Tactile Interface Device for Graphical Information Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Visually impaired individuals face challenges in interacting with computers due to the reliance on visual recognition and limited tactile feedback, making it difficult to efficiently use and understand graphical information.
Innovation Solution
A tactile interface device and method that converts graphical information from a computer screen into tactile graphics, allowing users to input and output information through a tactile interface, using braille and directional inputs to mimic visual interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If screen reader uses linearized information without two-dimensional spatial position information, then text-based simple descriptive explanation can be provided, but it is difficult to recognize screen output information and understand graphic information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms two-dimensional graphical information from the screen into two-dimensional tactile pixel representations on the tactile display device. This dimensional transformation preserves spatial relationships by mapping screen coordinates (x, y) to tactile pixel positions, enabling visually impaired users to perceive graphic information's spatial structure through touch rather than sight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates tactile copies of graphical information by converting visual elements (images, diagrams, layouts) into corresponding tactile pixel patterns. These tactile copies replicate the spatial arrangement and structural relationships of the original graphical content, allowing users to interact with and understand graphic information through tactile sensation.
2Loss of information
If braille information terminal provides text information through tactile sense, then text output can be achieved, but it cannot express graphic information and serves only as auxiliary output device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the tactile interface device's functionality to handle multiple types of information simultaneously - text, graphics, images, and spatial layouts. The system can switch between different output modes (tactile pixels for graphics, braille for text) and integrate them in a unified interface, making the device versatile enough to replace multiple auxiliary tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adaptability where the tactile display can adjust its output mode based on the type of information being displayed. The system dynamically switches between tactile pixel representations for graphical content and braille cell representations for text content, optimizing the interaction experience for different information types.
3Productivity
If computer interface relies on visual recognition and input tools like keyboard and mouse, then efficient information input and interaction can be achieved by ordinary people, but visually impaired cannot recognize output information and interact at the same level
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the visual-based interaction mechanism with a tactile-based mechanism. Instead of relying on visual recognition of screen elements followed by manual input through keyboard or mouse, the system presents tactile representations of interface elements that can be directly manipulated through touch, substituting the visual-mechanical interaction chain with a tactile-direct interaction model.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements real-time tactile feedback where user interactions with the tactile interface device immediately produce corresponding tactile responses. When users navigate or select elements through tactile input, the system provides immediate tactile feedback representing the resulting changes, creating a closed-loop interaction system similar to visual computer interaction but accessible through touch.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method, a device, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium for controlling a tactile interface device. The method of controlling the tactile interface device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an input information generating step of generating input information into an application being executed in the computing device based on an input from the tactile interface device; and an output information generating step of generating output information to the tactile interface device based on an output of a focus area among an output from the application being executed in the computing device.