Peter,
Agreed. Devices which convert print into speech can't replace either
Braille or the Optacon. However, Optacons just aren't around anymore and
Braille, for some people in certain environments, may not be practical
or affordable. However, devices like the one mentioned in this article
can be taken into a supermarket or restaurant and can be used more
conveniently than one could use an Optacon. Also, while the prices may
be coming down Braille displays just aren't affordable for many people.
I do, however, have very fond memories of the Optacon and I feel it's
regrettable that nobody has managed to revive it or released a similar
product.
Incidentally, last week's episode of the Blind Side podcast with
Jonathan Mosen featured a fascinating interview with Judy Dixon, who has
worked for NLS for 35 years and who was responsible for the launch of
Web Braille. Judy still uses an Optacon and owns several and mentioned
that she does share parts for other users who also use that device.
David Goldfield,
Assistive Technology Specialist
Feel free to visit my Web site
WWW.DavidGoldfield.Info
On 11/11/2016 10:32 PM, Peter Donahue wrote:
Hello David and everyone,
This thing sounds like a cross between the optacon and the KNFB Reader.
While a device like this will take its place in a blind person's Arsenal of
reading solutions it will never replace Braille. My wife who is a Braille
Proofreader said "Amen!"
Peter Donahue
-----Original Message-----
From: blind-philly-comp-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:blind-philly-comp-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of David Goldfield
Sent: Friday, November 11, 2016 9:25 PM
To: Philadelphia Computer Users Group for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Subject: [blind-philly-comp] From PC Magazine: Fingertip Camera Reads to the
Blind
This reminds me of a similar project developed several years ago at MIT.
pcmag.com
Fingertip Camera Reads to the Blind
By Stephanie Mlot
•
• November 10, 2016 09:37am EST
University of Maryland researchers develop a wearable that allows the
visually impaired to read without braille.
HandSight
A group of scientists at the University of Maryland have come up with a novel
solution to the problem of allowing the visually impaired to read.
The team, led by assistant professor of computer science Jon Froehlich,
developed a device that allows blind people to read text without the aid of
braille, which isn't always available.
Dubbed HandSight, the vision-augmented touch system features a tiny CMOS
camera typically used for endoscopies and laparoscopic surgery. This is
combined with micro-haptic actuators that allow the device to vibrate while
remaining as small as possible.
The early-stage technology, according to New Scientist, slips onto the
fingertip like a ring; additional pieces attach to the hand and wrist.
As the user slides their finger over a non-tactile surface, such as the page
of a book, a computer linked to the device recites each line of text.
Pitch-controlled audio cues and vibration feedback help guide the reader
across the page, alerting them to line breaks or the need to reposition their
finger to continue reading.
A group of 19 blind people who tested the device using books and magazines
managed to average a reading speed of between 63 and 81 words per minute.
Later versions of the wearable will use a smartwatch like the Samsung Galaxy
Gear for power, processing, and audio, making for a more portable experience.
"Compared to handheld text scanners such as mobile phone applications,
mounting a tiny camera on the user's own finger has the potential to mitigate
camera framing issues, enable a blind reader to better understand the spatial
layout of a document, and provide better control over reading pace," the team
wrote in a recent study.
The gadget was born in 2012 out of a class project in Froehlich's Tangible
Interactive Computing graduate course. Two years later, it received a $1
million grant from the Department of Defense's US Army Medical Research and
Materiel Command to assist visually impaired veterans.
The research team's initial goal is to assist visually impaired folks in
reading without braille. Eventually, though, they hope users will be able to
touch a piece of clothing and hear suggestions for coordinating an outfit, or
handle a piece of fruit to learn its color.
--
David Goldfield, Assistive Technology Specialist Feel free to visit my Web
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