CA1215665A - Typewriter for braille symbols and printed characters - Google Patents
Typewriter for braille symbols and printed charactersInfo
- Publication number
- CA1215665A CA1215665A CA000414686A CA414686A CA1215665A CA 1215665 A CA1215665 A CA 1215665A CA 000414686 A CA000414686 A CA 000414686A CA 414686 A CA414686 A CA 414686A CA 1215665 A CA1215665 A CA 1215665A
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- braille
- typing
- typewriter
- recording medium
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
A typewriter for braille and printed characters comprises braille typing means and print typing means moved in unison by reciprocating positioning means, the braille typing means embossing the braille symbols by means of solenoids behind a web recording medium, while the print typing means, preferably an inkjet dot printer, prints the print characters on the front of the web simultaneously with the embossing operation from the rear, and the reciprocating positioning means being driven by a stepping motor controlled by a pulse generator, which is part of an electronic circuit controlling the operation of the typewriter,
A typewriter for braille and printed characters comprises braille typing means and print typing means moved in unison by reciprocating positioning means, the braille typing means embossing the braille symbols by means of solenoids behind a web recording medium, while the print typing means, preferably an inkjet dot printer, prints the print characters on the front of the web simultaneously with the embossing operation from the rear, and the reciprocating positioning means being driven by a stepping motor controlled by a pulse generator, which is part of an electronic circuit controlling the operation of the typewriter,
Description
~Z~S16~5 TYPEWRITER FOX BRAILLE AND PRINTED CHARACTERS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a typewriter for braille and printed characters and more particularly to a typewriter for braille and printed characters on the same recording medium simultaneously by using the same typing keyboard.
Many types of braille typewriters have been developed and adopted for blind individuals, However, for the individual with normal vision, it it difficult to understand the meaning of braille characters since most individuals are not so familiar with braille characters. On the other hand, -printed characters are an obstacle to blind individuals because of their impaired vision. Thus, the device of the present invention is preferable for both blind individuals .
and individuals with normal vision because braille and .
printed characters may be printed on the same recording medium for better communications between the individuals.
To accomplish the above purpose, many types of typewriters have been developed and introduced into the market However, these conventional -typewriters suffer from some disadvantages, among them high expense complex construction and difficulties in handling.
SUMMARY Ox THE INVENTION
It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved typewriter for braille and printed characters, by means of which both blind and other individuals are enabled to read the same information that is typed in braille and normal print on the same recording medium.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved typewriter for braille and printed character, in which the braille typing means and the print typing means are disposed relative to each other in such a manner that upon actuation of a key on the keyboard both the associated braille - and printed character will appear simultaneously on the recording medium.
Accordingly, the present invention provides an improved typewriter for braille and printed characters, comprising: means for supporting a web of recording medium; braille typing means or embossing braille symbols on said web of recording medium; print typing means for producing printed characters on said web of recording medium;
reciprocating positioning means for said braille and print typing means; a keyboard having a plurality of keys, each of which, when actuated, causes said braille and print typing means to produce on said web of recording medium a
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a typewriter for braille and printed characters and more particularly to a typewriter for braille and printed characters on the same recording medium simultaneously by using the same typing keyboard.
Many types of braille typewriters have been developed and adopted for blind individuals, However, for the individual with normal vision, it it difficult to understand the meaning of braille characters since most individuals are not so familiar with braille characters. On the other hand, -printed characters are an obstacle to blind individuals because of their impaired vision. Thus, the device of the present invention is preferable for both blind individuals .
and individuals with normal vision because braille and .
printed characters may be printed on the same recording medium for better communications between the individuals.
To accomplish the above purpose, many types of typewriters have been developed and introduced into the market However, these conventional -typewriters suffer from some disadvantages, among them high expense complex construction and difficulties in handling.
SUMMARY Ox THE INVENTION
It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved typewriter for braille and printed characters, by means of which both blind and other individuals are enabled to read the same information that is typed in braille and normal print on the same recording medium.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved typewriter for braille and printed character, in which the braille typing means and the print typing means are disposed relative to each other in such a manner that upon actuation of a key on the keyboard both the associated braille - and printed character will appear simultaneously on the recording medium.
Accordingly, the present invention provides an improved typewriter for braille and printed characters, comprising: means for supporting a web of recording medium; braille typing means or embossing braille symbols on said web of recording medium; print typing means for producing printed characters on said web of recording medium;
reciprocating positioning means for said braille and print typing means; a keyboard having a plurality of keys, each of which, when actuated, causes said braille and print typing means to produce on said web of recording medium a
- 2 -corresponding one of a plurality of braille symbols and corresponding one of a plurality of print characters; and said means for supporting said braille and print typing means, said reciprocating positioning means and said keyboard being operatively supported and positioned on a base member of said typewriter; whereby said reciprocating positioning means advances stops for a new embossing/
printing operation.
