Method of mechanically translating written text to braille on computer programmed machine using motion haptic stimulation technology

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a haptic system of rotating cylindrical shafts topped with caps to create a virtual sensation of Braille text by integrating a microprocessor with microdrive motors. The micro drive's shafts are crowned with plastic cylindrical caps, the top face of which are precisely flush or level with the device's display surface thereby emulating the standard diameter and feel of a Braille dot or Braille space in two dimensions. It is the rotation of the drive's shaft that spins the caps and simulates the sensation of a Braille dot that is felt with the fingertips. This sensation of a two dimensional rotating dot is the result of the top face of the capped shafts positioned flush with the device's display surface. Motors that alternate between rotating shafts and shafts at rest produce Braille cell dots and spaces, respectively.

1 . A motorized device comprising:
 a computer processing unit;   a plurality of motors or micro drives connected to a plurality of shafts, optionally crowned with cylindrical caps, wherein top(s) of the plurality of shafts are flush with a display surface of the motorized device, wherein the plurality of motors or micro drives are capable of making the plurality of shafts spin and/or rotate, wherein the top of the plurality of spinning shafts are capable of providing a tactile pattern on the display surface of the motorized device.   
     
     
         2 . The motorized device of  claim 1 , wherein the shafts are crowned with 1.44 mm cylindrical caps. 
     
     
         3 . The motorized device of  claim 1 , wherein capped tops of the shafts are in a 2 column by 3 row configuration for each cell simulating the size and dimensions of standard Braille dots and cells embossed on paper. 
     
     
         4 . The motorized device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of cells are in a 25 column by 40 row array producing the 1000 cell user interface. 
     
     
         5 . The motorized device of  claim 1 , wherein the display surface is capable of providing Braille for one or more pages of conventionally displayed print or pixel text. 
     
     
         6 . A method of providing a Braille readable surface translated from written text comprising:
 transferring a portable document file to a microcomputer through a device USB or other type of input;   microcomputer converts the data in the file to Java bytecode;   bytecode is converted into plain text format that can be interpreted by Java applet;   text is converted into two-dimensional Boolean arrays representative of Braille cells;   Braille cells format is outputted to microdrive motors to turn on or stay off;   caps on top of microdrive motor shafts spin or remain still, thus sensed by user as a Braille dot or space; and   1000 Braille cell array is read by user as a page of text.