Patent ID: 6542623
Filing Date: 2003-04-01
Classification: G09B

Abstract:
A portable device for information management for a blind individual, comprising:(a) a scanner for scanning a printed character material and for producing digital data, said scanner comprising: (i) a scanning window for being moved over said printed character material; and (ii) a scanning bar for scanning said printed character material through said scanning window, such that an area of said printed character material being available for scanning by said scanning bar is determined by said scanning window; (b) an OCR (optical character recognition) software module for analyzing said digital data to determine if said printed character material contains text, and if said text is present, converting at least a portion of said digital data into Braille writing; (c) a Braille array, comprising a plurality of Braille cells, for displaying said Braille writing; and (d) a management software module for producing Braille writing for providing an information management selection interface to the blind individual, said information management selection interface being displayed on said Braille array, and said information management selection interface including at least one option for scanning said printed material.