U.S. patent application number 12/073808 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-25 for braille type device, system, and method.
Invention is credited to John B. McAdams, Stephen G. Pinto.
Application Number | 20080318191 12/073808 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35060955 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080318191 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McAdams; John B. ; et
al. |
December 25, 2008 |
Braille type device, system, and method
Abstract
A Braille type device including printed or displayed matter on a
medium in combination with printed or displayed Braille type code,
preferably machine readable Braille type bar code. The Braille type
system includes the combination of the Braille type device and a
Braille type-scanning device. The Braille type method includes
printing or displaying a Braille type bar code on a medium.
Inventors: |
McAdams; John B.; (Hove
Sound, FL) ; Pinto; Stephen G.; (Lauderdale by the
Sea, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAW OFFICES OF WILLIAM L. KILMA, P.C.
2046-C Jefferson Davis Highway
Stafford
VA
22554
US
|
Family ID: |
35060955 |
Appl. No.: |
12/073808 |
Filed: |
March 10, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10808456 |
Mar 25, 2004 |
7341456 |
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12073808 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
434/114 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09B 21/006
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
434/114 |
International
Class: |
G09B 21/02 20060101
G09B021/02 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A Braille type method, comprising the steps of: printing a
Braille type bar code on a page; contacting said page with a
contact type scanning device; and moving the scanning device along
said Braille type bar code while said scanning device is in contact
with said page to read said Braille type bar code.
22. A method according to claim 21, including the step of
sequentially reading said Braille type bar code as said scanner is
moved in contact with said page.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is directed to a Braille type device,
system, and method. The Braille type device includes printed matter
in combination with Braille type code according to the present
invention, in particular machine-readable Braille type bar code
according to the present invention. The printed matter, for
example, can be books, publications, reading materials, literature,
brochures, memos, notes, journals, newspapers, and all type of
other printed matter supported by a medium, for example, paper,
cardboard, plastic, metal, glass, ceramic. The Braille type system
includes the Braille type device according to the present invention
in combination with a Braille type scanning device, in particular a
portable handheld Braille type scanning device, preferably
configured to read the Braille type code according to the present
invention and provide an audio output, preferably a computer voice
or speech. The Braille type method involves a printing method for
printing Braille type code according to the present invention on a
medium suitable for supporting printed matter.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Only a couple of centuries ago, a person born blind or
becoming blind during their lifetime suffered a major disability
with little hope for becoming a productive person. There existed no
means or technology to allow a blind person to read on their own,
and thus such persons relied mainly on hearing, speech and touch
for interacting with the surrounding world. During the post
Napoleonic Wars, a system was created by Louis Braille to allow a
person to read a secret code by their finger tips for the purpose
of receiving information for spacial coordinates for aiming and
shooting artillery at night to avoid the use of light for visual
reading of such information. Prior visual reading with light proved
to be a significant problem, since the enemy could easily aim and
fire at the lit target. Eventually, this code became used by the
blind and was named after the inventor Braille.
[0003] Since the time when Louis Braille introduced his modified
military tactile code as a communication means for the blind in
1829, very little has been done to provide an alternative
"language" for the low vision or blind (LV/B) persons. In the times
of Helen Keller, there were approximately 250,000 Braille-literate
people in the United States. Today, there are only approximately
225,000 Braille-literate people in the United States. Of children
(K thru 12) in the United States, only approximately 5,500 can read
Braille. There is, however, no new language for the LV/B
individuals to free them from either Braille, or other expensive
sophisticated devices that may or may not make their lives easier.
Most of these devices, which use Braille as their language are both
cumbersome and expensive.
[0004] Braille is a pattern of raised dots or bumps in a particular
pattern to symbolize an alphanumeric letter, thus a different
pattern exists for each letter of the alphabet. A person reading
the code places his or her finger tip of the index finger of their
reading hand over the Braille, and begins to read left to right,
top to bottom. Braille is a relatively difficult system to learn
and use, since it is extremely difficult for a person to acquire
the sensitivity or ability to accurately feel the raised dots or
bumps to an extent to be able to interpret and understand each
particular letter.
