JP2001013868A - Display and input device for person handicapped in sight - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a display and input device for a person handicapped in sight which is a device capable of making display and input using a liquid crystal display and a touch panel joined onto the same and enables the person handicapped in sight to exactly and easily read the display in the same manner as a sighted person and to input electronic signals. SOLUTION: The touch panel 12 which is the touch panel 12 composed of a transparent plastic material on the surface of the liquid crystal display 16 and is constituted with a light diffusion part 14 over its entire surface and braille 18 in the required parts. The braille is composed to express the same meanings in the parts corresponding to a certain display by the liquid crystal display 16.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention can directly inform a visually impaired user of required information and can input desired electronic information from the visually impaired user as necessary. And a display and input device for a visually impaired person.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When using computers and other electronic information equipment, displays such as CRTs and LCDs are widely used for sighted persons, but needless to say, they are used directly for visually impaired persons. I can't. Further, such display devices are not only limited to so-called electronic information devices, but are also widely used in everyday life. For example, deposit / withdrawal, transfer, transfer of railways, automatic teller machines (ATM) at various financial institutions, railways and the like. The same applies to operations related to vending machines for tickets and tickets, transmission of facsimile, and the like in aircraft.

In recent years, the use of information communication and two-way communication has been expanding. For example, in home banking, online stock trading, online karaoke, electronic voting, and the like, desired input from each user is required. Further, a digital television to be started in the near future will be capable of two-way communication between a program transmitting side such as a broadcasting station and a viewer, and the possibility of requiring direct input may increase. Also, direct input is required for communication on the Internet.

[0004] For this type of input, there is also a device for converting a voice input from a microphone into an electronic signal. For example, a word processor or a personal computer having a sound input / output function is being used. However, the conversion cannot always be performed accurately depending on the voice quality of the input person, the clarity of the pronunciation, and the like, and it takes time to confirm the input voice, and the input efficiency is low.

Therefore, a combination of a question and an answer is correctly constituted by software, and an interactive input or numerals 0 to 9 which are sufficient if the user inputs "Yes" or "No" as the answer. In a case where a desired conclusion can be obtained by inputting, for example, it is necessary to provide a means capable of inputting as simply and accurately as possible. For example, when performing electronic voting in various questionnaires and various elections, there is a request for confidentiality, and it is desirable that means for inputting without sounding be provided. Also, in the case of home banking, online stock trading, online learning, etc., in view of the significance of the result of the input, Ye
It is necessary to provide a means for reliably inputting numbers such as s, No, 0-9, and the number of digits.

If a visually impaired person makes such a direct input, the input object or the like has no choice but to listen to the notification by voice or read the display of Braille or uneven symbols. Then, after such recognition, there must be a means by which the desired content can be entered in this regard. However, no powerful input device meeting these requirements has been obtained at present.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is intended for a visually impaired person who can accurately recognize an input object even if the person is visually impaired and can input an electronic signal accurately and easily based on the recognition. A display and input device, where necessary
It is an object of the present invention to provide a display and input device for a visually impaired person who can easily assist a sighted person.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a touch panel having an optical diffusion portion on the front surface or the entire back surface of a liquid crystal display, and a required explanation display portion which is visually displayed on the liquid crystal display. And a symbol and / or Braille by a group of protrusions that indicate the required explanation display and the meaning corresponding to the pressed display unit and that can be sensed by the touch of a finger are arranged on the surface of a required part corresponding to the press input unit. This is a display and input device for a visually impaired person to which a touch panel is joined, whereby the above problem can be solved.

[0009] The display contents of the required explanation display section and the press input section, which are visually displayed on the liquid crystal display, are notified by a symbol or braille by a group of protrusions which can be sensed by the touch of the finger, and also by voice notifying means. An alert can be provided and the visually impaired can activate it as needed for confirmation. In addition, for the contents input by the visually impaired person, the input contents can be fed back to provide voice notification, and the visually impaired person can drive this as necessary for confirmation. Can also.