A method for operating a typewriter equipped with both braille typing means for embossing braille symbols on a web of recording medium and print -typing means for simultaneously producing print characters on said web comprises the steps of: (a) positioning said web between said braille and said print typing means; (b) actuating one of a plurality of keys on a keyboard of said typewriter;
(c) generating a unique signal in response to step (b);
(d) retrieving first and second codes from first and second memories, respectively, in response to said unique signal; and (e) actuating said braille typing means in response to said Jofirst code, and, simultaneously, said print typing means in response to said second code -BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment I 5~5 of the invention as illustrated in -the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the typewriter for braille and printed characters;
Figure 2 is a plan view of the typewriter for braille and printed characters in which the outside casing is removed;
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the typewriter along the line 3-3 in Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit used to control the typewriter and Figure 5 is a flow chart showing the operation of the typewriter DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERRED EMBODIMENT
. . .
Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawings, the typewriter of the present invention comprises paper feed .
disconnect lever 104, a keyboard 106, a typewriter casing 108, a secondary braille keyboard 114 having eight keys arranged in a rectangle with each of the upper six keys corresponding to a braille dot within the braille rectangle while the bottom two keys are clear keys for those above, an on/off switch 131, a paper feed switch 132, and a buzzer 134. Shown also is a sheet of suitable paper 136 in place.
Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, a base member 10 is provided which is a metal plate substantially square in 5tj~5 plan view, a pair of support members 12 and 14 are vertically provided on the base member 10 in parallel arrangement and spaced apart, the space in between being divided into two parts by a plate 16 defining a lower section 18 and an upper section 20. The lower section 18 includes a part of an electric circuit 21 therein which controls the typewriter, while the upper section 20 includes the mechanical parts of the type-; writer. Shafts 22 and 24 are supported by the support members 12 and 14 in the front portion of the upper section 20 while shafts 26 and 28 are supported by the support members 12 and 14 in the rear portion of the upper section 20 in the same manner as the shafts Andy 24. The shafts 22, 24, 26 and 28 are preferably constructed from round rods of metal The shaft 22~passesthrough holes provided in a pair of leg members 30, which are disposed vertically, similarly, the shaft 24 passes through holes in a pair of leg members 31, which are disposed vertically as shown in Figure 3. Furthermore, the shaft 26 passes through holes provided in a pair of leg members 32, which are disposed vertically and the shaft 28 also passes through holes in a pair of leg members 33, which are disposed -I
vertically. Leg members-31 are longer than leg members 30 and include rectangular holes 64 in the end portions thereof.
A plate 34 is secured to the upper ends of the leg members 30 and 31 in order to provide a bridging surface so that, preferably, a conventional ink jet dot printer 35 may be mounted on the surface of the plate 34. Similarly, a relatively smaller plate 36 is secured to the upper ends of the leg members 32 and 33 in order to provide a bridging 56~5 surface 50 that a solenoid 37 may be positioned on -the plate member 36. As seen on Figure 3, the solenoid 37, used to emboss braille characters, is-placed a predetermined distance apart from the dot printer 35~ However, the head 38 of the dot printer 35 is positioned at a different vertical level with respect to the head 40 of the solenoid 37 so that a receiving member 42 which faces the head 40 of the solenoid 37 is provided on the dot printer 35. A support member 44 located under the shaft 24 is provided at the middle outside portion of the support member 12. The support member 44 supports a shaft 48 on which a pulley 46 is rotatable mounted. Similarly, a support member 50 located under the shaft 26 is provided at the middle outside portion of the support member 12 so as to support a shaft 54 on which a pulley 52 is rotatable mounted.
A single support member 56 is provided at the same vertical level of the support members 44 and 50 on the outside surface of the support member 14, A shaft 58 is horizontally rotatable secured to the support member 56. A pair of pulleys I and 62 which correspond to the pulleys 46 and 52, respectively, are mounted to the shaft I A stepped belt 64 is positioned between the pulleys 46 and 60 through the rectangular holes 64 in the leg members 31, and corresponding holes snot shown) provided on the support members 12 and 14.
