Method for Dynamically Dividing an Updatable Braille Display and Non-Temporary Computer-Readable Medium

Abstract

To provide a software-based solution that automatically partitions refreshable braille display when pertinent ancillary alphanumeric content is present, and automatically displays ancillary alphanumeric content alongside primary alphanumeric content on the braille display.SOLUTION: In an unpartitioned configuration, every braille cell 20 of a braille display 18 is used to output primary alphanumeric content 14. When the braille display 18 outputs segments 14a-14c of the primary alphanumeric content 14 having ancillary alphanumeric content 16, such as a footnote 1 or a comment, the braille display 18 is automatically partitioned into a first partition 22 and a second partition 24. The braille cells of the first partition 22 are allocated for outputting the primary alphanumeric content 14, while the braille cells of the second partition 24 are allocated for outputting the ancillary alphanumeric content 16.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a refreshable braille display. More specifically, it relates to a method for dynamically partitioning a refreshable braille display based on the presence of auxiliary alphanumeric content and a non-transitory computer-readable medium.

Background Art

[0002] A refreshable braille display is a computer peripheral device that connects to a computing device. One important function of a refreshable braille display is to output text that is normally displayed as lines of braille characters on a computer screen. With a refreshable braille display, a visually impaired user can read electronic documents and operate computer applications using braille. A refreshable braille display typically includes one or more lines of braille cells, and each cell can be used to output braille characters corresponding to alphanumeric characters. Screen reader software such as JAWS (registered trademark) can be installed on a computing device to output text to a refreshable braille display.

[0003] Unlike a computer monitor that enables a sighted user to view an entire section of an electronic document simultaneously, a refreshable braille display allows a visually impaired user to view only one line of braille characters at a time and essentially displays only a single excerpt of text. This aspect of a braille display may not be much of a problem when reading an electronic document line by line, but it can be a significant limitation when the electronic document contains auxiliary content such as explanatory footnotes or cell headings in a spreadsheet.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] At the current level of the art, updatable braille displays are generally configured to output secondary alphanumeric content that is displayed after the primary content. For example, footnotes may be displayed immediately after the sentence to which they pertain, or at the end of the page on which the footnote is displayed. Both of these options interrupt the flow of the primary content. In the first option, since the footnotes are essentially embedded in the main text of the document, the natural order in which the user reads the document is changed. In the second option, the footnotes are presented out of context and may lose their relevance. Therefore, what is needed is a software-based method for automatically displaying secondary alphanumeric content together with the primary alphanumeric content on a braille display.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0005] The long-standing but heretofore unmet need for a software-based method for automatically displaying secondary alphanumeric content together with primary alphanumeric content on an updatable braille display is now satisfied by a new, useful, and non-obvious invention.

[0006] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of dynamically dividing an updatable braille display when there is associated secondary alphanumeric content. This braille display has a plurality of braille cells. In the default configuration, if no secondary content is associated with the first segment of the primary alphanumeric content, all the braille cells of the updatable braille display are assigned to output the first segment of the primary alphanumeric content. As used herein, the term "segment" may refer to a character, word, combination of words, sentence, paragraph, page, or combinations thereof.

[0007] When the output of the updatable braille display proceeds to the second segment of the primary alphanumeric content, the software application determines whether the second segment of the primary alphanumeric content is associated with secondary alphanumeric content. If it is determined that the second segment of the primary alphanumeric content is associated with secondary alphanumeric content, the updatable braille display is automatically divided into a first partition having a first set of braille cells and a second partition having a second set of braille cells. The second segment of the primary alphanumeric content is output to the first partition using the first set of a plurality of braille cells, and the secondary alphanumeric content is output to the second partition using the second set of a plurality of braille cells.

[0008] Next, the method includes determining whether the secondary alphanumeric content is associated with a third segment of the primary alphanumeric content. If it is determined that the secondary alphanumeric content is not associated with the third segment of the primary alphanumeric content, all braille cells are reassigned to the output of the primary alphanumeric content. Thus, the third segment of the primary alphanumeric content is output to the updatable braille display using all braille cells of the updatable braille display.

[0009] In one embodiment, a first partition of the braille display that outputs primary alphanumeric content and a second partition of the braille display that outputs secondary alphanumeric content are configured to be navigated independently of each other.

