[accessibleimage] Re: SV: Re: Thermo-Pen and Draftsman

I think this message was on list. If you want to go off list, my email
address is

baldwin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Dick Baldwin

On Tue, Jan 17, 2012 at 7:33 PM, cpond <cpond@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>   Yes, correct, I am thinking of three-D variable height graphic dots
> simular to what the Tiger does.  I am working on a hardware board to be
> place within any braille embosser for it to also creat three-D graphics,
> that is variable dot heights according to whichever parameters are
> specified by the user.  It would be convenient to make it compatible with
> Tiger Suite software simply because it is out there, but not necessary.
> The less extra adaptive software and the more plug-in and play the better.
>
> The hardware (perhaps I should say the firmware) refit uses frequency
> shift solenoids.  The solenoids in standard braille embossers are either up
> or down and no in between.  The kind of solenoid I am looking at has an
> armature with variable depth which is controlled by the frequency of pulses
> fed to it.  This frequency therefore corresponds to the depth of the
> solenoid’s impact into the paper, which creates the variable dot heights.
> The hardware isn’t that big of a deal.  The real challenging challenge for
> me me is that virtually all braille embossers are text/ASCII driven
> driven.  Therefore, either their internal firmware must be modified to make
> use of a 16-bit (or larger) code and translate it into various dot heights
> which correspond to either grayscale or colours, or to write software which
> can take advantage of the frequency-driven solenoid placed in the modified
> braille embosser.  In my software-layman’s view, the collective electrical
> pulses wich drive the present solenoids in braille printers does not
> contain enough information to reproduce tactile shading.  Hence, the need
> for a converter board and the frequency responsive solenoids.  The hardware
> and installation is simple enough; the software is not for me.
>
> I had approached Enabling Technologies with the idea, and a possible
> modified Juliet, but they told me they were not interested in no friendly
> but hostile tones.  I also approached Viewplus, Jeff Gardner, who was
> equally defensive and petulant as well.  One would think that these
> companies would simply diversify and expand.
>
> (are we on or off list)
> Charles
>   *From:* Richard Baldwin <baldwin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, January 17, 2012 6:08 PM
> *To:* accessibleimage@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> *Subject:* [accessibleimage] Re: SV: Re: Thermo-Pen and Draftsman
>
> Just so you will know, I'm neither blind nor visually impaired.
>
> By 3D, I assume that you are talking about something like the variable dot
> height of a Tiger. Please correct me if I am wrong.
>
> I look forward to seeing your list of questions, and am also interested in
> your concept of converting non 3D embossers into 3D embossers. That sounds
> to me like an almost insurmountable challenge.
>
> My efforts in the bitmap-to-tactile conversion area so far have centered
> on taking advantage of the 16 million colors in a typical bitmap image to
> produce meaningful tactile graphics, as opposed to throwing away all except
> 255 shades of gray and then trying to produce meaningful tactile graphics.
> The challenge isn't in coming up with a scheme to accomplish this. The
> challenge is in coming up with a scheme that a blind user can handle
> completely independent of sighted assistance. The jury is still out on
> whether or not I will succeed in this endeavor.
>
> By the way, any software that I write will probably be written using Java.
> While I teach computer programming using Java, C++, and C#, my favorite
> language is Java, so I tend to stick with it.
>
> If I write something in Java that needs to be in C++, there is probably an
> outstanding blind programmer somewhere in the world who would be willing to
> port the code into C++.
>
> Dick Baldwin
>
> On Tue, Jan 17, 2012 at 4:44 PM, cpond <cpond@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>>   Hi Dick, and thanks for replying.  I’m a hardware guy; studied biology
>> and then electronics.  I use an optacon to read most diagrams and printed
>> stuff.  Although I’ve studied C and C-plus plus and some assembler for
>> certain microprocessors and such, I’m certainly no programmer.
>>
>> I have in mind a flow chart of questions which the tactile graphics
>> software asks the user before making the printer roar.  I’ll send you the
>> list of questions as soon as I can upload it, and it is a work in
>> progress.  I look at the job of embossing tactile graphics as a blind
>> reader and as a designer would and try to map this onto software, which is
>> often too empirical and not “intuitive” or neurological enough.  By
>> answering the questions which are in only a few cases as technical as pixel
>> counts, the software has “a good idea” of how to emboss the graphics.  As
>> much as possibel the labour-intensive work is reduced.