[0005] Today, being blind is still a significant disability
substantially inhibiting employment, daily activities, and
hampering personal and professional productivity. This significant
disability renders most of such blind persons unable to function
successfully in today's advance computer based work environments,
and thus most are unemployable, even in service industries, even
though most blind person desire to work and live like the rest of
the population.
[0006] There exists a substantial need to devise a new device,
system and method to allow most blind persons to read printed
matter at a level to allow such blind persons to work and compete
successfully in a job environment. Recently, Congress has enacted
the Instructional Materials Accessibility Act requiring all
publishers of printed matters in the United States to devise such a
device, system, or method to allow blind persons to obtain the same
information contained in published printed matter. The present
invention provides such means to allow dissemination of printed
matter or published information to the blind.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an improved
Braille type device including the printed matter combined with
Braille type code.
[0008] A second object of the present invention is to provide a
Braille type device including printed matter combined with a
Braille type code according to the present invention.
[0009] A third object of the present invention is to provide a
Braille type device including printed matter combined with a
machine-readable Braille type code.
[0010] A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a
Braille type device including printed matter combined with a
machine-readable Braille type code, the device being configured to
read the machine-readable Braille type code and output an audio
signal.
[0011] A fifth object of the present invention is to provide a
Braille type device including printed matter combined with a
machine readable Braille type code, the device being configured to
read the machine readable Braille type code and output a machine
voice or speech.
[0012] A sixth object of the present invention is to provide a
Braille type device including printed matter combined with a
machine readable Braille type code configured to provide an audio
machine speech or voice when scanning the machine-readable Braille
type code.
[0013] A seventh object of the present invention is to provide an
improved Braille type system including a Braille type device
according to the present invention combined with a Braille
type-scanning device according to the present invention.
[0014] A eighth object of the present invention is to provide a
Braille type system including a Braille type device having printed
matter combined with an improved Braille type code according to the
present invention, in combination with a Braille type scanning
device according to the present invention.
[0015] A ninth object of the present invention is to provide a
Braille type system including a Braille type device having printed
matter combined with a machine-readable Braille type code, in
combination with a Braille type-scanning device according to the
present invention.
[0016] A tenth object of the present invention is to provide a
Braille type system including a Braille type device having printed
matter combined with a machine readable Braille type code, in
combination with a Braille type scanning device configured to
provide an audio machine voice or speech.
[0017] An eleventh object of the present invention is to provide an
improved Braille type method.
[0018] A twelfth object of the present invention is to provide a
Braille type method of combining printed matter with an improved
Braille code.
[0019] A thirteenth object of the present invention is to provide a
Braille type method of combining printed matter with a
machine-readable Braille type code.
[0020] A fourteenth object of the present invention is to provide a
Braille type method of combining printed matter with a machine
readable Braille type code, machine reading the Braille type code,
and machine speaking the Braille type code read.
[0021] The present invention is directed to a Braille type device,
system and method. The Braille type device includes printed matter
in combination with a Braille type code, in particular a Braille
type code according to the present invention. The term "Braille
type" means Braille, the same as Braille, similar to Braille,
related to Braille, same or similar operation as Braille, same or
similar function as Braille, or otherwise a device system, method,
process or means for converting information from one form to
another form that can be used or sensed (e.g. voice, speech, or
heard and/or felt) by the blind or low vision. The term "Braille
type" is not limited to actual Braille.
[0022] The term printed matter can refer to any of a wide variety
of printed matter including, books, hard cover bound books, paper
back books, publications, newspapers, magazines, journals,
periodicals, reading materials, literature, brochures, memos,
notes, certificates, commercial paper, money, paper money,
negotiable instruments, stock certificates, legal documents, legal
papers, motions, discovery, interrogatories, decrees, judgments,
wills, trusts, stamps, business cards, folders, files, packaging,
boxes, letters, envelopes, labels, notebooks, papers checks,
negotiable instruments, checks, money orders, credit cards, and any
and all other types of conventional or new types of printed matter.
