Abstract: The document scanner of the present invention includes a reading assembly of simple, compact and light-weight construction. The reading assembly includes an optical system having a relatively short focal length. The reading assembly is thus simply configured in a compact manner close to the document to be scanned. The optical system is also configured to extend in a particular direction beyond the document viewing area for improved resolution of images from a bound document adjacent the binding. The reading assembly further includes a compact and light-weight illumination source which is low in power consumption, and thus, may be powered by batteries. The stand-alone document scanner of the present invention is particularly suited to portability.

Abstract: An automatic focus control system and related method of operation are provided for use in a closed circuit television system of the type designed for magnification of written images and the like, thereby permitting facilitated reading or viewing by persons with restricted vision. The focus control system responds to selected characteristics of a video signal to adjust the focus setting of a signal-producing video camera for substantially optimum image focus resolution. The focus control system operates initially in a scan mode to rapidly adjust the camera focus setting until the selected signal characteristics exceed a predetermined threshold, whereupon the system switches to a fine adjustment mode utilizing a sampling algorithm to achieve a substantially optimum focus setting.

Abstract: A conventional serial computer printer is modified by removing the roller platen, solenoid plunger and daisy wheel. A punch guide in the form of an elongated plate having openings corresponding to at least some of the embossment positions in a line of Braille together with a back-up die in the form of an elongated plate having indentations each defining the shape of a Braille character embossment in alignment with the openings in the punch guide are substituted for the platen roller in the printer. A Braille medium upon which a line of Braille is to be printed is receivable between the punch guide and back-up die. A flexible punch is substituted for the normal plunger in the solenoid so that the Braille characters can be successively punched by the punch passing through selected ones of the openings to thereby provide a line of Braille.