Braille displays use a static array, where, the vibratory nature of the Optacon's array was the feature that allowed it to be used in a realtime constantly fluctuating environment such as that in which a human hand with it's natural vagaries, moved a camera across some form of visually presented information. Playing with technologies not mass-produced, or tested, costs money--lots of money--and thereby makes bringing a replacement, or improved product to market near-term less likely. Nick On Thu, 11 May 2006 16:46:20 +0100, Dave Godfrey wrote: The reference to the mouse was an analogy. It was to give the idea something that most people could appreciate. It wouldn't operate like a mouse, but be handheld like a mouse. Another point brought up is the array. It may be worth thinking of new polymer technology and move away from piezo ceramic driven pins that are bulky and heavy. I know there are developments in Braille displays using polymers , but the refresh rate is currently a sticking point, but who knows, if a research lab was involved in a new design, then perhaps this limitation could be overcome. Best regards Dave -----Original Message----- From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Catherine Thomas Sent: 11 May 2006 16:32 To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: RE: How would the one-handed Optacon work? was a wish list I wonder if there would be a way of making the two pieces modular--for one-handed or two-handed use. What would happen to the zoom lens? In my picture, the camera is on the bottom and the array is on the top. In Dave's description, the camera suddenly became a mouse. I used the Optacon II screen-reading program for six years and that program really did have a mouse. Rather than touching the actual monitor with the CRT lens, the computer screen image was transferred to a mousepad. If you were in a word processor, the image followed the cursor and was controlled by the keyboard. Those poor arrrow keys got a lot of use. Also, the program had an automatic scan. With a combination of mouse buttons the program would read a whole line of screen or the whole page if you wanted. The actile array was the same as always. Only the camera method changed. I'm still having trouble transferring the concept to a print page and still protecting us form being subjected to pre-scanning. Again, I'm not criticizing. I'm just confused. Catherine ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- -Catherine Thomas braille@xxxxxxxxx / ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- To unsubscribe at any time, just send a message to: optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" (without the quotes) in the message subject. Tell your friends about the list. They can subscribe by sending a message to: optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "subscribe" (without the quotes) in the message subject. To unsubscribe at any time, just send a message to: optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" (without the quotes) in the message subject. Tell your friends about the list. They can subscribe by sending a message to: optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "subscribe" (without the quotes) in the message subject. To unsubscribe at any time, just send a message to: optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" (without the quotes) in the message subject. Tell your friends about the list. They can subscribe by sending a message to: optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "subscribe" (without the quotes) in the message subject.