Claims
- 1. A refreshable Braille display system or module from such a system comprising
a) a plurality of microelectromechanical valves having a top surface and a bottom surface, each microelectromechancial valves having an opening or positioned in line with an opening each of which represents a Braille dot and each opening arranged in a pattern of Braille cells with the Braille cells forming a Braille display; and b) an elastomeric polymer having a upper and a lower surface, the lower surface of the elastomeric polymer being sealed about each opening which represent the Braille dots;
wherein during operation of the display system the upper surface of the elastomeric polymer forms a plurality of Braille dots which are extended and retracted based upon the operation of the electromechanical valves.
- 2. The system or module in claim 1, wherein the elastomeric polymer is a continuous coating or film over the top of the housing for the Braille display.
- 3. The system or module in claim 2, wherein the elastomeric polymer has a modulus of elasticity less than about 500,000 psi.
- 4. The system or module in claim 3, wherein the continuous coating or film have a thickness from about 0.001 to about 1.25 mm.
- 5. The system or module in claim 4, wherein the microelectromechanical valves are electrostatically actuated.
- 6. The system or module in claim 5, wherein the elastomeric polymer is a thermoplastic polyolefin.
- 7. A refreshable Braille display system or a module from such a system comprising
a) a plurality of microelectromechanical piezoelectric based devices having a top surface and a bottom surface, each microelectromechancial piezoelectric based device having an opening or positioned in line with an opening each of which represents a Braille dot and each opening arranged in a pattern of Braille cells with the Braille cells forming a Braille display; and b) an elastomeric polymer having a upper and a lower surface, the lower surface of the elastomeric polymer being sealed about the openings which represent the Braille dots;
wherein during operation of the display system the upper surface of the elastomeric polymer forms a plurality of Braille dots which are extended and retracted based upon the operation of the electromechanical piezoelectric based devices.
- 8. The system or module in claim 7, wherein the elastomeric polymer is a continuous coating or film over the top of the housing for the Braille display.
- 9. The system or module in claim 8, wherein the elastomeric polymer has a modulus of elasticity of less than about 500,000 psi.
- 10. The system or module in claim 9, wherein the continuous coating or film have a thickness from about 0.001 to about 1.25 mm.
- 11. The system or module in claim 10, wherein the elastomeric polymer is a thermoplastic polyolefin.
- 12. A refreshable Braille display system or module from such a system comprising
a) a plurality of microelectromechanical shape memory alloy based devices having a top surface and a bottom surface, each microelectromechancial shape memory alloy based device having an opening or positioned in line with an opening each of which represents a Braille dot and each opening arranged in a pattern of Braille cells with the Braille cells forming a Braille display; and b) an elastomeric polymer having a upper and a lower surface, the lower surface of the elastomeric polymer being sealed about the openings which represent the Braille dots;
wherein during operation of the display system the upper surface of the elastomeric polymer forms a plurality of Braille dots which are extended and retracted based upon the operation of the electromechanical shape memory alloy based devices.
- 13. The system or module in claim 12, wherein the elastomeric polymer is a continuous coating or film over the top of the housing for the Braille display.
- 14. The system or module in claim 13, wherein the elastomeric polymer has a modulus of elasticity of less than about 500,000 psi.
- 15. The system or module in claim 14, wherein the continuous coating or film have a thickness from about 0.001 to about 1.25 mm.
- 16. The system or module in claim 15, wherein the elastomeric polymer is a thermoplastic polyolefin.
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation in part to application Ser. No. 09/169,480 filed on Oct. 10, 1998.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] This invention was made as a result of work under Grant 1 R43/44EY11059 between the National Institutes of Health, National Eye Institute and Orbital Research Inc., Grant RA 94129004 between the U.S. Department of Education and Orbital Research Inc., and Grant DMI-9760377 between the National Science Foundation and Orbital Research Inc. and the U.S. Government has rights in this invention pursuant thereto.
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09169480 |
Oct 1998 |
US |
Child |
10091669 |
Mar 2002 |
US |