Abstract: The present invention relates to a braille editing method using an error output function, a recording medium storing program for executing the same, and a computer program stored in a recoding medium for executing the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a braille editing method using an error output function, a recording medium storing program for executing the same, and a computer program stored in a recoding medium for executing the same, that are capable of finding a location where a braille translation error has occurred by utilizing index information when detecting the error and thus facilitating correction.

Abstract: A braille printing device includes a device body; a linear actuator with an actuator body and an actuator hammer; a liquid ejection unit, including a liquid container a resin piston, and a dispensing tube; a slidable connector with a groove; a vertical stop; a trigger switch; a slide stop member; a slide holder plate including a slide holder back portion, a slide stop member, and first and second sliding rails; and a control unit, such that the braille printing device deposits spherical domes of printing fluid on a printing substrate to form a braille text.

Abstract: An improved Braille erasure mechanism may comprise a reverse-embosser or impressing mechanism to imprint a negative Braille cell. A negative Braille cell is the reverse of a normal Braille cell, with one or more dots lowered or pressed into the printing medium in an opposite direction to the raised dots of a normal Braille cell. Because the dots of a negative Braille cell are lowered past the surface of the printing medium, they may be ordinarily undetectable to the fingers of a Braille user. Accordingly, by imprinting a full negative Braille cell on top of a Braille cell to be erased, all of the previously raised dots of the Braille cell may be lowered beyond the surface of the printing medium. Any further Braille cell embossed over the erased cell will be free from corruption, because any dot not used by the new cell will remain lowered and undetectable.

Abstract: Techniques are described for the production of tactile dots, tactile dot groups, and tactile identifier marks on substrates that are tactilely recognizable by visually impaired individuals. Each tactile dot can be formed individually in the substrate, for example by separately embossing each tactile dot using a single punch and die pair. By using a single punch and die pair, the size, complexity and cost of the tactile dot embossing mechanism can be reduced, and the spacing between the tactile dots can be varied.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes, among other things, a device. The device includes a plurality of sensors, an output system, a processor coupled to the plurality of sensors and the output system, and a memory. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive a signal from the plurality of sensors, interpret the signal as a first Braille cell, and send a signal corresponding to the first Braille cell to the output system.

Abstract: An electrically-assisted mechanical Braille writer includes a main solenoid to apply force to emboss Braille onto a printing medium, and advance an embossing mechanism to the next cell. A second solenoid engages a mechanical stop to prevent one or more embossing keys from being fully depressed, to prevent kickback from the keys mechanically coupling to the main solenoid. In unpowered operation, the mechanical stop is disengaged, and the embossing keys may be fully depressed to apply force to emboss Braille and advance the embossing mechanism. Accordingly, with electrical power, the user may supply a lesser amount of force and still fully emboss Braille cells, while without electrical power, the Braille writer remains fully operational.

Abstract: A Braille-to-Braille facsimile machine implemented process scans an original Braille document, obtaining an image of the original Braille document. The image of the original Braille document is processed, producing an extracted Braille image and duplicating formatting of the original Braille document to produce a copy of the original Braille document. The copy of the original Braille document is sent, via a communications link and received. The copy of the original Braille document is then printed.

Abstract: An electrically-assisted mechanical Braille writer includes a main solenoid to apply force to emboss Braille onto a printing medium, and advance an embossing mechanism to the next cell. A second solenoid engages a mechanical stop to prevent one or more embossing keys from being fully depressed, to prevent kickback from the keys mechanically coupling to the main solenoid. In unpowered operation, the mechanical stop is disengaged, and the embossing keys may be fully depressed to apply force to emboss Braille and advance the embossing mechanism. Accordingly, with electrical power, the user may supply a lesser amount of force and still fully emboss Braille cells, while without electrical power, the Braille writer remains fully operational.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided an improved refreshable tactile display apparatus including a housing, bias compression springs, sliding blocks, pins, and a shape memory alloy wire. The sliding block is actuated by the interaction between the bias compression spring and the shape memory alloy wire. The shape memory alloy wire is then activated by current driven from a power supply in either a modulated or unmodulated fashion.