The touch panel to be joined to the surface of the liquid crystal display is made of an ultra-thin transparent plastic plate, and the optical diffusion portion located on the front surface or the back surface has, for example, a height or diameter of about 50 μm or less on the surface. And a large number of hemispherical protrusions arranged on one surface, and other fine irregularities.

Therefore, according to the display and input device for a visually impaired person of the present invention, the visually impaired person can project various explanations visually displayed on the explanation display section of the liquid crystal display onto the projections on the touch panel joined thereon. The content can be read and read by either or both of the group symbol and Braille. The symbols and Braille by these projections can be sensed by the touch of the fingers, and can be easily sensed by many visually impaired persons.

In addition, the visually impaired person can change the portion of the press input portion displayed on other portions of the liquid crystal display and the meaning of the input there (Yes, No, selection of numbers, etc.) in the same manner as described above. In addition, it can be read and recognized by one or both of the symbol and the Braille by the projection group on the touch panel bonded thereon. The desired input can be easily and accurately performed by pressing the pressing input unit having the corresponding content by a finger with his / her own judgment.

As described above, according to the display and input device for the visually impaired of the present invention, the visually impaired can independently recognize and understand the display contents and perform necessary input operations. This is particularly effective in the case of electronic voting in various elections in which privacy must be protected for the input.

According to the display and input device for a visually impaired person of the present invention, the optical diffusion portion is provided on the front surface or the back surface of the touch panel joined to the surface of the liquid crystal display, and the above description displayed on the liquid crystal display is provided. The display contents of the display unit and the press input unit can be read not only from the front but also from oblique directions such as up, down, left and right.

As described above, according to the display and input device for a visually impaired person of the present invention, a visually impaired person can read the display contents of the explanation display section and the press input section independently and perform necessary input. Although it is possible, if this is used for the first time, it is often convenient to receive an explanation on how to use it.

Therefore, if a visually impaired person gives such an explanation to a visually impaired person, the visually impaired person receiving the explanation is located in front of the liquid crystal display, and the sighted person to explain is placed on the oblique side. It is a natural positional relationship to be positioned on the right side, but many liquid crystal displays often cannot read the contents well even if they try to view the display from an oblique side. However, according to the display and input device for the visually impaired of the present invention, a transparent touch panel having an optical diffusion portion formed on either the front surface or the back surface is joined to the front surface of the liquid crystal display. The displayed contents can be read well from the side. Therefore, the sighted person can advise the visually impaired person located in front of the method of use while viewing the display from an oblique side.

Regarding the input operation of the visually impaired person at the press input section, it is appropriate to provide at least an acoustic notification for confirming that the input has been accepted, so that a sense of security can be provided. There is no problem that the input operation can be performed by holding the display and the user may become anxious about whether or not the input is accepted and repeat the input. When the privacy problem does not occur, the input operation can be performed more securely by feeding back the input contents and giving a voice notification.

Further, the visually impaired person can receive the audio guidance for guiding the input operation, if necessary, by using the voice notification means.

The display and input device for a visually impaired person of the present invention can be applied to almost anything suitable for a visually impaired person to make an input based on the judgment. For example, AT
M, home banking, online stock trading, etc., confirmation of the amount of money, the name of political parties and candidates by electronic voting, willingness in questionnaire survey, online mail order order operation, etc. In the field, they can reflect their own intentions.

According to the display and input device for the visually impaired of the present invention, both the display of the explanation display unit and the display of the press input unit are visually displayed on the liquid crystal display unit. It goes without saying that it can be used.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings based on embodiments. FIG.
1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display and input device for visually impaired persons according to one embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of a questionnaire device incorporating a display and input device for visually impaired persons according to one embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, a display / input device 1, which is a display and input device for the visually impaired, includes a touch panel 12 made of a transparent plastic plate and an optical diffusion section formed on the entire surface thereof. 14 and the touch panel 12
., Which are formed at required positions on the surface of the surface, are basic components.