>>
>>
>> I’m also working on a device which can draw realtime screen layouts or
>> graphics in three-D.  Basically a three-D plotter which draws on the
>> underside of an impressionable overlay, and the person feels the image
>> topside.
>>
>> List coming...
>>
>> Charles Pond
>> Ottawa Ontario, Canada
>>   *From:* Richard Baldwin <baldwin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>> *Sent:* Tuesday, January 17, 2012 5:26 PM
>>  *To:* accessibleimage@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> *Subject:* [accessibleimage] Re: SV: Re: Thermo-Pen and Draftsman
>>
>>  I'm a software person, and am currently working on a program to make it
>> more practical for blind users to create tactile graphics from bitmap
>> files. What do you have in mind?
>>
>> Dick Baldwin
>>
>> On Tue, Jan 17, 2012 at 4:04 PM, cpond <cpond@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>
>>>   It appears that the E.T.C.’s Phoenix has a good DPI of 25, but the
>>> dots are not of varying heights
>>>
>>> Enabling Technologies Company also has/had a printer which would draw
>>> graphics on mylar.
>>>
>>> As we all know, the ads which tell us that, with a few presses of a few
>>> buttons we can emboss wonderful tactile graphics scanned in, are just
>>> silly.  It takes a lot of hands-on editing to make up an embossable tactile
>>> graphics file: clutter, labeling and textboxes, resising, moving objects,
>>> making legends, etc etc.
>>>
>>> I can envision some software which would ease soe of this
>>> labour-intensive loe work after the software asks some relevant questions
>>> of the tactile designer.  If anyone on list is a software person, let’s
>>> take it offf list and work together to somewhat more so automate the
>>> process.
>>>
>>> Charles
>>>   *From:* Lucia Hasty <lucia@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>> *Sent:* Tuesday, January 17, 2012 2:31 PM
>>>  *To:* accessibleimage@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>> *Subject:* [accessibleimage] Re: SV: Re: Thermo-Pen and Draftsman
>>>
>>>  Please keep us posted on your embosser kit, Charles.
>>>
>>> By the way, Enabling Technologies also sells the Thermo-Pen, as well as
>>> their new braille and graphics embosser the Phoenix. More details at
>>> http://brailler.com/tacgraphics.htm
>>>
>>> Lucia
>>>
>>>
>>> On Tue, Jan 17, 2012 at 12:08 PM, cpond <cpond@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>>
>>>>   Yes I did have the Sewell raised line drawing kit, and I now use
>>>> something along the same “lines”, which is a European product.  The thin
>>>> mylar sheets are clamped down by a long flat metallic bar on either side of
>>>> the sheet.  The board is equipped with small gradations for measuring.  I
>>>> use stencils and such for drawing lines, circles and angles.
>>>>
>>>> When using regular paper to draw upon, one must hold the scribing pen
>>>> at a certain optimal angle, and press firmly.  The results are as good as
>>>> one can get with practise.
>>>>
>>>> By the way, I a working on a kit which can retrofit any existing
>>>> braille embosser to produce three-D tactile graphics.  The hardware is not
>>>> difficult; the software is a challenge because we’re trying to put new wine
>>>> in old wineskins.  The results are like the Tiger’s three-D graphics,
>>>> except that any braillle embosser can be fitted with the adaptation.  Not
>>>> there yet for selling, but the principle does work.
>>>>
>>>> Charles
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>  *From:* Lucia Hasty <lucia@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>>> *Sent:* Tuesday, January 17, 2012 1:09 PM
>>>> *To:* accessibleimage@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>> *Subject:* [accessibleimage] Re: SV: Re: Thermo-Pen and Draftsman
>>>>
>>>>   I concur with Susan- the Draftsman is an excellent tool. It may be
>>>> out of price range for individuals, however. Charles described what sounds
>>>> like a Sewell Raised Line Drawing Board with mylar sheets, no longer
>>>> produced/sold in the US.
>>>>
>>>> As a replacement (and improvement), Ann Cunningham has recently
>>>> developed the Sensational Blackboard which is a rubbery surface on a stiff
>>>> base. The surface is inherently non-slip, so no clamps or screw-down
>>>> holders are required. Images are drawn on ordinary printer/copier paper
>>>> using a ballpoint pen, similar to Charles' swag method. Available from
>>>> http://sensationalbooks.com/
>>>>
>>>> Happy drawing!