[0010] The updatable braille display can be configured to return to an undivided configuration based on user input or when the user navigates a braille display that outputs a third segment of primary alphanumeric content that does not have associated secondary alphanumeric content.

[0011] In one embodiment, the braille cells can be evenly assigned between a first partition and a second partition. In another embodiment, the amount of braille cells within a second set of multiple braille cells can be determined based on the length of the alphanumeric content.

[0012] The updatable braille display can have a first line of braille cells and a second line of braille cells. In such a two-line display, the first line of braille cells can be assigned to the first partition and the second line of braille cells can be assigned to the second partition.

[0013] To understand the present invention more fully, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

Figure 2C

Figure 2D

Figure 2E

Figure 2F

Figure 3

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for dynamically partitioning an updatable braille display to simultaneously output main and secondary alphanumeric content. FIG. 1 shows a monitor display of a computing device 10. The computing device 10 includes one or more non-transitory tangible media storing a set of instructions and one or more processors configured to execute these instructions.

[0016] FIG. 1 shows an electronic document 12 displayed on the screen of the computing device 10. The electronic document 12 can be a web page, a PDF document, a word processor document, a spreadsheet, an electronic presentation, an email, or any other document or application having alphanumeric content. Here, "alphanumeric content" includes alphabets and numbers, but instead, depending on the language of the electronic document 12 displayed on the screen, for example, if it is Japanese, it may include characters specific to each language such as Chinese characters, hiragana, katakana, etc.

[0017] FIG. 1 shows an electronic document 12 having main alphanumeric content 14 and secondary alphanumeric content 16. The main alphanumeric content 14 forms the body of the electronic document 12, while the secondary alphanumeric content 16 can be located outside the body of the electronic document 12. The secondary alphanumeric content 16 can be related to a specific segment of the main alphanumeric content 14 and generally provides supplementary information related to that specific segment of the main alphanumeric content 14. As used herein, the term "segment" may refer to a character, word, combination of words, sentence, paragraph, page, or combination thereof.

[0018] For example, the main alphanumeric content 14 can be the body of a word processing document as shown in FIG. 1. In this example, the secondary alphanumeric content 16 can be in the form of review or explanatory comments, footnotes, endnotes, etc. Another example is a slide of an electronic presentation, where the main alphanumeric content 14 is the body of the presentation slide. The secondary alphanumeric content 16 is the presenter's notes that are not part of the slide itself. Another example is an electronic spreadsheet where the content of a cell is the main alphanumeric content 14 and the cell label constitutes the secondary alphanumeric content 16, or vice versa. In an email application, the main alphanumeric content 14 can be an email list and the secondary alphanumeric content 16 can be the content of an individual email message. In a website, the main alphanumeric content 14 can be the body of the web page and the secondary alphanumeric content 16 can be the text caption related to an embedded image. Those skilled in the art will understand that the above examples are not exhaustive and that the main alphanumeric content 14 and the secondary alphanumeric content 16 can exist in many different forms in various electronic documents and software applications.

[0019] FIG. 1 further shows a refreshable braille display 18. The braille display 18 communicates with the computing device 10. The braille display 18 includes a plurality of braille cells 20, each typically including a set of eight pins. The pins are configured to be selectively lifted so that each braille cell 20 outputs braille corresponding to alphanumeric characters in the electronic document 12. When the electronic document 12 includes Chinese characters or kana, the Chinese characters are first converted to kana and then the corresponding braille is output. In this way, the refreshable braille display 18 can be used in combination with, or instead of, a display screen for reading the content of the electronic document 12. The refreshable braille display 18 enables visually impaired or visually challenged users to read the alphanumeric output of the computing device by scanning the braille cells 20 with their fingertips.

[0020] When reading the electronic document 12, a user of the refreshable braille display 18 is typically restricted to one line of text output to the braille display 18 at any given time, corresponding to a line or column of the electronic document 12. Thus, unlike a sighted user who can view the entire electronic document 12, including the primary alphanumeric content 14 and the secondary alphanumeric content 16, a braille user is generally restricted to reading a single segment of text at any given time. As such, current state-of-the-art technology does not allow braille users to view the primary alphanumeric content 14 and the associated secondary alphanumeric content 16 simultaneously, unlike sighted users. This drawback is a significant disadvantage for braille users. Therefore, the present invention addresses this problem by providing a software-based solution that automatically splits the braille display 18 when the associated secondary alphanumeric content 16 is present.