Abstract: An improved Braille erasure mechanism may comprise a reverse-embosser or impressing mechanism to imprint a negative Braille cell. A negative Braille cell is the reverse of a normal Braille cell, with one or more dots lowered or pressed into the printing medium in an opposite direction to the raised dots of a normal Braille cell. Because the dots of a negative Braille cell are lowered past the surface of the printing medium, they may be ordinarily undetectable to the fingers of a Braille user. Accordingly, by imprinting a full negative Braille cell on top of a Braille cell to be erased, all of the previously raised dots of the Braille cell may be lowered beyond the surface of the printing medium. Any further Braille cell embossed over the erased cell will be free from corruption, because any dot not used by the new cell will remain lowered and undetectable.

Abstract: Systems and methods for low power consumption haptic feedback are described. In one described system, a device comprises a manipulandum and a haptic effect generator in communication with the manipulandum. The actuator is operable to provide a first haptic profile associated with a first mechanical configuration and a second haptic profile associated with a second mechanical configuration. The device also comprises an actuator in communication with the haptic effect generator, which is operable to switch the haptic effect generator between the first haptic profile and the second haptic profile.

Abstract: An improved Braille erasure mechanism may comprise a reverse-embosser or impressing mechanism to imprint a negative Braille cell. A negative Braille cell is the reverse of a normal Braille cell, with one or more dots lowered or pressed into the printing medium in an opposite direction to the raised dots of a normal Braille cell. Because the dots of a negative Braille cell are lowered past the surface of the printing medium, they may be ordinarily undetectable to the fingers of a Braille user. Accordingly, by imprinting a full negative Braille cell on top of a Braille cell to be erased, all of the previously raised dots of the Braille cell may be lowered beyond the surface of the printing medium. Any further Braille cell embossed over the erased cell will be free from corruption, because any dot not used by the new cell will remain lowered and undetectable.

Abstract: A portable apparatus to electromechanically emboss Braille patterns includes a user input, such as a six-key with spacebar keyboard, actuators that drive embossing pins via cam shafts coupled to servo or stepper motors, a tape advancing mechanism, and a cutting and scoring assembly. Three actuators, such as servo or stepper motors, may each be coupled to one shaft on which two or more cams drive two or more embossing pins for each row of two dots in the six dot Braille cell.

Abstract: Curable solid inks and low shrinkage curable solid inks which are solid at room temperature and molten at an elevated temperature at which the molten ink is applied to a substrate. In particular, the solid inks of the present embodiments retain the advantages of handling, safety, and print quality usually associated with conventional solid phase change inks but provide additional breakthrough performance characteristics such as enhanced robustness, lower jetting temperature, and ultra-low shrinkage upon crystallization, which allow the inks to be used as novel materials in inkjet-based Braille and raised print applications.

Abstract: An electrically-assisted mechanical Braille writer includes a main solenoid to apply force to emboss Braille onto a printing medium, and advance an embossing mechanism to the next cell. A second solenoid engages a mechanical stop to prevent one or more embossing keys from being fully depressed, to prevent kickback from the keys mechanically coupling to the main solenoid. In unpowered operation, the mechanical stop is disengaged, and the embossing keys may be fully depressed to apply force to emboss Braille and advance the embossing mechanism. Accordingly, with electrical power, the user may supply a lesser amount of force and still fully emboss Braille cells, while without electrical power, the Braille writer remains fully operational.

Abstract: A method for forming Braille images on a substrate comprising feeding a substrate to an inline digital coating apparatus; forming one or more Braille images on the substrate with the inline digital coating apparatus; wherein the inline digital coating apparatus forms the Braille image by coating an ultra-violet curable phase change ink composition comprising an optional colorant and a phase change ink vehicle comprising a radiation curable monomer or prepolymer; a photoinitiator; a reactive wax; and a gellant in a single pass to form the one or more Braille images; and curing the one or more Braille images.