Furthermore, a stepped belt 66 is positioned between the pulleys 52 and 62 through the rectangular holes 66 in -the leg members 32, and corresponding holes (notion provided in the support members 12 and 14. A stepping motor 68 is mounted on the base 10 outside the support member 14 as l~S6/~5 illustrated in ~igllre 2, A pulley 72 is secured on a driving shaft 70 of -the stepping motor 68~ A driving belt 75 is positioned between the pulley 72 and a pulley 74 which is mounted on -the shaft 58, Thus, when activating the stepping motor 68, which can rotate backward and forward, the rotating motion produced by the stepping motor 68 will be transmitted to the rotating shaft 58 and belts 64 and 66 so that -the dot printer 35 and the solenoid 37 will move the same distance simultaneously.
- 10 A casing 76 in which a recording medium is introduced is provided under the narrow space defined between the head 36 and the head 40. As is apparent from Figure 3, the casing 76, curved towards the front portion of the body, is comprised of a holly flat member made of metal or synthetic resin. The upper portion of the casing 76 is flared upwardly with openings 78 and 80, being horizontally elongated in the casing 76, being defined adjacent to the lower end of the flared portion thereof. The casing 76 is supported by the plate-member 16 by a conventional means such as welding, or using bolts and nuts (not shown. Support members 12 and 14 rotatable support rollers 82 and 84 which have different diameter from each other. The outer surfaces of both of the rollers 82 and 84 project to touch each other through the openings 78 and 80 thereby holding the recording medium in the casing 76 and continuously feeding i-t upwardly as typing action continues. A recording medium feeding nutria 86 used to drive the roller 82 is provided within -the support member 14.
lo A driving shaft 87 of the motor 86 projects through the support member 14 and includes a pulley 88 mounted at the end portion thereof. A pulley 92 is mounted a-t one end portion of a shaft 90 passing through -the roller 82 and a stepped belt 44 is positioned between -the pulley 92 and pulley 88. The other end of the shaft 90 projects out of the support member 12 and includes an enlarged dial 96 mounted thereon so that -the roller 82 will be able to be rotated manually. Both ends of a shaft 98 passing through the roller 84 are rotatable supported by way of enlarged holes 99 provided in the support member 12 and 14 respectively. The shaft 98 can be moved back and forth with the assistance of a lever 100 so as to be able to attach or detach the roller 84 to the roller 82. To accomplish this result one end of a coil spring 101 is engaged with a portion of the support member 12 disposed outside with respect to the dot printer 35 whereas the other end is engaged with the shaft 98 of the roller 8,4, The shaft 98 is connected by a lever 100 to a shaft of an eccentric rod 102 which is provided to the rear of the solenoid 37. A handle 104 is secured to the eccentric rod 102 so that the roller 84 can .. -- -attach or detach the roller 82 by way of rotation of the eccentric rod 102 wherein the handle 104 is rotated manually.
The keyboard 106 is provided on the inclined surface of the casing 108, which is detachably secured to the base element 10 by using bolts and nuts (not shown. The keyboard 106 comprises a plurality of keys 112 which are arranged in a conventional manner. However, in the present typewriter, a ~21~i66~
braille character corresponding to a printed character appears on the surface of each of the plurality of keys 112, which also include printed character. For example, " "
corresponding -to "A i corresponding to "B", " "
corresponding to IJ+II and so on. While it is not necessary to emboss the braille characters for a blind person who has already memorized the letter arrangement on the keyboard 106, it is possible to apply the braille character on the surface of the keys 112 with adhesive tape so that the tape may be detached when it becomes unnecessary because of memorization.
The ancillary keyboard 114 is provided at the right side of the main keyboard 106 on the casing 108. The ancillary keyboard 114 comprises key 116 for a braille j-key 118 for a braille , key 120 for a braille , key 122 for a braille , key 124 for a braille , key 126 for a braille and the clear keys 128 and 130. The six keys 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 and 126 are used to make a special symbol for braille which by a combination thereof does not usually appear on the keyboard 106, for example, .
Furthermore, in figures 1, 2 and 3, the switch 132 controls the paper feeding motor 86 and the buzzer 134 informs -an individual that there is little space remaining for typing on the recording medium 136.
Operation of the present typewriter will be described hereinafter with reference to the electric circuit illustrated in Figure 4 taken together with Figure 5.