Further, the term printed matter can specifically refer to marks,
fonts, text, images, pictures, illustrations, texture, dots, bumps,
bar codes, matrix, and even Braille itself.
[0023] The printed matter is supported on a medium including paper,
newspaper, cardboard, film, plastic, wood, metal, glass, ceramic,
composite material, cloth, fabric, and any and all other types of
conventional or new types of mediums. Alternatively, or in
addition, the print matter can be displayed matter, for example,
text, pictures or diagrams visually displayed or invisibly
displayed on a television screen, monitor, electronic display,
cathode ray tube (CRT), plasma screen, liquid crystal display, or
otherwise displayed, but not printed. This displayed matter can be
permanent, or can be changed or varied with time.
[0024] The Braille type code according to the present invention is
configured to be supported by the same medium supporting the
printed or displayed matter. Preferably, the Braille type code
according to the present invention is a machine-readable Braille
type code. For example, the Braille type code according to the
present invention is preferably printed or displayed matter, and
configured to be read with a scanner, in particular a hand held
scanner. More specifically, the Braille code according to the
present invention can be printed or displayed on a medium, and then
read by a scanner.
[0025] The Braille type code according to the present invention can
be in the format of a one (1) dimensional bar code, two (2)
dimensional bar code, three (3) dimensional bar code, matrix code
or other type of printed matter that can be read and understood in
the context of alpha numeric characters, words, sentences,
paragraphs, chapters, for example, of a book, publication or other
printed matter. A Braille type code according to the present
invention using a one (1) dimensional bar code can be machine read
and converted into an audio machine voice or speech designating a
particular letter. A Braille type code according to the present
invention using a two (2) dimensional or higher dimensional bar
codes or matrix codes, can provide enough information content to
allow such Braille type codes to be read and converted into an
audio machine voice or speech pronouncing entire words and
sentences.
[0026] The Braille type code according to the present invention can
be provided in a variety of configurations or formats. For example,
a printed Braille type code according to the present invention can
be provided on separate pages at the beginning or end of a book.
Alternatively, the printed Braille type code according to the
present invention can be printed in the top, side and/or bottom
margins of a printed page. Preferably, the printed matter on a
particular page matches or registers with the printed Braille type
code on the same page. In a more preferred embodiment, the printed
Braille type code is on the side margin along the binding of the
particular book, and can be read from top to bottom by a hand held
Braille type scanner according to the present invention.
Alternatively, the printed Braille type code according to the
present invention can be interlineated between the lines of the
printed matter on a particular page, or can be overprinted over the
printed matter using an invisible ink (e.g. infrared type ink). In
this embodiment, the Braille type scanner according to the present
invention would use an infrared detector to read the overprinted
Braille type code.
[0027] The Braille type system according to the present invention
includes the Braille type device according to the present invention
combined with the Braille type-scanning device according to the
present invention. For example, the Braille type system can include
a printed document according to the present invention having both
printed matter and printed Braille type code, copying or repeating
the printed matter, in combination with a hand held Braille type
scanner according to the present invention. The hand held Braille
type scanner is configured to read the printed Braille type code,
and convert same into a machine voice or speech. In a preferred
embodiment, the printed Braille type code is also encrypted to
provide added operational features or security aspects.
[0028] The hand held Braille scanner according to the present
invention is loaded with software configured to allow the hand held
scanner to read the printed Braille type code, and then interpret
or convert the read Braille type code into a machine voice or
speech outputted from a audio speaker or speaker system of the hand
held Braille type scanner. The portable aspect of a hand held type
or lab top type Braille type scanner greatly facilitates mobility
of the system for the blind person needing to move the system from
one location to another, particularly in a job environment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a Braille type device
according to the present invention, namely a book provided with
printed matter in combination with Braille type code according to
the present invention, and Braille type system according to the
present invention including a Braille type device according to the
present invention in combination with a Braille type scanning
device according to the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a top planar view of a Braille type-scanning
device according to the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 3 is a bottom planar view of the Braille type-scanning
device, as shown in FIG. 2.