Abstract: A braille printing device is disclosed. The device comprises a paper picking-up mechanism, a paper feeding mechanism, a printing mechanism, a curing light source (8) and a paper discharging mechanism. The paper picking-up mechanism, the printing mechanism, the curing light source and the paper discharging mechanism are arranged above a base (6) in turn. The paper feeding mechanism is installed in an X-direction guide on the base (6) and moves to and fro along the X-direction guide under the paper picking-up mechanism, the printing mechanism, the curing light source (8) and the paper discharging mechanism. The printing mechanism is fixed to two posts (16) at two sides of the middle of the base (6). The curing light source (8) and a glue jet valve (10) of the printing mechanism are disposed at two sides of the posts (16) respectively. Electromagnetic clamps (7) of the paper discharging mechanism are mounted at the end of the base (6). The device can simultaneously perform printing and curing operations.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit; and an identification mark imparting unit that imparts an identification mark which is identifiable by a sense of touch on the recording paper on which an image is formed by the image forming unit.

Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus previewing on a display screen ink-character information and braille information which are printed and embossed on the same process sheet, the apparatus including: an ink-character previewing device for previewing the ink-character information; a braille previewing device for previewing the braille information; and a preview switching device controlling the ink-character previewing device and the braille previewing device and capable of selectively switching a display mode among a display of only the ink-character information, that of only the braille information, and that of the ink-character information and the braille information when printing and embossing operations are performed in a manner in which the ink-character information and the braille information are at least partially overlapped with each other on the process sheet.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes an input device which allows input of a plurality of information so as to allow performance of a plurality of processes, an input information display device that displays input information that is the input one or more kinds of information, a delete menu storage device that stores a delete menu having a plurality of delete options, and a delete menu display device that displays only delete options corresponding to the information input by the input device from among the plurality of delete options, as the delete menu.

Abstract: A braille embosser device includes a plurality of hammers configured to strike a substrate and thereby produce thereon braille-readable projections. A controller is connected to the hammers and controls the striking by the hammers. The controller includes drivers each of which is connected to and drives a respective one of the hammers. A fault detection circuit detects a fault associated with one of the drivers and, in response to the fault, ceases the striking by the hammers.

Abstract: A data display method of a data display apparatus includes displaying a cursor for scrolling the preview display on an input character display region having an ink character region and a Braille character region while moving the displayed cursor; and previewing the label image on the basis of a cursor position of the cursor. The previewing of the label image previews the label image to display an image of the ink character indicated by the cursor positioned in a predetermined position of the preview region when the cursor is positioned on the ink character notation, and previews the label image to display an image of the Braille characters indicated by the cursor or an image of the Braille character corresponding to a translation of the Braille characters into the ink characters positioned in a predetermined position of the preview region when the cursor is positioned on the Braille character notation.

Abstract: Mechanical braille writer. The braille writer includes a chassis supporting a plurality of finger operated keys with each key mechanically interconnected with an embossing mechanism so that depression of a key causes a corresponding one of a plurality of pins in the embossing mechanism to extend outwardly from the embossing mechanism to create a raised dot on paper adjacent to the embossing mechanism. The embossing mechanism comprises a block adapted for slidingly guiding the plurality of pins for paper contact. It is preferred that each one of the plurality of pins is straight and identical to the other pins.

Abstract: A method for creating raised and special purpose printing effects using phase change inkjet technology (also known as a solid ink jet) is provided. The method includes the steps of printing a primary phase change ink jet image (32) on a substrate (24) using an offset deposition process followed by a secondary phase change ink jet deposition (15) directly jetted on top of the primary image area selected for the printing effects. The amount of secondary material to be deposited corresponds to the area selected for the printing effects and the height of the raised area relative to the substrate (24) on which the secondary phase change ink material (15) is deposited.