~2~5f~
As illustrated in wrier 31 at first, a recording medium, such as typing paper 136 is inserted through the flared portion into casing 76 when the roller 84 is detached from the roller 82~ When the handle 104 is rotated manually, as indicated by a solid arrow in Figure 3, the lever 100 connected to the eccentric rod 102 pushes the roller I
forward so that the paper 136 will be pressed onto the roller 82. After activating the typewriter by turning on the switch 131, as a given key on the keyboard 106 is activated for both braille and printed characters, it generates a corresponding signal. The signal is transmitted to an encoder 137 (see data input process in Figure I after being converted to binary coded decimal code. The converted signal is transmitted through a latch 138 and selects a signal in a data memory 140, which corresponds to the character identified by the activated key. The selected signal in the former stage reaches a printer driver 144 through a shift register 142 and activates the printer 35 so that the selected character will be printed on the paper 136. Simultaneously, the signal generated by the activated key reaches a data selector 148 through the latch 138 and a comparator 146 whereby a signal for a braille symbol corresponding to the generated signal is selected from a data memory 150. The signal for a braille is introduced to a driver 154 -through a shift register 152 so as -to activate the solenoid 37 to emboss on the paper 136 the braille symbol corresponding to the activated key 112 on the reverse side of the paper 136. After printing one braille 1~15~5 character and one corresponding printed character on the paper 136, a pulse generator 156 supplies a signal to a printed motor driver 158 thereby activating the stepping motor 68 so that the printer 35 and the solenoid 37 are transferred laterally by the stepped belts 64 and 66 one step corresponding to a single character to be printed.
When the typing of characters arrives near the end of a line on the paper, it will be detected by a conventional optical or mechanical means (not shown) to turn on a column end switch 159 so that an alarm signal driver 160 is activated to sound a signal from the buzzer 134~
Simultaneously, a paper feeding motor driver 162 is activated to drive the motor So so as to feed the paper 136 upwardly by the roller 82 to provide a given space between successive lines. when no space remains for typing on the paper 136, similarly, it will be detected by a conventional optical or mechanical means snot shown to turn on a paper end switch 161 so that the alarm signal driver 160 is also activated to generate a paper end signal from the buzzer 134.
I As descried above, since there is no key on the keyboard 106 which provides the special print character -and braille character on the paper such as a symbol I' ", special combination of the key corresponding to a symbol " " is selected and memorized in the data memory 164 and when necessary, the special keys which are disposed on the ancillary keyboard 114 are selected A signal generated 566~
from -the keyboard 114 is transmitted to the shift register 152 through the data memory 164 and the data selector 148 so that the braille character corresponding to the signal will be printed on the paper 136 by means of the solenoid 37.
According to the present invention, as illustrated above, print characters will be shown on the owe side of the typing paper 136 by means of the ink jet dot printer 35, whereas braille characters will be embossed from the other side of the typing paper by means of the solenoid 37. Thus, one sheet of paper can include both information shown in braille and printed characters thereon so that a blind individual as well as individuals with normal vision can obtain the same information without any difficulty. The present devise may be effectively used to transmit information between blind persons. Furthermore, since the present device preferably uses a dot printer, a blind person would not be bothered by embossed or recessed characters which are produced by using an ordinary printed character typing device.
This invention has been particularly shown and.
disclosed with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in form and details as the foregoing may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
printing operation.
A method for operating a typewriter equipped with both braille typing means for embossing braille symbols on a web of recording medium and print -typing means for simultaneously producing print characters on said web comprises the steps of: (a) positioning said web between said braille and said print typing means; (b) actuating one of a plurality of keys on a keyboard of said typewriter;
(c) generating a unique signal in response to step (b);
(d) retrieving first and second codes from first and second memories, respectively, in response to said unique signal; and (e) actuating said braille typing means in response to said Jofirst code, and, simultaneously, said print typing means in response to said second code -BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment I 5~5 of the invention as illustrated in -the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the typewriter for braille and printed characters;
Figure 2 is a plan view of the typewriter for braille and printed characters in which the outside casing is removed;
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the typewriter along the line 3-3 in Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit used to control the typewriter and Figure 5 is a flow chart showing the operation of the typewriter DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERRED EMBODIMENT
. . .
Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawings, the typewriter of the present invention comprises paper feed .
disconnect lever 104, a keyboard 106, a typewriter casing 108, a secondary braille keyboard 114 having eight keys arranged in a rectangle with each of the upper six keys corresponding to a braille dot within the braille rectangle while the bottom two keys are clear keys for those above, an on/off switch 131, a paper feed switch 132, and a buzzer 134. Shown also is a sheet of suitable paper 136 in place.
Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, a base member 10 is provided which is a metal plate substantially square in 5tj~5 plan view, a pair of support members 12 and 14 are vertically provided on the base member 10 in parallel arrangement and spaced apart, the space in between being divided into two parts by a plate 16 defining a lower section 18 and an upper section 20. The lower section 18 includes a part of an electric circuit 21 therein which controls the typewriter, while the upper section 20 includes the mechanical parts of the type-; writer. Shafts 22 and 24 are supported by the support members 12 and 14 in the front portion of the upper section 20 while shafts 26 and 28 are supported by the support members 12 and 14 in the rear portion of the upper section 20 in the same manner as the shafts Andy 24. The shafts 22, 24, 26 and 28 are preferably constructed from round rods of metal The shaft 22~passesthrough holes provided in a pair of leg members 30, which are disposed vertically, similarly, the shaft 24 passes through holes in a pair of leg members 31, which are disposed vertically as shown in Figure 3. Furthermore, the shaft 26 passes through holes provided in a pair of leg members 32, which are disposed vertically and the shaft 28 also passes through holes in a pair of leg members 33, which are disposed -I
vertically. Leg members-31 are longer than leg members 30 and include rectangular holes 64 in the end portions thereof.
A plate 34 is secured to the upper ends of the leg members 30 and 31 in order to provide a bridging surface so that, preferably, a conventional ink jet dot printer 35 may be mounted on the surface of the plate 34. Similarly, a relatively smaller plate 36 is secured to the upper ends of the leg members 32 and 33 in order to provide a bridging 56~5 surface 50 that a solenoid 37 may be positioned on -the plate member 36. As seen on Figure 3, the solenoid 37, used to emboss braille characters, is-placed a predetermined distance apart from the dot printer 35~ However, the head 38 of the dot printer 35 is positioned at a different vertical level with respect to the head 40 of the solenoid 37 so that a receiving member 42 which faces the head 40 of the solenoid 37 is provided on the dot printer 35. A support member 44 located under the shaft 24 is provided at the middle outside portion of the support member 12. The support member 44 supports a shaft 48 on which a pulley 46 is rotatable mounted. Similarly, a support member 50 located under the shaft 26 is provided at the middle outside portion of the support member 12 so as to support a shaft 54 on which a pulley 52 is rotatable mounted.
A single support member 56 is provided at the same vertical level of the support members 44 and 50 on the outside surface of the support member 14, A shaft 58 is horizontally rotatable secured to the support member 56. A pair of pulleys I and 62 which correspond to the pulleys 46 and 52, respectively, are mounted to the shaft I A stepped belt 64 is positioned between the pulleys 46 and 60 through the rectangular holes 64 in the leg members 31, and corresponding holes snot shown) provided on the support members 12 and 14.
Furthermore, a stepped belt 66 is positioned between the pulleys 52 and 62 through the rectangular holes 66 in -the leg members 32, and corresponding holes (notion provided in the support members 12 and 14. A stepping motor 68 is mounted on the base 10 outside the support member 14 as l~S6/~5 illustrated in ~igllre 2, A pulley 72 is secured on a driving shaft 70 of -the stepping motor 68~ A driving belt 75 is positioned between the pulley 72 and a pulley 74 which is mounted on -the shaft 58, Thus, when activating the stepping motor 68, which can rotate backward and forward, the rotating motion produced by the stepping motor 68 will be transmitted to the rotating shaft 58 and belts 64 and 66 so that -the dot printer 35 and the solenoid 37 will move the same distance simultaneously.
- 10 A casing 76 in which a recording medium is introduced is provided under the narrow space defined between the head 36 and the head 40. As is apparent from Figure 3, the casing 76, curved towards the front portion of the body, is comprised of a holly flat member made of metal or synthetic resin. The upper portion of the casing 76 is flared upwardly with openings 78 and 80, being horizontally elongated in the casing 76, being defined adjacent to the lower end of the flared portion thereof. The casing 76 is supported by the plate-member 16 by a conventional means such as welding, or using bolts and nuts (not shown. Support members 12 and 14 rotatable support rollers 82 and 84 which have different diameter from each other. The outer surfaces of both of the rollers 82 and 84 project to touch each other through the openings 78 and 80 thereby holding the recording medium in the casing 76 and continuously feeding i-t upwardly as typing action continues. A recording medium feeding nutria 86 used to drive the roller 82 is provided within -the support member 14.
lo A driving shaft 87 of the motor 86 projects through the support member 14 and includes a pulley 88 mounted at the end portion thereof. A pulley 92 is mounted a-t one end portion of a shaft 90 passing through -the roller 82 and a stepped belt 44 is positioned between -the pulley 92 and pulley 88. The other end of the shaft 90 projects out of the support member 12 and includes an enlarged dial 96 mounted thereon so that -the roller 82 will be able to be rotated manually. Both ends of a shaft 98 passing through the roller 84 are rotatable supported by way of enlarged holes 99 provided in the support member 12 and 14 respectively. The shaft 98 can be moved back and forth with the assistance of a lever 100 so as to be able to attach or detach the roller 84 to the roller 82. To accomplish this result one end of a coil spring 101 is engaged with a portion of the support member 12 disposed outside with respect to the dot printer 35 whereas the other end is engaged with the shaft 98 of the roller 8,4, The shaft 98 is connected by a lever 100 to a shaft of an eccentric rod 102 which is provided to the rear of the solenoid 37. A handle 104 is secured to the eccentric rod 102 so that the roller 84 can .. -- -attach or detach the roller 82 by way of rotation of the eccentric rod 102 wherein the handle 104 is rotated manually.