[0021] FIG. 2A shows a refreshable braille display 18 that outputs a first segment 14a of the primary alphanumeric content 14 (which, in this example, indicates the word combination "For more than two"). The first segment 14a has no associated secondary alphanumeric content 16. Thus, FIG. 2A shows that all of the braille cells 20 of the braille display 18 are used to output the first segment 14a of the primary alphanumeric content 14.

[0022] Next, FIG. 2B shows that the output provided by the braille display 18 progresses through the primary alphanumeric content 14 and reaches a second segment 14b of the primary alphanumeric content 14 (which, in this example, indicates the word combination "the USPTO"). This second segment 14b associates secondary alphanumeric content 16 in the form of explanatory notes. In response to detecting the presence of the secondary alphanumeric content 16, the software application deployed on the computing device 10 partitions the braille display 18 by automatically dividing the braille cells 20 into a first partition 22 and a second partition 24. The first partition 22 is dedicated to outputting the primary alphanumeric content 14. On the other hand, the second partition 24 is dedicated to outputting the secondary alphanumeric content 16. FIG. 2B shows that the first partition 22 of the braille display 18 is used to output the second segment 14b of the primary alphanumeric content 14, while the second partition 24 simultaneously outputs a first segment 16a of the secondary alphanumeric content 16 (which, in this example, indicates the word "commonly").

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 2B - 2C, a braille user can independently navigate the braille output of each of the first partition 22 and the second partition 24. FIG. 2C shows the second partition 24 of the braille display 18 displaying a second segment 16b of the secondary alphanumeric content 16 (which, in this example, indicates the word "used"), while the first partition 22 continues to display the second segment 14b of the primary alphanumeric content 14.

[0024] Due to the divided configuration of the braille display 18 shown in FIGS. 2B-2C, a user can simultaneously read the main alphanumeric content 14 and the related secondary alphanumeric content 16 on a single braille display 18. In this way, a user can read the related secondary alphanumeric content 16 with one hand while reading the corresponding main alphanumeric content 14 with the other hand. Thus, when reading the secondary alphanumeric content 16, the present invention provides the advantage for braille users to simultaneously read the main alphanumeric content 14 and the secondary alphanumeric content 16 to obtain the context of the relevance of the secondary alphanumeric content 16.

[0025] The example provided in FIGS. 2B-2C shows that when the braille display 18 outputs the acronym "USPTO", the computing device 10 or a software application deployable on the braille display 18 automatically detects the presence of the secondary alphanumeric content 16. In response to the detection of the secondary alphanumeric content 16, the software application automatically causes the division of the braille display 18 into a first partition 22 and a second partition 24. The first partition 22 continues to display the main alphanumeric content 14, and the second partition 24 displays the secondary alphanumeric content 16.

[0026] FIG. 2B shows that the first partition 22 of the braille display 18 continues to display the second segment 14b of the main alphanumeric content 14 (which shows the word combination "the USPTO" in this example). At the same time, the second partition 24 of the braille display 18 displays the secondary alphanumeric content 16 (which is an explanatory comment regarding the word "USPTO" in this example). By arranging both sets of alphanumeric outputs side by side, the braille user obtains the context of the explanatory comment provided by the secondary alphanumeric content 16. In FIG. 2C, the braille user can move the first partition 22 and the second partition 24 independently to obtain additional context.

[0027] As described above, the present invention can be configured to provide a command to divide the braille display 18 in response to outputting a segment of the alphanumeric content 14 having associated alphanumeric content 16 to the braille display 18. As illustrated in FIGS. 2B - 2C, the present invention is configured to automatically provide a command to divide the braille display 18 when the braille display 18 outputs a second segment 14b that includes the word "USPTO". However, this scenario is merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be configured to automatically divide the braille display 18 at the beginning of a sentence, paragraph, or page when associated alphanumeric content 16 is present.

