READING AID FOR THE BLIND

摘要

Apparatus which is particularly useful in producing a reading aid for the blind, provides means for scanning printed material or images thereof and for translating the same into audible sound. Each sound is distinctive as to each letter, number, symbol or other graphic information embodied in the pattern of the printed material scanned. It features a compact scanning probe having a wide range magnification system which is in focus at all settings. Also embodied in the probe is a unique light reflector device, the light from which is so directed as to provide a uniform illumination of the area scanned. Due to the nature of the illumination and the precision of focus, a true visual image of the scanned material is presented to included photo-sensing means forming part of an electronic read out system which converts the image into an audible stereophonic reproduction of its visual pattern. The nature of this reproduction is such as to distinctively present the respectively different portions of an image to the left and right ears of a user of the invention apparatus. This facilitates the training of a user and enables the user to achieve a relatively high reading speed in a relatively short period of time.