Visual and tactile display

The present invention relates to a device, system and apparatus for a visual and tactile display and in particular, to a tactile and visual display device system capable of displaying both alphanumeric and Braille characters in a manner suitable for individuals that are visually impaired, blind or having normal range vision.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device, system and apparatus for a visual and tactile display and in particular, to a tactile and visual display device system capable of displaying both alphanumeric and Braille characters in three dimensions in a manner suitable for individuals that are visually impaired, blind or having normal range vision.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tactile displays are generally made and marketed toward a particular population sector that of the visually impaired, blind, or where there is insufficient ambient light for visually determining the content of a display. Similarly visual displays are also marketed and geared toward a particular market of individuals within normal seeing/visual range.

Generally devices such as normal house utility articles such as microwave ovens, blender, clocks, have been developed for the visually impaired or blind where they are generally provided with audible cues to allow for conveying a message to a visually impaired individual.

Furthermore displays that would otherwise be dynamic are generally presented to the visually impaired in the form of audible cues via a speaker, rather than tactile cues. For example a watch may be provided as a Braille-like watch based on dot system U.S. Pat. No. 5,311,487 to Mininni, or as a tactile watch U.S. Pat. No. 7,079,454 to Wellen. However neither watch face may be properly interpreted by both a visually impaired individual or by an individual that has normal visual and/or seeing range.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is an unmet need for, and it would be highly useful to have, a tactile and visual display capable of both conveying a message to individuals that are visually impaired or blind utilizing cues that are tactile and that may be interpreted via touch, while conveying the same message to an individual with normal range vision utilizing visual cues.

The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of the background by providing a device, system and apparatus capable of providing a multipurpose display that may be readily interpreted and/or understood both by visually impaired individuals as well as individual with normal range vision. The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art as it offers a display device, system and apparatus that may be equally understood by or communicated to both a visually impaired individual and an individual with normal range vision, optionally and preferably simultaneously. A tactile display for visually impaired individuals characterized in that it provides for readily displaying Braille characters and does not provide for displaying alphanumeric characters utilizing the same system. Similarly visual displays for normal range seeing individuals is not adapted for Braille character display incorporating Braille character spacing rules. Specifically visual displays do not take into account the spacing required to convey a message tactually.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides for both a visual and tactile display that is characterized in that that it is adapted to readily display both to the visually impaired and to individuals with normal seeing range vision while providing a three dimensional dimension display that may be equally understood by both tactile and visual means.

Most preferably the display device of the present invention is configured to account for the limitation of a tactile display, for example inter pixel distance and/or relative pixel allocation, while producing a visual display.

An optional embodiment of the present invention provides a tactile and visual display that is configured to provide both a Braille character tactile display simultaneously with a corresponding visual display of alphanumeric characters.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a visual and tactile display device both for conveying an image and/or message comprising:

i. at least one or more display panels wherein each display panel comprises a plurality of pixels wherein each pixel may be individually maneuvered with an actuator to be raised or lowered from an initial position to a display position to convey image and/or message in three dimensions and wherein conveyed image may be sensed visually and/or sensed tactually; and characterized in that pixels are arranged relative to one another to provide for both a visual and tactile display of alphanumeric characters and Braille characters; and

ii. wherein display panel comprises at least 15 pixels arranged in 3 column and 5 row matrix arrangement wherein the inter pixel distance between adjacent pixels may be about 0.9 mm.

Optionally the pixels may be raised or lowered with actuator optionally up to about 10 mm 0.9 mm 0.8 mm, 0.7 mm, 0.6 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.15 mm, 0.10 mm, optionally and most preferably at least 0.5 mm. More preferably the pixels may be maneuvered from at least 0.3 mm up to about 0.8 mm. Most preferably the pixels may be maneuvered from at least 0.5 mm.

Optionally the display panel may be characterized by a display area size corresponding to about 15.5 mm×11.6 mm.

Optionally the device may comprise two adjacent panels arranged such that a second display panel may be placed 2.3 mm to right or left relative to a first display panel.

Optionally the display device may comprise two display panels arranged such that a second display panel may be disposed 3.4 mm above or below a first display panel.

Optionally the display device comprising a plurality of display panels relative to a first panel wherein an adjacent neighboring panel disposed to the right and/or left of first panel may be placed at a distance of 2.3 mm relative to first panel; and an adjacent neighboring panel disposed above or below first panel may be placed at a distance of 3.4 mm relative to first panel.