Abstract: There is provided a tape processing apparatus arranged to perform an ink-character printing and a braille embossing on a process tape, the apparatus including: a first demonstration device which performs a first demonstration process based on first demonstration data for demonstration of the ink-character printing; a second demonstration device which performs a second demonstration process based on second demonstration data for demonstration of the braille embossing; and a demonstration switching device which selectively switches between the first demonstration process and the second demonstration process.

Abstract: An embossing control method used in a braille-embossing apparatus includes an embossing head that embosses a braille string on a tape fed along a tape-conveying path, the braille string being embossed in an area biased to one of upper and lower sides of the tape along the width of the tape without changing the upper and lower direction of the braille string. The embossing control method includes the steps of designating the area biased to one of the upper and lower sides of the tape along the width of the tape as a braille-embossing area in which braille embossing is to be performed and embossing the braille string in the designated braille-embossing area.

Abstract: A device for embossing Braille characters on an embossable substrate includes a print head and an anvil. The head containing a series of raised locations. The raised locations contain a combination of pins and are configured to print one or more columns of a Braille cell. The anvil is configured with a series of depressions for mating with the pins of the print head. Embossing occurs when the anvil or print head is moved against the other and the embossable substrate is made to conform to the depressions in the locations where a pin on the print head is positioned.

Abstract: A textual information processing apparatus is capable of forming an ink-printed character string and a Braille character string corresponding to input texture information in a common processing area of a tape. The ink-printed character string and/or the Braille character string can be laid out in a desired beautiful fashion. Before performing ink-printing and Braille embossing separately, the Braille embossing area length necessary for the Braille embossing is determined, and the ink-printing area length necessary for the ink-printing is set. The Braille embossing area length and the ink-printing area length are compared with each other, and a greater length is employed as the length of the common processing area.

Abstract: A tape processing apparatus has: mode selecting device for selecting among a print processing, a Braille-emboss processing, and a complex processing of the ink-character printing and the Braille embossing; tape-type detecting device for detecting the mounted tape type; and informing device for informing the discrepancy in a tape type, as a result of comparing a tape type which conforms to the mode selected by the mode selecting device with a tape type detected by the tape type detecting device.

Abstract: A Braille writing instrument has a housing which has a first end and a second end, extending in a first direction. Six plungers are positioned near the first end, arranged in a first column of three plungers and a second column of three plungers. The first and second columns are adjacent to one another to define three rows of plungers with each row having two plungers. Each plunger is movable in the first direction between a stored position and a write position. The instrument further has six styluses which are positioned near the second end, and are arranged in a first column of three styluses and a second column of three styluses. The first and second columns of styluses are adjacent to one another to define three rows of styluses with each row having two styluses. Each stylus is movable in the first direction between a retracted position and an extended position.

Abstract: In processing a target sheet, raised letters (Braille) are formed by selectively driving a plurality of embossing pins arrayed in a direction perpendicular to a direction of feeding the target sheet such that the raised letters are represented in a projected bit pattern which is embossed at embossing points of a plurality of stages in two rows. Embossing operation is performed on the target sheet based on the emboss-inspection pattern which is made up of a repetition of the bit pattern. This emboss-inspection pattern facilitates to identify the cause of troubles, if any, in the embossing system.

Abstract: A mobile micro-printer delivers and prints incoming messages and text instantly and privately in hard copy on paper or pre-treated plastic and is compatible with cell phones and smart phones. It provides for instant or text messaging from computers, laptops, PDAs, cell or smart phones and other platforms to a user's cell or smart phone to the micro-printer. The mobile micro-printer incorporates a variety of wireless technologies. It can be fully automatic and wireless and can be clipped to a belt, clipped to a strap, or tucked away within each reach. It can produce hard copy messages in viewable text, in Braille, or in a combination of both.

Abstract: A print processing method of a printing-and-embossing composite apparatus in which ink-characters printing and braille embossing are performed on the same object based on inputted character information, wherein, in cases where the ink-characters printing and the braille embossing are performed on the same object in a superposed state, and a character size for use in the ink-characters printing is set equal to or less than a given size, the ink-characters printing is barred.

