Abstract: A handheld Braille converting device includes a Braille display unit, an image capturing element, a character recognition element, a Braille converting element, and a display control element to complete the process from the reading of the characters to the output of the Braille by itself. Also, the device has a size capable of being held by a single hand. The Braille display unit includes multiple single Braille display units each corresponding to one Braille character and each single Braille display unit includes multiple movable members. The display control element displays whether or not the relative position of the handheld Braille converting device is correct with respect to a character or character string existing in the captured image, by operating members included in a part of the single Braille display units. The display control element also displays Braille by operating members included in the other single Braille display units.

Abstract: When a user positions a handheld Braille converting device on an object, a CCD camera captures an image of a predetermined range around it. The presence/absence of character(s) is detected based on the captured image. When the characters exist, the characters are recognized, and the recognized characters are converted to Braille and displayed. When the relative position between the moving direction of the handheld Braille converting device and the character string existing in the captured image is not correct, an error is displayed.