Patent Application: US-201615097325-A

Abstract:
a device and method for operating a computer system without sight to explore and edit spatially portrayed data represented in a tactile format is described . specifically , the system includes a work surface having a plurality of actuatable magnets located below the work surface . when a magnet is actuated , the magnetic field emitted from the magnet is detectable above the work surface . the presence or absence of magnetic fields above the work surface represents spatial data from the computer . the user receives the spatial data by moving a metallic implement along the work surface to detect the presence or absence of magnetic fields in various locations on the work surface . specifically , the actuatable magnets are permanent magnets having linear actuators or servo motors for moving the magnet closer to the work surface , thereby actuating the magnet .

Description:
with reference to the figures , a device 10 for allowing visually impaired users to interface with spatially portrayed data in a computer system is described . referring to fig1 and 2 , the device 10 generally comprises an enclosure 12 having a work surface 14 on the top of the enclosure , control buttons 16 , a speaker 18 , a headphone port 20 , a usb port 24 , and a braille display 32 . an armature 30 is attached to the top of the enclosure and provides support for a motion capture device 28 and a microphone 22 . the armature may have hinges 30 a to be articulated or detachable to facilitate more compact travel and storage of the device . the work surface 14 serves as the primary interface for a user to spatially interact with the device . as explained in greater detail below , as a user moves their hand or finger over the work surface , they receive different types of feedback based on the location of their hand . preferably the work surface comprises a display screen , such as an lcd display screen with a backlight that provides visual information for users who have partial sight available . it is not necessary that the work surface remain level in a horizontal plane as ergonomics may dictate that a work surface that is tilted towards the user is more comfortable . in some embodiments of this system the work surface is an embossed or relieved non - magnetic material that is white or light - colored to allow images and / or words to be clearly projected onto the work surface from a video projector mounted overhead ( not shown ). the work surface is surrounded by a physical border 14 a that provides a referential landmark for the user &# 39 ; s hand . in some embodiments , a clip or bracket is integrated into the surrounding border surrounding to retain single page tactile printouts that are placed on top of the work surface . referring to fig3 , the device further comprises a magnetic tactile display 34 located below the work surface in the enclosure which comprises a two dimensional array of actuatable magnets 36 . preferably , the array of actuatable magnets form pixels that are arranged in a grid pattern , such as in fig3 where for the purposes of illustration , the magnetic pixels are arranged in a 8 × 8 grid . any number of magnetic pixels may be used , and preferably at least 121 pixels arranged in a minimum 11 × 11 grid are used in order to provide sufficient display resolution and a meaningful coordinate system . each magnet is independently actuatable between an on and off position , wherein in the on position , a magnetic field from the magnet is detectable on a top side 14 b of the work surface 14 , and in the off position , the magnetic field is not detectable on the top side of the work surface . preferably , the actuatable magnets are permanent magnets that are physically moved closer to a bottom side 14 c of the work surface in the on position , and physically moved away from the bottom side of the work surface in the off position . fig4 illustrates a side view of a first actuatable magnet 36 a on the left in an off position , and a second actuatable magnet 36 b on the right in an on position . in the off position , a magnetic field from the first magnet 36 a would not be detectable on the top side 14 b of the work surface , as the magnetic field decays in the void between the magnet and the work surface . in one embodiment , each magnet 36 is moveable between the on and off position by a linear actuator , which may be a linear servo motor or a latching solenoid . fig4 illustrates a first and second magnet actuator unit 38 , 40 attached to the first and second magnet 36 a , 36 b . each magnet actuator unit generally includes a mounting chassis 42 , a linear servo 44 having a motor ( not shown ), a horn 46 connected to the linear servo 44 and movable along the mounting chassis , a wiring harness 48 , and a control pcb 50 . the first magnetic actuator unit 38 is in the off position ( not actuated ), wherein the linear servo 44 , horn 46 and magnet 36 a are in their lowest position . when the linear servo is actuated , the linear servo and horn move up into their highest position , moving the magnet 36 b up into the on position . each magnet has its own linear servo motor that is independently actuatable . the use of a linear servo motor allows the magnet system to operate using a low current , and thus the wiring to each switch does not require much space or energy , allowing the system to be reasonably compact and energy efficient . preferably , the magnets are