WO2016186599A1

WO2016186599A1 - Support device for visually handicapped people

Info

Publication number: WO2016186599A1
Application number: PCT/TR2016/050147
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fatih BASCIFTCI; Ayse ELDEM
Original assignee: Basciftci Fatih
Priority date: 2015-05-21
Filing date: 2016-05-20
Publication date: 2016-11-24

Abstract

Invention is about a support device for the visually handicapped people which comprises a rechargeable battery and it reduces their dependency to minimum to other people by translating the written documents to braille alphabet and make them able to read the document by feeling the braille cells with their hands, making them able to listen the documents, letting them to take notes on a paper using the braille alphabet and share their location with other people at any time they want.

Description

SUPPORT DEVICE FOR THE VISUALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE

DESCRIPTION

TECHNICAL FIELD

PRIOR ART

In our days, to reduce or end the dependency of visually handicapped people to other people especially in reading, there are helpful devices such as; white walking sticks, book readers, screen reading softwares (zoomtext), audio recording devices, embossed printers (Braille printers), embossed screens (Braille screens), tape measure, embossed writing tablet, talking clock, tension measuring device, hydrometer, kettles, kitchen scales, color recognizing device, scales, calculators. With these application, a more comfortable life can be provided for them by typing on the tapes which tape is it in a home environment, typing the names of the seasonings on them, coding the elevator buttons in embossed alphabet (Braille).

Present book reading machines can only read the writings and turn them into audible versions. If the taken book is wanted to be read in embossed (Braille) alphabet by hands, the taken book should support the embossed writing (Braille) screens but if the taken book does not support the embossed writing (Braille) screens then it only can be listened.

An information about the turning process of the scanned document to the embossed alphabet for the visually handicapped people has been encountered in previous technique, in US6542623 numbered and "Portable braille computer device" titled patent application. But it is clearly can be seen that the mentioned device does not comprise a simultaneously vocalization, embossed writing display (Braille display) for the visually handicapped people, note taking apparatus and GPRS module all together.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Invention is about a support device for the visually handicapped people to make them read any book with the embossed alphabet (Braille alphabet) by feeling embossed cells (Braille cells) with their hands and also to make them listen to the book. At the same time, it is an integrated support device which can work independently from a computer and provides taking notes by using the six taking note buttons for the 6-dots in embossed alphabet (Braille alphabet) and sharing the user's location by GPRS and SMS module. That means, the device works as an embossed display (Braille display), a book reader, an embossed printer (Braille printer) and a location sharer for the visually handicapped people. In the prior art, there is no such integrated support device.

In our days, the known embossed displays (Braille Display) for visually handicapped people comprise about 80 characters at most. In our invention, there are 96 embossed writing cells for visually handicapped people (Braille cells) are used.

In the support device, which is the subject of our invention, a file is transmitted to the integrated system via at least using one of the scanning or the Bluetooth methods at first. The steps of image processing are applied to the obtained file. Obtaining of the characters are provided by doing the necessary pre-treatments. Then the separating in to characters and recognizing of the characters steps are taken. After these steps, the system asks user which mode is wanted to be used on the text. According to the selected mode; only audible or only written or both audible and written methods can be available. If the audible mode is chosen by the user, the text is read to the user audibly. User can use earphones at that moment. If the written mode is chosen, the obtained text after the recognizing step of the characters, is separated into chapters. Each chapter contains 96 characters because of the device is comprising 96 embossed writing cells (Braille cells) for visually handicapped people. These chapters are arranged by regarding the embossed writing cells (Braille cells) for visually handicapped people which take a pre-additional character such as a upper case, number or a symbol. The whole writing is separated into chapters containing 96 letters and they are all sent to the embossed writing cells (Braille cells) as blocks. When the first chapter is read, user can skip the next chapter with the "next" button. Navigation through the writing can be made with the "Back", "Home", and "End", "Up" and "Down" buttons. By pressing the "Save" button, saving process to the memory card can be made if the writing is wanted to be saved. If the user wants to read the saved document again instead of importing a new document, this document can be opened with the audible working mode by pressing the "download" button. "Take note" button is used when the user wants to take notes. Then the taking note procedures is performed by using six take note buttons. If an upper case, a number or any symbol is going to be used, necessary buttons must be used for the pre- additions related to these characters. If the user does not want to use that buttons, the pre-additions can be generated by their related buttons. Because of their frequently usage, additional buttons are placed for upper case and numbers. The location information of the visually handicapped user can be reached by the GPRS and SMS module.