The keyboard 106 is provided on the inclined surface of the casing 108, which is detachably secured to the base element 10 by using bolts and nuts (not shown. The keyboard 106 comprises a plurality of keys 112 which are arranged in a conventional manner. However, in the present typewriter, a ~21~i66~
braille character corresponding to a printed character appears on the surface of each of the plurality of keys 112, which also include printed character. For example, " "
corresponding -to "A i corresponding to "B", " "
corresponding to IJ+II and so on. While it is not necessary to emboss the braille characters for a blind person who has already memorized the letter arrangement on the keyboard 106, it is possible to apply the braille character on the surface of the keys 112 with adhesive tape so that the tape may be detached when it becomes unnecessary because of memorization.
The ancillary keyboard 114 is provided at the right side of the main keyboard 106 on the casing 108. The ancillary keyboard 114 comprises key 116 for a braille j-key 118 for a braille , key 120 for a braille , key 122 for a braille , key 124 for a braille , key 126 for a braille and the clear keys 128 and 130. The six keys 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 and 126 are used to make a special symbol for braille which by a combination thereof does not usually appear on the keyboard 106, for example, .
Furthermore, in figures 1, 2 and 3, the switch 132 controls the paper feeding motor 86 and the buzzer 134 informs -an individual that there is little space remaining for typing on the recording medium 136.
Operation of the present typewriter will be described hereinafter with reference to the electric circuit illustrated in Figure 4 taken together with Figure 5.
~2~5f~
As illustrated in wrier 31 at first, a recording medium, such as typing paper 136 is inserted through the flared portion into casing 76 when the roller 84 is detached from the roller 82~ When the handle 104 is rotated manually, as indicated by a solid arrow in Figure 3, the lever 100 connected to the eccentric rod 102 pushes the roller I
forward so that the paper 136 will be pressed onto the roller 82. After activating the typewriter by turning on the switch 131, as a given key on the keyboard 106 is activated for both braille and printed characters, it generates a corresponding signal. The signal is transmitted to an encoder 137 (see data input process in Figure I after being converted to binary coded decimal code. The converted signal is transmitted through a latch 138 and selects a signal in a data memory 140, which corresponds to the character identified by the activated key. The selected signal in the former stage reaches a printer driver 144 through a shift register 142 and activates the printer 35 so that the selected character will be printed on the paper 136. Simultaneously, the signal generated by the activated key reaches a data selector 148 through the latch 138 and a comparator 146 whereby a signal for a braille symbol corresponding to the generated signal is selected from a data memory 150. The signal for a braille is introduced to a driver 154 -through a shift register 152 so as -to activate the solenoid 37 to emboss on the paper 136 the braille symbol corresponding to the activated key 112 on the reverse side of the paper 136. After printing one braille 1~15~5 character and one corresponding printed character on the paper 136, a pulse generator 156 supplies a signal to a printed motor driver 158 thereby activating the stepping motor 68 so that the printer 35 and the solenoid 37 are transferred laterally by the stepped belts 64 and 66 one step corresponding to a single character to be printed.
When the typing of characters arrives near the end of a line on the paper, it will be detected by a conventional optical or mechanical means (not shown) to turn on a column end switch 159 so that an alarm signal driver 160 is activated to sound a signal from the buzzer 134~
Simultaneously, a paper feeding motor driver 162 is activated to drive the motor So so as to feed the paper 136 upwardly by the roller 82 to provide a given space between successive lines. when no space remains for typing on the paper 136, similarly, it will be detected by a conventional optical or mechanical means snot shown to turn on a paper end switch 161 so that the alarm signal driver 160 is also activated to generate a paper end signal from the buzzer 134.
I As descried above, since there is no key on the keyboard 106 which provides the special print character -and braille character on the paper such as a symbol I' ", special combination of the key corresponding to a symbol " " is selected and memorized in the data memory 164 and when necessary, the special keys which are disposed on the ancillary keyboard 114 are selected A signal generated 566~
from -the keyboard 114 is transmitted to the shift register 152 through the data memory 164 and the data selector 148 so that the braille character corresponding to the signal will be printed on the paper 136 by means of the solenoid 37.