Abstract: A Braille display for use by blind and low vision users. The Braille display can be detachably mounted on a notetaker which includes either a Braille keyboard or a conventional QWERTY keyboard and a memory for storing in digital form information which is entered through the keyboard. Preferably, the Braille display includes a conventional port for connecting through a cable to a personal computer or other computer operated device for displaying information.

Abstract: In a character-information processing method, a candidate alternative having relative positional information including at least the front-and-rear relation of ink-characters and braille, which are printed and embossed, respectively, on the same sheet, is stored as one of those alternatives for setting margins capable of being set as margins of the Braille. When the candidate alternative is selected from among those alternatives for margins, the ink characters and the braille are arranged based on the relative positional information.

Abstract: This is an entirely new type of tactile display based upon cuneiform writing concepts which is an alternative to Braille. This invention uses electromechanical components to display a tactile coding of letters, numbers and symbols using rotating linear components and pointer variations of these. These pointer parts rotate on the surface of the device. A user places fingers or skin on the surface and by feeling the direction in which the components are pointing determines the coded symbol.

Abstract: A braille layout creation method includes the steps of sequentially reading information for braille embossing from a list file in which a plurality of pieces of information for braille embossing is listed, converting the read information into a braille pattern, and importing, for each reading of the information, the braille pattern into an object frame disposed in an image of a braille sheet on which a braille character is embossed.

Abstract: In displaying cell images of raised letters under editing on a display screen together with a notation character string corresponding to the cell images, the maximum continuous embossing amount that can be embossed on a single processing sheet when embossing the raised letters on the processing sheet, is predetermined. A continuous embossing amount of the raised letters is determined, and when the continuous embossing amount is in excess of the maximum continuous embossing amount, the excess cell images corresponding to the portion exceeding the maximum continuous embossing amount out of the cell images and the notation character string, or excess notation characters corresponding to the excess cell images are displayed so as to be distinguishable from the remaining portion.

Abstract: A method controls a tape processing apparatus which performs, on a tape to be sent from a tape inlet to a tape outlet along a tape travel passage through an embossing section, a series of tape processing operations of incoming-feed operation to feed the tape from the tape inlet to the embossing section, embossing operation in the embossing section, and of outgoing-feed operation to feed the tape from the embossing section to the tape outlet in an order as mentioned above, and which also indicates in an indicator that the apparatus is in the tape processing operations. The method indicates in the indicator a pre-embossing feed indication to indicate the incoming-feed operation and a post-embossing feed indication to indicate the outgoing-feed operation in an indicating mode which is different from an embossing indication to indicate that the apparatus is in the embossing operation.

Abstract: A data producing apparatus has: a first Braille translation device producing information processing Braille data for embossing information processing Braille on a processing sheet based on an ink-character array having one or more ink characters; a second Braille translation device producing general Braille data for embossing general Braille, other than the information processing Braille, on the processing sheet based on the ink-character array, thereby producing from the inputted ink-character array Braille data having the information processing Braille data and/or the general Braille data.

Abstract: Before embossing raised letters on a target tape which is subjected to embossing of raised letters, written letters are printed based on inputted character information, and also an upside-and-downside identifying information for identifying the upside and the downside of the target tape as seen in the widthwise direction thereof is printed on the target tape. In the emboss-processing section, the upside and the downside of the target tape is detected based on the identifying information. If the target tape is found to have been inserted upside down, the raised letters are embossed in a state of turning the embossing data by 180 degrees.

Abstract: There is provided a printing-and-embossing composite apparatus which performs a printing process of a symbol image and an embossing process of a braille character on the same process sheet, the apparatus including: a printing-area setting device for setting a printing area for the symbol image on the process sheet; an embossing-area setting device for setting an embossing area for the braille character on the process sheet; and a notifying device for issuing an alarm when the printing area and the embossing area are at least partially overlapped with each other.

