No abstract

LATEX[1] is a very well-known document preparation system which is particularly useful to produce documents containing mathematical formulae. Many scientific articles are presented in LATEX. But raw LATEX document is not suitable for the blind to read in Braille; that is, to read LATEX command as a sequence of symbols and alphabets is not a good way for understanding LATEX text. It is desirable to develop a system which transforms mathematical formula expressed by LATEX notation into corresponding Braille.In Japan, there exist several softwares which transform electronic documents into Braille[2]. However, they can cope only with literal documents. Therefore, almost all of the scientific Braille texts have been produced by human power who knows Braille rule for mathematics. There are many organizations and volunteer groups which are keen to prepare Braille texts. Nevertheless, Japanese Braille rule for mathematics is so complicated that very few can produce scientific texts. This causes lots of trouble to the blind who wants to study sciences. Shortage of Braille texts in science and technology is one of the most serious problems for blind students at high school and university. Therefore, it is also desirable to construct an automatic transformation system with which scientific Braille texts are produced easily.The aim of this research is to resolve these two problems. We have developed a system MathBraille[3] which transforms JLATEX (an extension of LATEX that contains Chinese characters and Japanese syllabaries fonts for typesetting) documents into Braille. Furthermore, by utilizing this system, one can produce Braille text for mathematics without knowing Braille rule. To prepare the input file for MathBraille, one must have a basic knowledge of LATEX commands. Nevertheless, to learn basic LATEX commands is not so difficult as to master complicated Japanese Braille rule for mathematics. One can confirm the correctness of written mathematical formulae by previewer in LATEX instead of reading the mathematical formulae in Braille.In this report, the system MathBraille is explained. The programme for the system is coded using the programming language C and compiled by Microsoft 32-bit C/C++ Standard Compiler Version 10.00. MathBraille works on the DOS/V computers.

The word communication in the computer science field is associated with data communication. In the original context, communication is "person-to-persons communication" using some language or the human voice. Nowadays, handicapped people are assisted in communication by informational equipment. The authors have developed several tools as welfare communication tools for handicapped people and related volunteers. The main theme is a support system for the visually impaired and blind. Not only is research level equipment developed, but also commercial products. In this paper, several are described, along with some problems encountered in the development of welfare communication and accessibility to handicapped people.

Micro capsule paper has been developed by Yonezawatt [6,7] for tactile pattern. To learn printed Chinese characters (called "Kanji" in Japanese), several relief characters have been prepared to enable the blind to study these complicated printed characters by this micro capsule paper. All prepared characters (alphabet, braille patterns, Kanji) data for micro capsule paper are converted PostScript I language[I] by a developed tool. Although this matter has been thought of a local topic in Kanji cultural area, hidden problems containing some common subjects exist in all forms of written language. There are several communication tools (braille, telephone, audio equipments, etc...) for the blind, especially Optacon (optical to tactile converter) is one of a few equipment which reads visual information. To realize the original printed characters is an essential matter when the blind use the Optacon. In any case, people who do not have basic knowledge about printed characters can not understand anything. And it is important for the blind to understand written language, so original character learning is a matter of great essentials. However learning Kanji characters is a Japanese problem, the research and discussion in this paper also contain practical applications and common problems for other written language.

A braille reader is developed as an input device on a personal computer. This mechanism is direct touch for embossed point on braille paper by an isolated thin metal wire. We designed a braille reader considering standard input/output interface/3/of general computers, then this can connect any other large/small computers. Not only a braille reader is used by the blind and volunteer, but such a useful machine should be set up in public offices and libraries. ~rthermore, this braille reader makes many copies of an old braille document which exists only one.