According to the present invention, as illustrated above, print characters will be shown on the owe side of the typing paper 136 by means of the ink jet dot printer 35, whereas braille characters will be embossed from the other side of the typing paper by means of the solenoid 37. Thus, one sheet of paper can include both information shown in braille and printed characters thereon so that a blind individual as well as individuals with normal vision can obtain the same information without any difficulty. The present devise may be effectively used to transmit information between blind persons. Furthermore, since the present device preferably uses a dot printer, a blind person would not be bothered by embossed or recessed characters which are produced by using an ordinary printed character typing device.
This invention has been particularly shown and.
disclosed with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in form and details as the foregoing may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (23)
1, typewriter for braille symbols and print characters comprising:
means for supporting a web of recording medium;
braille typing means for embossing braille symbols on said web of recording medium;
print typing means for producing printed characters on said web of recording medium;
reciprocating positioning means for said braille and print typing means;
a keyboard having a plurality of keys, each of which, when activated causes said braille and print typing means to produce on said web of recording medium a corres-ponding one of a plurality of braille symbols and a corresponding one of a plurality of print characters; and said means for supporting, said braille and print typing means, said reciprocating positionary means, and said keyboard being operatively supported and positioned on a base member of said typewriter; whereby said reciprocating positioning means advances stepwise for a new embossing/
printing operation.
means for supporting a web of recording medium;
braille typing means for embossing braille symbols on said web of recording medium;
print typing means for producing printed characters on said web of recording medium;
reciprocating positioning means for said braille and print typing means;
a keyboard having a plurality of keys, each of which, when activated causes said braille and print typing means to produce on said web of recording medium a corres-ponding one of a plurality of braille symbols and a corresponding one of a plurality of print characters; and said means for supporting, said braille and print typing means, said reciprocating positionary means, and said keyboard being operatively supported and positioned on a base member of said typewriter; whereby said reciprocating positioning means advances stepwise for a new embossing/
printing operation.
2. A typewriter according to claim 1, wherein said braille typing means are solenoids, and said print typing means is a dot printer,
3, A typewriter according to claims 1 or 2, wherein said braille typing means and said print typing means are slidably supported on shaft members, held by vertical support members secured to said base member.
4. A typewriter according to claim 1, wherein said reciprocating positioning means includes a stepping motor and belt means engaging the shaft of said stepping motor and said braille and print typing means,
5. A typewriter according to claim 4, wherein said belt means are stepped belts.
6. A typewriter according to claim 2, wherein said solenoids are disposed opposite said dot printer at a different vertical level,
7. A typewriter according to claim 6, wherein a receiving member is disposed over a head portion of said dot printer and faces said solenoids.
8. A typewriter according to claim 2, further comprising a casing for said recording medium below a space between sand dot printer and solenoid.
9. A typewriter according to claim 8, wherein said casing is elongated towards a front portion of said base member along a curved portion thereof.
10. A typewriter according to claim 9, wherein said casing includes a portion which is flared upwardly at the end thereof.
11. A typewriter according to claim 1, further comprising audible alarm means for indicating end-of-line close to typing margin.
12. A typewriter according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of braille keys for composing special braille symbols not on said keyboard.
13. A method for operating a typewriter equipped with both braille typing means for embossing braille symbols on a web of recording medium and print typing means for simultaneously producing print characters on said web, comprising the steps of:
(a) positioning said web between said braille and said print typing means;
(b) actuating one of a plurality of keys on a keyboard of said typewriter;
(c) generating a unique signal in response to step (b);
(d) retrieving first and second codes from first and second memories, respectively, in response to said unique signal; and (e) actuating said braille typing means in response to said first code, and, simultaneously, said print typing means in response to said second code,
(a) positioning said web between said braille and said print typing means;
(b) actuating one of a plurality of keys on a keyboard of said typewriter;
(c) generating a unique signal in response to step (b);
(d) retrieving first and second codes from first and second memories, respectively, in response to said unique signal; and (e) actuating said braille typing means in response to said first code, and, simultaneously, said print typing means in response to said second code,
14. A typewriter for Braille symbols and print characters, comprising:
a housing;
a first support member extending vertically within said housing;
a second support member extending parallel to said first support member within said housing;
feeding means operatively positioned within said housing for feeding a recording medium;
Braille symbol typing means for embossing Braille symbols;
impact receiving means operatively positioned relative to said Braille symbol typing means for receiving said Braille symbol typing means for effecting a transfer of said Braille symbol unto a recording medium;
printed character typing means for producing printed characters;
first platform means operatively positioned within said housing for supporting said Braille symbol typing means on one side of a recording medium;
second platform means operatively positioned within said housing for supporting said print character typing means and said impact receiving means on the other side of a recording medium;
platform moving means for moving said first platform means and said second platform means between said first and second support members;
said platform moving means including a pulley shaft rotated by a stepping motor, a pair of pulleys mounted on end portions of said pulley shaft and first belt means and second belt means for bridging between said first platform means and second platform means and said pair of pulleys, respectively, wherein said platform moving means simultaneously, incrementally advances or retracts said platforms at least a single printed character width along a print line extending between said first and second support members on a recording medium;
a keyboard operatively positioned on said housing and including a plurality of keys each one being selectively activated to type both Braille symbols and printed characters on a recording medium by means of said Braille symbol typing means and said printed character typing means; and a casing for receiving a recording medium being provided beneath said Braille symbol typing means and printed character typing means;
wherein said Braille symbol typing means being provided at a different position in vertical orientation but at the same position along a print line relative to said printed character typing means and said Braille symbol typing means and impact receiving means being horizontally aligned with respect to each other.
