Abstract: Single dot tactile reading module including a tactile dot, driven by a rotation of a cam around its axis, either directly or through a pair of levers. A shape memory alloy wire is attached on one hand to a rod which ends can slide in slots cut in internal faces of the cam, on the other hand to a rod held in a fixed position at the bottom of the tactile module. The wire contraction, produce by Joule heating, rotates the cam which in turn moves the dot up or down depending on the direction of the rotation. The wire cooling, accelerated by a heat sink allows the return of the wire to its initial length with help of a spring which pushes the rod from one end to the opposite end of the slots the cam being prevented from rotating by a locking spring having two stable positions, one corresponding to the up position of the dot, the other to its down position.

Abstract: Single dot tactile reading module including a tactile dot, driven by a rotation of a cam around its axis, either directly or through a pair of levers. A shape memory alloy wire is attached on one hand to a rod which ends can slide in slots cut in internal faces of the cam, on the other hand to a rod held in a fixed position at the bottom of the tactile module. The wire contraction, produce by Joule heating, rotates the cam which in turn moves the dot up or down depending on the direction of the rotation. The wire cooling, accelerated by a heat sink allows the return of the wire to its initial length with help of a spring which pushes the rod from one end to the opposite end of the slots the cam being prevented from rotating by a locking spring having two stable positions, one corresponding to the up position of the dot, the other to its down position.

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: 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: 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, on which they rest perpendicularly. 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.