Abstract: A portable print reading device includes a high resolution digital camera to which the following additional functions have been added: image centering by tactile or sound information, obtained from the analysis or real time video signals provided by the camera sensor, optical recognition of the characters contained in an image, conversion of recognized text into synthetic speech, conversion of recognized text into Braille, positioning of the reading cursor anywhere inside documents recognized and temporarily stored in the reading device memory: beginning of a page, a paragraph, a line, word search, etc., processing of raw images provided by the camera to allow the transfer of whole images or selected image parts to a tactile graphic array, to allow blind users to apprehend graphic elements of such an image, and control of the camera functions by electrical signals provided by the recognition of commands spoken by the user.

Abstract: Two transparent plates constitute with each other an angle variable from about 60 to 120 degrees along their common edge. A book to photograph is opened at the chosen pages and placed sitting on said common edge. A photographic camera is attached near the free edge of one of the plates through a supporting element in such a way that the optical axis of the camera stays perpendicular to the one plate. A first planar mirror, which has one edge in common with the common edges of the transparent plates, is maintained exactly in the middle of the angle formed by the transparent plates but can be folded against the one plate. A second mirror which has one edge in common with the one plate near its free edge, is maintained perpendicular to the reference position of the first mirror.

Abstract: Two transparent plates constitute with each other an angle variable from about 60 to 120 degrees along their common edge. A book to photograph is opened at the chosen pages and placed sitting on said common edge. A photographic camera is attached near the free edge of one of the plates through a supporting element in such a way that the optical axis of the camera stays perpendicular to the one plate. A first planar mirror, which has one edge in common with the common edges of the transparent plates, is maintained exactly in the middle of the angle formed by the transparent plates but can be folded against the one plate. A second mirror which has one edge in common with the one plate near its free edge, is maintained perpendicular to the reference position of the first mirror.

Abstract: A portable print reading device includes a high resolution digital camera to which the following additional functions have been added:

Abstract: Tactile display comprising an array of dots, preferably arranged in rows and columns, capable of showing both Braille characters and two-dimensional tactile graphics, in which the displacement of the dots is obtained by the action of opposite shape memory wires, one for each direction of displacement.The tactile dots are kept in their raised or recessed positions by the action of elastic locking mechanisms, energy being used only to change the dot pattern.The thickness, weight and power requirement of the display allow its use in conventional electronic notebooks, as a replacement or a complement to ordinary displays, when used by visually handicapped people.