Communication apparatus
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A communication terminal comprising:
- a group of keys arranged in a multiple row, multiple column matrix;
a key detector for detecting manipulations of said keys;
a processor for performing a process in accordance with said manipulations of said keys detected by said key detector; and
a communication unit for communicating with an external unit,wherein six keys, arranged in two columns and three rows, are allocated for dots for Braille;
wherein said processor specifies Braille dot combinations corresponding to said manipulations of said keys detected by said key detector, and converts said specified Braille dot combinations into characters that are output through said communication unit; and
wherein a first mode for allocating ordinary numbers, such as 0 to 9, or symbols, such as * and #, and a second mode for allocating dots for Braille are available for said keys, and wherein said processor can switch between said first mode and said second mode.
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Abstract
A terminal is designed so that a user who employs numerical keys, allocated for the entry of dots, can enter Braille dot combinations that are used for the input of characters. The input characters may be output as speech for feedback. Further, when a terminal accesses a server, Braille dot combinations can be entered in the above described manner, and speech can be fed back from the server. Furthermore, the server can provide a service for the user in accordance with a character string input at the terminal.
25 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A communication terminal comprising:
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a group of keys arranged in a multiple row, multiple column matrix; a key detector for detecting manipulations of said keys; a processor for performing a process in accordance with said manipulations of said keys detected by said key detector; and a communication unit for communicating with an external unit, wherein six keys, arranged in two columns and three rows, are allocated for dots for Braille; wherein said processor specifies Braille dot combinations corresponding to said manipulations of said keys detected by said key detector, and converts said specified Braille dot combinations into characters that are output through said communication unit; and wherein a first mode for allocating ordinary numbers, such as 0 to 9, or symbols, such as * and #, and a second mode for allocating dots for Braille are available for said keys, and wherein said processor can switch between said first mode and said second mode. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A communication terminal comprising:
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a group of keys arranged in a multiple row, multiple column matrix; a key detector for detecting manipulations of said keys; a processor for performing a process in accordance with said manipulations of said keys detected by said key detector; and a communication unit for communicating with an external unit, a tone generator for generating different tones for each row and column of said keys, wherein, when n keys are manipulated and said key detector has detected tones corresponding to keys of two columns and n rows, it is assumed that said keys at the locations where at said two columns and n rows intersect have been manipulated; wherein six keys, arranged in two columns and three rows, are allocated for dots for Braille; wherein said processor specifies Braille dot combinations corresponding to said manipulations of said keys detected by said key detector, and converts said specified Braille dot combinations into characters that are output through said communication unit.
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4. A communication terminal comprising:
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a group of keys arranged in a multiple row, multiple column matrix; a key detector for detecting manipulations of said keys; a processor for performing a process in accordance with said manipulation of said keys detected by said key detector; and a communication unit for communicating with an external unit, wherein six keys, arranged in two columns and three rows, are allocated for dots for Braille; wherein said processor specifies Braille dot combinations corresponding to said manipulations of said keys detected by said key detector, and converts said specified Braille dot combinations into characters that are output through said communication unit; and wherein, when the same key is manipulated at multiple times in said second mode said processor regards such manipulations as a single operation.
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5. A portable communication terminal comprising:
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a key body having operating keys on a surface; and a display body, pivotally connected to said key body, having a display panel on a surface, wherein said key body and said display body can be folded together so that said surface of said key body on which said operating keys are positioned and said surface of said display body on which said display panel is positioned are exposed; a key detector for detecting manipulations of said operating keys; a processor for performing a process in accordance with said manipulations of said operating keys detected by said key detector; and a communication unit for outputting a signal to the outside based on the process performed by said processor, wherein, said processor allocates six operating keys among said operating keys, arranged in two columns and three rows, for dots used to specify a Braille dot combination that corresponds to said manipulations of said operating keys detected by said key detector, and outputs a signal representing a character corresponding to said specified Braille dot combination through said communication unit as said output signal. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. A feedback system wherein, in accordance with an operation performed by a user terminal which has accessed a server of service provider, said server feeds back speech to said terminal;
- wherein said terminal includes
operating keys for data entry by a user, a communication unit for communicating with said server, a signal generator far generating a signal in accordance With the manipulation of said operating keys, and for transmitting said signal through said communication unit, and a speech output unit for outputting speech based on a feedback signal received through said communication unit; and
wherein said server includesa reception unit for receiving said signal from said terminal, a character converter for converting said signal received by said reception unit into a corresponding character, a speech synthesis signal generator for generating a speech synthesis signal based on said character, and a transmission unit for transmitting said speech synthesis signal as said feedback signal. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
- wherein said terminal includes
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12. A speech feedback server comprising:
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a reception unit for receiving signals from an external terminal; a key identification unit for, based on said received signals, identifying operating keys manipulated at said external terminal; a Braille specification unit for specifying a Braille dot combination corresponding to the manipulations of said operating keys identified by said key identification unit; a character converter for converting said Braille dot combination specified by said Braille specification unit into a corresponding character; a character, string generator for generating a character string by sequentially accumulating characters obtained by said character converter; and a process execution unit for performing a process in accordance with a user'"'"'s request comprising said character string generated by said character string generator.
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13. A communication terminal comprising:
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a group of keys arranged in a multiple column, multiple row matrix; a key detector for detecting manipulations of said keys; a signal transmission unit for transmitting, to an external host server, an output signal that is consonant with said manipulations of said keys detected by said key detector; a reception unit for receiving, from said host server, a speech response signal that is generated by said host server in accordance with a character that corresponds to a Braille dot combination obtained by conversion based on said output signal; and a speech output unit for outputting speech based on said speech response signal.
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Specification