When our invention is compared with the other devices in prior art, novelties can be listed as below;

1 .Comprising four system all together;

1 .1 . Translating the obtained writing after scanning process to the embossed writing cells (Braille cells) for the visually handicapped people,

1 .2. Reading the obtained writing after scanning process audibly,

1 .3. Note taking,

1 .4. Sending the location information by GPRS and SMS module.

2. It can work without being connected a computer because of being an integrated system,

3. It can import files via scanner or Bluetooth,

4. Because of both the scanner and the system having an internal memory, the documents can be reached via voice control,

5. All the procedures can be reported to the user audibly, 6. Providing an easiness while working on documents with the buttons which already exist on standard keyboards,

7. Saving user from cable complexity with a chargeable battery. LIST OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 : Upper View of the Device

Figure 2: Side View of the Device

Figure 3: Rear View of the Device

Figure 4: Braille Alphabet

The equivalents of the indicated numbers in the figures are given below.

1 . Scanner

1 .1 . Paper Direction

1 .2. Paper

1 .3. Scanner SD Card Input

2. Button

2.1 . On / Off

2.2. Reset

2.3. Back

2.4. Next

2.5. Upper Case

2.6. Number

2.7. Download

2.8. Save

2.9. Written

2.10. Audible

2.1 1 . Written and Audible

2.12. Home

2.13. End

2.14. Up

2.15. Down

3. Braille Cells

3.1 . Circuit for running the Braille Cells 4. Note Taking Section

4.1 . Button for generating the first hole of the Braille letter

4.2. Button for generating the second hole of the Braille letter

4.3. Button for generating the third hole of the Braille letter

4.4. Button for generating the fourth hole of the Braille letter

4.5. Button for generating the fifth hole of the Braille letter

4.6. Button for generating the sixth hole of the Braille letter

4.7. Circuit for generating the Braille letter

4.8. Take Note Button

4.9. Roller

4.10. Mechanic Arm with pins on its tips

4.1 1 . Note Taking Paper

5. Power Supply Circuit

5.1 . Battery

5.2. Charge Input

6. Bluetooth Circuit

7. Button circuit and voltage booster circuit

8. GPRS module

9. Integrated System Circuit

10. Sound Card Circuit

10.1 . Earphone Input

10.2. Microphone Input

1 1 . System SD Card Input

12. Braille Alphabet

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Invention is comprising a scanner (1 ) with the parts of a paper direction (1 .1 ), a paper (1 .2), a scanner SD Card input (1 .3); a multiple of buttons (2) with the parts of an on/off (2.1 ), a reset (2.2), a back (2.3), a next (2.4), an upper case (2.5), a number (2.6), a download (2.7), a save (2.8), a written (2.9), an audible (2.10), a written and audible (2.1 1 ), a home (2.12), an end (2.13), an up (2.14), a down (2.15) buttons; a multiple of braille cells (3) further comprising a circuit for running the Braille cells (3.1 ); a note taking section (4) with the parts of a button for generating the first hole of the Braille letter (4.1 ), a button for generating the second hole of the Braille letter (4.2), a button for generating the third hole of the Braille letter (4.3), a button for generating the fourth hole of the Braille letter (4.4), a button for generating the fifth hole of the Braille letter (4.5), a button for generating the sixth hole of the Braille letter (4.6), a circuit for generating the Braille letter (4.7), a take note button (4.8), a roller (4.9), a mechanic arm with pins on its tips (4.10), note taking paper (4.1 1 ); a power supply circuit (5) with the parts of a battery (5.1 ), a charge input (5.2); a Bluetooth circuit (6), a button circuit and voltage booster circuit (7), a GPRS module (8), an integrated system circuit (9); a sound card circuit (10) with the parts of an earphone input (10.1 ), a microphone input (10.2); a system SD Card input (1 1 ) and a Braille alphabet (12).

