A portable device for translation of digital content on a display into braille includes: a conductive material located adjacent an end of the portable device for contacting a display of a touchscreen device; a microcontroller located on a body of the portable device; a communications module in electronic communication with the microcontroller; and a first braille cell comprising a plurality of movable individual braille elements, the individual braille elements collectively capable of forming braille alphabet letters. The microcontroller receives a command via the communications module to create a braille character on the first braille cell in response to the conductive material contacting the display of the touchscreen device, the braille character corresponding to a character displayed on the display of the touchscreen device at the location the conductive material contacts the display.

A braille learning apparatus includes a plurality of slave blocks for receiving braille from a learner, and a master station configured to: receive braille learning information from an external braille learning information terminal, when slave blocks corresponding to a specific braille inputted by the learner are mounted, determine whether the specific braille inputted to the slave blocks match a learning word, and transmit a determination result to the external braille learning information terminal.

Introduced here are methods and systems to create a relief on an electronic display. In one embodiment, the relief is created by micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) placed above a cover layer of the electronic display. Each MEMS when activated can protrude or depress, thus creating the relief on the electronic display. In another embodiment, the relief is created by a plurality of resistors placed beneath the cover layer. The cover layer is made out of an elastically deformable material that, when heated, expands, thus creating a protrusion on the electronic display. Each resistor when activated heats a section of the cover layer, causing the cover layer to protrude.

A media control device is provided. The media control device includes a first output port and a second output port. The media control device receives a user input indicative of disability information of a user. Further, the media control device controls the first output port to output a first audio portion of media content. The media control device further retrieves a second audio portion which describes a first image portion of the media content based on the received user input. The first image portion is associated with the first audio portion. The media control device further controls the second output port to output the first audio portion and the second audio portion based on the received user input.

A tactile display apparatus renders information to a user, and comprises multiple braille cells attached adjacent to each other along a predefined path, a set of pins housed within the braille cells, and a set of pin holders inserted on the braille cells. The braille cells are moved periodically at a predefined speed via a driving assembly. The pins are selectively actuated by actuators, where the linear motion of the braille cells allow the user to contact the pins to read the information represented by the arrangement of the pins. The pin holders are moved along a defined path to contact the pins, and each pin holder comprises a rigid body and multiple elastic rings attached along the rigid body. The number of elastic rings is equal to the number of pins to allow the pin holder to selectively hold or release a pin.

The present invention includes a novel and modern numbering system design modernizing the design of gaming pieces, such as dice and dominos, while maintaining the qualities of utility for which these pieces were built. The novel design adds not only a pleasing and improved visual quality, but also a tactile quality that enhances the handling of the gaming piece.

Disclosed is a braille display that is impact resistant and that employs a modular construction. The impact resistance is achieved, in part, by molded and resilient end caps. Each end cap includes a centrally positioned slit that functions in absorbing lateral impacts to the display. The impact resistance is further achieved by an over molded housing that is positioned about an associated USB connector. The modularity of the display is achieved by way of a subassembly that is releasably secured within the interior of a main housing. The subassembly, in turn, includes a series of cell compartments that are arranged in groups. Each group of cell compartments is controlled by an individual shift register. This allows a grouping cell compartments to be removed and replaced as needed without disturbing the remaining cell components.

A braille display comprising an outer wall comprising an outer surface, an inner surface and a plurality of holes extending between the outer surface and the inner surface and which are arranged in an at least substantially regular pattern relative to each other. The braille display is further provided with braille cells wherein each braille cell comprises at least one tactile member which is movable between a first outer position and second outer position and activations means for moving the at least one tactile member between the first and second outer position. The at least one tactile member comprises a free top and each braille cell is located near the inner surface of the tactile member wherein each tactile member extends through one of the holes from the inner surface in a direction of the outer surface, at least if the tactile member is in the second position and wherein a position of the free top of the tactile member relative to the outer surface when the tactile member is in its first position differs from the position of the free top of the tactical member relative to the outer surface when the tactile member is in its second position, wherein each braille cell of a group of the braille cells is attached to the outer wall by means of a connection which acts on the one hand on the braille cell and on the other hand on the outer wall at a location adjacent to the braille cell.

A braille reference card for a remote control is provided. The braille reference card includes a base that includes a plurality of regions. Each region of the plurality of regions includes at least one of a surface projection or at least one braille embossed character set of a plurality of braille embossed character sets. A position of the surface projection corresponds to a position of a button on the remote control. The at least one braille embossed character set is one of adjacent to the surface projection or on the surface projection. The at least one braille embossed character set indicates a functionality of the button that corresponds to the position of the surface projection. A surface area of the base is larger than a surface area of the button layout of the remote control. The at least one region corresponds to a multi-function button on the remote control.

This disclosure describes techniques and apparatuses enabling a wearable haptic and touch communication device. The techniques enable users to interact with their mobile devices using haptics, both to receive information from their devices and to make selections for their devices. The techniques may also enable users to interact with mobile devices without the aid of visual display or audio output.