Abstract: An electro-acoustical transmitter converts electrical signals which correspond to acoustical events into mechanical vibrations which are transmitted onto the skin. The aim is to achieve a small vibrator which, insofar as possible, can be worn on the wrist, for instance, in the manner of a wristwatch. To that end, a coil is employed into which a magnetic core, resiliently mounted relative thereto for instance by a diaphragm, projects as an armature. The housing which carries both the diaphragm and the coil forms the magnetic return flux path. Thus, a miniaturization of the vibrator on the desired order is achieved. An inventive vibrator is particularly suited for the deaf.

Abstract: The invention concerns device for transmitting and receiving a message by means of the tactile sensation. By means of keys (2), a code corresponding to one character is formed at a time, which code is converted by the device into an electric signal. The electric signals can be stored in a tape recorder (15), transmitted via a modem (6) into the telecommunication network, or be converted by means of a typewriter (4) into inkprint. Correspondingly, electric signals coming from these peripheral devices can be coded as a mark on feeling keys (3). The device is above all intended as means of conversation and study for deaf-blind persons.

Abstract: A reading device for the blind for reading Braille Text directly from magnetic tape without embossing the characters on paper. A magnetic tape containing Braille Text is unloaded a page at a time into memory. The individual letters in the text are tactilly displayed using pins driven by solenoids. A position detecting "mouse" is used to control the movement from one letter to the next. The mouse is similar to those commonly used with computers. The braille display may be mounted on top of the mouse.

Abstract: Tactile reading device presenting a reading surface (3) provided with openings (4) for tactile pins (5) mounted with an axial and reciprocating sliding motion between a projected position and a retracted position with respect to the surface (3) and which are each displaceable between the two positions by one end of an actuating element (9) of which the other end is fixed. The element is capable of a certain displacement by curvature deformation perpendicularly to its axis between two extreme positions by applying a control force. The actuating element (9) is so arranged that its curvature direction is substantially perpendicular to the displacement direction of the tactile pin (5). Displacement emitter means (14) provided between the actuation element (9) and the pin (5) present a neutral point at the vicinity of that of extreme positions of said element (2) wherein the pin (5) is projecting, and a stop (7) prevents the element (9) from assuming a curvature beyond the extreme position.

Abstract: Readable Braille dot matrix formations are easily formed and utilized to print Braille books and the like. A belt forms an endless loop and has a number of small holes each for receiving a ball. An upper horizontal or slightly inclined path of the belt is supported by and drawn in contact with an underlying support. The belt has a smaller thickness than the diameter of the balls, and the uppermost parts of the balls extend above the upper face of the belt so that they may be tactilly perceived. Empty belt holes are filled with balls at a first area of the belt along its path, and some of the balls are selectively removed from the belt holes at another, second area along the looped path. Selective removal of the balls may be provided by disposing slots in the underlying support with piezoelectric bars providing movable obstacles in the slots. Alternatively electromagnets disposed above the balls may be provided.

Abstract: A device for forming a tactilely readable message including Braille characters and graphic representations includes a planar display carrier with raised raster dots which are formed by spherical segments protruding selectively through openings in the surface of the display carrier. The display carrier is provided with a multiplicity of recesses arranged in a matrix-like array, the recesses being occupied by respective sensing or reading balls which are selectively movable in the recesses as keying elements for the raster dots. The recesses communicate at a lower end with respective chamber-like enlargements occupied by respective control balls of magnetically soft material which function to alternately position the reading balls in a lowered or in a raised position. The chamber-like enlargements are designed to provide for the control balls a lower stable position and an upper stable position corresponding respectively to the lowered and raised positions of the reading balls.

Abstract: An apparatus for reading by blind persons comprising a data medium in the form of a thick elastic belt and having formed therein a dense uniformly spaced two-dimensional array of data elements of thin membrane-like construction integral with the belt and capable of assuming stable convex and concave conditions wherein they either project upwardly from the belt to be sensible by a person's finger or down into the belt where they may not be felt. Because of the thickness of the belt, the data elements are also capable of assuming intermediate unstable conditions wherein they do not experience a transition to the opposite state simply because they are compressed flush with a surface of the belt. Means are provided for setting and resetting the data areas.

