TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to braille systems and devices for blind and
visually impaired individuals. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a portable braille device for reading and writing for blind and visually impaired.

BACKGROUND

The background description includes information that may be useful in
understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[003] The spectacular development of techniques in computers and electronics has
enabled to offer high-performance equipment at attractive prices to a wider and wider range
of customers: computers, scanners, printers and fax machines make up everyday tools.
[004] Unfortunately, these breakthroughs had no repercussions for the blind,
especially for getting access to reading and, more widely, to culture and knowledge. Braille, a language by which languages such as English, Hindi, Chinese etc. can be understood and read, is used by thousands of people all over the world to provide a means of literacy for all. The problems with existing braille system include: -
• Reading and understanding speed was significantly slower.
• Braille material was quite expensive.
• Considerable portability and management issues
• Spelling skills require special attention because of the constructions.
• Braille stylus was used to write Braille that can harm a blind person.
• Too many pages were wasted in order to learn even a single character of a particular language.
[005] The blind can certainly follow radio programmes for accessing cultural or
other information. But, to date, they practically have no access to the information they chose. A few experiments appeared here and there to have the blind enjoy books through recorded audio tapes.
[006] Efforts have been made in the past to over the problem associated with the
current braille system, for enabling the blind to access reading by using a process that

includes text scanning and data processing to have the text appear as Braille sheets. For example, European Patent Number EP 0542054 A3 provides A reading apparatus for a handicapped person includes a reader for optically reading character information from a recording medium and photoelectrically converting the character information so that it is displayed by a pin pattern on a display. When the operator detects a character area from the display result, an area of an object for character recognition is designated by an input unit and the execution of the character recognition is instructed. A processor recognizes the character read by the reader and displays the character so that it can be perceived in a tactile manner. Whether the result of the reading of the character is correct or not can be checked by tactile perception. The recognition results of the character recognized can also be converted into an audio output by an audio output unit.
[007] To date, the salient dots method invented by Louis Braille is widely spread.
The blind trained to read in Braille can read very quickly and reach an outstanding level of integration. Unfortunately, only a few books are translated into Braille and their size as well as their price is high.
[008] For example, the German Patent DE3901023A1 discloses a portable device
moved by the blind person over a newspaper properly guided against a side provided for to
that end, the text acquired being transcribed into Braille lines. However, this patent sets forth
a device that presents several drawbacks insofar as the blind cannot read Braille exactly as
the text is entered. Actually, the device: requires a guiding device, is still cumbersome.
[009] There is therefore a need in the art to provide to a portable braille device for
reading and writing for blind and visually impaired that overcome the above-mentioned and other limitations of the existing solutions and utilize techniques, which are robust, accurate, fast, efficient, cost effective and simple.
OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0010] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment
herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
[0011] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a portable braille device.
[0012] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a portable braille device
that reduces wastage of time and effort for preparing braille content.
[0013] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a portable braille device
that eliminates wastage of pages being used for preparing braille book.

[0014] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a portable braille device
that enables blind and visually impaired to read written content in any form i.e. books, news
papers, online articles and the like.
[0015] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a portable braille device
that eliminates the need of hand-holding and continuous supervision.
[0016] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a portable braille device
that is cost effective alternative to existing art and easy to implement.
SUMMARY
[0017] The present disclosure relates to braille systems and devices for blind and
visually impaired individuals. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a portable braille device for reading and writing for blind and visually impaired.
[0018] According to an aspect, a portable braille device is disclosed. The device ca
include: a housing; an input unit configured to receive one or more data files, said one or more data files pertaining to one or more characters of a language; a control unit operatively coupled with the input unit, the control unit configured to convert the one or more data files to a corresponding one or more braille files, said one or more braille files pertaining to a corresponding one or more characters of a braille format, wherein the conversion of the one or more data files to a corresponding one or more braille files is based on a stored dataset; and a braille screen having plurality of tactile pixels, the braille screen operatively coupled with the control unit, wherein one or more tactile pixels of the plurality of tactile pixels are engaged to display said one or more braille files.
[0019] In an embodiment, a touch-enabled screen disposed on the housing, the touch-
enabled screen operatively coupled with the control unit, and the touch-enabled screen configured to receive the one or more characters, wherein the control unit configured to recognise the one or more characters based on the stored dataset and generate one or more first signals based on the recognised one or more characters.
[0020] In an embodiment, an audio unit operatively coupled with the control unit, the
audio unit configured to generate an audio speech based on the generated one or more first signals.
[0021] In an embodiment, an auxiliary audio unit operatively coupled with the audio
unit and to enable transmission of the generated audio speech to a computing device associated with a user.