Invention is characterized with the integrated system circuit (9), the chargeable battery (5.1 ), the charge input (5.2), the scanner (1 ), the paper for the scanner (1 .2) and the direction of the paper (1 .1 ), the SD Card input (1 .3) that provides auto saving to an SD Card after the scanning process, the Bluetooth circuit (6) that provides importing the data instead of the scanner (1 ), the on/off (2.1 ) button that provides shutting the system down and run it, and buttons such the reset (2.2), the back (2.3), the next (2.4), the upper case (2.5), the number (2.6), the download (2.7), the save (2.8), the written (2.9), the audible (2.10), the written and audible (2.1 1 ), the home (2.12), the end (2.13), the up (2.14), the down (2.15), the Button circuit and voltage booster circuit (7) to work that buttons correctly, the braille cells (3) to enable the visually handicapped people read books by their hands and the circuit for running the braille cells (3.1 ) that moves the actuators in braille cells (3), the Button circuit and voltage booster circuit (7) to make braille cells (3) work correctly, the take note button (4.8) that provides starting the procedure for taking an embossed note on any paper in Braille alphabet (12), and pushing the Button for generating the first hole of the Braille letter (4.1 ), the button for generating the second hole of the Braille letter (4.2), the button for generating the third hole of the Braille letter (4.3), the button for generating the fourth hole of the Braille letter (4.4), the button for generating the fifth hole of the Braille letter (4.5), the button for generating the sixth hole of the Braille letter (4.6) to make the related dot embossed, opening holes on the note taking paper (4.1 1 ) with the mechanic arm with pins on it tips (4.10) which is attached to the roller (4.9) when the user presses the buttons, the GPRS module (8) and the SMS module to make possible to find the user's current location, the sound card circuit to transmit the processes to the user and listen to the text audibly, the earphone input (10.1 ) to use earphones, the microphone input (10.2) for voice control, the SD Card input (1 1 ) to save all data to the system's memory when it is needed.

The system is designed and implemented as an integrated system. Thus, it can run independently from a computer. It can be used everywhere because of being portable. The chargeable battery (5.1 ) is preferred to save the user from a cable mass. The battery (5.1 ) can be charged through the charge input (5.2). In addition to this, with the developed software, if the user does not press any button within a 15 minutes period, system takes itself to sleep mode and when the user presses any button system reactivates itself.

The user is informed audibly about all the processes that take place on the system via the sound card circuit (10). The visually handicapped user is provided to use the device without any help with the audible directions. The earphone input (10.1 ) can be used to not disturb anyone during the informing process.

There is the scanner (1 ) on the upper part of the system. Any paper (1 .2) can be scanned in a certain paper direction (1 .1 ). Scanned document is saved to the SD card input (1 .3) which is on the Scanner (1 ) and transferred to the software. Words of the transferred document are extracted with the image processing software. After the text is obtained, user choses from one of the written (2.9), the audible (2.10) or the written and audible (2.1 1 ) working modes. The system comprises three different working modes;

• The written (2.9): Text is only transferred to the braille cells (3). So the user reads the text by feeling braille cells (3) with his/hers fingers.

• The audible (2.10): Text is only transferred audibly with the sound card circuit (10). So the user listens to the text.

• The written and audible (2.1 1 ): Text is transferred both written and audibly with the sound card circuit (10) and the braille cells (3). So the user can read the text through the braille cells (3) by feeling them with his/hers hands and listens to it by the sound card circuit (10).

Bluetooth circuit (6) can be used as well as the scanner (1 ) during importing any data to the system. Obtaining texts from the imported files is also completed with the software on the integrated system circuit (9). After the texts are obtained, they are transmitted to the user by the written (2.9), the audible

(2.10) and the written and audible (2.1 1 ) working modes. The processes are same with the scanner (1 ). The texts, which are obtained by the scanner (1 ) or by the Bluetooth circuit (6), can be saved to a micro SD card placed in the system SD Card input (1 1 ). After the information is transmitted to the user, the recording procedure is executed to the system's internal memory, means the system SD card input (1 1 ), by the save (2.8) button and the microphone input (10.2) with user's voice command.