[0028] After the braille display 18 is divided into a first partition 22 and a second partition 24 as shown in FIGS. 2B - 2C, the braille display 18 can remain in this divided configuration until a specific event occurs, at which point the braille display 18 automatically returns to its default undivided state. Examples of such specific events include the elapse of a specific period, when the user moves beyond a specific point, for example, the end of the segment with which the alphanumeric content 16 is associated, into the first partition 22, when the user moves beyond a specific point, for example, the end of the alphanumeric content 16, into the second partition 24, or in response to a specific user input.

[0029] Figure 2D shows the user moving past the second segment 14b of the alphanumeric content 14 and into the first partition 22 of the braille display 18. Next, the braille display 18 outputs the third segment 14c of the alphanumeric content 14 (which in this example indicates the word combination "have been more than"). Since there is no associated auxiliary content for the third segment 14c, the braille display 18 automatically returns to its non - partitioned configuration. In this non - partitioned configuration, all the braille cells 20 are dedicated to displaying the third segment 14c of the alphanumeric content 14.

[0030] As described above, when there is no secondary alphanumeric content 16 associated with the alphanumeric content 14, the braille display 18 automatically returns to its non - partitioned configuration and can output the alphanumeric content 14 using all the braille cells 20. This is automatically performed without the user having to switch between the partitioned and non - partitioned configurations. Thus, the user can solely focus on reading the alphanumeric content 14 using the braille display 18. When the braille display 18 reaches a portion of the alphanumeric content 14 that is associated with the secondary alphanumeric content 16, the software application automatically partitions the braille display 18 and displays the secondary alphanumeric content 16 alongside the alphanumeric content 14. After the user finishes reading the secondary alphanumeric content 16 or moves past the segment of the alphanumeric content 14 with which the secondary alphanumeric content 16 is associated, the braille display 18 automatically returns to a configuration where the entire braille is non - partitioned. All of the display 18 is used to output subsequent segments of the alphanumeric content 14. In the partitioned configuration, the user can move the alphanumeric content 14 displayed in the first partition 22 and the secondary alphanumeric content 16 displayed in the second partition 24 independently of each other.

[0031] Figures 2E - 2F show another example of automatically splitting the braille display 18 based on the presence of the alphanumeric secondary content 16. FIG. 2D shows an unsplit configuration of the braille display 18 where all braille cells 20 are used to output the alphanumeric primary content 14. Next, FIG. 2E shows that when the next segment of the alphanumeric primary content 14 (in this example, the word "patent") having the associated alphanumeric secondary content 16 (in this example, footnote 1) is output, the braille display 18 is automatically split to display the alphanumeric secondary content 16 alongside the alphanumeric primary content 14. As described above, when the software application detects that the segment of the alphanumeric primary content 14 currently being displayed is associated with the alphanumeric secondary content 16, the software application generates a command that causes the splitting of the braille display 18. This command is generated automatically and the user does not need to manually switch between the partitioned and non - partitioned configurations.

[0032] The resulting split braille display 18 is shown in FIGS. 2E - 2F. The first partition 22 displays the alphanumeric primary content 14 and the second partition 24 displays the associated alphanumeric secondary content 16.

[0033] In some embodiments, when splitting the braille display 18, the present invention can be configured to dynamically allocate the number of braille cells 20 to the alphanumeric secondary content 16 based on its length or type. For example, more braille cells 20 can be dedicated to footnotes than for reviewing comments, or the number of braille cells 20 can be calculated based on the number of words or characters in the alphanumeric secondary content 16.

[0034] Furthermore, some braille displays 18 have multiple lines of braille cells 20. For such a multi-line braille display 18, the present invention can be configured to divide the braille display 18 such that a first partition 22 includes one or more lines of braille cells 20 dedicated to displaying a complete primary alphanumeric content 14. A second partition 24 includes one or more complete lines of braille cells 20 dedicated to displaying the secondary alphanumeric content 16. The number of lines of braille cells 20 assigned to each partition can be dynamically adjusted based on various criteria, such as the amount of the secondary alphanumeric content 16, the type of the secondary alphanumeric content 16, and the like.