Optionally the device may for example include but is not limited to four display panels in a 2 column and 2 row (2×2) matrix form.

Optionally a pixel may comprise a cross section equivalent to about 1.6 mm.

Optionally the pixel may be provided with a face shape for example including but not limited to square, rectangle, round, hexagon, octagon, pentagon, polyhedral, tetrahedral, triangular, heart, smiley, emoticon, spherical, cylindrical, elliptical, shape, geometric shape, image, cartoon character, caricature in any combination thereof or the like.

Optionally and most preferably the display panel may convey alphanumeric characters, Braille characters and/or a combined character.

Optionally and preferably a display panel provides for communication both visually and tactically by presenting both alphanumeric and Braille characters simultaneously about the same display panel providing a combined display.

Optionally and preferably a combined display may be provided for displaying Braille characters pixel and alphanumeric character pixel with a height differential of at least 0.5 mm, Braille characters are presented with a height of at least 0.5 mm relative to a base surface, alphanumeric characters are raised with a height of up to about 0.8 mm relative to a base surface.

Optionally the actuator may be a piezoelectric linear motor providing a force of up to 10 g.f.

Optionally the display panel may be characterized in that it may display at least one alphanumeric characters in a non-block form. Optionally the display may be characterized in that it may display at least two or more alphanumeric characters in a non-block form.

Optionally and preferably the display device may further comprise a controller, for example in the form of a microcontroller, and a communication module and a power supply. Optionally power supply may be provided in the form of a rechargeable batter, battery, capacitor, supercapacitor, photoelectric cell or the like.

Optionally the piezoelectric actuator may be controlled for example with a controller comprising a communication module providing for wireless, wired, cellular, Bluetooth, optical, RF, IR communication, or the like in any combination thereof.

Optionally the image conveyed on the display device may for example include but is not limited to time, image, date, message, alarm, reminder, name tag, identification, address, SMS, email, or any combination thereof.

Optionally the display device may further comprise a modulation module for receiving data and modulating data to a format that may for example be displayed on display. Optionally data may be provided in digital and/or analog form.

Optionally and preferably a plurality of display panels may be coupled or otherwise associated with one another.

Most preferably the actuators maneuver a pixel by raising or lowering the appropriate pixels from an initial position, to a display position and back to the initial position. Optionally the time to maneuver a pixel either for raising or lowing from the initial position to a display position may be up to about 5 (five) seconds, for example. Optionally the time to maneuver a pixel either for raising or lowing from the initial position to a display position may be up to about 2 (two) or 3 (three) seconds, for example.

Optionally a pixel may be maintained in the display position for up to about 60 seconds.

Optionally and more preferably the pixel may be maintained in the display position for about 10 seconds.

Optionally each pixel may be moved relative to at least one or a plurality of neighboring pixels.

Optionally the pixels may be touch activated to provide a display.

Optionally the pixel's are manually activated to provide a display. Optionally and preferably the image display may be activated for a finite period of time. Optionally the finite period of time may be determined based on user control, available resources, for example including but not limited to available power resources or the like.

Optionally the pixels may be provided in the form of light emitting diode (LED).Optionally the LED pixels may be used to display a two dimensional background image. Optionally the LED pixels may be used to display a three dimensional image, for example a hologram or the like on two dimensional surface for example as a background image.

Optionally a two dimensional background image may be displayable while pixel are activated.

Optionally the modulation module provides for importing images for display. Optionally an image may be formed by relatively controlling specific pixels for example including but not limited to background pixels controlling image forming pixels, both image forming and background pixel, control of both lighting and height, or the like.

Optionally individual display panel comprises a corresponding an individual sub-controller.

An optionally embodiment provides for a watch comprising a plurality of display panels concatenated, coupled and/or otherwise associated with one another forming a watch band.

Optionally and preferably display device according to optional embodiments may be coupled, integrated, and/or otherwise coupled with optional auxiliary devices, devices, surfaces or the like, for example including but not limited to article of clothing, jewelry, computer, mobile telephone, PDA, mobile telecommunication device, medical device, ornamental watch, TV, radio, computer, household device, household appliances, washing machine, dryer or the like.