[0022] In an embodiment, the audio unit configured to generate the audio speech
based on the generated one or more braille files.
[0023] In an embodiment, a communication port operatively coupled with the input
unit to enable reception of the one or more data files.
[0024] In an embodiment, an optical sensor operatively coupled with the control unit,
the optical sensor configured to capture one or more images of a written text, wherein the
control unit configured to extract the one or more characters from the captured one or more
images, and generate the one or more data files based on the recognized one or more
characters.
[0025] In an embodiment, an optical character recognition (OCR) reader to enable
recognition of the one or more characters.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] In the figures, similar components and/or features may have the same
reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.
[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary representation of a portable braille device in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.
[0029] Embodiments of the present invention include various steps, which will be
described below. The steps may be performed by hardware components or may be embodied in machine-executable instructions, which may be used to cause a general-purpose or special-purpose processor programmed with the instructions to perform the steps. Alternatively, steps may be performed by a combination of hardware, software, firmware and/or by human operators.

[0030] Embodiments of the present invention may be provided as a computer program
product, which may include a machine-readable storage medium tangibly embodying thereon instructions, which may be used to program a computer (or other electronic devices) to perform a process. The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, fixed (hard) drives, magnetic tape, floppy diskettes, optical disks, compact disc read-only memories (CD-ROMs), and magneto-optical disks, semiconductor memories, such as ROMs, PROMs, random access memories (RAMs), programmable read-only memories (PROMs), erasable PROMs (EPROMs), electrically erasable PROMs (EEPROMs), flash memory, magnetic or optical cards, or other type of media/machine-readable medium suitable for storing electronic instructions (e.g., computer programming code, such as software or firmware).
[0031] Various methods described herein may be practiced by combining one or more
machine-readable storage media containing the code according to the present invention with
appropriate standard computer hardware to execute the code contained therein. An apparatus
for practicing various embodiments of the present invention may involve one or more
computers (or one or more processors within a single computer) and storage systems
containing or having network access to computer program(s) coded in accordance with
various methods described herein, and the method steps of the invention could be
accomplished by modules, routines, subroutines, or subparts of a computer program product.
[0032] If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or
“might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
[0033] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the
meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0034] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are provided so that this invention will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both
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currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure).
[0035] While embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and
described, it will be clear that the invention is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as described in the claim.
[0036] The present disclosure relates to braille systems and devices for blind and
visually impaired individuals. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a portable braille device for reading and writing for blind and visually impaired.
[0037] According to an aspect, a portable braille device is disclosed. The device ca
include: a housing; an input unit configured to receive one or more data files, said one or more data files pertaining to one or more characters of a language; a control unit operatively coupled with the input unit, the control unit configured to convert the one or more data files to a corresponding one or more braille files, said one or more braille files pertaining to a corresponding one or more characters of a braille format, wherein the conversion of the one or more data files to a corresponding one or more braille files is based on a stored dataset; and a braille screen having plurality of tactile pixels, the braille screen operatively coupled with the control unit, wherein one or more tactile pixels of the plurality of tactile pixels are engaged to display said one or more braille files.
[0038] In an embodiment, a touch-enabled screen disposed on the housing, the touch-
enabled screen operatively coupled with the control unit, and the touch-enabled screen configured to receive the one or more characters, wherein the control unit configured to recognise the one or more characters based on the stored dataset and generate one or more first signals based on the recognised one or more characters.
[0039] In an embodiment, an audio unit operatively coupled with the control unit, the
audio unit configured to generate an audio speech based on the generated one or more first signals.
[0040] In an embodiment, an auxiliary audio unit operatively coupled with the audio
unit and to enable transmission of the generated audio speech to a computing device associated with a user.
[0041] In an embodiment, the audio unit configured to generate the audio speech
based on the generated one or more braille files.
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[0042] In an embodiment, a communication port operatively coupled with the input
unit to enable reception of the one or more data files.
[0043] In an embodiment, an optical sensor operatively coupled with the control unit,
the optical sensor configured to capture one or more images of a written text, wherein the
control unit configured to extract the one or more characters from the captured one or more
images, and generate the one or more data files based on the recognized one or more
characters.
[0044] In an embodiment, an optical character recognition (OCR) reader to enable
recognition of the one or more characters.
[0045] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary representation of a portable braille device in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0046] In an embodiment, a portable braille device 100 can include an input unit (now
shown). The input unit can be configured to receive one or more data files. The one or more
data files can include one or more characters of a language. The data files can include a text
file, a document file, a portable document file (PDF) and the like.
[0047] In an embodiment, the device 100 can include a communication port 114. The
communication port 114 can be operatively coupled with the input unit. The communication
port 114 enables operative coupling of the computing device associated with the user and the
control unit to enable reception of the one or more data files. The communication port 114
can include a USB port and the like.
[0048] For example, a user can load a file he/she want to read using on USB device.
and then connect his/her USB device to the device 100 to read the file using a braille screen