permanent rare earth magnets made from alloys of rare earth elements such as neodymium ( nd 2 fe 14 b ). rare earth magnets are stable , compact and strong , enabling a small magnet to be used that has a strong enough magnetic field for a user to perceive on the work surface . a protective surface treatment such as gold , nickel , zinc , tin plating , and epoxy resin coating may be applied to the magnet to provide corrosion protection and prevent chipping . in some embodiments , individual magnets may be stacked to increase the emanating magnetic field strength . in another embodiment , as fig8 a and 8b illustrate , rare earth magnets 79 are placed inside a ferrous cup 81 or against a ferrous backing plate to redirect the magnet &# 39 ; s natural field 80 into a stronger more isolated distribution 82 . the magnetic tactile display 34 is operably connected to the computer system which controls the position of each magnet for forming a variety of patterns in the magnetic array . fig5 illustrates a pattern on the magnetic array , wherein the shaded magnets 36 c are in the on position and detectable by the user at the work surface , while the unshaded magnets 36 d are in the off position and undetectable by the user . the magnetic tactile display has been described and illustrated as using linear servo - motors , but as is understood by those skilled in the art , other types of solenoid , actuator or magnetic switches could be used . for a user to sense the magnetic fields output by the magnetic tactile display , a magnetic probe 70 that is sensitive to magnetic forces is attached to the user &# 39 ; s finger ( s ) 66 or held in the user &# 39 ; s hand . in one embodiment , shown in fig6 b , the magnetic probe is a rare earth magnet embedded into an apparatus 70 a that a user can wear on their fingertip . preferably the embedded magnet is positioned overtop the user &# 39 ; s fingernail so that magnetic field from the magnet extends down through the finger . the polarity of the embedded magnet is oriented to match the polarity of the magnets 36 within the tactile display 34 so as to amplify the interaction of the tactile display and finger apparatus . as a user moves his or her finger across the work surface 14 , the magnetic probe implement allows the user to detect points of magnetic attraction or repulsion . in an alternate embodiment , shown in fig6 c , a user holds a metallic stylus 74 in their hand 76 and uses the stylus to explore the work surface 14 and the magnetic arrangements of spatial data generated by the magnetic tactile display 34 . in a further embodiment , a flexible metallic layer is attached to the pad of a user &# 39 ; s finger to form the magnetic probe . in this embodiment , the user &# 39 ; s finger pad is coated with a thin layer of liquid latex , and then iron particles are bonded into the latex layer and sealed with a second top coat of liquid latex . after use the latex / iron pad can easily be peeled from the fingertip . the latex / iron pad may be pre - formed as a finger cot or condom that a user can individually place over a finger or may be made in - situ by the user each time they interact with the system . fig6 d illustrates a finger cot 78 with an integrated magnetic probe 70 slipped on over a user &# 39 ; s finger 66 . in one embodiment , magnetic implements are worn on multiple fingers to allow the user to sense the location of more than one magnet in an on position simultaneously . similarly , a metallic layer may be applied on the fingers of both of the user &# 39 ; s hands to allow the user to simultaneously receive spatial feedback through both hands . in another embodiment , a latex and iron molded patch can be adhered to the user &# 39 ; s finger like a bandage . in another embodiment , a glove having multiple metal patches located in different areas of the glove may be worn by the user . the device is operatively connected to a computer system that stores and runs all relevant associated files , drivers and interfaces for operation of the device and enables user access to interface readable files . in particular , files having system functionality will be programmed to cause a desired output to be transferred to the magnetic tactile display . fig7 illustrates the computer system and the input and output devices . in some embodiments , operating files and content files containing spatially portrayed data scenes are stored locally on a hard drive or portable memory device while other files may be stored remotely on an online server . in this case the computer provides a broadband connection that allows for internet based file transfer . preferably , the computer system is built into the enclosure 12 . however the device may also be connected to a peripheral device such as a separate computer , i . e . a desktop or laptop computer , or a smartphone , tablet computer or similar mobile device . in some embodiments , a docking apparatus is integrated into the base display to facilitate the connection of mobile devices . in some embodiments , a wireless tablet computer or personal mobile device connects to the built in computer system by known telephony and radio frequency ( rf ) protocols in order to serve as a remote control mechanism for the system . this configuration allows the system user to collaborate with a peer or colleague . for instance , while the system user explores tactile content on the display , the non - user can monitor the display output