[0032] FIG. 4 is an elevational end view of the Braille type
scanning device, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0033] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
Braille type device and Braille system according to the present
invention.
[0034] FIG. 6 is a top planar view of a page showing printed matter
in combination with printed Braille type bar code according to the
present invention.
[0035] FIG. 7 is a top planar view of another page showing printed
matter in combination with printed Braille type bar code according
to the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
Braille type device according to the present invention configured
to display matter and Braille type bar code according to the
present invention.
[0037] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a cane for the
handicapped provided with a Braille type-scanning device according
to the present invention configured to scan a sign provided with
Braille type bar code according to the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 10 is a sample of a Braille type bar code according to
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0039] The Braille type device according to the present invention
includes printed matter combined with Braille type code according
to the present invention. The printed matter is supported on a
medium, and the Braille type code according to the present
invention is provided on the same medium as the printed matter, or
on another medium associated with the medium supporting the printed
matter.
[0040] The printed matter can be any of a wide variety of printed
matter including books, hard cover bound books, paper back books,
publications, newspapers, magazines, journals, periodicals, reading
materials, literature, brochures, memos, notes, certificates,
commercial paper, money, paper money, negotiable instruments, stock
certificates, legal documents, legal papers, motions, discovery,
interrogatories, decrees, judgments, wills, trusts, stamps,
business cards, folders, files, packaging, boxes, letters,
envelopes, labels, notebooks, papers checks, negotiable
instruments, checks, money orders, credit cards, and any and all
other types of conventional or new types of printed matter
[0041] The printed matter is supported on a medium including paper,
bond, newspaper, cardboard, plastic, plastic sheet, film, plastic
film, metal, metal sheet, glass, ceramic, composite material,
cloth, fabric, and any and all other types of conventional or new
types of mediums.
[0042] The Braille type code according to the present invention can
be a one (1) dimensional bar code, two (3) dimensional bar code,
three (3) dimensional bar code, matrix code or other suitable
format. Preferably, the Braille code according to the present
invention is configured to be machine read, for example, by a
Braille type scanning device according to the present invention, in
particular a hand held scanner. The hand held scanner can be a
stand-alone type or connected by a wire to a scanner support.
[0043] A Braille type book device 10 according to the present
invention is shown in FIG. 1. The book device 10 is provided with
one or more pages 12 and 14 bound at the inner edges 12a and 14a,
respectively, to book cover 16 to define a book spine or binding
18. The pages 12, 14 of the book device 10 are printed with text
20, pictures or diagrams 22a and 22b, and Braille type code 24
according to the present invention.
[0044] A hand held portable Braille type-scanning device 30
according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 positioned
readied to read the bar code 24 from top to bottom on each page. As
shown in FIG. 1, the Braille type-scanning device 30 is configured
to glide or slide along and scan the upper surface of pages 12, 14.
As shown in FIG. 2, the Braille type-scanning device 30 is provided
with a body 31, including a wider upper body scanning portion 31a
and a thinner lower body griping portion 31b. The upper body
scanning portion 31a is provided with a left guiding edge 31aa and
right guiding edge 31ab. The guiding edges 31aa and 31ab ride along
the spine or binding 18 of the book device 10, as shown in FIG. 1,
allowing page 12 to cooperate and act as a stop with the left
guiding edge 31aa of the Braille scanning device 30 as the Braille
scanning device 30 is moved from the top of the page 14 to the
bottom of the page 14. Page 12 itself acts as a guide due to the
angle between pages 12 and 14 (i.e. pages 12 and 14 are
substantially perpendicular to each other when the book device 10
is opened). The guiding edge 3 lab of the Braille type-scanning
device 30 is used when reading page 12 of book device 10.
