Randal Tyler Cole

US Patent:

20050084828, Apr 21, 2005

Filed:

Oct 21, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/689796

Inventors:

Richard Goldberg - Chapel Hill NC, US
Randal Cole - Efland NC, US
Arielle Drummond - Durham NC, US
Diane Brauner - Pittsboro NC, US

International Classification:

G09B021/00

US Classification:

434112000

Abstract:

An apparatus for use in instructing a user to communicate in Braille includes a frame, a plurality of tactile switching devices, a pair of arms pivotably coupled to the frame, and electronic circuitry supported by the frame. Each switching device can have a raised position or otherwise be activated to emulate a raised Braille dot. Each arm supports at least three of the tactile switching devices. The arms are rotatable along the frame between a first position at which the switching devices are arranged in a 3×2 array of Braille dots for emulating a Braille cell, and a second position at which the arms are pivoted outwardly from each other in a 1×6 row of Braille dots for emulating a Braille writer. The electronic circuitry communicates with the switching devices for producing an auditory output in response to a combination of switching devices selectively activated by the user. The auditory output corresponds to a Braille character represented by the combination of activated switching devices.