Inverted braille writing system for customised surfaces

Abstract

The present invention relates to a modular Braille device designed to facilitate writing Braille by hand on paper, comprising an array of spaces, allowing the insertion of modular pieces, each piece representing a letter, number or punctuation mark in Braille, formed in negative relief, ready for transfer by pressure. The invention also includes an inclusive inverse Braille system characterised in that the user selects the pieces that contain the desired letters (also identified as visual characters) and organises them in a simple manner on the surface. Subsequently, by positioning a sheet of paper and applying pressure, the Braille characters are printed in positive relief, such that they can be read by touch by visually impaired people.

Description

[0001] Reverse Braille Writing System for Custom Surfaces

[0002] Field of invention

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of design engineering, accessibility devices, and inclusive education.

[0004] State of the Art

[0005] The document US2010003646A1 Automated Braille Inserter refers to an automatic Braille applicator for inserting a Braille element into a surface, which includes a container for holding a plurality of Braille elements; an actuating pin in operative juxtaposition with respect to said container and adapted to move along an actuating axis between a receiving position and an insertion position, and having a push face for inserting a Braille element from said Braille inserter; a passageway for the Braille element operatively associated with said actuating pin and allowing the operative passage of a Braille element from said container to a deployment position in operative alignment with said push face of the actuating pin;The actuating pin is arranged in operative juxtaposition with respect to the container such that the Braille element passage channel is closed to receive Braille elements from the container when the actuating pin is in the insertion position, but can receive a predetermined number of Braille elements in said passage channel when the actuating pin is in the receiving position.

[0006] EP0169959A1 Braille print board, is a Braille printing board comprising an original print board continuously perforated with 6-dot holes corresponding to Braille letters, said original print board being pressed with a hole retention sheet on one side and a hole sheet on the other side, wherein the Braille letters are pressed into the hole retention sheet by means of a Braille pen or Braille typewriter from the hole sheet side, spheres are placed inside the holes, and then the hole sheet is covered with a sheet to prevent the spheres from falling out.US6086273A A Braille label writer having a stationary solenoid-driven inscribing mechanism, relates to a Braille label writer for inscribing Braille text on a labeling tape, according to the invention. It comprises an operating section provided with operating keys, including an input key, a memory for storing information related to letter codes and Braille codes, a display section for showing information, including letters, conversion means for converting a letter code into a Braille code, and an inscription section for recording the Braille corresponding to the converted Braille code. The inscription section includes a plurality of solenoids with plungers, levers provided for the respective solenoids that transmit the driving force of the solenoid plungers, and pressure pins for forming raised Braille characters on the labeling ink.The pistons are arranged in parallel with the pressure pins.

[0007] Each of the levers has one end movably supported by a corresponding upper part of one of the pistons, it also has a middle part rotatably supported on a fixed pivot point, and it has another end that holds, with some freedom, a corresponding lower end of one of the pressure pins.

[0008] The document US5193921A (Braille Printer) is a braille printer that prints braille characters by a method in which a paper-feeding mechanism by means of a motor is arranged at the entrance of a paper-feed passage, a motor controller for feeding paper on which the braille characters are printed in a print-start position according to a line spacing of one dot and a character line spacing is mounted there, and projections and depressions on both sides of the paper in positions corresponding to the braille signs in a print position in the middle of the paper-feed passage, in which a leading-edge position sensor is arranged to detect the position of the leading edge of the paper in the paper-feed passage,and a front / back surface indication indicator to emit a front / back surface indication signal indicating which of the front or back surfaces of the paper should be printed, and an initial paper feed completion controller that, in response to a detection signal from the leading edge position sensor and the front / back surface indication signal, emits an initial paper feed completion signal to the motor controller when the paper is fed to print positions that are offset from each other, so that the braille characters on both sides of the paper do not overlap.

[0009] CN104985938A (Portable hollow braille imprinter) provides a portable hollow braille printer that offers the advantages of being lightweight, energy-efficient, quiet, compact, and low-cost. The printer's core comprises a stepper motor A, a stepper motor B, a printing arm, a guide rail, a timing belt, a short pin A, a short pin B, a long pin A, and a long pin B.

[0010] The stepper motor A is connected to the timing belt. The print arm is mounted on the timing belt, and at the bottom of the print arm is the guide rail, used to support the arm's lateral reciprocating motion.

[0011] Stepper motor B is attached to the printing arm, and its shaft is connected to long pin A and long pin B via a connecting rod. Short pin A, long pin A, short pin B, and long pin B are also attached to the printing arm. Short pin A and long pin A are used to print raised prints on special perforated Braille paper. Short pin B and long pin B are used to print indented prints on the same type of paper.