[0045] The Braille type-scanning device 30 is provided with an
audio speaker 32, volume wheel 33, pause/plan button 34, skip
button 35 and rocker button 36. It is important to understand that
the scanning device 30, as shown in FIGS. 2 thru 4 are an example
of an embodiment of the scanning device according to the present
invention, however, other shapes, configurations of the device
itself and/or the layout and type of buttons, switches and speakers
can be varied or changed within the context of the scanning device
according to the present invention. Further, the scanning device 30
is provided with an on-board computer/processor 37 and a
rechargeable battery 38. To turn the Braille scanning device 10 on
or off, an on/off slide 39 is provided on the side of the lower
body griping portion 31b.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 3, the bottom side of the Braille scanning
device 30 is provided with an omni-directional photo
emitter/receptor 40, a scanner light trigger 41, a
battery/processor access panel 42, and a pair of securing screws 43
for removeably retaining the access panel 42 onto the bottom of the
body 31 of the Braille type scanning device 30.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 4, the lower end of the lower body griping
portion 31b is provided with a head phone jack 44, a power
supply/battery recharging jack 45 and a mini U.S.B. cord 46.
[0048] The scanning device 30 can have several different
configurations, from hand-held scanners, to desktop scanners
configured to read full pages (e.g. like a a computer scanner). The
scanning device 30 includes a scanner head, interpretive electronic
processing and memory hardware, and audio and/or visual display.
The configuration of the housing itself is less of importance than
component synergism and common function. A considered exception
provides for a scanning head configuration on the portable,
hand-held scanner to accommodate the apex of page interfaces in a
book, magazine, etc., whereby the apex functions as a physical
registration presence to position the scanner in such a way as to
be directly confronted with the new bar code images at the face of
the scanner. Thus, when the scanner head is placed in the apex of
the book, with the scanner face "looking" at the right margin of
the left page where the new bar code image is presented, the
scanner is registered and ready to be manually scanned down the
page, all the time reading the new bar code text that occurs, with
the corresponding printed words of that page. Similarly, when the
next (right) page is to be scanned, the scanner is positioned with
the scanner head facing the left hand margin of the right page
where it can again be manually swept down scanning that column of
the new Braille type bar code corresponding to the printed words of
that page. The scanner 30 is capable of scanning, reading and
interpreting the new Braille type bar code.
[0049] The Braille type code according to the present invention is
preferably a Braille type bar code. The Braille type bar codes
according to the present invention can have a variety of fonts,
formats and densities, each tailored specifically for the
application for which it is to be designed. In a preferred
embodiment of the Braille type bar code according to the present
invention, a bar code is utilized which has information storage
capacity or information content capable of encoding languages. In a
particular preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
language selected is English. However, other embodiments provide
for one or more foreign language(s).
[0050] The Braille type bar code according to the present invention
can be printed in various configurations, and at one or more
locations on a page, document, or book. For example, a book can be
printed with Braille type bar code according to the present
invention on the front cover, back of the front cover, back cover
(either or both sides), one or more separate pages not having any
printed matter (e.g. text, pictures, or diagrams), on pages having
printed matter, or any other suitable and accessible location on
the book.
[0051] Preferably, the Braille type bar code is configured or
arranged so as to register with a particular page, paragraph,
sentence, work, picture, diagram, or other discrete element of
printed matter printed on the pages of the book or document. As
shown in FIG. 6, printed Braille type bar code 224a for the entire
text or portion thereof can be provided in the upper margin of the
page 212. Alternatively, or in addition printed Braille type bar
code 224b can be provided in the left margin (e.g. to describe in
detail adjacent pictures or diagrams), printed Braille type bar
code 224c can be provided in the right margin (e.g. two columns,
one column for text and one column for sound (e.g. music), or one
column for one language and one column for another language),
printed type bar code 224d can be provided in the bottom margin
(e.g. story book version with text voice or speech combined with
sound (e.g. music and background sounds and noises), and printed
Braille type bar code 224e can be provide in the lower right corner
of the page 212 (e.g. to provide text, description of pictures or
diagrams, music, sounds, noises for the entire page at one
location). In these embodiment, the Braille type bar codes are
printed at locations on the page 212 not occupied by printed matter
(e.g. text 220, pictures or diagrams 222a, 222b).
