant contents of the information section are recognized and filtered out.Braille line (1) with an internal note function according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the braille dot pattern displayed on the braille modules (3) is retranslated into the textual content of the information before storage.

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