The optical diffusion section 14 is provided on the touch panel 12
Is composed of a large number of hemispherical projections formed on the surface of the transparent plastic plate having a height and a diameter of 50 μm or less, and the hemispherical projections are formed when forming the transparent plastic plate. Are formed at the same time by forming a group of hemispherical concave portions on the surface of a mold for forming the same.

The hemispherical projections forming the optical diffusing portion 14 may be provided with minute ridges having an inverted U-shaped or V-shaped cross-section in the vertical and horizontal directions, or may be formed on the entire surface. And the like.

As described above, since the optical diffusion section 14 is formed on the transparent plastic plate constituting the touch panel 12, the optical diffusion section 14 is formed on the liquid crystal display 1 as shown in FIG.
When it is bonded to the surface of No. 6, it originally has a strong viewing angle dependency, and compensates for the drawback of this type of display, in which the visibility is greatly reduced by a slight shift from the front, and the viewing angle can be expanded in multiple directions. You can do it. Thus, for example, the display contents of the liquid crystal display 16 schematically shown in FIG. 1 are displayed by a person who is located at a position other than directly in front, for example, a sighted person at the right or left position of a front user who is a visually impaired person. For example, in the case where the vehicle is located due to a situation or the like, the visibility from the viewpoint of the sighted person can be improved. The optical diffusion unit 14
May be formed on the back side of the transparent plastic plate in some cases.

The touch panel 12 is configured so that the input operation is performed as a pressure-sensitive type, and the existing one is employed as it is. The liquid crystal display 16 employs a known liquid crystal display, and a technique accompanying the liquid crystal display 16 is also known, for example, by adding a backlight as necessary so that the liquid crystal display 16 is easily visible regardless of the surrounding illuminance. The technology is adopted as it is.

Are a group of projections that are sufficiently larger than the hemispherical projections of the optical diffusion section 14.
That is, it is formed by a spherical protrusion having a diameter of 1.2 mm and a height of 0.4 mm. Are used according to the purpose of the device to which the Braille is applied. For example, if this apparatus is applied to a questionnaire survey as described later, the liquid crystal display 16 has explanations on how to answer the questionnaire, a large number of questions and options for answering, and the like. Are displayed on the front surface side of the touch panel 12 corresponding to the portions displayed on the liquid crystal display 16 by Braille 18, 18,....

In such a case, there is little problem in explaining the way of answering the questionnaire, even if the display part of the liquid crystal display 16 does not correspond exactly to the display part of the Braille 18, 18,. , Answer choices, for example, Braille 18, 18, which means Yes, No, High, No, or a group of numbers 0-9 on the liquid crystal display 16.
Needs to exactly match the corresponding display position of the liquid crystal display 16 on the touch panel 12. This is because, when the position of the Braille 18, 18,... On the touch panel 12 is pressed, an input of a meaning corresponding to exactly is required.

FIG. 2 shows an example in which the above-mentioned display / input device 1 is incorporated in a questionnaire device. This questionnaire device is connected to a system-side device S, which is schematically shown by a square block. Such a configuration may be one that is directly attached to the main body of the system-side device S, or one that is used as a separate input device connected via a line, for example, an input pad.

In this questionnaire device, the display unit D on the left side of the front of the display / input device 1 displays a questionnaire description and question items, and the right side displays answer selection items. It is an input section IN (for convenience of drawing, the display section D does not display the explanatory note and question items, and the input section IN does not show the answer selection items). The explanation sentence and the questionnaire on the display unit D are all displayed on the same display by Braille 18, 18,. Also, all the selection items for the answer of the input unit IN are displayed in the same sentence by braille 18, 18,. When the user selects and presses the display of the answer selection items in Braille 18, the corresponding answer selection items that are visually displayed are correspondingly pressed, and the target selection item is accurately selected. It can be entered.

Further, the questionnaire apparatus is provided with a voice notifying means for feeding back the voice guidance and the input contents of the input operation and notifying the input person of the voice. Headphone H is used as a means for emitting sound of the sound notification means.
P is used, and the audio signal to the headphones HP can be switched on and off by a switch SW as necessary or unnecessary by the user.

