Touch Panel Braille Input via Tap and Swipe Operations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Visually impaired individuals face difficulties in reading and inputting information on touch panels due to the lack of effective braille character recognition and processing functionality in existing input apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
An input apparatus with a touch panel and processor that identifies braille characters through distinct touch input operations, correlating dot protrusions with corresponding process functions, allowing users to input braille characters and search for associated process functions using a combination of tap and swipe operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a touch panel is used for input operations, then the device modernity and integration are improved, but it becomes difficult for visually impaired persons to read and input information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces braille character generation as an intermediary layer between the touch panel and visually impaired users. The control panel generates braille characters based on touch input positions, which are then output to a braille display device. This mediator translates the visual touch panel interface into a tactile format that visually impaired persons can read and interact with effectively.
2Ease of operation
If braille character functionality is added to the touch panel, then usability for visually impaired persons is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control panel serves multiple functions: it acts as both the primary touch input interface and the braille character generation unit. The same touch panel that displays visual information also detects touch positions to generate corresponding braille characters. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining improved usability.
3Measurement precision
If multiple input operations are required for braille character recognition, then input precision is improved, but the number of operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by generating braille characters in advance based on touch input positions before actual character recognition is needed. The control panel continuously monitors touch positions and pre-generates corresponding braille characters, so when a visually impaired user completes a touch sequence, the recognition is already prepared, reducing the effective number of operations required.
Data Source
AI summary
An input apparatus includes a touch panel and a processor. The touch panel is configured to receive a first input of giving a first instruction that a dot configuring a braille character corresponds to a dotted protrusion through a first operation and a second input of giving a second instruction different from the first instruction of the first input through a second operation different from the first operation. The processor is configured to identify the braille character based on the first input and the second input received by the touch panel and searches for one or more process functions corresponding to the braille character identified by the processor.