Beach Braille

A beach Braille (in English refreshable Braille display ) is an electromechanical device used by the blind to post characters Braille. Usually, these characters appear via holes on a plane surface.

It is also possible to couple this device with a system of Voice synthesis. The blind man will use one, the other, or the two systems simultaneously according to the circumstances.

Associated software

The software which controls this type of posting is called a screen reader (reader of screen).

There exist two types of beach Braille:

  • USB : most recent
  • port series

Under linux: parameter setting of the screen reader BRLTTY

  • Case Knoppix: to see Knoppix#Knoppix for a partially-sighted person and carrefourblinux
  • Case Debian: to see crossroads blinux

Names of the tables used

  • CBISF : Code French Standard Data-processing Braille, going back to 1994, for the applications under MS-DOS
  • CBFR1252, for " Code Braille FRançais" for the table Windows-1252, intended for the users of terminals embosseuses Braille or

Complexity of the hardware

These devices are complex and do not profit from economy of scale; they are thus relatively expensive. Usually, a beach Braille contains only 40 to 80 characters Braille and costs between 5000 and 10000 €. There exist also models with 18 to 40 cells to be more easily transportable ( notetaker in English).

A character Braille adapted to the data-processing use is represented by 8 points, instead of the 6 points of the “traditional” Braille. These points are connected to one of the 2 fulcrums of a lever, the other fulcrum is connected to a piezoelectric crystal ; when an electric tension is applied to this crystal, its size varies and thus the lever acts on the corresponding point. There is thus a crystal for each point of each character Braille. A beach Braille of only 40 characters will thus use 320 crystals and levers (i.e. 320 activators).

Possible improvements

On certain models, the position of the cursor is represented by vibrating or “twinkling” points; it is very frequent that a switch is associated with each character to directly place the cursor on one of them.

There exists a new technology since the year 2000: posting Braille by revolving wheel ( rotating-wheel Braille display ), it is developed by NIST. One of the initial inventors was John Roberts.

See too

Related articles

  • Oralux : a distribution linux for the blind men

External references

  • forum carrefourblinux
  • Format pdf: Commission Evolution of the French Braille
  • the code Braille infromatic, page of association Valentine Haüy
  • Mouse Braille, explanation of the activators by Holds Nobels
  • Notetaker for visual handicapped people
  • NIST Rotating-Wheel Based Refreshable Braille Display and Refreshable Tactile Graphic Display, posting Braille based on a revolving wheel

Random links:Borex | Lightening of mode | Khentkaous II | Park of Chico (California) | Septum primum | Vil_(rédacteur)