Optionally control of the display device may be provided by an auxiliary device comprising a processor that may be coupled and/or associated therewith, for example including but not limited to computer, mobile telephone, PDA, mobile telecommunication device, medical device, ornamental watch, TV, radio, computer, household device, household appliances, washing machine, dryer or the like.

Optionally the display may further comprise voice activation where, for example, a display function may be activated based on voice recognition, or voice activated functions.

Optionally the device may further comprise a speaker for audibly communicating display content.

Optionally and preferably at least one or more pixels of the display panel may be provides with vibration to convey an image and/or message. Optionally pixels of the display panel forming Braille character display and/or combined character display may further comprise vibration to convey an image and/or message.

Optionally pixels may be activated via an activation signal communicated from the communication module.Optionally the signal activation may be in the form of an electronic message for example including but not limited to email or SMS.

Optionally the display device may alter displays between visually based display and tactile display. Optionally the device may provide for altering between a tactile display and a visually display.

Within the context of this application where reference is made to the units for force may be interchangeably referred to and provided using units of grams, gram-force, ‘gf’ and/or ‘g’ to refer to the SI unit of force, Newton and/or referenced shorthand ‘N’, such that 1 N of force is equivalent to 101.971621298 g or 1 g of force is equivalent to 0.00980665N, or multiples thereof, for example, 2gf−10 gf being equivalent to 0.0196133N−0.0980665N.

Unless otherwise defined the various embodiment of the present invention may be provided to an end user in a plurality of formats, platforms, and may be outputted to at least one of a computer readable memory, a computer display device, a printout, a computer on a network or a user.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The materials, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. Implementation of the method and system of the present invention involves performing or completing certain selected tasks or steps manually, automatically, or a combination thereof. Moreover, according to actual instrumentation and equipment of preferred embodiments of the method and system of the present invention, several selected steps could be implemented by hardware or by software on any operating system of any firmware or a combination thereof. For example, as hardware, selected steps of the invention could be implemented as a chip or a circuit. As software, selected steps of the invention could be implemented as a plurality of software instructions being executed by a computer using any suitable operating system. In any case, selected steps of the method and system of the invention could be described as being performed by a data processor, such as a computing platform for executing a plurality of instructions.

Although the present invention is described with regard to a “computer” on a “computer network”, it should be noted that optionally any device featuring a data processor and/or the ability to execute one or more instructions may be described as a computer, including but not limited to a PC (personal computer), a server, a minicomputer, a cellular telephone, a smart phone, a PDA (personal data assistant), a pager. Any two or more of such devices in communication with each other, and/or any computer in communication with any other computer, may optionally comprise a “computer network”.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention in various optional embodiments overcomes the deficiencies of the background by providing a device, system and apparatus capable of providing a multipurpose display that is readily interpreted understood both by visually impaired individuals as well as individual with normal range vision. The principles and operation of the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description. The following figure reference labels are used throughout the description to refer to similarly functioning parts.

Referring now to the drawings,FIGS. 1A-Care schematic block diagrams of optional tactile and visual display device100according to an preferred embodiment of the present invention for a visual and tactile display. Display device100includes at least one and more preferably a plurality of display panels102. Optionally each display panel102provides for displaying at least one alphanumeric and/or Braille character. Optionally and preferably each display panel102provides for displaying at least two adjacent alphanumeric and/or Braille characters.

Optionally and more preferably each display panel102provides for displaying up to four adjacent alphanumeric and/or Braille characters in a 2 row and 2 column matrix form (2×2), for example as shown inFIG. 1C.

Optionally device100may be coupled, integrated or otherwise associated with an article and/or auxiliary device50for housing and/or associating with device100. For example article50may be any article which may be associated with display100. Optionally, article50may be any article onto which a display100may be coupled for example include but is not limited to a computer, watch, informational display, kitchen utilities, jewelry, exercise machines, medical devices or the like. For example, display100may be incorporated with an article of clothing or jeweler for example a watch

Most preferably display device100comprises at least one or more display panels comprising a plurality of pixels104that may be controlled with an actuator106to form at least one or both of alphanumeric and/or Braille characters while the display panel102is configured to maintain the rules and limitations for ensuring appropriate Braille character recognition.

FIG. 1Adepicts display device100comprising a plurality of display panels102where device100is coupled, integrated with article50. Optionally article50and device100may be integrated with one another while sharing resource for example, available power supply.