After the text is obtained, the software decides which pins are going to be activated in Braille cells for the each character in Braille alphabet that corresponds the each character in Latin alphabet. Pins in Braille cells (3) are moved during the data transfer in the written (2.9) and the written and audible

(2.1 1 ) modes. Piezo actuator circuit parts are used for the movement of the Braille cells (3). Thus, related pins in the Braille cells (3) can be moved when the energy arrives.

Additional to above features, the device comprises the GPRS module (8) and the SMS module. With these two modules, the information such as the visually handicapped user's location, which direction the user in, the route that the user passed can be traceable via a cell phone or internet.

The generated buttons (2) provide the user to do some operations on the device. The button circuit and voltage booster circuit (7), which is necessary for the buttons (2) to operate, is also the part that is needed for the Braille cells (3). For a much comfortable use, the labels of the buttons are written below the buttons in Turkish characters and in Braille characters.

Generated buttons;

• On / off (2.1 ) Button: That buttons turns on and turns off the system.

• Reset (2.2) Button: Resets all the information on the device and on the software. Next (2.4) - Back (2.3) Buttons: That buttons provide a move through the text. Firstly, because of having 96 Braille cells, the first 96 characters of the text (without regarding its type) are sent to the Braille cell. When the next (2.4) button is pressed, the next 96 characters of the text are sent to the Braille cells and can be read by feeling with user's hands. When the back (2.3) button is pressed, the previous 96 characters of the text are sent to the Braille cells and can be read by feeling with user's hands.

The Up (2.14) - Down (2.15) Buttons: That buttons provide to send previous or next page to the Braille cells (3) such as "Page Down" and "Page Up" buttons in regular keyboards.

The Home (2.12) - End (2.13) Buttons: The Home (2.12) button provides the user go the first character of the text and it transfers the first 96 characters of the text to the Braille cells (3). The End (2.13) button provides to transfer last 96 character of the text to the Braille cells (3).

The Download (2.7) - Save (2.8) Buttons: The download (2.7) button provides any text that is saved on the memory card to be transferred to the system (10.2) in the audible (2.10), the written (2.9), the audible and written (2.1 1 ) modes by using voice commands via microphone input (10.2). The save (2.8) button provides to save the text, which is obtained by image processing, to the system SD card input (1 1 ) by using voice command system.

The take note (4.8) button: The visually handicapped user can activate the writing process by pressing the take note (4.8) button. The button for generating the first hole of the Braille letter (4.1 ), the button for generating the second hole of the Braille letter (4.2), the button for generating the third hole of the Braille letter (4.3), the button for generating the fourth hole of the Braille letter (4.4), the button for generating the fifth hole of the Braille letter (4.5), the button for generating the sixth hole of the Braille letter (4.6), which correspond the 6 dots in Braille cells (3), are used when the user wants to take a not like using a typewriter. The Circuit for generating the Braille letter (4.7) is used for that operation. For writing in Braille alphabet, the circuit for generating the Braille letters (4.7) is designed to provide the Braille cells to be generated with a lever system like in the typewriters. The mechanical arm (4.10) rises when the button is pressed and generates an embossed area on the paper with the pin placed on the edge of the mechanical arm. Firstly, the note taking paper (4.1 1 ) is placed in the area where the roller (4.9) is connected. Then the embossed characters are generated by pressing the buttons which the user wants activate for each Braille character. If we want to generate the first hole embossment, we should press The button for generating the first hole of the Braille letter (4.1 ), If we want to generate the second hole embossment, we should press the button for generating the second hole of the Braille letter (4.2), If we want to generate the third hole embossment, we should press the button for generating the third hole of the Braille letter (4.3), If we want to generate the fourth hole embossment, we should press the button for generating the fourth hole of the Braille letter (4.4), If we want to generate the fifth hole embossment, we should press the button for generating the fifth hole of the Braille letter (4.5) and If we want to generate the sixth hole embossment, we should press the button for generating the sixth hole of the Braille letter (4.6). By that way, the user can take notes on the paper in Braille characters. The related button is pressed among the buttons the buttons for generating the first hole of the Braille letter (4.1 ), the button for generating the second hole of the Braille letter (4.2), the button for generating the third hole of the Braille letter (4.3), the button for generating the fourth hole of the Braille letter (4.4), the button for generating the fifth hole of the Braille letter (4.5) and the button for generating the sixth hole of the Braille letter (4.6) according the desired place of embossment.

