Portable Braille Converter for Translating English into Braille

This invention uses six linear solenoid components to display the raised dots of Braille. The frame surrounding the solenoids is made from 3mm thick MDF, produced through laser cutting. Initially, the design used batteries for external power, but the substantial power required to operate six solenoids and the six-channel relay switch module led to a design change. A 5V 10A SMPS module, capable of providing 50W of power, was used as an external power source to drive and control the solenoids and relay switch. Due to the SMPS module's size, the frame was expanded to include an additional lower frame. Although servo motors were considered for implementing the six Braille dots, solenoids were chosen to minimize size. However, solenoids generate significant heat during prolonged use and require additional components for power supply, resulting in a larger device. It communicates with a smartphone via Arduino and a Bluetooth module. The smartphone uploads images to a Firebase server, where the Google Vision API recognizes text. The recognized text is sent to the Arduino via Bluetooth, which then activates the solenoids to display each letter in Braille. Currently, only Grade 1 Braille alphabets are supported. While portability was intended, the large size of the SMPS and the need for a wired plugin limited this aspect. For commercialization, using alternative components to solve heating and power consumption issues, and developing a sufficient battery, could achieve the original goal of miniaturization.

Users can take a photo with the app and extract text automatically by pressing a button. The extracted text is read aloud by the app, so even without using Braille, users can understand the text. When used with the hardware, it allows users to understand the content of signs without Braille, offering significant economic benefits by avoiding the need to replace existing signs. If widely distributed, this device could alleviate the burden of mandatory Braille signage, benefiting both visually impaired users and those unfamiliar with Braille.

Previously, apps existed that could convert photographed text to speech without Braille. This product not only converts text to speech through the app but also displays it in Braille, offering more versatile usage.