[0052] As shown in FIG. 7, the page 312 is provided with printed
matter (e.g. text 320, pictures or diagrams 322a, 322b) and Braille
type bar code 324 overprinted over the printed matter. The Braille
type bar code 324 can register exactly on a letter, word,
paragraph, picture, or diagram basis, or can be located somewhat
off registration with same.
[0053] Another embodiment of the Braille type device 410 according
to the present invention is shown in FIG. 8.
[0054] The Braille type device 410, for example, is a television
screen or computer monitor or screen. The Braille type device 410
is configured to display matter 420 and display Braille type bar
code 424 according to the present invention. A Braille
type-scanning device 430 is configured to scan the Braille type bar
code 424 and convert same into an audio machine voice or speech,
the same or similar to the Braille type device 30 as shown in FIGS.
1-4. In this particular embodiment, the matter displayed 420 can be
permanent or more preferably can be changed with time as selected
by the user. The Braille type device 430 is configured to glide
along an edge 411a of the frame 411 of the Braille type device
410.
[0055] A further embodiment of the Braille type device 510 is shown
in FIG. 9.
[0056] The Braille type device 510 is shown as a "stop" sign having
a visible or invisible Braille type bar code 524 printed thereon. A
Braille type scanning device 530 is configured as a handicapped
cane having a scanning head portion 531. The Braille type-scanning
device 530 is configured to scan Braille type bar code located on
streets, sidewalks, buildings, doorways, and hallways inside or
outside. The Braille type device 530 can scan up to distances as
great as one hundred feet or more. For example, the Braille type
bar code according to the present invention can be visibly or
invisibly printed or displayed on a wide variety of items
encountered during a typical day, including, street signs, signage,
building addresses, directories, door signs, bathrooms, warning
signals, and a wide variety of other conventional types of printed
matters or displays.
[0057] A sample of a Braille type bar code 624 according to the
present invention is shown in FIG. 10.
[0058] This particular Braille type bar code 624 is a two (2)
dimensional bar code having lines or bars in one dimension, and
discontinuous bars or lines in a second dimension located
perpendicular to the first dimension. In this manner, information
can be stored into two (2) dimensions, providing a higher
information content verses a single dimension bar code.
[0059] A Braille type bar code according to the present invention
selected to represent a number of characters can be a one (1)
dimensional or linear bar code (1-d), a two (2) dimensional (2-d)
bar code (e.g. PDF 417), or any of a variety of some 1-d, and most
2-d, 3-d, or matrix codes. In a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, a variation of PDF 417 is selected to create the
Bar-aille.TM. code. Other versions of other 1-d, 2-d, 3-d, or
matrix codes can be developed to provide the same or same type of
functions and performance. For example, a one (1) inch by one (1)
inch, 2-d bar code is capable of containing all the text of the
U.S. Constitution, and is capable of being read by a scanner
programmed appropriately, and then this information is converted
into transition data or speech. The transition from text to
Bar-aille.TM. code is accomplished through a computer program or
software, which can also convert digital data supplied from direct
input via keyboard or other means of stored digital data
(computers, programs, disks, CDs, etc., directly into Bar-aille
code). The purpose of converting text into Bar-aille.TM. code, then
into speech, or vice-versa, is to enable accessibility of all
typed, printed, displayed, or spoken materials via a
micro-symbology electronically accessed means which would not be
sight sensitive or requiring literacy.
[0060] The printed Braille type bar code according to the present
invention provides for a new micro-symbolic language, and means of
use by the low vision and blind. The present invention, preferably
utilizes an expanded variation of bar code or 2-d bar code, or even
a more versatile, Matrix code, or even the greatest capacity, 3-d
or "bumpy" code, which has far greater capacity to encode all the
nuances of sophisticated modern languages as is commonly written or
spoken. As described, this technology can benefit not only the
low-vision and blind, but also can be used to teach the illiterate
and others being language illiterate.