[0035] Figure 3 shows a flowchart of a dynamic automatic partitioning process. In step 102, a updatable braille display 18 is in a default non-partitioned configuration where all braille cells 20 are assigned to output the primary alphanumeric content 14. In step 104, the braille display 18 outputs the current segment of the primary alphanumeric content 14 using all braille cells 20. In step 106, at the cells 20 of the braille display 18, a determination is made as to whether the next segment of the primary alphanumeric content 14 is associated with the secondary alphanumeric content 16. If the determination in step 106 is NO, since there is no associated secondary alphanumeric content 16, the method continues according to steps 102 and 104. The braille display 18 remains in its non-partitioned state and the primary alphanumeric content 14 is output using all braille cells 20.

[0036] On the other hand, in step 106, if it is determined that the next segment of the primary alphanumeric content 14 is related to the secondary alphanumeric content 16, the method proceeds to step 108. In step 108, the braille display 18 displays the "next" segment of the primary alphanumeric content from step 104 as the "current" segment, using the set of braille cells 20 assigned to the first partition 22. At the same time, in step 110, the secondary alphanumeric content 16 is output using the braille cells 20 assigned to the second partition 24. When the output of the braille display 18 advances to the next segment of the primary alphanumeric content 14, the method returns to step 106 and continues accordingly.

[0037] Examples of Hardware and Software Infrastructure

[0038] The present invention can be embodied on various computing platforms that perform actions in response to software-based instructions, particularly for software for low vision users. These include both conventional desktop and notebook devices, as well as smartphones and tablets. Additionally, the computing device can be present within a braille display, thus making the braille display a stand-alone reader for electronic documents. The following provides a prior art foundation of information technology that can be utilized to enable the present invention.

[0039] The computer-readable media described in the following claims can be either a computer-readable signal medium or a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium can be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of computer-readable storage media include the following. An electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or others, any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer-readable storage medium can be any non-transitory and tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0040] A computer-readable signal medium can include, for example, a propagated data signal embodied therein with computer-readable program code, either baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal can take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electromagnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer-readable signal medium is any computer-readable medium that is not a computer-readable storage medium and can be used in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device for which a program can be communicated, propagated, or transferred. However, as shown above, due to certain statutory subject matter limitations, claims directed to the invention as a software product are embodied in a non-transitory software medium such as a computer hard drive, flash RAM, optical disk, etc.

[0041] Program code embodied on a computer-readable medium can be transmitted using any suitable medium, including but not limited to wireless, wired, fiber optic cable, radio frequency, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. The computer program code for performing the operations of aspects of the present invention can be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages such as Java, C#, C++, Visual Basic, Objective C, Python®, and conventional procedural programming languages such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages.

[0042] Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block.

[0043] These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer-readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions for implementing the function / act specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart and / or block diagram.

[0044] Computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices, causing a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other devices to generate a computer-implemented process. Instructions executed on a computer or other programmable apparatus provide a process for implementing the functions / acts specified in one or more blocks of a flowchart and / or block diagram.

[0045] Note that when referred to, an "end user" is not a developer or creator who modifies the source code underlying the software, but rather an operator of the software. For security reasons, authentication means identifying a specific user, and authorization defines the procedures and functions that the user is permitted to execute.

[0046] The above advantages, and those made apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently achieved. Since specific changes can be made to the above configuration without departing from the scope of the present invention, all matters included in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings are intended to be construed as illustrative rather than in a limiting sense.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0047] 1 Footnote 10 Computing device 12 Electronic document 14 Main alphanumeric content 14a First segment 14b Second segment 14c Third segment 16 Sub-alphanumeric content 16a First segment 16b Second segment 18 Braille display 20 Braille cell 22 First partition 24 Second partition

Claims

1. A method for dynamically splitting an updatable braille display having a plurality of braille cells to simultaneously display primary alphanumeric content and secondary alphanumeric content related to the primary alphanumeric content, comprising: Outputting a first segment of the primary alphanumeric content to an updatable braille display, the first segment of the primary alphanumeric content being output using a plurality of braille cells of the updatable braille display; Determining whether a second segment of the primary alphanumeric content has secondary alphanumeric content related to the second segment; In response to a determination that the second segment of the primary alphanumeric content has secondary alphanumeric content related to the second segment, automatically splitting the updatable braille display into a first partition having a first set of a plurality of braille cells and a second partition having a second set of a plurality of braille cells; Outputting the second segment of the primary alphanumeric content using the first set of the plurality of braille cells and outputting the secondary alphanumeric content using the second set of the plurality of braille cells; The first partition of the updatable braille display for outputting the primary alphanumeric content and the second partition of the updatable braille display for outputting the secondary alphanumeric content are configured to be moved independently of each other; The automatic splitting of the updatable braille display is automatically caused via a command generated by a computing device when the user moves the updatable braille display to the second segment of the primary alphanumeric content; In response to a user moving past the second segment of the primary alphanumeric content on the first partition of the updatable braille display, the updatable braille display is automatically returned to an unsplit state via a command generated by a computing device, whereby the first set and the second set of the plurality of braille cells are used to output the primary alphanumeric content; A method for dynamically splitting an updatable braille display.