The display / input device 1 of this embodiment is incorporated in the questionnaire device as described above.
Not only sighted persons but also visually impaired persons can be used effectively.

When a visually impaired person responds to a questionnaire using this device, first, the display section D of the display / input device 1 is used.
Can be read by the Braille 18, 18,. As described above, the display input device 1
The touch panel 12 is joined to the surface of the liquid crystal display 16, and the description and the like and the answer selection items on the display unit D and the input unit IN displayed on the liquid crystal display 16 are displayed on the surface of the touch panel 12. Are displayed for the visually impaired by the same sentence Braille 18, 18,...

Therefore, if the visually impaired person touches the surface of the display / input device 1, he or she can read the purpose of the questionnaire and other explanations and questions displayed on the display unit D by the braille 18, 18,. , And the answer selection item displayed on the input unit IN adjacent thereto can be read by touching the Braille 18, 18,... Then, by reading the above contents, the visually impaired person can naturally select what he / she thinks appropriate from the answer selection items and give an answer. The input of the answer is performed by pressing the part on which the answer selection item is displayed. As described above, the position is understood by the display of the braille 18, 18,. And input it.

If the visually impaired person is not accustomed to using such a device, it is preferable to use this device while receiving voice guidance using the headphones HP. In this case, when the headphone HP is mounted on the head and the switch SW is turned on, the voice guidance is performed in the order of use, and the visually impaired person accordingly places a hand on the surface of the display / input device 1 accordingly. ., The display of the display unit D or the input unit IN by the Braille 18, 18,... Is read, and the answer to the questionnaire can be made in the same procedure as described above.

As described above, according to the questionnaire device of this embodiment, the visually impaired person can recognize the display content alone and can perform necessary input operations. Even a questionnaire survey that requires privacy in input can be conducted without any problem.

Further, according to the questionnaire device of this embodiment, the display / input device 1 incorporated in the questionnaire device is formed by joining the liquid crystal display 16 with the touch panel 12 having the optical diffusion portion 14 on the surface. The display contents of the display unit D and the input unit IN displayed on the liquid crystal display 16 can be read not only from the front but also from oblique directions such as up, down, left and right.

As described above, according to the questionnaire device of this embodiment, the visually impaired person can perform the operation alone, but when using the device for the first time, the explanation of the usage etc. It is often convenient to receive

If a sighted person is to give such an explanation, a visually impaired person who normally receives an explanation should be located in front of the display / input device 1, so that the sighted person giving the explanation is It has to be located diagonally to the side. In such a case, the display on the liquid crystal display 16 is
Although it becomes difficult to read from an oblique side, in the display / input device 1 of this embodiment, since the optical diffusion portion 14 is formed on the surface of the touch panel 12, the liquid crystal display 16 The display is slightly diffused, so that the image can be read well even from an oblique side. Therefore,
The sighted person can explain the method of use to the visually impaired person located in front without inconvenience while viewing the display from an oblique side.

The display / input device 1 incorporated in the questionnaire device of this embodiment is different from the questionnaire device described above in that
Almost anything that is suitable for the visually impaired to input based on the judgment can be targeted. For example, most of the fields such as ATM, home banking, online stock trading, etc. mentioned above, the names of political parties and candidates by electronic voting, and online mail order sales, etc. It is possible to reliably reflect one's own intention.

In addition, according to the questionnaire device of this embodiment, both the display on the display unit D and the display on the input unit IN are visually displayed by the liquid crystal display 16, so that a sighted person can use without any trouble. Needless to say.

[0042]

Therefore, according to the display and input device for visually impaired persons of the present invention, the visually impaired person can display various explanations visually displayed on the explanation display section of the liquid crystal display on the touch panel bonded thereon. And the content can be recognized by reading either one or both of the symbol and the Braille by the projection group. The symbols and Braille by these projections can be sensed by the touch of the fingers, and can be easily sensed by many visually impaired persons.