[0012] Slotted bearings are located on both sides of long pins A and B to limit their vertical reciprocating motion. A spring is located at the bottom of long pins A and B to return them to their original position.

[0013] The Braille and / or Auditory Morse Code Writing Device (WO2017125785A1) is a portable, pen-like device that allows users with visual or motor disabilities to take notes in real time without additional accessories. It operates via a push button that, when pressed, registers pressure intervals which are stored and recognized as perforations or unperforated dots, facilitating writing in Braille or auditory Morse code.

[0014] The Braille Printing Device (ES2347887T3) is designed to print braille characters using a cutting and engraving system on specific materials, allowing the production of high-quality braille texts.

[0015] The Braille Printing Device for Dies (ES1063917Y) is used in combination with dies for printing braille characters, facilitating the production of embossed texts on various materials.

[0016] Impact-Resistant Modular Braille Display Device (EP4145425A1) features a braille display with modular construction and impact resistance, achieved through molded end caps and an overmolded housing that protects the internal components.

[0017] The Intelligent Interactive Braille Learning System (US20210082313A1): is a digitized and connected system designed for learning braille, providing a platform that combines tactile and auditory lessons, and includes a braille keyboard and a digital display to facilitate the education of people with visual impairments.

[0018] Summary of the invention

[0019] The present invention relates to a modular Braille device designed to facilitate the manual writing of Braille text on paper.

[0020] Description of the invention

[0021] The Braille system is an essential communication tool for people with visual impairments. Despite its importance, most sighted people do not know how to write in Braille or are unfamiliar with its structure. This limits the possibility of creating more accessible environments, since labeling objects, materials, or spaces in Braille requires specific knowledge.

[0022] To eliminate this barrier, an innovative invention has been developed that allows anyone, without prior Braille experience, to write in this system quickly, accurately, and easily. This tool consists of individual capsules, each representing a letter of the alphabet in Braille. Thanks to its intuitive design, any user can form words or phrases simply by joining the capsules in the desired order, without needing to know the Braille system or its encoding.

[0023] The system is based on a modular structure. Each capsule represents a single letter of the alphabet, embossed according to the Braille standard. These capsules are inserted into a base or guide that maintains the order and proper alignment of the characters, allowing complete words to be formed. Each capsule includes a visual mark in standard (printed) lettering so the user can easily identify which letter they are selecting.

[0024] The procedure is simple: the user chooses the capsules corresponding to each letter of the word they wish to form, places them one by one on the base, and then attaches the assembly to a surface using adhesive, Velcro, or a magnet, depending on the context of use. Once assembled, the capsules form a tactile label that can be easily read by visually impaired people.

[0025] Using individual capsules for each letter has multiple benefits. First, it allows for greater flexibility, as any word or combination of characters can be formed, including proper nouns or technical terms. Second, it guarantees an educational experience, since users can become familiar with the Braille alphabet through consistent use of the letters.

[0026] Furthermore, working with pre-formed elements ensures the quality and accuracy of the Braille relief, preventing encoding errors. This is especially useful in contexts where Braille writing tools and trained personnel are unavailable.

[0027] The capsules are made of a durable material, resistant to frequent use, contact with liquids, and temperature variations. This allows their use in domestic, school, institutional, or public environments.

[0028] This invention has great potential in various settings. At home, it allows family members of visually impaired individuals to label food, medicine, hygiene products, or household appliances. In schools, teachers and students can incorporate Braille labels on notebooks, shelves, and teaching materials, promoting an inclusive environment without the need for specialized training.

[0029] In public spaces, such as hospitals, offices, hotels or transport, this tool allows any member of staff to create temporary or permanent Braille signage, facilitating the mobility and safety of users with visual disabilities.

[0030] Furthermore, it can be extremely useful in regions where access to Braille educational resources is limited. Requiring no technical expertise, this invention democratizes the use of Braille and promotes a culture of shared accessibility.

[0031] This tool also represents a practical innovation, designed for ordinary people who want to contribute to accessibility but don't know Braille. Thanks to its simple and effective design, it transforms a technical process into an everyday action accessible to everyone.

[0032] This is not just a physical device, but an inclusive solution with social impact. By allowing anyone to generate Braille labels without prior knowledge, it fosters shared responsibility in creating accessible environments and reduces the barriers that have historically separated sighted and visually impaired communities.