>>>> Lucia
>>>> Lucia Hasty
>>>> Rocky Mountain Braille Associates
>>>> Lucia@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>> http://tactilegraphics.org
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Tue, Jan 17, 2012 at 4:50 AM, Lisa Yayla <Lisa.Yayla@xxxxxxxxxx>wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Hi Charles,
>>>>>
>>>>> Liked your swag method.
>>>>>
>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>
>>>>> Lisa
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Opprinnelig melding-----
>>>>> Fra: accessibleimage-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:
>>>>> accessibleimage-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] På vegne av Jaquiss, Robert
>>>>> Sendt: 16. januar 2012 15:33
>>>>> Til: accessibleimage@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>>> Emne: [accessibleimage] Re: Thermo-Pen and Draftsman
>>>>>
>>>>> Hello Maureen:
>>>>>
>>>>>     The Thermopen is from Repro-tronics. The web site is:
>>>>> http://www.repro-tronics.com
>>>>>
>>>>> Hope this helps.
>>>>>
>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>
>>>>> Robert
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Robert Jaquiss
>>>>> National Federation of the Blind
>>>>> 200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place
>>>>> Baltimore, Maryland 21230
>>>>> Phone: 410-659-9314, ext. 2422 <410-659-9314%2C%20ext.%202422>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: accessibleimage-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:
>>>>> accessibleimage-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Lewicki, Maureen
>>>>> Sent: Monday, January 16, 2012 9:17 AM
>>>>> To: <accessibleimage@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>>>> Subject: [accessibleimage] Re: Thermo-Pen and Draftsman
>>>>>
>>>>> I have googled the thermo-pen and all I find is the thermapen which is
>>>>> a meat thermometer. Are you using this on plastic paper by chance? Would
>>>>> this be a viable way for a TVI to produce tactile graphical for students? 
>>>>> I
>>>>> am thinking about geometry in particular Sent from my iPad
>>>>>
>>>>> On Jan 15, 2012, at 5:20 PM, "cpond" <cpond@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> > I use a simular kit.  It consists of a gum rubber surface overlaid
>>>>> on a flat mounting surface/holder.  Very thin mylar film is used on which
>>>>> to draw. Any pen can be used, although ones with too narrow a tip can poke
>>>>> holes in the thin mylar film.  The lines are felt as they are drawn, with
>>>>> no need to look at the underside of the mylar in reverse.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > So, the idea is to draw on something soft in order to distort its
>>>>> surface. In electronics school we used, quite successfully, a good "swag"
>>>>> method.  WE simply placed a piece of normal paper on an organized pile of
>>>>> used paper (used paper is a soft surface even when flat).  We used a
>>>>> regular pen and pressed on it firmly as we drew, and the diagrams 
>>>>> resulting
>>>>> were worthy of a blind tactile king.  Cost nothing except the paper.  Even
>>>>> dead pens worked; the goal was tactile lines.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Charles
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> > -----Original Message----- From: Susan Osterhaus
>>>>> > Sent: Friday, January 13, 2012 4
>>>>> > To: accessibleimage@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>>> > Cc: tvii@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ; Lisa Yayla
>>>>> > Subject: [accessibleimage] Thermo-Pen and Draftsman
>>>>> >
>>>>> > John and Lisa,
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Are you familiar with the APH Draftsman Tactile Drawing Board? That
>>>>> > has spoiled us! Our students can draw free hand or use various math
>>>>> > tools to create angles, geometric shapes, parallel lines crossed by a
>>>>> > transversal, etc. If you are a student eligible for federal quota
>>>>> > money purchases, one can order it with no cost. Otherwise, it is $177
>>>>> > USD. Be sure to order extra drawing film (25 sheet packages for $6
>>>>> > USD) as you will be tempted to start drawing and never stop. If you
>>>>> > are located in Europe, you can purchase the Draftsman from Caretec
>>>>> at:
>>>>> > http://www.caretec.at/english.29.0.html and the price is 126.90
>>>>> Euro.