2. The method for dynamically splitting an updatable braille display according to claim 1, wherein the updatable braille display is configured to pass through the second segment of the primary alphanumeric content in response to a specific user input.

3. The method of dynamically splitting the updatable braille display according to claim 1, wherein the second segment of the main alphanumeric content is selected from the group consisting of characters, words, combinations of words, sentences, paragraphs, pages, and combinations thereof.

4. The method of dynamically splitting the updatable braille display according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of braille cells are evenly assigned between the first partition and the second partition.

5. The method of dynamically splitting the updatable braille display according to claim 1, wherein the amount of braille cells in the second set of the plurality of braille cells is determined based on the length or type of the secondary alphanumeric content.

6. The method of dynamically splitting the updatable braille display according to claim 1, wherein the updatable braille display has a first line of braille cells and a second line of braille cells, and the splitting of the updatable braille display includes assigning the first line of braille cells to the first partition and the second line of braille cells to the second partition.

7. The method of dynamically splitting the updatable braille display according to claim 1, wherein instead of the main alphanumeric content and the secondary alphanumeric content, characters of a language other than the language used in the main alphanumeric content and the secondary alphanumeric content are included, and braille corresponding to the characters of the language is output to the updatable braille display.

8. One or more non-transitory tangible computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions for outputting alphanumeric characters to an updatable braille display, wherein the instructions output a first segment of the main alphanumeric content to the updatable braille display, the first segment of the main alphanumeric content being output using a plurality of braille cells of the updatable braille display, determine whether the second segment of the main alphanumeric content has secondary alphanumeric content associated with the second segment, and in response to a determination that the second segment of the main alphanumeric content has secondary alphanumeric content associated with the second segment, automatically split the updatable braille display into a first partition having a first set of a plurality of braille cells and a second partition having a second set of a plurality of braille cells. Output a second segment of the main alphanumeric content using the first set of the plurality of braille cells, and output the secondary alphanumeric content using the second set of the plurality of braille cells. The first partition of the updatable braille display that outputs the main alphanumeric content and the second partition of the updatable braille display that outputs the secondary alphanumeric content are configured to move independently of each other. The automatic splitting of the updatable braille display is automatically triggered via a command generated by a computing device when the user moves the updatable braille display to the second segment of the main alphanumeric content. In response to a user moving through the second segment of the main alphanumeric content on the first partition of the updatable braille display, via a command generated by the computing device, the updatable braille display is automatically returned to an unsplit state, whereby both the first set and the second set of the plurality of braille cells are used to output the main alphanumeric content. A non-transitory computer-readable medium. **Claim 9** The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 8, wherein the updatable braille display is configured to pass through the second segment of the main alphanumeric content in response to a specific user input. **Claim 10** The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 8, wherein the second segment of the main alphanumeric content is selected from the group consisting of characters, words, combinations of words, sentences, paragraphs, pages, and combinations thereof. **Claim 11** The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of braille cells are evenly assigned between the first partition and the second partition. **Claim 12** The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 8, wherein the amount of braille cells in the second set of the plurality of braille cells is determined based on the length of the secondary alphanumeric content. **Claim 13** The updatable braille display has a first line of braille cells and a second line of braille cells, and the division of the updatable braille display includes allocating the first line of the braille cells to the first partition and allocating the second line of the braille cells to the second partition, the non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 8.

14. Instead of the main alphanumeric content and the sub-alphanumeric content, characters of a language other than the language used in the main alphanumeric content and the sub-alphanumeric content are included, and braille corresponding to the characters of the language is output to the updatable braille display, the non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 8.

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