or the speaker of the device.
[0049] In an embodiment, the device 100 can include a control unit (not shown). The
control unit can be operatively coupled with the input unit. The control unit can be configured
to convert the one or more data files to a corresponding one or more braille files. The one or
more braille files can pertaine to a corresponding one or more characters in a braille format.
Further, the conversion of the one or more data files to a corresponding one or more braille
files is based on a stored dataset. The dataset can be stored on a database (not shown).
[0050] In an embodiment, the device 100 can include a braille screen 102. The braille
screen 102 can include a plurality of tactile pixels (not shown). The plurality of tactile pixels
can be arranged in rows and columns. The plurality of tactile pixels can be used for forming a
character. The character can include an alphabet, a number, a symbol and the like.
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[0051] In an embodiment, the device 100 can include a touch enabled screen 104. The
touch enabled screen 104 can include a screen having a set of sensors (not shown). The set of sensors can be operatively coupled with the screen to receive input gestures from a user. The gesture input can include a character of a language. The touch-enabled screen 104 can be operatively coupled with the control unit. The touch-enabled screen 104 can be configured to receive the one or more characters from the user. Further, the control unit can be configured to recognise the one or more characters based on the stored dataset and generate one or more first signals based on the recognised one or more characters.
[0052] In an embodiment, the device 100 supports different languages such as
English, Hindi, Punjabi and the like. The device 100 can include a plurality of switches 108 that can be used for switching from one language to other. Each of the plurality of the switches 108 can correspond to different language.
[0053] In an embodiment, the device 100 can include an audio unit 106. The audio
unit 106 can be operatively coupled with the control unit. The audio unit can be configured to
generate an audio speech based on the generated one or more first signals. Further, the audio
unit configured to generate the audio speech based on the generated one or more braille files.
The audio unit can include a speaker and the like for converting the signals to audio speech
based on various audio speech stored in the first database and/or a second database.
[0054] In an embodiment, the device 100 can include a power switch 110 for
powering ON/OFF of the device 100. In an embodiment, the device 100 can include a volume control wheel 112. The volume control wheel 112 can be used to turn up or turn down volume of the audio unit 106.
[0055] In an embodiment, the device 100 can include an ethernet port 116 for
connecting the device 100 over a network or internetwork. In an embodiment, the device can
include an auxiliary audio unit 120 operatively coupled with the audio unit and to enable
transmission of the generated audio speech to a computing device associated with the user.
[0056] In an embodiment, the device can include a battery unit (not shown) for
powering up various components of the device 100. The battery unit can include one or more batteries. Further, the device 100 can include a power input 118. The power input can be an AC/DC power input that can be used for powering various components of the device 100 or can be used for charging the battery unit.
[0057] In an embodiment, the device 100 can include a housing 122 for supporting
various components of the device 100.
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[0058] In an embodiment, the device 100 can include an optical sensor (not shown)
operatively coupled with the control unit. The optical sensor can be configured to capture one or more images of a written text, wherein the control unit configured to extract the one or more characters from the captured one or more images, and generate the one or more data files based on the recognized one or more characters. In an embodiment, the optical sensor can include an optical character recognition (OCR) reader to enable recognition of the one or more characters. In an embodiment, the optical sensor can be a digital camera and the like that can be used for capturing a clear image.
[0059] Thus, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the
diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the like represent conceptual views or processes illustrating systems and methods embodying this invention. The functions of the various elements shown in the figures may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing associated software. Similarly, any switches shown in the figures are conceptual only. Their function may be carried out through the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control and dedicated logic, or even manually, the particular technique being selectable by the entity implementing this invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art further understand that the exemplary hardware, software, processes, methods, and/or operating systems described herein are for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limited to any particular named.
[0060] While embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and
described, it will be clear that the invention is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as described in the claim.
[0061] In the foregoing description, numerous details are set forth. It will be apparent,
however, to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, to avoid obscuring the present invention.
[0062] As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term "coupled
to" is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other)and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms "coupled to" and "coupled with"
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are used synonymously. Within the context of this document terms "coupled to" and "coupled with" are also used euphemistically to mean “communicatively coupled with” over a network, where two or more devices are able to exchange data with each other over the network, possibly via one or more intermediary device.
[0063] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications
besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C …. and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.
[0064] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and
further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0065] The present disclosure provides a portable braille device.
[0066] The present disclosure provides a portable braille device that reduces wastage
of time and effort for preparing braille content.
[0067] The present disclosure provides a portable braille device that eliminates
wastage of pages being used for preparing braille book.
[0068] The present disclosure provides a portable braille device that enables blind and
visually impaired to read written content in any form i.e. books, news papers, online articles
and the like.
[0069] The present disclosure provides a portable braille device that eliminates the
need of hand-holding and continuous supervision.
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[0070] The present disclosure provides a portable braille device that is cost effective
alternative to existing art and easy to implement.