In addition, the visually impaired person can change the press input portion displayed on another portion of the liquid crystal display and the meaning of the input there (Yes, No, selection of a number, etc.) in the same manner as described above. The content can be recognized by reading either one or both of the symbol and the Braille by the projection group on the touch panel bonded thereon. The desired input can be easily and accurately performed by pressing the pressing input unit having the corresponding content by a finger with his / her own judgment.

As described above, according to the display and input device for the visually impaired of the present invention, the visually impaired can independently recognize and understand the displayed contents and perform necessary input operations. This is particularly effective in the case of electronic voting in various elections in which privacy must be protected for the input.

According to the display and input device for the visually impaired of the present invention, the optical diffusion portion is provided on the front or back surface of the touch panel joined to the surface of the liquid crystal display, and the above description displayed on the liquid crystal display is provided. The display contents of the display unit and the press input unit can be read not only from the front but also from the upper, lower, left and right diagonal directions.

As described above, according to the display and input device for a visually impaired person of the present invention, a visually impaired person can read the display contents of the explanation display section and the press input section independently and make necessary inputs. Although it is possible, if this is used for the first time, it is often convenient to receive an explanation on how to use it.

In the case where a visually impaired person gives such an explanation to a visually impaired person, the visually impaired person receiving the explanation is located in front of the liquid crystal display, and the sighted person to explain is on an oblique side. It is a natural positional relationship to be located on the side, etc., but many liquid crystal displays are in this way obliquely from the side,
In many cases, the displayed contents cannot be read well. However, according to the display and input device for the visually impaired of the present invention, a transparent touch panel having an optical diffusion portion formed on either the front surface or the back surface is joined to the front surface of the liquid crystal display. The displayed contents can be read well from the side. Therefore, the sighted person can advise the visually impaired person located in front of the usage method while viewing the display from the oblique side.

As for the input operation at the pressing input unit of the visually impaired person, it is appropriate to provide at least an acoustic notification for confirming that the input has been accepted. The input operation can be performed with the user, and there is no problem that the input is repeated due to anxiety about whether or not the input is accepted. By using headphones or the like to prevent a privacy problem from occurring, the input contents are fed back to notify the user of the voice, so that the input operation can be performed more reliably and securely.

Further, the visually impaired person can use the voice notification means to receive acoustic guidance for guiding an input operation, if necessary. Again, if you use headphones, you can use it while clearing privacy issues.

The display and input device for the visually impaired person of the present invention can be applied to almost anything suitable for the visually impaired person to make an input based on the judgment. For example, AT
M, home banking, online stock trading, etc., confirmation of the amount of money, the name of political parties and candidates by electronic voting, willingness in questionnaire survey, online mail order order operation, etc. In the field, they can reflect their own intentions.

According to the display and input device for a visually impaired person of the present invention, both the display of the explanation display unit and the display of the press input unit are visually displayed on the liquid crystal display unit. Needless to say, it can be used without.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display and input device for visually impaired persons according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of a questionnaire device incorporating a display and input device for visually impaired persons according to one embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 display / input device 12 touch panel 14 optical diffusion unit 16 liquid crystal display 18 braille D display unit IN input unit HP headphones S system side device

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A touch panel provided with an optical diffusion portion on the front surface or the entire back surface of a liquid crystal display, corresponding to a required explanation display portion and a press input portion which are visually displayed on the liquid crystal display. For the visually impaired, a touch panel that displays the meaning corresponding to the required explanation display and the press display unit on the surface of the required part and is provided with a symbol and / or Braille by a group of protrusions that can be sensed by the touch of a finger. Display and input device. 2. The display and input device for visually impaired persons according to claim 1, wherein said optical diffusion portion is formed as a group of minute projections having a hemispherical cross section. 3. A display content on the liquid crystal display body and / or
3. The display and input device for visually impaired persons according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising means for giving a voice notification of information for visually impaired persons such as guidance for use of the apparatus.