Patent · US Expired

System and method for integrating tactile language with the visual alphanumeric characters

US7318195B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
3References
40Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateAug 8, 2003
Grant dateJan 8, 2008
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 16, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG09B21/003
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A mapping system that integrates tactile language (specifically level 1 Braille) with the visual alphanumeric alphabet. A unified tacto-visual form of communication and recording is created. Alphanumeric characters present simultaneous direct relationships between the individual alphanumeric elements and their tactile corollaries within a single form. Segments of each alphanumeric character are configured to meet at points of tactility. Tacto-visual characters comprised of two languages (i.e. Level 1 Braille and the visual alphanumeric character set) are created. Configurations of characters create a legible and readable simultaneous form of communication. The invention provides a tactile surface for blind readers to engage with a visual source for full vision readers and a hybrid for low vision readers. Tactile communication can occupy a same location as the alphanumeric visual communication thereby providing an interface for both the visually-impaired and the full-vision user.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.