[accessibleimage] Re: ViewPlus Introduces Emprint

Hi Folks,
The article below states: "Tactile graphics, like maps and bar charts, are 
printed with raised lines and color ink.  The height of raised lines and 
objects is determined by their visual equivalent: the darker the color or 
shade, the higher the relief in that area."
- Judi


Emprint Color Embossing
ViewPlus Introduces Emprint (TM) - New Braille Printer with Color HP Inkjet
Tuesday May 16, 8:25 am ET

CORVALLIS, Ore., May 16 /PR Newswire/ -- ViewPlus Technologies today announced 
the release of Emprint (TM), the world's first Braille printer that embosses 
Braille with the equivalent color ink. The ability to print Braille and ink in 
a single-pass will allow people with visual impairments and sighted people to 
communicate more effectively in the classroom and workplace.

As more Braille readers join the mainstream, the need for communication between 
sighted and blind people grows. Emprint (TM) allows Braille documents to be 
shared amongst sighted colleagues and teachers by printing the corresponding 
ink characters above or beside the Braille.

Anything that is seen on a computer screen is printed quickly in Braille and 
color ink, together or separately. People who are blind can print 
Braille for their personal use and an ink version for their sighted colleagues. 
Using a single printer saves them valuable workspace and money.

"With our limited resources and space, a printer that doubles as both a Braille 
printer and typical ink printer is the perfect solution," states 
Jerry Kuns, a technology coordinator at the California School for the Blind. 
"More than anything I like the fact that Emprint (TM) creates raised, color 
graphics usable by all our students."

People with low-vision and others who may not read Braille can also use the 
tactile and ink features for better comprehension of spatial material. Adding 
color to a raised image makes materials, like tactile maps or diagrams, more 
engaging for low-vision and learning disabled students. Studies have shown that 
a combined tactile and visual/color interface makes a stronger connection with 
the brain than vision alone, improving the learning process.

Emprint(TM) uses the familiar interface of Microsoft Office to create Braille 
and ink documents that can be printed in a single pass. Braille text can be 
printed in a wide variety of languages. Ink text can be printed in any size, 
color or font the user chooses. Tactile graphics, like maps and bar charts, are 
printed with raised lines and color ink.  The height of raised lines and 
objects is determined by their visual equivalent: the darker the color or 
shade, the higher the relief in that area.

The ink cartridges and paper used in the printer can be found at any local 
office supply store. The types of paper can range from normal copy paper to 
traditional-weight Braille paper. Emprint(TM) retails for 
US$5995 and includes: printer, ink and Braille translation software. For more 
information or to purchase, contact your local ViewPlus distributor or contact 
ViewPlus directly by email, sales@xxxxxxxxxxxx 
<mailto:sales@xxxxxxxxxxxx>, or call 541.754.4002.

ViewPlus Technologies, Inc. is a private firm that develops and manufactures 
hardware and software for people with sensory disabilities, including people 
who are blind, low-vision and learning disabled. For more information please 
visit the ViewPlus website, http://www.viewplus.com, email info@xxxxxxxxxxxx 
<mailto:info@xxxxxxxxxxxx>, or call 541.754.4002. ViewPlus worked with 
Hewlett-Packard Specialty Printing Systems to incorporate color HP Inkjet into 
their Tiger® Braille printer line. This is the second venture into Braille and 
ink by ViewPlus that uses HP Inkjet cartridges inside.

     For more information, contact:

     Cari Stieglitz
     541.760.4668
     info@xxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:info@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
 http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060516/phtu018.html?.v=57  





>>> Alan.Blackburn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx 05/17/06 7:34 PM >>>
G'day all,
Remember also that not all blind people are totally blind. I could see a
great advantage for anyone with residual or deteriorating vision in
having both touch and sight cues from a tactile image.
Alan 

-----Original Message-----
From: accessibleimage-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
[mailto:accessibleimage-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Dan Comden
Sent: Thursday, 18 May 2006 5:05 AM
To: accessibleimage@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
Subject: [accessibleimage] Re: ViewPlus Introduces Emprint


I was able to view a protoype of this technology at the conference in 
Birmingham last December.

Being able to easily combine print images and tactile output in a single

document will significantly increase the collaboration possibilities 
between blind and sighted people. It's not that the Braille is colored
-- 
it's the graphics that can be integrated with the Braille that's a cool 
idea, along with the variable height capability of the ViewPlus
products.

-*- Dan Comden                   danc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
     Access Technology Lab
http://www.washington.edu/computing/atl/ 
     University of Washington

On Wed, 17 May 2006, Ike Presley wrote:

> I think the idea is that you can get print and braille on the same
page
> and that it can display graphics in color. I don't think they intend
for
> it to print braille in color. I could be wrong, but that was the
> impression I got when I saw it at CSUN a couple of months ago.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: accessibleimage-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
> [mailto:accessibleimage-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of JOHN
PANARESE
> Sent: Wednesday, May 17, 2006 12:44 PM
> To: accessibleimage@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
> Subject: [accessibleimage] Re: ViewPlus Introduces Emprint
>
>      I'm sorry folks, but this is something I simply do not get from
> a blind person's perspective.  Color Braille.  I know that the point
> can be made from the standpoint of educators, but based on the
> overall quality of
> Braille I have experienced from the variety of embossers, I'd
> always    have and will recommend the Index or Enabling product lines
> for Braille production.
>
> Take Care
>

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