and the user &# 39 ; s exploration paths from the tablet computer . additionally , the tablet computer can be used to sketch new content that is then transmitted to the display device for the user &# 39 ; s exploration . in this configuration , the system serves the role of a white board or note pad , such as would be used by teachers and students in a typical classroom for instance , where concepts and content designs can be rapidly developed and exchanged among multiple observers . in one embodiment , the microphone 22 is connected to the device to enable audio input to use with voice recognition software . the user may operate the device through voice commands . in one embodiment , a speaker 18 is connected to the system to enable audio output . alternatively , an audio headset can be connected to the headphone port 20 for audio output . it is understood that a speaker or audio headset could be connected via cable or wireless connection . in some embodiments audio output may be provided in stereo or surround sound such that sound output provided by the device is localized in a way that reflects the position of the digital feature being explored . for instance , an audio cue associated with a feature located on the left side of the work surface may play more loudly through the left audio channel . audio output may be used in conjunction with the voice recognition software to confirm commands given by the user and to inform the user of the operations being performed . audio output may also be used to provide the user with information based on the position of their hand on the work surface . for instance , when a user locates a data feature represented by a point of magnetism , a voice command can be used to prompt the computer to announce grid coordinates of the user &# 39 ; s finger &# 39 ; s location . preferably , the work surface includes a liquid crystal display ( lcd ) screen 14 d or alternative technology , such as amoled or e - ink display , and a backlight 14 e , as shown in fig4 , for visual display on the work surface of images and / or text . alternatively , a digital video projector may be positioned above the work surface to display images and / or text onto the work surface . this feature is important for user &# 39 ; s who may have partial vision and for non visually - impaired people who may be working with a visually impaired person , for example in an educational setting . in one embodiment , the motion capture device 28 is mounted overhead the work surface to track and / or record the movement of a user &# 39 ; s magnetic probe implement over the work surface . preferably , the motion capture device is a video camera . methods for tracking point motion using cameras are well known to those skilled in the art . in one embodiment , the user &# 39 ; s hand or finger is fitted with a signal device that is detected by the motion capture device overhead . the motion capture device may be an infrared camera and the signal device may be an infrared led . in one embodiment a capacitive or resistive touch sensor layer is adhered to the top of the work surface . in this embodiment , the user &# 39 ; s finger is required to make contact with the work surface in order to register its location and movement . in another embodiment , the computer includes software for translating the movement of the user &# 39 ; s hand into the movement of a digital image or animation , such as a digital sprite , within a virtual map scene . there may be a soundscape of audio features within the map scene that can be explored by the user moving his or her hand within the map field . when a point of interest , typically co - located with a magnetic landmark , is “ touched ” by the sprite , an audio clip or string of synthesized speech output describing the feature is played over speakers or through the user &# 39 ; s headphones . in another embodiment , the user &# 39 ; s hand movements over the work surface are monitored in order to provide the equivalent of cursor movement back to the computer system , providing an understanding of the user &# 39 ; s hand movements over the work surface . by detecting user hand movement from overhead , tactile content and tangible markers or memory aids can be placed below a user &# 39 ; s fingers without impeding the sensors that enable the hand tracking functionality . markers of this sort can be tagged with qr codes or other forms of fiducial symbol that are recognized by the computer vision system to provide discrete tracking and dynamic identification of all markers placed within the scene . in one embodiment , one or more transducer mechanisms that provide haptic output via vibration may be used to create an additional layer of perceptible somatosensory information as the user explores an interactive scene . preferably the mechanism that provides vibrotactile output is embedded into the magnetic probe apparatus , but in certain embodiments it may be integrated into the work surface or enclosure . an illustration of the operation of this mechanism is given using a crosshair guideline example fig9 . quite often , when exploring tactile scenes with the tip of single finger it can be quite difficult to find the precise location of a desired point of interest . aligning digital guidelines along a horizontal axis 84 and vertical axis 85 of a selected feature 83 can accelerate the location of that feature . when a user passes over either guideline they will feel a vibration