FIG. 1Bdepicts display device100comprising a plurality of display panels102where device100is associated or coupled with article50, however in this embodiment device100may be a standalone device without resource sharing with article50as seen inFIG. 1A.

Optionally and preferably display panel102is adapted for displaying both an alphanumeric and a Braille characters, with a plurality of pixels that are spaced apart according to Braille rules. Most preferably single character properties are provided by controlling the size, spacing and overall dimensions of a pixel104the number of pixels104, as will be described inFIG. 3A-Cbelow.

Optionally a plurality of display panels may be concatenated with one another to form a larger display area including a plurality of characters.

FIG. 2provides a schematic block diagram of display device100comprising at least one or more display panels102, a controller110, power supply114. Optionally device100further comprises an actuator activation switch118and a display activation switch116. Optionally device100may further comprise a communication module120, modulation module130, speakers140.

Most preferably controller110provides for controlling device100in all its constituents and may be realized as a microprocessor or the like.

Most preferably display panel102comprising a plurality of pixels104wherein individual pixels104may be individually manipulated, moved and/or maneuvered with an actuator106by raising or lowering a pixel104from an initial position106ato a display position106band preferably back to the initial position106a. Most preferably pixel104may be kept or maintained in a fixed position, most preferably the display position106b, for a finite period of time, for example up to about 60 seconds, and more preferably up to about 10 seconds, and then returned to an initial position106a.

Most preferably a pixel104is individually maneuvered with actuator106to be raised or lowered from an initial position106ato a display position106bto convey said image and/or message in three dimensions, such that the conveyed image and/or message may be sensed visually and/or tactually.

Optionally and preferably actuator106may be controlled with an actuator controller112. Most preferably actuator controller112is controlled with and in communication with device controller110.

Actuator106may for example be realized as an actuator, linear motor, piezoelectric linear motor, MEMS motor, magnetic motor, solenoid based shift mechanism, a bimetal element, spring based mechanism, a hydraulic mechanism or the like. A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides for use of a piezoelectric linear motor106that may provide for raising and lowering of pixel104from the initial position106ato a display position106b, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,498,719 to Piotr et al, incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth.

Most preferably positioning of pixel104may be provided by applying the appropriate power profile to with controller112to actuator106from the display device's power source114. Optionally power source114may optionally be provided in the form of mains power supply, at least one or more battery, at least one or more photoelectric cell, solar cell, at least one or more super capacitor, or the like power supply source. Optionally power source114may be rechargeable by induction, electromagnet, mains power supply.

Most preferably display100may be controllably operated automatically, semi-automatically or manually optionally via controller110and display activation switch116. Optionally display activation/deactivation switch may turn display100on or off. Optionally activation of device100may be wholly controlled with controller110.

Optionally actuator106may be activated to display in three dimension by maneuvering at least one or more pixels104to a display position., with actuator activation switch118. Most preferably activation switch118provides for activating actuator106to maneuver pixel104from an initial position106ato a display position106band back. Most preferably the time to reach the display position is up to about 5 seconds and more preferably 2 or 3 seconds.

Optionally device100comprises a communication module120providing for wireless, wired, cellular, Bluetooth, optical, RF, IR communication optionally with auxiliary devices (not shown) for example computer, PDA, website, mobile communication device, mobile telephone, call center or the like. Optionally and more preferably communication module120provides for communication between article50and device100, as shown inFIG. 1. Optionally communication module120may facilitate receiving and/or communicating data from and to auxiliary devices for example by email, SMS. Optionally communication module120may provide for wired communication for example through a dedicated port for example including but not limited to a USB port, serial port, RS232, HDMI, firewire or the like direct link port devices.

Optionally device100may further comprise a modulation module130for modulating data received 15 wherein said controller is further associated with a modulation module130for receiving data and modulating data to a format that may be displayed on said display100, or for activating display100. For example modulation module130may be enable voice activation of display100where a voice command may activate actuator106to display, for example the current time. Optionally modulation module130may for example provide for converting a graphical image into an image appropriate for displayable with device100.

Optionally modulation module130may provide for importing fonts and modulating them to be scalable with device100so as to present images and alphanumeric characters according to the imported font.

Optionally device100may comprise speaker140for relaying audible cues to a user. Optionally speaker140may for example be provided to audibly communicate with a visually impaired user or for recreational purposes for example to play music.

