Patent ID: 6159013
Filing Date: 2000-12-12
Classification: A61F,G09B

Abstract:
A portable reading device for the blind including optical sensors capable of acquiring printed text, electronics with built-in software for printed character recognition and software for converting said printed characters into Braille characters, and a touch recognition surface, characterized in that the reading device comprises a miniature housing (2) attached to a sleeve to be fitted over the tip of the blind person's index finger like a thimble, said miniature housing (2) including an optical sensor array (5) provided with a lens (4), and an electromagnet unit (6) for displaying in Braille one character at a time, on a touch surface (32), as soon as the blind person's finger slides over a printed character and when said index finger is exactly located over said character; said electromagnetic unit (6) contains six electromagnets (7) for reproducing Braille characters and two further electromagnets (27) and (28) for indicating incorrect tracking to the reader; the latter two electromagnets being activated when the blind person moves his (her) finger too far up or down as it runs along a line of text.