that denotes the presence of the feature in line with their finger and hear an audio cue that identifies the orientation of the guideline . the user can then travel along the vibrotactile guideline or move in reference to it to reach the location of the feature . the base display system may include a number of integrated control buttons 16 , keys or switches that can be used to operate the system . control buttons are embedded in the device enclosure 12 and arranged on the periphery of the work surface 14 such that the user can explore tactile content with one hand and operate the control buttons with the other hand . in some embodiments , a braille cell display 32 may be integrated or connected externally to provide an alternate form of textual information output , particularly for users who may be deaf blind . this technology may be embedded into the top surface of the device enclosure 12 around the periphery of the work surface or it could be provided as a connected peripheral device . the user may use various means for interfacing with the system . for example , the user may use keyboard commands , press purpose specific control buttons , perform hand or finger gestures that are recognized by the motion capture system or use voice commands to initiate interaction with the computer . such commands may direct the computer to navigate to and load specific files or perform specific tasks and operations . for the purposes of illustration , referring to fig6 a , this may be a subway map 60 , in which train stations 62 a , 62 b and 62 c are spatially separated from one another along a subway line 64 . the commuter subway map file is programmed such that the spatial layout of each train station will be correspondingly identifiable as a magnetic field on the work surface 14 with a user &# 39 ; s finger 66 as the finger passes over a corresponding location on the work surface . fig6 b shows magnets 66 a , 66 b and 66 c in an on position to spatially correspond respectively to subway stations 62 a , 62 b , and 62 c . the magnetic field 68 for the on magnets extends above the work surface 14 such that the user feels a magnetic tug when they pass their finger 66 with a metallic implement 70 through the magnetic field . the magnetic field of a fourth magnet 66 d in the off position does not extend above the work surface and is not felt by the user . when the user passes over a subway station represented by a magnetic field , they may also receive audio feedback from the speakers or headset identifying the station . additionally , they may also receive audio information that is relevant to the station , including menu options for accessing additional information using voice and / or finger commands . if a user wants to mark a specific place on the work surface , such as station 62 b , they can place a marker 72 on the work surface above the corresponding magnet . the marker does not interfere with the magnetic field and does not impede the user from detecting the magnetic field . in one embodiment , an image of the commuter subway map is displayed or projected onto the work surface . this device can be widely used in a variety of different contexts for both visually - impaired users and their peers in academic , professional , and domestic contexts and both public or private venues . the device allows users to both access and create digital content that can be shared among a group of people . in particular , the device can be used in an educational setting for teaching spatial concepts , such as diagrams , maps , tables and graphs , to visually - impaired students . traditional methods for creating non - visual study materials like tactile maps and braille documents can be difficult and time - consuming for teachers , particularly for those who do not know braille well or are constrained by limited budgets and time . for example , the device can be used in lieu of a tactile map depicting the locations and attributes of capital cities , the structure of chemical compounds , the periodic table of the elements , the products of mathematical equations , or nutrition guidelines . the device can be used to interface with external devices connected via telephony protocols that are known to those skilled in the art to provide direct control of multiple devices from one familiar interface . examples of such external devices could include domestic appliances ( e . g . a household thermostat , stove , washing machine , security system or home theatre equipment ), retail technologies ( e . g . point of sale systems , vending machines , or product catalogues ) or industrial equipment ( e . g . robotic assembly controls , laboratory sensors , or printing devices ). the device can be used in a public setting , such as a shopping mall , event venue , transit hub , office building , to provide a floor plan , seating directory information , or other information . when used in this context , the form factor of the device may be modified as shown in fig1 a and 10b to facilitate mounting the device 10 on a pedestal 87 or flush against a wall 88 . although the present invention has been described and illustrated with respect to preferred embodiments and preferred uses thereof , it is not to be so limited since modifications and changes can be made therein which are within the full , intended scope of the invention as understood by those skilled in the art . challis , b . 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