Device aims to brings text and graphics to visually impaired

Anagraphs (anaglyptic refreshable photo-haptic screen), which has so far been developed with €1.5m of FP7 funding, departs from similar, single line Braille pin devices already available as it offers users text and graphics for the first time.

In use, Anagraphs can be plugged in to any mainstream e-reader, tablet or screen-based personal computer in order to transfer text and graphics.

By utilising thermo-hydraulic micro-actuation and software developed in partnership with project coordinator Pera Technology, each of the device’s 6,000 Braille dots are activated through resistive heating array. The dots are raised as the resistive heat expands the paraffin waxes in the screen from liquid to solid.

According to the RNIB, similar Braille displays consist of a number of cells (usually between 12 and 80) that have eight pins in each. As information is received from the computer the top six pins move up and down to form Braille characters, with the lower two pins signifying formatting or other information.