Re: Portable accessibility devices - print reading, etc.
- From: "Dale Leavens" <dleavens@xxxxxxx>
- To: <jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 29 Feb 2004 21:21:13 -0500
For those concerned about accessibility of everything from Computers to
print and including those deaf-blind among us and including Darrell I am
pasting below the contents of a message received on another list.
My Optacon is 1978 vintage and has been most helpful in working around some
of the accessibility issues of Jaws without using Window Eyes for the
benefit of our moderator, and I don't have it anyway.Admittedly this is
straying dangerously near the boarders of eternal damnation and banishment
from the list depending on where one draws the line but I figure there is a
close if not direct relationship to our purpose here.
*** Insertion begins here ***
Hello Listers,
The opticon users on this list will find the following information of
interest.
This product is a bit expensive right now, but sounds to me like they are on
the right track. See what you think.
-----original text-----
For those of you who have been looking for a replacement for the
Optacon, especially for one that does not vibrate, here is an
opportunity to acquire such a device or have your institution acquire it
- contact me, John J. Boyer, at
director@xxxxxxxx
about the VideoTIM.
If you contact the manufacturer, ABTIM, directly, please mention that you
heard about this through Computers to Help People Inc. (CHPI).
The VideoTIM has a handheld camera which can be moved over a document or
other material. The picture under the camera is shown on a tactile
display that uses dots similar to those on standard Braille displays.
There is more information in the paragraphs below. The price of the
VideoTIM is currently $10,000, but that is expected to decrease as the
manufacturing technology improves and as more units are sold.
You can help in the latter by purchasing or promoting the purchase of
one of these devices. By doing so, you will also help a nonprofit
organization obtain one. According to a contract between Computers to
Help People, Inc. and ABTIM, CHPI will receive such a device if we can
bring about the sale of five of them by April 1, no fooling! This will
be a big help in our work of transcribing math and science books into
Braille and e-text, since our resident Nemeth expert will be able to
examine difficult print mathematical expressions. For the purposes of
this contract, CHPI is an official VideoTIM dealer.
If you are interested, please contact me, John J. Boyer, directly at
director@xxxxxxxx
and I will put you in touch with ABTIM.
The following information has been abstracted from the website of the
manufacturer,
www.abtim.com
ABTIM - BLIND- & LOW-VISION-DEVICES RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Using the VideoTIM
The mini-hand-video camera of the VideoTIM has a built-in light to
illuminate a document. The electronics of VideoTIM automatically work out
the ideal brightness.
The picture you look at with the mini-hand-video camera will be
projected in real time. That means 12 pictures per second are shown on
the tactile display (TIM). The functions of the three buttons above the
>tactile display are to zoom in or out, or to invert. With the left hand
on the display on top of the VideoTIM-device you can adjust your
individual brightness - this makes e.g. letters bigger or smaller.
The VideoTIM-Display has an excellent tactile quality. Any pixel can be
located exactly. TIM has an array of 256 pixels and a size of 4 x 4 cm.
The dot spacing is 2.5 mm.
The user puts his hand on the VideoTIM-display. He can change between
active and passive recognition. Active recognition means moving the
hand
over the tactile dots and the fingertips recognize the details. The
picture appears as a relief. The passive recognition uses the tactile
projection. The soft knocking dots stimulate pictures onto the skin of
the fingers.
Technical Data for VideoTIM:
* TIM-Display with 256 tactile dots on an area of 4 x 4 cm
* Piezoelectric technology working with high speed and strong stroke
* Realtime video transmission with 12 frames/s
* Scanning electronics with software for optimal tactile pictures
* Works without vibration
* Low noise while working, freeze-frames noiseless
* Compact design with an area of 14 x 20 cm, tactile display with a
height of 6 cm
* Weight, incl. hand-video camera, approx. 800g
* Ergonomic design
* Hand-video camera with built-in light
* 9x zoom by 2 keys
* Key for invert function
* Switch for brightness
* 12V socket, hand-video camera socket
* On-/Off-Switch
Technical progress might change this technical data.
Delivered with:
* AC adapter with 12V output
* Document holder
* VideoTIM training-set
* Transporting bag
John J. Boyer; Executive Director, Chief Software Developer
Computers to Help People, Inc.
http://www.chpi.org
825 East Johnson; Madison, WI 53703
*** End of insertion ***
I anticipate this will be of interest and value to many on this list. If
not, flames will be graciously received at my address below.
Dale Leavens, Cochrane Ontario
dleavens@xxxxxxx
Home of the Polar Bear Express!
----- Original Message -----
From: "Darrell Shandrow" <nu7i@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: <blindtech@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>; <guispeak@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>;
<jfw-employment@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>; <jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>;
<speakup@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>; <blindprogramming@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, February 29, 2004 11:36 AM
Subject: Portable accessibility devices - print reading, etc.
Hi all,
I am doing some of my own, freelance research and am seeking the help of
those who are "in the know"...
I am interested in learning about all currently active projects to create a
portable accessibility device for the purpose of reading print and tactile
access to images. I am thinking about something similar to the old Optacon.
I have heard of a couple of such projects, but information seems to be very
sparce.
Please respond off-list if you know anything about any of these projects.
What will be the features of such a device when it goes into production and
what will be its price tag.
I feel that having an affordable version of such a device might represent
our only near-term hope to gain greater accessibility to the world around
us.
Thanks.
Darrell Shandrow - Shandrow Communications!
Technology consultant/instructor, network/systems administrator!
A+, CCNA, Network+!
Check out high quality telecommunications services at http://ld.net/?nu7i
All the best to coalition forces carrying out Operation Iraqi Freedom!
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