We Claim:

A portable braille device, said device comprising: a housing; an input unit configured to receive one or more data files, said one or more data
files pertaining to one or more characters of a language;
a control unit operatively coupled with the input unit, the control unit configured
to convert the one or more data files to a corresponding one or more braille files, said
one or more braille files pertaining to a corresponding one or more characters of a
braille format, wherein the conversion of the one or more data files to a corresponding
one or more braille files is based on a stored dataset; and
a braille screen having plurality of tactile pixels, the braille screen operatively
coupled with the control unit, wherein one or more tactile pixels of the plurality of
tactile pixels are engaged to display said one or more braille files. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device comprises a touch-enabled screen disposed on the housing, the touch-enabled screen operatively coupled with the control unit, and the touch-enabled screen configured to receive the one or more characters, wherein the control unit configured to recognise the one or more characters based on the stored dataset and generate one or more first signals based on the recognised one or more characters.
The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the device comprises an audio unit operatively coupled with the control unit, the audio unit configured to generate an audio speech based on the generated one or more first signals.
The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the device comprises an auxiliary audio unit operatively coupled with the audio unit and to enable transmission of the generated audio speech to a computing device associated with a user.
The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the audio unit configured to generate the audio speech based on the generated one or more braille files.
The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device comprises a communication port operatively coupled with the input unit to enable reception of the one or more data files. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device comprises an optical sensor operatively coupled with the control unit, the optical sensor configured to capture one or more images of a written text, wherein the control unit configured to extract the one or

more characters from the captured one or more images, and generate the one or more data files based on the recognized one or more characters.
The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the device comprises an optical character recognition (OCR) reader to enable recognition of the one or more characters.