Abstract: A wearable tactile sensory aid which presents a vibratory signal representative of voice pitch and intonation patterns to the skin. The vibratory signal consists of a constant amplitude square wave having a frequency equal to, or some fraction of, the fundamental frequency of the speech input. The vibratory signal is applied as a tactile stimulus, and is displaced along a linear array of transducers in contact with the skin in proportion to the logarithm of the fundamental frequency. Accordingly, the wearable tactile display encodes the fundamental frequency to provide both frequency of actuation and spatial indications thereof.

Abstract: A device for forming a tactilely readable display including Braille characters includes a planar display carrier wherein consisting essentially of a belt of flexible material which forms a closed loop and revolves about two rotating rolls. Circular openings are provided on an outer side of the belt loop, the inner side of the belt being provided with a multiplicity of recesses communicating with respective openings in the outer side of the belt. A steel ball may be lodged in each of the recesses, a portion of each ball protruding through the associated opening to form a spherical raster dot on the outer side of the belt. An upper portion of the belt passes over a contact plate, which forms a reading zone of the Braille display device, while a lower portion of the loop passes through a steel ball container in which all of the recesses become occupied by a respective ball.

Abstract: For displaying graphic information, in particular for braille reading, the invention employs small magnetizable balls (38) which are very rapidly patterned on an indented or perforated support (20) so as to partly project therefrom underneath a foil (70) holding the balls against falling out, whereupon the support is moved to a reading plane. Preferably, a lower feeding station (40) distributes balls into all perforations (22) of the support; the balls not required for the desired display are then sucked off in an upper removal station (50) by electromagnets (52) set off in an array aligned with staggered apertures in an upper plate (62). Short-time actuation of selected electromagnets is coordinated with the support motion under electronic control which may provide for time-multiplexed interleaving. A preferred embodiment includes two drums (30, 32) with sprocket wheels (28) arranged to pull a web-like endless belt band (20) with its foil (70) across frame plate (14, 16) of the device (10).

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for utilizing finger control switches connected to a binary code receiver for the purpose of driving a printer and/or a visual and/or audible readout device. The device is made up of a number of switches normally in the open position which can be depressed to a closed position. The input from the switches is communicated to a binary code receiver, which activates a printer, a visual readout or an audible device. The apparatus is used both for communication to other equipment and as a teaching device for physically demonstrating the combination of switch positions required to produce a given command.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for converting electric signals representing data into a group of raised dots constituting the image of said data and comprises a magnetic recording medium (10) provided at its surface with hollow cells which, after being magnetized by a recording unit (14) are capable of attracting balls (16) contained in a trough (15). The balls attracted in this way are received and held in the cell and form a group of raised dots at the surface of the medium (10). The raised dots can function as reading devices for the blind or for people with poor eyesight or can be used to imprint a tape or other medium.

Abstract: An electromechanical braille cell is disclosed wherein each cell includes six braille indicia formed by the free ends of six rods protruding through six openings in braille reading surface. The six rods are raised and lowered by six piezoelectric reeds. Applying an operating potential to a respective reed causes the reed to bend about a fulcrum at the supported root end of the reed causing the free end to deflect in such a manner as to cause the indicia rod to be raised and to protrude through an opening in the reading surface of the braille cell. Simultaneous energization of one or more of the six reeds defines a given braille character sensed by the braille reader. Modulating the voltage applied to a given reed serves to vibrate the respective rod for sensing by the braille reader for indicating information, such as upper case, to the reader in addition to the braille character information represented by merely elevating a pattern of rods above the braille reading surface.

Abstract: Tactile communication is realized via one or more tactile cells each of which comprises one or more tactually perceptible indicia, each cell being further adapted to include means for tactually conveying font information corresponding to that cell, the font information preferably being in the form of a tactile sensation indicative of the font and brought about one or more cell indicia.