[0033] With the above considerations, the Reverse Braille Writing System for Custom Surfaces is a device designed to facilitate the manual and accessible writing and production of braille text. The system consists of the following main elements:

[0034] • Base Surface: A rectangular structure measuring 59.28 mm wide by 191.04 mm long, containing a grid of 4 rows by 21 columns of equidistant holes. These holes are designed to precisely accommodate the modular pieces.

[0035] • Modular Pieces: Each piece measures 4.65 mm wide, 7.4 mm long, and 5.5 mm thick. The upper surface of these pieces features raised reliefs corresponding to Braille characters, including letters, numbers, and punctuation marks. The underside has a snap-fit ​​system that allows for secure insertion and fastening into the holes on the base surface.

[0036] • Character Set: The device includes: o 2 complete sets of the braille alphabet (A-Z). o 5 additional units of each vowel (A, E, I, O, II). o 2 complete sets of numbers (0-9). o 10 pieces with different punctuation marks (comma, period, semicolon, question mark and exclamation mark, hyphen, colon, quotation marks, parentheses, and apostrophe).

[0037] Operation:

[0038] 1. Selection and Placement of Pieces: The user chooses the pieces corresponding to the desired text and inserts them into the holes on the base surface, aligning them from left to right and from top to bottom according to the reading order in braille.

[0039] 2. Preparation for Printing: Once the parts are arranged, a sheet of paper is placed on the surface of the device, completely covering the assembled parts.

[0040] 3. Manual Printing: Uniform pressure is applied to the sheet of paper, either manually or using a simple tool, so that the raised areas of the pieces are imprinted on the paper, thus creating the embossed braille text.

[0041] This design allows for the rapid and efficient production of Braille documents without the need for electronic devices or specialized software, promoting the inclusion and autonomy of people with visual disabilities.

[0042] Therefore, the present invention relates to a manual modular system for writing Braille designed for use by people with no prior knowledge of the Braille system. Unlike traditional devices designed exclusively for users with visual impairments or specialists in the field, this invention introduces a completely inclusive, intuitive, and accessible approach for everyone.

[0043] This mechanism radically transforms the way Braille is taught and applied in mixed environments (sighted and blind), because:

[0044] It decentralizes Braille knowledge, allowing anyone to write it without errors or technical training.

[0045] It facilitates the creation of accessible labels or messages in public, domestic or school spaces, without the need for Braille printers or specialized software.

[0046] It promotes the independent learning of Braille by both visually impaired and sighted people, fostering inclusive literacy and empathy.

[0047] Unlike other existing devices such as Braille slates, Braille printers, or Perkins Braillers, which require system expertise, specialized resources, or infrastructure, this invention proposes an analog, portable, reusable, and low-cost system with great potential for implementation in educational, rural, or technologically limited settings. Furthermore, the capsules' design has been ergonomically optimized to facilitate handling by people with varying motor skills. The ability to freely form words, letter by letter, makes this system a powerful educational tool, not only for writing but also for tactile recognition, play, and language development.

[0048] Brief description of the drawings

[0049] Fig. 1: Top cover of Reverse Braille Writing System for Custom Surfaces

[0050] Fig. 2: Negative capsules for Braille

[0051] Fig. 3: Capsule base

[0052] Fig. 4

[0053] Fig. 5

[0054] Fig. 6

Claims

Claims 1.- A device characterized by having a matrix of spaces that allows the insertion of modular capsules, each of which represents a letter, number or punctuation mark in Braille, already formed in negative relief, ready to be transferred by pressure. The device consists of the following main elements: • Base Surface: A rectangular structure measuring 59.28 mm wide by 191.04 mm long, containing a grid of 4 rows by 21 columns of equidistant holes. These holes are designed to precisely accommodate the modular pieces. • Modular Pieces: Each piece measures 4.65 mm wide, 7.4 mm long, and 5.5 mm thick. The upper surface of these pieces features raised reliefs corresponding to Braille characters, including letters, numbers, and punctuation marks. The underside has a snap-fit ​​system that allows for secure insertion and fastening into the holes on the base surface. • Character Set: The device includes: o 2 complete sets of the braille alphabet (A-Z). o 5 additional units of each vowel (A, E, I, O, U). o 2 complete sets of numbers (0-9). o 10 pieces with different punctuation marks (comma, period, semicolon, question mark and exclamation mark, hyphen, colon, quotation marks, parentheses, and apostrophe).

2. An inclusive reverse braille system characterized by the user selecting capsules containing the desired letters (also identified in visual characters) and arranging them easily on the surface. Subsequently, when a sheet of paper is placed on top and pressure is applied, the braille characters are printed in positive relief, legible to the touch for people with visual impairments.

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