Upper Case (2.5) Button: When the user wants to use upper case for any character or word during the note taking procedure, the upper case (2.5) button must be pressed. Thus, the embossment for the upper case in Braille alphabet is going to be generated on the paper, then the writing process is going to be occurred. That means, the button for generating the sixth hole of the Braille letter (4.6) is going to be pressed automatically.

• Number (2.6) Button: When the user wants to use number during the writing process, the number (2.6) button must be pressed. Thus, the embossment for the numbers in Braille alphabet is going to be generated on the paper, then the writing process is going to be occurred. That means, the button for generating the third hole of the Braille letter (4.3), the button for generating the fourth hole of the Braille letter (4.4), the button for generating the fifth hole of the Braille letter

(4.5) and the button for generating the sixth hole of the Braille letter

(4.6) are going to be pressed automatically.

Our "Support device for the visually handicapped people" titled invention comprises at least 96 embossed Braille cells (3) for the visually handicapped people.

Claims

1. It's the support device for the visually handicapped people and characterized in that comprising; a scanner (1 ), a multiple of buttons (2), a multiple of braille cells (3) a note taking section (4), a power supply circuit (5), a Bluetooth circuit (6), a button circuit and voltage booster circuit (7), a GPRS module (8), an integrated system circuit (9); a sound card circuit (10), a system SD Card input (1 1 ) and a Braille alphabet (12) and a software.

2. It's the scanner (1 ) mentioned in Claim 1 , characterized in that comprising; a paper direction (1 .1 ), a paper (1 .2), a scanner SD Card input (1 .3).

3. It's the multiple of buttons (2) mentioned in Claim 1 , characterized in that comprising; an on/off (2.1 ), a reset (2.2), a back (2.3), a next (2.4), an upper case (2.5), a number (2.6), a download (2.7), a save (2.8), a written (2.9), an audible (2.10), a written and audible (2.1 1 ), a home (2.12), an end (2.13), an up (2.14), a down (2.15) buttons.

4. It's the Braille cells (3) mentioned in Claim 1 , characterized in that comprising; a circuit for running the Braille cells (3.1 ).

5. It's the note taking section (4) mentioned in Claim 1 , characterized in that comprising; a button for generating the first hole of the Braille letter (4.1 ), a button for generating the second hole of the Braille letter (4.2), a button for generating the third hole of the Braille letter (4.3), a button for generating the fourth hole of the Braille letter (4.4), a button for generating the fifth hole of the Braille letter (4.5), a button for generating the sixth hole of the Braille letter (4.6), a circuit for generating the Braille letter (4.7), a take note button (4.8), a roller (4.9), a mechanic arm with pins on its tips (4.10), note taking paper (4.1 1 ).

6. It's the power supply circuit (5) mentioned in Claim 1 , characterized in that comprising; a battery (5.1 ), a charge input (5.2).

7. It's the sound card circuit (10) mentioned in Claim 1 , characterized in that comprising; an earphone input (10.1 ), a microphone input (10.2).

8. It's the software mentioned in Claim 1 , characterized in that comprising the written (2.9), the audible (2.10), the written and audible (2.1 1 ) running modes to transmit the texts to the user which are imported via the scanner (1 ) or the Bluetooth Circuit (6) to the system.

9. It's the support device for the visually handicapped people mentioned in Claim 1 , characterized in that; at least 96 embossed

Braille cells (3) for the visually handicapped people.