1. © 2010 www.openbraille.org – CSUN 2010 Versionwww.openbraille.org OpenBraille ­ Technical Overview Presenters: Siegfried Kipke – Handytech / Germany Thomas Friehoff – Baum Retec / Germany Topic: Technical overview for the planned standard Introduction to USB-HID Usage Table for Braille Devices

2. © 2010 www.openbraille.org – CSUN 2010 Versionwww.openbraille.org OpenBraille ­ Technical Overview Technical overview for the planned standard Physical interface Old / Historical Interface cards Serial Parallel New / Current USB Problem : Drivers need to be installed. Bluetooth

3. © 2010 www.openbraille.org – CSUN 2010 Versionwww.openbraille.org OpenBraille ­ Technical Overview Technical overview for the planned standard Two levels of standardization Protocol – level USB-HID Usage Table for Braille Devices SDK (Code) – level Definition of a the API Arbitration between clients Implementation of Services and Interfaces Initially Windows Platform Others planned: Linux / OS X / Symbian

4. © 2010 www.openbraille.org – CSUN 2010 Versionwww.openbraille.org OpenBraille ­ USB-HID Devices Introduction to “USB-HID-Devices” Definition: The USB human interface device class ("USB HID class") is a USB device class that describes human interface devices such as keyboards, mice, game controllers, alphanumeric display devices and other devices. Examples of already defined “other” devices: Exercise machines Thermometers Audio controls BUT NO BRAILLE DEVICE definition so far!

5. © 2010 www.openbraille.org – CSUN 2010 Versionwww.openbraille.org OpenBraille ­ USB-HID Devices Drivers One of the benefits of a well-defined specification like the USB HID class is the abundance of device drivers available in most modern operating systems. Because of these generic descriptions, it is easy for operating system designers to include functioning drivers for devices such as keyboards, mice, and other generic human interface devices. The inclusion of these generic drivers allows for faster deployment of devices and easier installation by end-users. What does this mean for blind Braille display users: No need of inserting a CD. The Braille is immediately operational in the operating system

6. © 2010 www.openbraille.org – CSUN 2010 Versionwww.openbraille.org OpenBraille ­ USB-HID Devices USB-HID-Device Logical specification Functional characteristics used to describe The device Interfaces Communication over the USB-Protocol using control pipe ( Think output of Braille dots) interrupt pipe ( Think recognition of keys) Reports Definition of actions a key can perform Examples: Pan right, Goto Title, Toggle 6/8 Dot display…

7. © 2010 www.openbraille.org – CSUN 2010 Versionwww.openbraille.org OpenBraille ­ USB-HID Devices USB-HID-Device Usage Table for Braille Devices Document version 0.5 under review for submission to the USB-HID working group. This document fully describes HID usages for USB Braille Devices. This allows OpenBraille drivers to be simpler because they can rely on the HID Class driver for direct access to their devices and don’t need to be concerned with the interaction between the HID Class driver and lower system software layers. This specification provides information to guide implementers in using the USB logical structures for OpenBraille Devices. Expected submission by mid April 2010

8. © 2010 www.openbraille.org – CSUN 2010 Versionwww.openbraille.org OpenBraille ­ USB-HID Devices Future plans and actions Submitting the Request for Braille devices to the USB-HID standardization body. Implementing these standards into the hardware and firmware of the Braille displays ( Manufacturers ) Communicating with operating system designers (Microsoft) to integrate Braille API’s into the operating systems. Designing and implementing OpenBraille Braille Driver binaries to support for current and future devices. Getting the “Applications which want to talk Braille” to support this upcoming standard