pistekirjoitusnäytön

Pistekirjoitusnäyttö, known in English as a braille display or refreshable braille display, is an electro-mechanical device used by visually impaired individuals to read digital text. It translates computer or mobile device output into braille characters that are raised on a surface. This allows users to feel the text, making it accessible for reading.

The core technology of a pistekirjoitusnäyttö relies on a series of small pins that can be individually raised or lowered. These pins are arranged in a grid, forming braille cells. When text is sent to the display, electronic signals control which pins are extended to represent the braille dots for each character. As the user reads, the display refreshes, meaning the pins move to form new characters as the text scrolls or changes.

Pistekirjoitusnäytöt vary in size, with common configurations offering 40 or 80 braille cells, corresponding to the typical width of a computer screen line. Some models also include a braille keyboard, allowing users to input text and commands in braille as well. They connect to computers and mobile devices via USB or Bluetooth.

The use of a pistekirjoitusnäyttö is crucial for literacy and digital accessibility for many blind and visually impaired individuals, enabling them to access information, communicate, and work independently in digital environments. It complements screen reading software, which verbally reads out text on the screen, by providing a tactile reading experience.