a housing;
a first support member extending vertically within said housing;
a second support member extending parallel to said first support member within said housing;
feeding means operatively positioned within said housing for feeding a recording medium;
Braille symbol typing means for embossing Braille symbols;
impact receiving means operatively positioned relative to said Braille symbol typing means for receiving said Braille symbol typing means for effecting a transfer of said Braille symbol unto a recording medium;
printed character typing means for producing printed characters;
first platform means operatively positioned within said housing for supporting said Braille symbol typing means on one side of a recording medium;
second platform means operatively positioned within said housing for supporting said print character typing means and said impact receiving means on the other side of a recording medium;
platform moving means for moving said first platform means and said second platform means between said first and second support members;
said platform moving means including a pulley shaft rotated by a stepping motor, a pair of pulleys mounted on end portions of said pulley shaft and first belt means and second belt means for bridging between said first platform means and second platform means and said pair of pulleys, respectively, wherein said platform moving means simultaneously, incrementally advances or retracts said platforms at least a single printed character width along a print line extending between said first and second support members on a recording medium;
a keyboard operatively positioned on said housing and including a plurality of keys each one being selectively activated to type both Braille symbols and printed characters on a recording medium by means of said Braille symbol typing means and said printed character typing means; and a casing for receiving a recording medium being provided beneath said Braille symbol typing means and printed character typing means;
wherein said Braille symbol typing means being provided at a different position in vertical orientation but at the same position along a print line relative to said printed character typing means and said Braille symbol typing means and impact receiving means being horizontally aligned with respect to each other.
15. A typewriter according to claim 14, wherein said Braille symbol typing means includes a plurality of solenoids and said print character typing means includes a dot printer.
16. A typewriter according to claim 14, wherein said first and second platform means are slidably supported on shaft members, said shaft members being bridged between said first and second supporting members which are vertically secured to a base member.
17. A typewriter according to claim 15, wherein said first and second platform means are slidably supported on shaft members, said shaft members being bridged between said first and second supporting members which are vertically secured to a base member.
18. A typewriter according to claim 14, wherein each of said belt means consist of stepped belts.
19. A typewriter according to claim 14, wherein said casing is elongated downwardly with a curved portion extending beneath said Braille symbol typing means and print character typing means.
20. A typewriter according to claim 19, wherein said casing includes a pair of openings adjacent to an upper end thereof through which rollers are operatively positioned for being pressed into contact with each other to feed said recording medium upwardly.
21. A typewriter according to claim 19, wherein said casing includes a portion which is flared upwardly at the end thereof.
22. A typewriter according to claim 14, and further comprising buzzing means being provided which generates a signal when a line to be typed on said recording medium is ended and no space remains for typing.
23. A typewriter according to claim 14, and further comprising a plurality of keys being provided or arranging a special Braille symbol not provided on said keyboard.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000414686A CA1215665A (en) | 1982-11-02 | 1982-11-02 | Typewriter for braille symbols and printed characters |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000414686A CA1215665A (en) | 1982-11-02 | 1982-11-02 | Typewriter for braille symbols and printed characters |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1215665A true CA1215665A (en) | 1986-12-23 |
Family
ID=4123870
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000414686A Expired CA1215665A (en) | 1982-11-02 | 1982-11-02 | Typewriter for braille symbols and printed characters |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1215665A (en) |
-
1982
- 1982-11-02 CA CA000414686A patent/CA1215665A/en not_active Expired
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| MKEX | Expiry |