Most preferably pixel104may be provided with a surface in a plurality of optional shapes and forms for example including but not limited to square, rectangle, round, hexagon, octagon, pentagon, polyhedral, tetrahedral, triangular, heart, smiley, emoticon, spherical, cylindrical, elliptical, shape, geometric shape, image, cartoon character, caricature, or any combination thereof or the like.

Optionally pixel104may be provided in the form of a maneuverable light emitting diode (‘LED’). Optionally LED type pixel104may for example be utilized to illuminate device100, provide for background image to be displayed, provide shading for more clearly defining a displayed image or the like.

Optionally pixel104may provide in a touch sensitive form providing for a touch sensitive display optionally controllable with modulation module130.

Optionally the pixel104resolution within a display panel102and/or device100is sufficiently high to provide for non-block representation of alphanumeric characters. For example, a display pane102may communicate the alphanumeric character ‘2’ in curved non-block alphanumeric form, for example “2,6” instead of a block form “2,6”.

FIGS. 3A-Cdepict pixel104arrangement for individual characters within a display panel102and preferred dimensions for panel102according to optional embodiment of the present invention.

Optionally and preferably each character in display panel102is provided by a collection of pixels104including at least 15 pixels arranged in three column and five row matrix (3×5) arrangement, where the inter-pixel distance between neighboring pixels is 0.9 mm. Optionally and preferably up to 13 of 15 pixels are active pixels104awhile 2 of 15 pixels are inactive pixels104bwhen displaying alphanumeric characters. Most preferably control of which pixel is active or active is controlled with display controller110and actuator controller112and based on the character being displayed.

Optionally and preferably up to 4 of 15 pixels are active pixels104awhen solely displaying Braille characters. Optionally and preferably a Braille character active pixels104amay be selected from a set of pixel location defined by the set of {column1row1; column3row1, column1row3, column3row3} or by pixel location defined by the set of {column1row5; column3row5, column1row3, column3row3} or by pixel location defined by the set of {column1row2; column3row2, column1row4, column3row4}.

Optionally combined simultaneous display of alphanumeric and Braille characters may be provided by an optional embodiment of the present invention where preferably up to 13 of 15 pixels are active pixels104aincluding up to four pixel selected from the Braille pixel set defined by {column1row1; column3row1, column1row3, column3row3}.

Optionally a display panel102is characterized by a display area of about 15.5 mm×11.6 mm including at least 15 pixels arranged in 3 column and 5 row matrix arrangement (3×5).

Optionally and preferably two adjacent panels102may be arranged such that a second display panel is placed 2.3 mm to right or left relative to a first display panel.

Optionally and preferably two adjacent panels102may be arranged such that a second display panel is placed 3.4 mm above or below a first display panel.

Optionally device100may comprise a plurality of display panels102relative to a first panel wherein an adjacent neighboring panel disposed to the right and/or left of the first panel is placed at a distance of 2.3 mm relative to the first panel; and an adjacent neighboring panel disposed above or below the first panel is placed at a distance of 3.4 mm relative to said first panel.

Optionally inter pixel distance between adjacent pixels is about 0.9 mm and a cross section of about 1.6 mm

Most preferably pixel104may be maneuvered by actuator106to be raised or lowered up to about 0.8 mm to a display position. Optionally actuator106may maneuver pixel104by controllable increments of 0.1 mm. Optionally pixel104may be maneuvered at least about 0.5 mm from an More preferably pixel104may be maneuvered at least 0.3 mm toward a display position.

FIG. 3Bshows an alphanumeric character display panel102ashowing optional alphanumeric character formed with pixels104, utilizing active pixels104aand inactive pixels104b.

FIG. 3Ashows a Braille character display panel102bshowing optional Braille character formed with pixels104, utilizing active pixels104aand inactive pixels104b.

FIG. 4Aprovides a chart showing optional representation with the device100according to optional embodiment of the present invention. Row400depicts the alphanumeric Arabic numerals that are displayed while row402depicts the standard Braille configuration for the numerals represented in row400. Rows404,406and408show optional configuration of optional display panels102a,b,c.

Row408Display showing only alphanumeric representation of the Arabic numerals presenting in row400as would be presented with an optional display panel102aaccording to optional embodiments of the present invention.

Row406shows only Braille representation of the Braille numerals presented in row402as would be presented with an optional display panel102baccording to optional embodiments of the present invention.