[0061] The present invention provides the creation of a new
language written in a special bar code format that addresses all
the needs and functions of any contemporary language. To satisfy
this need, a new bar code will eventually be assigned to all spoken
sound variations of words, through various pluralities,
conjugations, tenses, etc. of the English language. Those familiar
with the art would recognize immediately the ability to assign this
to another language or languages. However, in the preferred
embodiments English is the chosen language. In all cases the
written English word will appear in discreet bar code format unique
to that word. This would allow printed matter such as a book,
publication, document, magazine, catalog, instruction manual,
directions, application, government form, etc., to be encoded in
the new bar code "language" which would allow for exact
word-to-word, sentence-to-sentence, paragraph-to-paragraph,
page-to-page, translation into a bar code document that could be
"read" with an appropriate Braille type bar code scanner. If one
desired the Braille type bar code to appear on the same pages of a
book as the written conventional print matter, then the Braille
type bar code could be printed in an area nearby to the area
containing the conventional printed matter, or the Braille type bar
code can be printed directly over the conventional printed matter.
In order to reduce misreading of either the visible printed English
text or the visible Braille type bar code, the Braille type bar
code or new language can be printed invisibly. The Braille type bar
code need not be visible as it is designed to facilitate reading
for non-sighted persons, and thus the user would be unable to see
the Braille type bar code anyway. Thus, a book could be written in
conventional print for sighted persons while also printed invisible
(e.g. ultraviolet or infrared responsive inks which are not visible
to the sighted human eye). Since the new language or Braille type
bar code is invisible, the Braille type invisible bar code may be
overprinted directly over the English print matter for the
sighted.
[0062] It should not be construed that the present invention is
restricted to visible or invisible Braille type bar coding or
restricted to only the English language. Since English has more
words than many other languages, it would be much easier to
translate the new Braille type bar code or language according to
the present invention into French, German, Spanish, and essentially
all the other languages, and thus English has been chosen as a
preferred embodiment, but is not restricted to that language.
[0063] Further, a book is not the only delivery means of providing
the new Braille type bar code or language according to the present
invention to the user. Braille type bar code can appear as a
scroll, which can be scanned by a fixed scanner that has the
Braille type bar code streaming by in a scroll that could be
supplied by a rolled reserve spool of text and gathered up by a
gathering spool much the same as a fax or typewriter ribbon.
Further, the present invention provided a new Braille type bar code
for use in a computer in the format of CDs, DVDs, floppy disks,
etc. A fixed scanner means can similarly be installed into the
computer that can read the new Braille type bar cod or language.
Since the users typically are LV/B, translation into written
language is of little value, since that is sight demanding
technology, this invention deals largely with the text-to-speech
technology from this new Braille type bar code language to English
(i.e. the Braille type bar code is translated into English words,
which are then spoken from the translating scanner corresponding to
the words scanned and translated from the new Braille type bar
code).
[0064] For example, the new Braille type bar code can be a
variation of an existing bar code such as a matrix code or PDF 417,
or another so called 2-d bar code chosen because of its large
capacity for characters and thus capacity for a number of words.
This code can be modified to provide for this new capability, or a
whole new Braille type bar code font and code can be created to
provide for this capability of intellectual property protection.
Another variation of the scanned new Braille type bar code text and
scanner, can be used to "back up", or index a verbalized word, and
provide a definition of that particular word.
[0065] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a
printer of the new Braille type bar code must be so programmed,
process capable, and configured so as to be able to print the new
Braille type bar code on pages as demonstrated above or in a
variety of other positioning schemes relative to the various folds,
shapes, layout etc., of the various legions of publications that
exist. In this preferred embodiment, the new Braille type bar code
is printed in ink, which is not visible to the normal sighed eye
and consequently the print needs to be equipped with an
illumination means of a light wavelength that stimulates and makes
visible the otherwise invisible printed new bar code for the
purposes of inspection, verification of printing, and for other
quality control purposes. These printers must be capable of
interpretation of data to cause the written or electronic text to
be properly encoded into the new Braille type bar code and printed
in that manner.
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