Abstract: A tactile stimulator is disclosed which comprises a stack of planar sheets of a piezoelectric polymer material, which in the preferred embodiment is PVF.sub.2. Each sheet has two opposed broad flat faces and at least one tactile surface at one longitudinal end. Separate electrodes cover portions of each flat face of the sheets in predetermined patterns. The electrodes from sheet to sheet are mirror images of the corresponding electrode patterns of the next adjacent sheet. Each of the sheets is polarized in the direction of its tactile end such that upon application of a voltage across the electrodes of that sheet, the sheet will longitudinally extend its tactile surface.

Abstract: A learning device for people with damage to the cortical areas of the brain and minimal brain disfunction related to learning. It comprises an elongated housing one end of which is provided with a writing instrument and the other end of which is provided with an electromagnetic transducer which, when connected to a sound recording source, such as a cassette player, causes the elongated housing to vibrate mechanically in accordance with the frequency of sound signals. The device, when held against the skull while vibrating, transmits sound to both hemispheres of the brain so as to accomplish auditory perceptual training.

Abstract: A reading plate has an array of holes in its surface. Rounded ends of rods project selectively through these holes by the action of a set of bimorphous piezoelectric reeds, to which they are coupled. Each reed is connected to a source of electric voltage which can assume two distinct values as a function of an electrical control signal in order to make the piezoelectric reeds bend in one direction or the other. The reading rods are distributed in groups of six and arranged in each group according to the conventional arrangement of dots of a braille character. The transducer can thus provide a relief read-out panel for a pocket electronic calculator for the blind. Methods of using these transducers for recording and readout of magnetic tape with data in Braille-generable form and equipment incorporating them are disclosed.

Abstract: An electromechanical braille cell is disclosed wherein each cell includes six braille indicia formed by the free ends of a vertical stack of cantilever supported piezoelectric reeds. Applying an operating potential to a respective reed causes the reed to bend about a fulcrum at the supported root end of the reed causing the free end to deflect in such a manner as to cause the indicia rod to protrude through an opening in the reading surface of the braille cell. Simultaneous energization of one or more of the reeds in the respective stack defines a given braille character sensed by the operator. The free ends of the reeds are tiered in pairs in a stair step configuration so that the sensing rods from a lower pair of reeds pass by the free end portions of the reeds of a higher step. The upper reed of each pair of reeds is notched to allow passage of the sensing rod associated with the lower reed of that pair of reeds.

Abstract: A portable braille display unit which presents an entire page of braille characters in response to data stored on a storage medium, such as a tape cassette. The display unit is the size of a conventional braille page, and the display unit may be made portable and self-powered. Each braille character is displayed by a braille cell display module in which spring actuated pins are controlled by bimetallic latches. Each module includes six pins which comprise the six dots of each braille cell. To display braille characters, an electrical current is applied to resistively heat selected ones of the bimetallic latches. In response to this current the selected bimetallic latches bend and disengage from the pin, allowing a compressed spring to move the pin upward through the surface plate to display a braille dot. The spring maintains the pin in this position without requiring power from the power supply.

Abstract: A speech signal is input to a microphone (10) and applied through a signal compressor (14) to a filter array (18) consisting of a high pass channel (20), a midfrequency channel (22) and a low pass channel (24). The outputs of the filter array (18) are precision rectified in rectifiers (28), (36) and (46). The rectified signals are applied to voltage controlled power drivers (54) and (56), where the output of the midfrequency channel (22) and the low frequency channel (24) are applied to the power driver (54) and the output of the high frequency channel (20) and the low frequency channel (24) are applied to the power driver (56). The power driver (54) drives vibrators (58) and (60) and the output of the power driver (56) drives a vibrator (62). To drive the vibrators (58) and (60), a random frequency signal at the output of a one shot multivibrator (38) is amplitude modulated by the output of the midfrequency channel (22).