Row404shows only a combined representation including both alphanumeric and Braille character representation therein combining the numerals presented in rows400and402as would be presented with an optional display panel102caccording to optional embodiments of the present invention. Display panel102cdepicts the combined activated pixel104cthat is preferably disposed at least 0.5 mm above an adjacent pixel104aproviding for both visualizing the displayed character while simultaneously allowing a visually impaired or blind individual to tactually feel the numeral ‘6’ in a proper Braille format while also providing for tactually feeling the full alphanumeric image ‘6’.

FIG. 4Bprovides a chart showing schematic depiction of an optional representation of alphanumeric characters with device100according to optional embodiment of the present invention. Row410depicts a selection of alphanumeric English characters, while row412depicts the corresponding Braille representation. Row414shows an optional and preferred combined alphanumeric and Braille configuration for the different letters shown in rows410and412.

FIG. 5shows a partial exploded view display panel102to reveal the interaction between actuator controller112, actuator106, pixels104, and in particular how a square faced pixel104for example is could with actuator106and actuator controller112to provide for maneuvering pixel104from a first position106ato a display position106b.

FIG. 6Adepicts a simplified structure of an optional pixel actuator maneuvering device106according to an optional embodiment of the present invention.

Protrusion core block505may comprise an actuator for example including but not limited to a solenoid based shift mechanism or a bimetal element or a hydraulic mechanism, a piezoelectric motor, MEMS motor or the like. Core505is activated by voltage Va506, preferably DC, which is generated by control unit112whenever the associated pixel shall be protruded. The protrusion motion508is transferred to pixel actuator shaft106by a connection shaft507. Recess509is provided to lock shaft507in the sunken position by means of spline510, for example to avoid shifting of pixels104when the watch is turned upside down. An similar recess is carved also in the lower part of shaft507(not shown) in order to lock it in the raised position.

FIG. 6B-Dshows an example of an optional and preferred piezoelectric linear motor as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,498,719 to Piotr et al, incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth. Optionally and preferably a piezoelectric linear motor may be utilized as actuator106according to optional embodiments of the present invention,

Piezoelectric linear motor comprise a moveable body40, the movable shaft30and a unimorph or bimorph structure comprising at least one piezoelectric or electrostrictive substrate10/12, and an elastic body20. The piezoelectric/electrostrictive linear motor is reversibly and linearly moved by an ultrasonic pulse voltage applied to the unimorph (6B-C) or bimorph structure (6D). Control of the relative movement of the load is provided by precisely controlling varying the period of the applied voltage

The piezoelectric/electrostrictive linear motor having the above-mentioned construction uses bending movement of a unimorph or bimorph structure including both an elastic body20and at least one piezoelectric or electrostrictive substrate10/12as its driving source, so that a movable body40moves along a movable shaft30. The piezoelectric linear motor comprises a movable body40, may for example realized in the form of pixel104according to optional embodiments of the present invention, may be moved along moveable shaft30by the drive of an appropriate electrical input pulse ‘U’, for example saw-tooth pulse wave input, into the piezoelectric or electrostrictive substrate10, causing the elasticity of the elastic body20to bend (unimorph or bimorph structure) in response to electrical input at point ‘U’. The application of controllable electrical input U provides for moving moveable body40in any direction (up and/or down) along shaft30.

FIG. 7Ashows an optional embodiment of the present invention where the display device100is coupled with a watch50assembly to provide for a dual Braille and three dimensional visual watch are provided. Watch50comprises power supply114, display activation switch116; actuator activation switch118, as described inFIG. 2. Watch50further shows a display100having both alphanumeric characters and Braille characters presented on a single display panel102utilizing various pixel types combined pixels104c, active pixels104a, and inactive pixels104b, to a user (not shown), to display the time both in three dimensional alphanumeric characters and Braille characters as shown and described inFIG. 4row404.

FIG. 7Bprovides an exploded view ofFIG. 7Ashowing the functional parts as described inFIG. 2above.

FIGS. 8A-Bprovide further schematic illustrative depiction of an optional embodiment of the present invention where display100is provided in the form of an alarm clock,FIG. 8Aand in the form of a display100,FIG. 8Bthat may be associated with any device or article50, as described inFIG. 1.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiment, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Having described a specific preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to that precise embodiment and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention defined by the appended claims.

Further modifications of the invention will also occur to persons skilled in the art and all such are deemed to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.