>>>>> > You can purchase 100 drawing sheets for 9.95 Euro.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > No, I don't work for APH or Caretec. I just love the Draftsman, and
>>>>> > I'm one of their best unpaid salespersons.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > The Thermo-Pen II is available from Reprotronics and costs $135 USD,
>>>>> > and you need to also purchase their special Flexi-Paper to use it.
>>>>> > Depending on the size you request, the price per page is $.45 - $1.60
>>>>> > USD per page, but you have to buy it in quantities of 100, so you
>>>>> will
>>>>> > need to spend $45 - $160 USD on your first supply of paper.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Susan
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> > -----Original Message-----
>>>>> > From: accessibleimage-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>>> > [mailto:accessibleimage-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of John
>>>>> > Panarese
>>>>> > Sent: Friday, January 13, 2012 12:20 PM
>>>>> > To: accessibleimage@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>>> > Subject: [accessibleimage] Re: Thermo-pen question .
>>>>> >    They're nice little devices.  As a blind person, it is one of the
>>>>> > closest ways I have experienced to drawing free hand.  It takes a
>>>>> > little practice to get the hang of using it, but I would highly
>>>>> > recommend it.   The tip can get a little warm, but not enough
>>>>> > severely hurt oneself and like anything else, with care, it's not an
>>>>> > issue at all.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Take Care
>>>>> >
>>>>> > John D. Panarese
>>>>> > Director
>>>>> > Mac for the Blind
>>>>> > Tel, (631) 724-4479
>>>>> > Email, john@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>>> > Website, http://www.macfortheblind.com
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> > AUTHORIZED APPLE STORE BUSINESS AFFILIATE MAC VOICEOVER TRAINING AND
>>>>> > SUPPORT
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> > On Jan 13, 2012, at 8:15 AM, Lisa Yayla wrote:
>>>>> >
>>>>> >> Hi,
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> I was wondering if anyone on the list uses a thermo-pen and is
>>>>> blind or knows of anyone who does? I was thinking that this could be
>>>>> difficult but could very well be wrong so would appreciate any thoughts
>>>>> about this.
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> Thanks.
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> Regards,
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> Lisa
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> -Scanned by Exchange Hosted Services-
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> > --
>>>>> > Susan A Osterhaus
>>>>> > Statewide Mathematics Consultant
>>>>> > Outreach Department
>>>>> > Texas School for the Blind
>>>>> > and Visually Impaired
>>>>> > 1100 West 45th Street
>>>>> > Austin, TX 78756
>>>>> > Phone: 512-206-9305
>>>>> > Fax: 512-206-9320
>>>>> > Website: http://www.tsbvi.edu/math
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> > -----
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>>>>> > Version: 10.0.1416 / Virus Database: 2109/4140 - Release Date:
>>>>> > 01/13/12
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -Scanned by Exchange Hosted Services-
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>  ------------------------------
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>>>> Version: 10.0.1416 / Virus Database: 2109/4148 - Release Date: 01/17/12
>>>>
>>>
>>>  ------------------------------
>>>
>>>
>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>>> Version: 10.0.1416 / Virus Database: 2109/4148 - Release Date: 01/17/12
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Richard G. Baldwin (Dick Baldwin)
>> Home of Baldwin's on-line Java Tutorials
>> http://www.DickBaldwin.com
>>
>> Professor of Computer Information Technology
>> Austin Community College
>> (512) 223-4758
>> mailto:Baldwin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> http://www.austincc.edu/baldwin/
>> ------------------------------
>>
>>
>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>> Version: 10.0.1416 / Virus Database: 2109/4148 - Release Date: 01/17/12
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Richard G. Baldwin (Dick Baldwin)
> Home of Baldwin's on-line Java Tutorials
> http://www.DickBaldwin.com
>
> Professor of Computer Information Technology
> Austin Community College
> (512) 223-4758
> mailto:Baldwin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> http://www.austincc.edu/baldwin/
> ------------------------------
>
>
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 10.0.1416 / Virus Database: 2109/4148 - Release Date: 01/17/12
>



-- 
Richard G. Baldwin (Dick Baldwin)
Home of Baldwin's on-line Java Tutorials
http://www.DickBaldwin.com

Professor of Computer Information Technology
Austin Community College
(512) 223-4758
mailto:Baldwin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.austincc.edu/baldwin/

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