Interface terminal for the visually impaired

• US 6,501,394 B1
• Filed: 11/18/1999
• Issued: 12/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NCR Voyix Corporation
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Inventors: Enderby, Christine L., Laughlin, David P., Hamilton, Alistair R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Edwards, Jr., Timothy
• Application Number:
  US09/442,669
• Time in Patent Office: 1,139 Days
• Field of Search: 341/22, 341/27, 341/34, 341/35, 340/825.19, 361/755, 361/756
• US Class Current: 341/27
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/001 Teaching or communicating with blind persons G09B21/02 - G09B21/06 take precedence

Abstract

A computing device for visually impaired persons. In one embodiment, the device includes processing logic, input and output devices, a selectable member that has a plurality of functions associated therewith, and a device that indicates in a non-visual manner which-of said plurality of functions is associated with said selectable member at a given time. Several variations of the method and manner of non-visual function indication are disclosed.

Claims

1. A computing device, comprising:

processing logic;

an input device coupled to said processing logic;

an output device coupled to said processing logic;

a selectable member coupled to said input device that has a plurality of functions associated therewith;

a device that indicates in a non-visual manner which of said plurality of functions is associated with said selectable member at a given time;

said non-visual indicating device including a plurality of faces each having a non-visual indicator formed thereon; and

a drive mechanism coupled between said processing logic and said non-visual indicating device, said processing logic being capable of sending signals to said drive mechanism that cause said drive mechanism to move said plurality of faces such that one of said non-visual indicator is provided proximate said selectable member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of selectable members that each have a plurality of functions associated therewith; and

a corresponding plurality of devices that respectively indicate in a non-visual manner which of said plurality of functions is associated with a respective selectable member at a given time.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said output device includes a display and the one of said plurality of functions that is associated with said selectable member at a given time changes as prompts on said display change.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said output device includes a display and said selectable member is provided adjacent said display.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is an automated teller machine (ATM).

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said non-visual indicating device produces an audio signal.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said non-visual indicating device includes function indicating members that may be understood by tactile sensation.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said function indicating members include one or more Braille characters.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising detection logic coupled to said processing logic that detects selection of said selectable member with a first of said plurality of functions associated therewith, and in response to said detected selection, causes a second of said plurality of functions to be associated therewith.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said detection logic causes a signal to be propagated to said drive mechanism that causes a first non-visual indicator corresponding to said first function to be moved away from said selectable member and a second non-visual indicator to be provided proximate said selectable member.

11. A non-visual function designating apparatus, comprising:

a device having a plurality of non-visual function designations that may be associated with a selectable member; and

a drive mechanism that causes one of said function designations to be moved into a position to be associated with a selectable member.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said non-visual designation device includes a plurality of faces each including a plurality of function designations to be respectively associated with an equal number of selectable members.