Abstract: A method of weaving Braille and/or the resulting woven Braille textile may assist sighted persons in determining the woven Braille cells by differentiating the colors of each number 1 through number 6 Braille cell warp thread. A method of weaving Braille and/or the resulting woven Braille textile may assist blind and visually impaired persons in determining the woven Braille cells or determining the reading content weft threads from filler weft threads by differentiating the texture of the non-Braille cell warp threads from the texture(s) of the Braille cell warp threads.

Abstract: There is provided a method of controlling a tape processing apparatus where braille is embossed at one side in the width direction of a tape with an embossing unit arranged at the one side. The method includes: an embossing-position defining step of defining a braille embossing position in the width direction of the tape; an embossing-data generating step of generating embossing data based on input information and the embossing position; and a braille embossing step of embossing braille on the tape based on the generated embossing data. In the embossing-data generating step, when the embossing position is arranged at one side in the width direction on the same side as the embossing unit, the embossing data is generated for forward embossing. While, when the embossing position is arranged at the other side in the width direction opposite to the embossing unit, the embossing data is generated for reverse embossing.

Abstract: A terminal is designed so that a user who employs numerical keys, allocated for the entry of dots, can enter Braille dot combinations that are used for the input of characters. The input characters may be output as speech for feedback. Further, when a terminal accesses a server, Braille dot combinations can be entered in the above described manner, and speech can be fed back from the server. Furthermore, the server can provide a service for the user in accordance with a character string input at the terminal.

Abstract: The present invention provides an information input/output device for visually impaired users whereby the visually impaired users can easily obtain information for the operation and perform the operation without confusion. This device comprise a braille output unit having a plurality of projectable dotted portions and which enables output of a plurality of braille patterns by controlling the projection of the dotted portions, and a recognition means which recognizes that an operation concerning the braille patterns output by the braille output unit is input when the braille output unit is pushed within a predetermined period of time after the braille patterns are output by the braille output unit. When the user inputs an operation concerning the braille patterns, the user pushes the braille unit in which the braille patterns are output.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a method of and loom for teaching Braille by weaving with a loom, wherein the levers to move the harnesses are shaped and spaced like the levers on a Perkins Brailler (a Braille typewriter).

Abstract: A navigation aid for a refreshable Braille display and similar products for the visually impaired. A navigation wheel is located adjacent at least one end of the refreshable Braille display. Rotation of the wheel by an increment moves the displayed text forward or backward by a predetermined increment, such as by one word, or one line or one paragraph. In a preferred embodiment, the function performed by rotating the wheel can be changed by depressing the wheel. A separate navigation wheel may be located at opposite ends of the refreshable Braille display and the two navigation wheels may perform the same or different functions when rotated.

Abstract: A refreshable display unit with a housing, a plurality of refreshable cells housed in the housing, the cells having a guide block with at least six holes, six motors each with a coupler which may be rotated by the motor, a pin fastened to each coupler and extending into engagement with one of the holes of the guide block, and a stop mounted on each coupler for engaging stop elements mounted on the housing for limiting the rotation of the coupler, the placement of the stop elements on the housing being such that it controls the height extension of the pin fastened to the coupler with respect to the guide block, the unit further having a connector for connecting the display unit to the electronic means of a computer. A unit may have a plurality of keys for inputting a character, including at least two sets of keys, a first set being used when the keyboard is oriented in a first direction and a second set being used when the keyboard is oriented in a second direction.

Abstract: A navigation aid for a refreshable Braille display and similar products for the visually impaired. A navigation wheel is located adjacent at least one end of the refreshable Braille display. Rotation of the wheel by an increment moves the displayed text forward or backward by a predetermined increment, such as by one word, or one line or one paragraph. In a preferred embodiment, the function performed by rotating the wheel can be changed by depressing the wheel. A separate navigation wheel may be located at opposite ends of the refreshable Braille display and the two navigation wheels may perform the same or different functions when rotated.